Page 21 of Gripp

She ran her hands along his shoulders and brushed her fingers across the back of his neck. As they looked into each other’s eyes, Gripp reached up and gently touched her cheek.

His swelling cock triggered another orgasm, and the breath tore out of her body in great heaves. The strength of his own orgasm made him fall against her, pinning her to the bed.

April twisted herself around him, locking her hands together and wrapping her legs around his hips. His breath was hot against her cheek, the murmur of his voice soft as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

Gripp shuddered from head to toe, held tightly in April’s embrace. She shivered and gasped, keeping her limbs twisted around him. His arms wound around her, pinning her against his body.

She just hung on to him for a few moments, trying to remember how to breathe. Disturbing thoughts echoed through her mind, but she shoved them away.

There were many reasons why she should not have done this. None of them were relevant now, and April just wanted to enjoy this as long as she could.

No matter how good this felt, it could not be forever.

TWELVE

GRIPP

The warmth of the early morning sun teased at Gripp’s skin as he rolled in the soft sheets. He enjoyed the silky feel of April’s bare skin against his own, the complete immersion of her scent. He had never felt so relaxed or so happy.

It took time for his mind to catch up to his senses. He wanted to stay in this place of perfect bliss forever. It had taken him so long to find it, and he had suffered for so long. Surely, he deserved a little peace, a little comfort.

Even as his sleepy mind begged him not to wake, Gripp felt the reality of the situation jarring against the quiet thrill of being caught in April’s arms. He was only here with her because he’d been sent into a warzone to find her. He had a mission and a purpose.

With a soft sigh of regret, Gripp sat up. He looked down at April, her beautiful golden hair sparkling in the early morning sun where it fanned across the pillow. He felt a sharp stab of tenderness rush through his chest as if his heart was forever changed.

Before he could examine the feeling, April stirred. He watched in wonder as her brow furrowed and her eyes opened. She rolled slowly, smiling as she looked up to see him watching her.

“Morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Is there coffee?” April asked, yawning.

Gripp laughed softly. “There might be tea. Let me look.”

April nodded as he got up and headed to the cupboard. There was some strong, loose black tea. He made up a small pot, pulling on his clothes while the water boiled.

He and April were fully dressed and eating hard bread when Brother Farryn arrived. He’d brought food for them and assured them that the children were well.

“They will be safe here until transport can be arranged for them,” the brother said. “You will be moving on?”

“Yes,” Gripp said, suiting up. “We’ll only bring danger to you.”

The monk nodded. “Good journey to you, my friends.”

April and Gripp shook the monk’s hand and thanked him before heading back into the thick vegetation. April reminded Gripp she wasn’t going anywhere without her evidence, so they had to backtrack to the watch tower to find it.

It didn’t take them long as it wasn’t as far away as April had feared. In the daylight, the forest seemed much easier to traverse. But, if they could see better, so could their enemies.

He had no doubt they were still looking for April and most likely the kids too. He wanted to get to the checkpoint as quickly as possible. After the bliss he’d known from the night before, everything about reality felt harsh and needlessly difficult.

Violence. War. Where does it get anyone?

For the first time in his life, Gripp questioned himself. As he plodded through the jungle with April by his side, he struggled with his emotions. Every now and then, he’d glance at April, and she’d give him a sweet, shy smile.

He didn’t know if she wanted to talk about what had happened between them or if she was happy to leave things as they were. He supposed that if she wanted to talk about it, she would. His senses were so tuned to her that he knew she was aroused from being close to him. The panther side of him wanted to drag her off into the jungle to ravish her for eternity and never rejoin the civilized world.

A loud purr vibrated through his chest at the thought of it. Gripp found this to be the best course of action at the simplest part of his nature.

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