9. Sunrise Redux
The Harvest Festival is usually a time when they get to relax and have some fun. But not this time. No, this time Jim Shannon has to go poking his nose in business that isn't his.
Not that she completely blames him. Nathaniel did put him in charge of finding the Sixer spy which led Shannon down the road to discover Nathaniel's secret.
That's why the day after they've arrested Shannon, she's sneaking into Nathaniel's house to wake him up before sunrise. The whole colony is asleep and so is her future husband.
She gently shakes him awake and he rolls over with surprise in his eyes.
"Come with me," she asks of him and he complies. They silently leave the house to sneak out the fence.
Just like so many years ago, she's stashed his motorcycle under a tarp and to say he's happy is an understatement. She can see the relief flood his eyes as he wraps his arms around her. They share a brief embrace before uncovering the motorcycle. They quickly mount the bike and take off in the direction of the clearing.
They've been back to this beautiful spot only a handful of times due to the fact that they can hardly schedule time off together. It's one of the many downsides of being the highest ranking people in the colony.
But as they motor around the clearing to their favorite spot, she feels the tension leave her body. This place has healing powers and she's hoping Nathaniel will find it freeing.
They come to a stop and dismount. She spreads out a blanket and invites him to join her. He does so willingly and lays his head down in her lap for her to gently strokes his hair.
The sun peeks over the crest moments later and they revel in the rays.
"Are you going to be okay?" she asks a few moments later and feels him tense under her hand. She'd seen the way he was shaken while standing on the stage last night. Not many people would have picked up on it but she did. It's one of the benefits of knowing him after so many years.
"Yes," is the only answer he gives and she believes him. He is the perfect example of strength in her eyes and has succeed in overcoming everything that has happened to him. Jim Shannon may have brought up a difficult time in their lives, but that's all.
She feels Nathaniel stroking her thigh in time to the strokes of her hand through his hair. With the spy running around, both of them have been busy and away from each other. Now that they are finally alone, of course he wants to have sex. It's a good thing that she's missed him as well.
His hand moves up her thigh to run along the waistband of her pants. She moves her hand down and under his shirt to swipe her fingers over his back. He turns his face into her lap and she can feel him smile against her leg. He pulls himself up her body as she leans back on her one free arm. He continues his upward journey until he is perfectly aligned with her body.
He is at face level with her and they lock eyes. His eyes show love and happiness and she reflects it back. Nathaniel closes the distance between them and slowly moves his lips over hers. It's a gentle kiss at first that soon turns into something more. She presses her tongue against his lips to seek entry. He grants it and they are dueling. Her body temperature rises as they continue to make out.
Eventually, Nathaniel decides he's had enough of this and sweeps her arm out from underneath her. They both flop onto the ground and the wind is knocked out of her. But he's leaning over her and giving her a shit-eating grin. This man can be insufferable at times but she loves him nonetheless.
She moves her hands to his chest and starts to pull his shirt up to reveal his skin. Between his arms and his chest, she's not sure what she finds more attractive. One feature protects her and another is just so damn sexy. But she has to settle on neither since she has all of him.
While she was removing his shirt, he was pulling her's up as well. The temperature is slightly chilly this early in the morning and both of them are developing goosebumps across their exposed skin. They break apart to finish removing their respective shirts and he reaches over to grab the extra blanket she packed. He unfolds it and flings it over them to provide some additional warmth. He can be extremely sweet and caring.
Then he settles himself over her again as they continue the journey to satisfaction. He's undoing her belt, then the button of her pants, and finally the zipper. He slips them and her underwear down her legs and she reaches behind her to undo her bra, which she promptly flings against the motorcycle. The flourish has him chuckling at her silliness.
She was right in bringing them here. He's already lost all the heaviness that had encompassed him last night and there's a glimmer of pure happiness in his eyes. It may have to do with the impending sex they are about to have but, she hopes that it's more than that.
He's pulled her pants down to her boots and instead of taking them off, he maneuvers them over the boots. She just laughs in response. For some reason, it's his fantasy to make her wear combat boots during sex. She is happy to oblige.
"Where's your jacket?" he asks.
"On the seat," she answers as he moves away. He's taken the blanket with him and she immediately feels the cold air move in. It makes her shiver.
He has the jacket and is pulling her into a sitting position to put it on her. It almost makes her feel like a child with him taking her arm and shoving it into the sleeve. He does the same for the other arm and smooths down the collar.
He rests back on his heels to take in the sight of her. Combat boots and leather jacket framing her breasts. He just leers at her and she laughs while shoving against his chest.
It's enough force to send him backwards and she jumps on him in a flash. Her nimble fingers make quick work of his belt and pants before shoving them down his thighs. He's hard as a rock and she gently grasps him to pump a few times. He groans in pleasure and before he can think twice, her warmth is enveloping him.
She take a moment to savor the connection before moving in a slow rhythm. Up and down in small circles that has him panting. His fingers have moved up to her hips and are digging into her skin. It brings a little pain but it mixes with the pleasure to make her feel amazing.
Suddenly, he jerks his hips upward and it penetrates at just the right angle that she's moaning loudly. He pushes up again just as she falls down and they establish an even more tantalizing rhythm.
Sweat is beading on the skin of her stomach to only be cooled by the air and she can see little beads of perspiration gathering on his chest. She leans forward to run her tongue across his right pectoral and down to circle his nipple. He shivers at the contrast between the warmth of her tongue and the cool air surrounding them.
But she moves back before he can flip them and she regains her initial pace. A few more down strokes and they both are peaking in delight. She collapses onto top of him and he pulls the blanket over. She hums in joy and he affirms it with his own hum of pleasure.
By this time, the sun has reached a good distance above the peaks signally that they need to leave soon. But neither wish to leave this peaceful respite from the colony and it's worries.
"I say we celebrate every Harvest Festival this way from now on," he says to her while gently stroking his hand through her hair.
"I agree," she answers.
Eventually, they do move and make their way back to the colony. Just like so many years ago, she is overwhelmed by the love that she feels for this man as they are sneaking back into the colony.
