Author note:
Sorry it has taken me so long to update. Work has been crazy. I hope you like this. I needed a little bit of sexy fluff! Please drop a review if you enjoyed.
CH 83-Rainy Days
~It was so close; she couldn't back up any more or she would go over the cliff. The bear stood on its hind legs and was swinging a massive paw toward her. She tried to scream, to call for Clay, but nothing came from her closed-off throat. This was it, there was no way to escape. As the bear swung for her face, she closed her eyes and braced for the pain~
Emma jerked awake. Thank God! It was just a dream, a nightmare. Her heart was racing, and she couldn't catch her breath. Clay reached an arm out to pull her closer against his chest and mumbled her name. She must have woken him somehow. She turned her head slightly to apologize. It was then that she realized he wasn't really awake, not yet. Even in his sleep, he had sensed her need and drawn her close, offering his comfort. A wave of love washed over her. She turned over in his arms and placed a light kiss to his chest, just above his heart.
Now he did wake up and spoke softly in a voice heavy with slumber, "You okay, Em?"
"Yea. I didn't mean to wake you. I just had a stupid nightmare. I'm fine. Go back to sleep honey."
"No, it's fine." He swallowed thickly a couple times and licked his lips. He had dealt with nightmares of his own in the past and knew how unsettling they were. "Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?"
She looked up and could see his eyes searching her face. "It was just…well the bear. And I tried calling to you and nothing would come out. I was trapped…" Emma started to tremble.
Clay rubbed his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion. "Shhh, babe. Again…I'm so sorry. But, you're safe. I'm here." He kissed her gently.
"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault." He started to speak but she kept going. "It wasn't anyone's fault really. It just happened." She placed a series of light kisses across his chest and up his jaw. "I know that you would never let anything happen to me."
He drew her flush against his body and held her tight, feeling the smooth warmth of her skin against his. Taking his own comfort in the feel of her breath on his skin and her heartbeat next to his. He glanced at the window and could see the thin, grey light of pre-dawn.
"Do you think you can go back to sleep now?"
He loosened his hold and turned onto his back. Emma threaded her leg through his and laid her head on his chest.
"Maybe…I'm not sure," she answered honestly.
She picked up his hand and began to trace each individual finger, his knuckles, and across the broad palm.
"Is that what it's like for you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"When you're on a mission. Having to just walk toward danger and stay calm. Like you did with the bear."
"I guess, kind of. When we go out, we have a plan and I have the Team with me. We have a job to do and we get it done."
"But your plans don't always go smoothly do they? And when you're out there, you have to make decisions while you're getting shot at."
He measured his words carefully. "Yea. Sometimes we have to change our plans and adapt in the moment. That means we do have to make split second decisions. But that's what we're trained for. Each guy on the team has a part to play to get the job done and to get us all back home safe. I do my part and I trust the guys to do theirs."
She nodded silently, trying to take it all in. She felt like she had gotten a small glimpse of who he was when he was Bravo 6, and not just Clay. Although it was a frightening experience that she would have rather avoided, she felt privileged to see that side of him, even for an instant. It helped her understand him, the whole of who he was just a little better. She sighed and snuggled into him.
"I love you."
"I love you too Emmie."
They slept again and Emma awoke to the rhythmic sound of rain drumming on the roof and against the windows. She turned to see that Clay had left the bed. As she was about to call out, she could hear him stirring around in the kitchen. Pulling on one of his shirts, she shuffled out to join him. His face softened into a smile when he saw her.
"Mornin' babe. Feel better since you got some more sleep?"
"Yes. I feel much better, thank you. I'm surprised you're up. I mean, I woke you pretty early."
"I thought you might be a little hungry since we didn't have dinner last night."
"I guess I am. Need any help?"
"Nope," he said, dropping a kiss on her up-turned lips. "I'm almost done."
She looked at the counter beside him and saw some juice, cut up fresh fruit and a few pieces of toast, some spread with strawberry jam and a few slathered with Nutella. He popped a couple more pieces in the toaster and turned to take her in his arms.
"Have you seen the weather," she asked.
"Yea, the clouds look pretty heavy. It'll probably rain most of the day. Guess we'll have to adjust our plans. That okay with you?"
"Actually, after yesterday, I kind of wanted to stay close the cabin anyway. Are you disappointed," she asked. "I know you wanted to do some target shooting."
He slid a hand down her body and settled it on her ass.
"Not at all. Our first day here I told you that I would be happy to spend our entire trip in bed with you." He lowered his mouth and nibbled at her lips. "I might not have gotten the whole trip, but I'll settle for all day today."
"The entire day," she questioned, raising an eyebrow at him.
He lifted her onto the counter plundered her mouth. Her nails raked across his chest and abs as she followed the light dusting of hair that formed a trail down to his pelvis and dipped her hands beneath his underwear to stroke him. He moaned into her mouth and then stepped back.
"Breakfast first," he growled scooping her up in one arm and the plate of food with the other.
He settled her in the bed and took his place beside her. Reaching for a grape, he brought it to her lips, and she opened to suck it into her mouth, brushing her tongue ever so slightly against his fingers. Not breaking his gaze, she took a slice of toast moved to feed it to him. As he took a bite, some jam fell from the bread and landed on his chest. He was raising a hand to wipe it off when Emma grabbed his wrist and stilled his movement. She bent over him to swirl her tongue on his skin and lick him clean.
"Unhh, Emmie," he breathed.
She sat back up and licked her lips. "Mmmmm."
Clay reached for a piece covered in Nutella and swiped a finger through the spread and placed it in front of her mouth. Emma pulled the digit into her mouth and sucked until not a trace of the chocolatey sweetness remained. Both of them were breathing heavy now, tense with arousal.
"My turn," he growled. But instead of waiting for Emma to select a morsel for him, he pulled his t-shirt off her and gathered more of the chocolate spread on his fingers, and smeared it across her breasts.
"God, Clay!"
He took her in his mouth and swirled his tongue around her nipples, savoring the taste of her skin drenched in the topping. As he moved from one breast to the other, he stroked down her body and pressed two fingers into her core. He sucked in time with the movement of his hand inside her. At the final swipe of his tongue across her hardened peak, she cried out his name and shook with her release. She lay still for just a moment as he lifted his head and spoke.
"You're so gorgeous Em." Slipping his hand from her he raised his fingers to his lips. "I do love the Nutella, but you are definitely my favorite flavor baby."
As their tongues tangled, she pushed off his boxer briefs and he rolled her beneath him and settled his hips between her thighs. She reached for the velvet steel length of him and guided him to her entrance. He drove into her heat and she squeezed herself around him. The friction and her body's responsiveness drove him higher and higher until he tensed and pulsed inside her. He buried his face in her neck and sucked at her skin.
"Emmie…Jesus! I love you so much Em."
"And I love you."
He slipped free of her and he rolled to his back, gathering her to his side. As their bodies cooled, Emma could feel the remnants of the fruit juice and other foods on her skin.
"I'm all sticky."
"Me too. I guess we need a shower."
Clay gathered her into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. He started the water and held her while they waited for the spray to come to temperature. When it was hot, they stepped into the tub and rinsed off. After they were clean and they turned off the water, he wrapped a towel around his hips and then held one out to her. She stepped into his arms and he enfolded her in the fluffy cloth.
Returning to the bedroom, they discarded their towels and slipped beneath the sheets again.
"I really am hungry now," she said reaching for a slice of apple.
"Yea, me too. I guess we should actually eat this time."
They finished their meal and cuddled together, and with all their appetites sated, fell back to sleep listening to the music of the rain.
