September 17th, 2019

The sun set slowly over the horizon and I frowned as I watched it, contemplating all the things I still had to do before I got to take a small vacation. Another skirmish with the Georgia Federation had broken out this week and Miles was out handling the militia as they defended our borders.

Bass was in his office, writing conscription notices to the outlying areas of the Republic, informing them that any man or woman between the ages of 18-40 would be conscripted into the militia.

I sighed heavily at the thought of all the families about to lose children, fathers, mothers…and on it went. I had fought tooth and nail against the conscription, offering tax breaks and land instead for volunteers, but the idea hadn't won over the Miles or Bass.

It was frustrating, fighting with them on this issue, especially when I disagreed so vehemently with how they planned on initiating growth in the militia. According to Bass it wasn't a policy issue (wrong), so I shouldn't be concerned.

Man had I kicked his ass over that comment.

I shook my head and smirked softly, recalling the shouting match we had gotten into during the last council hearing. We hadn't spoken for a day afterwards and when we finally did it spawned yet another argument.

The last two years had been rough for Bass and I; after my attack I had struggled with regaining my memories, physical balance, and ability to focus. Frequent headaches had worried the doctors, but there was little they could do in the way of relief other than give me painkillers and check my blood pressure.

After a few months the headaches subsided and I began to feel like myself again, but I still struggled with flares of anger and sleeplessness. If I got three hours of sleep in a night I was lucky.

Most nights I went to bed with Bass and read files and signed paperwork until he fell asleep, only after which I eventually fell asleep, covered in pen marks and paper. It didn't matter how hard I worked during the day or how many hours I spent riding Beda or sparring with Bass, I never slept well.

After two years of this nonsense I had finally been convinced by Bass to take a break, go on a small vacation and just…rest. I had to admit, I was excited. Bass and I hadn't had a break or time to ourselves in more than a year.

Sighing softly I rose from the front steps of the capitol building and turned to go inside and pack. When Bass was finished with his conscription announcements our team of messengers and a group of militia escorts would accompany them to the outlying regions of the Republic.

I slowly packed my bag, lost in thought. I had hopes that this trip with Bass would give me time to rest and have some space from everything that had been happening in the Republic. More than that, I hoped it would give us time together to just be ourselves again, to be happy.

It felt like it had been too long since we had been able to do that, to feel close. The emotional and physical distance that had grown between us as a result of my attack and the symptoms it caused weighed on me; the guilt making it harder to reconcile the empty feeling between us.

My fingers closed on a bundle of silk and lace, lingerie that had fallen out of use in the past six months. A knock at the door startled me into shoving the lingerie into my bag before hastily zipping it shut.

A moment later the door to our suite opened and I heard the distinctive tread of Bass's boots on the hardwood. A few steps later and I felt him behind me, his breath skating across my neck softly, sending a thrill through me that I had ignored for far too long.

When his arms slid around my waist I leaned back and sighed contentedly, letting my eyes close as I inhaled the scent of him—warm and slightly spicy, with an undertone of tobacco that let me know he was smoking again.

His lips pressed to my neck, softly, hesitantly and a flush of sorrow slid through me at his hesitance to touch me—we had been distant for far too long if he thought his affection would upset me.

"Are you ready for a vacation baby?" he whispered.

I hummed in reply and turned slowly in his arms, winding my fingers behind his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. His hands on my waist tightened and pulled me firmly against him, letting out a soft grunt of pleasure when my fingers curled through his hair, tugging softly.

The kiss grew deeper, more heated, until finally we parted, breathless. His eyes were hooded when he smiled down at me, his fingers resting on my hips where they had slid under my shirt. "Glad to see you're excited for some alone time," he joked, his breath warm on my cheek.

I smirked and nodded, "It's long overdue," I replied softly, running my fingers through his hair gently until his eyes drifted shut and a soft noise of pleasure rumbled in his chest.

Leaning in again I kissed him softly and murmured against his lips, "Come on, let's get going." He nodded and kissed me quickly again before slipping away and grabbing his bag, tossing it over his shoulder.

"Lead the way," he murmured, smiling softly at me. Smirking, I led the way out of the building and down to the stables where our horses were waiting, saddled and laden with supplies. We were travelling to Cape May for the next week, not including the two days it would take to travel there and back.

It was a long time to be away from the Capitol, considering both of us would be gone at the same time, but I just couldn't stand the idea of us drifting any further apart. If anyone needed us they would be able to send messengers and we could ride back in less than a day if we pushed the horses.

Bass and I tried not to worry about the possibilities and simply rode off into the night, leaving the Republic in the capable hands of the council.

An autumn chill blew and I shivered, eager to get to the solitude that awaited us.

September 18th, 2019

The sky softened with the afternoon light as Bass and I unpacked in the B&B that had become our residence. The white cottage with a brick front walkway and large, airy rooms that looked out onto the ocean behind it was one of a few houses we had set up across the Republic as waystations for our travels and as getaways from the stress.

I stared out the window of the master suite, watching as an autumn storm rolled in, the sky darkening as thunder rumbled in the distance. Bass's hands slid around my waist from behind, holding me close as he nuzzled my neck.

"You wanna take a bath?" he asked softly, his voice warm with innuendo.

Smirking softly I nodded, "Let's have some wine while we're at it," I replied, half turning and kissing his throat. He made a soft noise of agreement before turning away and heading downstairs to light a fire and boil water.

After another minute of staring out at the ocean I sighed softly and went downstairs to open a bottle of wine, inhaling the bittersweet scent of cherries and plums in the red wine as I poured. Walking out to the large living area I smiled softly at Bass and handed him a glass of wine, tugging on his hand to pull him down on couch beside me.

His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest as I curled my feet under me. His lips brushed over my hair and I could feel him nuzzle his nose into it for a moment before he sighed and sipped his wine.

After taking a long sip of mine I sighed and tilted my chin up, staring at him. His bright blue eyes met mine after a few moments and his brows popped up in silent question.

"I'm sorry that I've been so distant," I murmured.

Bass shook his head immediately, "Babe, I know it was your head injury, I don't blame you," he replied urgently.

I frowned; I didn't believe him for a second. "Bass, I know it's been hard for you, you don't have to pretend like it hasn't been. My head injury caused a lot of changes for us and it's been incredible frustrating for me to not feel like myself. I pushed you away because I had trouble understanding who I was, not just in our relationship, but as a person."

Taking a deep breath I sat up a little so I could see his face better. "All I want is for us to be us again. I'm tired of feeling alone at night and wishing that things were different without ever trying to fix them. I want us to be happy again baby," I murmured.

Bass sighed heavily and smiled sadly, "It's not all your fault Becca, I backed off hard when I realized you were going through something and I shouldn't have done that. I let you down by not being there for you better, and I should have apologized and made things right sooner."

I nodded gently and sighed, "I wish we had been able to find out who it was." Frowning, I shook my head, "Actually, I wish I had been able to remember anything about the attack." I looked at him sharply, "It kills me that it's all just a blur," I told him.

Bass cupped my cheek and shook his head, "The doctors said it could come," he murmured softly.

Scoffing, I gave him a skeptical look, "You know it isn't going to. It's been two years babe, nothing more is going to come back," I said tightly.

Bass frowned softly and cupped his hand around my neck his thumb stroking softly against my skin. "Maybe, but let's be optimistic, huh?" he suggested.

I sighed and smiled faintly, "Of course."

After another few moments Bass rose and carried the boiling water in the large stock pot upstairs to the tub. I pulled the other off the fire in the dining room and hauled it upstairs as well, dumping it so that the tub was three quarters of the way full.

Bass carried the pots downstairs, leaving me to toss some extremely old lavender bath salts into the water before undressing. As I reclined back in the tub, the steam from the water curling the small tendrils of hair at my neck, I sipped on my wine and closed my eyes, determined to relax.

A few minutes later I could hear the sound of Bass's feet on the hardwood stairs. Cracking an eye open I smirked as he set the bottle of wine on the counter along with his glass. He caught my eye and wiggled his eyebrows before slowly stripping, laughing softly when I began to hum a sexy tune.

"Nudge up," he ordered, smirking down at me from beside the tub.

I slid forward and when he had settled in behind me, leaned back against his chest, sipping on my wine. Bass tapped his glass against mine, "To our first vacation," he murmured.

I chuckled, "And probably only."

He snorted and shook his head, "Let's not say that or it'll become true," he replied softly.

Nodding softly I sipped on my wine, simply enjoying the feel of Bass pressed against me. The way his hand curled around my hip and his fingers stroked against my skin sent little flames of desire burning through me.

It had been far too long since we had made love…hell since we had done anything close to it. It made me sad to think about so instead I gulped the last of the wine in my glass and reached for the soap, intent on getting myself clean.

Bass reached out and plucked the soap from my hand, "Let me," he murmured. A moment later he was lathering a washcloth and running it in slow circles over my back. I hummed softly in pleasure, my head dropping forward as the tension that had build up over the last months(years really), slid away.

I lifted my knee as he slid the cloth over my hip and down to my knee before chuckling and leaning forward to slide it further down my calf. His lips pressed against my wet neck as he slid the cloth over my other leg, humming softly against my skin.

The rough fabric of the cloth brushed against my breasts, my nipples stiffening in pleasure at the sensation. A moment later the cloth had disappeared, leaving me bereft and aching for more. Turning, I snatched the cloth from him and began the same treatment on him, taking my time to cup his balls before lifting the fabric and squeezing it out over his head.

Laughing as he sputtered I shrieked when he splashed water into my face, soaking my hair and the floor around us. What ensued was nothing less than a battle that left the tub half empty, the water splashing all around the bathroom.

When we were both soaked and had finished the bottle of wine I collapsed against his chest, small puffs of laughter escaping me as I wound my arms around his neck, straddling his lap.

"You're such an asshole," I murmured jokingly, nipping at his neck softly.

"Hmmm, I don't disagree," he replied softly, running his hands over my back.

Sucking the skin of his neck between my teeth I smirked when he groaned and rolled his hips into mine, letting me feel his half hard cock.

My nails scrapped against his scalp as I placed open mouthed kisses to his throat, enjoying the way his hands gripped my hips like he was desperate, needy. I slowly rolled my hips into him and lifted my lips to his for a long, lingering kiss.

Heat spread through me as his hands slid from my waist to cup my breasts, running his thumbs over the nipples until I was panting in desire and rolling my hips against him harder, aching for his touch elsewhere.

Bass surprised me by standing, his hands grasping my ass as he stepped out of the tub and carried me to the bed in the suite. His large body hovered over mine as he laid me down, his fingers furrowing in my hair as he kissed me breathless.

His hips rolled against mine, his hardening cock brushing against my clit making me shiver with need. A breathless moment later he was trailing kisses down my throat and then lower, until his lips closed around my nipple.

His tongue laved over the stiffened peak, the warm sensation of pleasure flushing through me, each tug and lick setting my body on fire with need. When he had me whining and my breasts were heavy with a pained pleasure he abandoned them and kissed lower and lower until his mouth was hovering over where I needed it most.

He glanced up at me, his eyes hooded with desire. "I've missed this baby," he whispered hoarsely, a half smirk on his lips.

"Me too baby," I whispered, instinctively arching my hips up, seeking out his touch.

He laughed softly and leaned in, obliging me. His tongue swept over my folds, tasting the arousal before his lips closed over my clit, sucking on it gently. My thighs shuddered at the flood of sensation, a low whine escaping me.

Bass flicked his tongue against me, alternating between a quick and languid pace as he sucked, grunting softly when my fingers tugged on his curls.

"Ahh! Y-yes!" I gasped as he slid two fingers in me, curling and thrusting them until he found my g-spot and attacked it with fervor.

I clawed at the sheets and Bass's hair, tugging it to the point I knew I had to be hurting him but I couldn't stop. My entire body was trembling under Bass's touch, my throat hoarse from crying out in pleasure.

His caresses grew more insistent until I was shouting in pleasure and trembling at the edge, desperate for release.

"Please Bass…please!" I cried, caressing my breasts in an effort to come.

I could feel his growl against my clit and when he sucked particularly hard as his fingers rubbed within me, I came with a broken cry. Within moments Bass was at my lips, pressing a searing kiss to them, a low groan escaping him as I whined and thrashed under him.

I nipped at his jaw and rolled my hips into his, "I need you inside me," I gasped, moaning as his cock slid along my wetness.

He nodded sharply and grabbed my hips, yanking me up so my legs wrapped around his waist, his weeping tip teasing at my entrance. His bright eyes met mine and he gripped my thighs tighter, "I love you baby," he whispered before snapping his hips and plunging into me.

My head shot back at the sensation of his dick swelling within me, my hips shuddering with pleasure as he withdrew slowly. Once again his hips snapped forward and he filled me to the point I felt like crying in pleasure.

He continued this way until I was bucking against him, trying to urge him to go faster, pleas dropping from my lips on every breath. Even through the haze of pleasure I could see the concentration and control holding him tight.

My hand locked around his and his gaze tore from where he was plunging into me to meet my eyes.

"Harder baby…please," I gasped.

I could see when his control snapped; his eyes darkened with lust and a moment later he began thrusting into me, hard and fast. I kept my eyes locked on his as he moved, my body shuddering around him.

His fingers were so tight on me that it almost hurt, but the sweet pleasure of his cock slamming into me had me crying out in ecstasy. When Bass sat back on his heels and pulled me up onto his lap I swore as he slid deeper, his cock twitching within me.

My arms wound around his neck as he resumed thrusting roughly into me, my hips twisting and circling to meet his. His mouth landed near my ear and I could hear him swearing and muttering, his soft groans of my name making me ache for him.

"You're so tight baby, so wet," he snarled, slamming into me harder.

I whimpered and gave as good as I got. "Your dick is so good…uhhh yea baby, fuck me!"

"You're so loud for me baby," he gasped, palming my ass. "You like it like this?" he demanded.

I nodded weakly and gasped when he thrust harder, "Let me hear you," he ordered.

"Y-yes! I need it like this!"

His fingers crept between us and began circling on my clit, drawing a sharp gasp from me. I knew we were being loud and I could feel the bed shaking under us but I didn't care, all I wanted was to feel him lose all control.

Wrapping my arms around him tighter I pushed until Bass collapsed back and I was straddling him. His eyes blazed up at me as I began riding him, rapidly growing breathless. My nails scraped over his chest and I leaned down to suck at his nipple, rolling my hips against his.

His deep groan spurred me on, teasing and licking until Bass was panting my name, his legs shuddering under me. His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me down for a messy kiss, his hips stuttering.

"I'm fucking…close," he gasped, kissing me desperately.

I leaned back and rode him harder, swearing breathlessly at the sensation of his dick dragging through my folds and slamming back into me. I rubbed two fingers against my clit, arching hard at the fiery sensation rushing through me.

"Oh fuck baby, you look so good," Bass hissed, his fingers cupping my ass as he drove into me.

I swirled harder, faster on my clit and gasped when he pushed my fingers away to replace them with his. My hips shuddered under his rough touch and within a few minutes I was coming, shouting his name.

Bass continued to hammer into me until he groaned and I felt him stiffen within me, hot cum filling me with each thrust. We moved against each other slowly until the last of my shudders stilled and his dick began to soften.

Collapsing against his chest I curled my fingers through his hair and pressed soft kisses to his jaw. Bass let out a soft chuckle, "That was…"

"Fucking amazing?" I supplied with a smirk.

He nodded and ran his fingers up and down my spine, humming softly in pleasure.

"I love you Sebastian," I whispered, leaning up to kiss him.

"I love you too Rebecca."

"Sir."

I looked up from the map I was studying with one of my men and frowned, wondering why this scout was interrupting us.

Then I glanced over his shoulder.

My eyes widened at the sight of Rachel.

It had been nearly a decade since I had seen her, and now here she was, standing in front of me.

Without a word I nodded to her, waiting for her reaction.

She hesitated a moment and then nodded back.

Glancing at the scout I nodded, "Cuff her," I ordered.

AN: OKAY, so we've jumped ahead two years, and we'll keep jumping from here. I truly hope you like this chapter and the ones to come. Thank you all for reading and commenting, it means so much! xoxo