November 6, 2029

The war is almost over. It has to be. Blanchard won't come back around our camp ever since Monroe threatened to castrate him for touching me, so Miles went to Austen to talk to Blanchard. He's hoping to get some news about other parts of Texas and how the battles are going there.

Around here, the fighting against Patriots has fizzled to almost nothing. We do have run-ins with bandits or small war clans from time to time. Mostly, we just wait.

Waiting sucks no matter what, but when you are stuck waiting with someone you have feeling for, and who you think might also have feelings for you BUT you can't figure out a way to ask him – well that kind of waiting is worse.

Last night we had a pretty bad storm. Miles was still in Austen, so it was just me and Monroe. Luckily we have a tent. One tent. So, Monroe and I shared it. Did I mention it's a small tent? Well it is. So, there we were, packed in close. The interior of the tent was pitch black. The storm raged outside and it was cold. I was shivering.

"Move over here so we can share the blankets." He said. I swear he made it sound like he'd rather share a blanket with anyone else, but felt obligated.

"I'm fine over here." I said, but my teeth were chattering so he pulled me over and covered us up. It wasn't like we were naked or anything. We were both fully clothed and technically we were both in our own bedrolls, just squished together and then covered by the one heavy blanket we had.

At first I tried to keep some space between us, but he fell asleep. Once he was out, he rolled closer and snuggled up against me. Two things about this: 1. I never would have figured Monroe for a snuggler, but he is. 2. I know it means nothing and he was only doing what his subconscious was telling him to do, but it felt like more than nothing. Nuzzled up close to his body, I felt like I was home. His embrace was firm and warm and enveloping, and with a sigh I snuggled close and fell asleep too. The last thing I remember was the comforting sound of his heart under my ear.

When I woke up this morning I was kind of confused at first. Morning light was filtering through the tent's fabric. I felt warm and kind of disoriented, but not in a bad way. Suddenly, everything zoomed into focus and I realized I was in Monroe's arms. Not just in his arms either. At some point our bedrolls had become less of a divider. My legs were tangled with his. My arms were wrapped around his back. We couldn't be any closer unless we were naked.

I was wondering if he was awake. I shifted slightly and felt his cock, hard and ready and pressing into my belly. I heard him make some weird strangled noise and I realized he was awake too. He was awake and waiting to see what would happen when I woke up. Our limbs were so intertwined; there was no way one of us could get free without the other's cooperation.

I slowly looked up at him. His lips were pressed into a flat, tense line. His eyes were heated and very aware. I could have sworn I also saw fear there. Our eyes locked and without really meaning to, I found myself stroking his back through his shirt.

"Charlotte." His voice was a hoarse whisper. There was warning there.

"Monroe." I whispered, licking my lips.

"Charlie?" He was asking my permission.

"Bass." His eyes grew wide with surprise at the sound of his nick name – one I'd never used before – not out loud anyway. He understood that this was my answer. He groaned and then he was kissing me.

Shit.

It was like we'd both been holding back for so long that suddenly all bets were off. God, he's a good kisser. Can't say I was super surprised about that. He's known for his skills with the ladies, after all, but wow. His lips were somehow gentle and aggressive all at once. His tongue was probing and his hands were everywhere. He was just a little bit tentative at the very beginning, but when he was sure I wasn't backing out, there was no more hesitation. None at all.

I yanked him closer, grinding against his hard (and might I say impressive) erection. This made him moan into my mouth and I swear I came right there, just hearing the effect I had on him. Monroe was yanking at my shirt and I was letting him – when we heard it.

"Where the hell are you guys at?" It was Miles, and although I love my uncle, I also hated him in that moment.

Monroe moved so fast, I landed with a thump on my back as he pushed away from me. His eyes were still wild, but no longer with desire. He looked terrified. Terrified and guilty as hell.

Something my Dad used to say (about being caught with a hand in the cookie jar) flitted through my memory. I frowned up at Monroe and stood, straightening my shirt. I looked pointedly at the bulge in his pants. "You better take care of that. Pretty sure Miles is going to notice if you walk out of here with a boner." Then I left the tent without looking at him again. This was all too damn weird.

Miles had just returned and he had good news. Blanchard said treaty negotiations were in the works. The war would officially be over by Christmas.

"Shouldn't you be happier?" he'd asked me.

"Yes. Yes I should." I'd growled before finding my crossbow and heading into the woods. Maybe hunting for breakfast would make up for not getting to have what I really wanted.

November 11, 2029

Things have been awkward between Monroe and me ever since Miles interrupted our little make out session. I want to talk to him, but he's never alone. It's like he doesn't trust himself around me anymore.

Maybe he doesn't.

November 12, 2029

Stephanie is back. She came with more news from treaty negotiations. She says that Blanchard feels confident it won't be much longer. Yesterday, we sat around at lunch listening to her go on and on about all her hopes and dreams for Texas and the role she hopes to play in it. She was sitting far too close to Monroe. Every now and then she'd place a meaty paw on his thigh and I was burning up with hate for her.

Miles suggested the two of them go for a walk. He said it in a teasing way, clearly implying they'd be doing a lot more than walking.

I was sure I was going to be sick.

Before either of them could agree to Miles's plan, I stood.

"Where you goin?" Miles asked.

"Town." I was already grabbing my things and packing my bag.

"Why?" Miles asked, clearly not understanding why I would ever want to get away.

"I need some fresh air."

"We're living in the damned forest, Charlie. It doesn't get much fresher than this." He was laughing. Monroe looked uncomfortable. Stephanie wasn't paying me the slightest bit of attention.

"You're right, Miles. It's not fresh air I'm after."

"What then?"

"I'm bored. Going to go to town, have some drinks, play some pool…maybe find a guy."

Now Miles was standing too. "Find a guy to do what with exactly?"

"A woman has needs, Miles. Time I got some of mine met." Then I threw my bag over my shoulder and left camp without a backward glance. I could hear Stephanie laughing and I swore to myself I'd kill her with my bare hands if I ever had to look at her face again.

I had walked maybe a third of the way when it started to rain. Perfect. I remembered an old farm house that we'd passed on several occasions. One side of it had been crushed when a large tree had fallen on the roof long ago, but surely there would be a dry room I could stay in.

I ran the last bit and found a door I could go through. I looked around a bit before settling in an old bedroom. The place smelled musty, but it was dry and the fact that there was still a mattress had me almost giddy.

I pulled my bedroll out of my pack and spread it across the mattress. Then I took off my boots and spread out on it with a happy sigh.

I dozed off and when I woke up it was with that creepy crawly feeling that told me I wasn't alone. My eyes shot open and I looked at the door. Monroe was standing there, leaning against the jam. His posture was relaxed, but he looked kind of pissed.

"What?" I asked with a frown. "Did the rain ruin your plans with Stephanie?"

He started walking toward me and the look in his eye was causing my skin to sizzle with awareness. "Never had any plans with Stephanie." He said.

"You didn't seem to mind having her hands on you."

"Her hands aren't the ones I wanted on me." He was so close then and my heart was pounding.

"Pretty sure Miles doesn't like you that way."

"Funny." But he wasn't laughing. "Were you really going to find some random guy in town?"

"Maybe." I shrugged. "I just needed to…."

"Needed to what?"

"I needed to stop thinking about you with her." I admitted.

"Wasn't with her."

"Why not?"

"Cause I want you."

When I looked up at him then, I saw so many emotions rolling across his face. Fear, need, anger and hope…

"Me?"

"Yes, Charlotte. Only you."

I stood then and we were kissing and this time Miles wasn't around to stop us. Thank God.

So, here's the thing. I've had sex before. There was that guy back in Wisconsin. His name was Elijah. His Dad was the farmer we bought grain from. He was nice, but when I finally gave in and let him have what he wanted, I found it terribly underwhelming. After we left Sylvania Estates, I just didn't have the time or desire to start anything with anybody. Then we got to Texas and I went looking for Monroe. There was that bartender Jeff and then of course Connor. Even with my lack of experience, I was convinced that there had to be more to it all than what I'd known.

I was so right about that.

Monroe… No. Bass. Bass didn't seem to want to talk much and I was okay with that. There would be plenty of time to talk, later. He seemed impatient. I was okay with that. Our clothes were quickly gone.

But then, he seemed so imposing suddenly - naked and hard and so very close. Did I mention naked? Bass Monroe is physically perfect and being so close to him and knowing what was coming next – it was almost too much. I was having trouble breathing - my chest rising and falling in ragged gasps. He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently stroked the flesh there. I knew he wasn't particularly interested in taking it slow, but he sensed that I needed a moment.

Bass leaned in and whispered calming words against my ear. It was like he was inside my head and knew exactly what I needed. He told me I was beautiful. He told me I was worth the wait. He told me that he wanted to be inside me. He said he wanted to taste me. All the while, he was just ever so slightly stroking my shoulders. I calmed down slowly. He smiled and then he was kissing me again and by then I was feeling better – more settled…. Ready.

He moved us to the bed and carefully put me on my back in the center before moving to hover over me. The kissing was getting more intense and I was touching every bit of him that I could reach. Bass moved his way down my throat, pausing to kiss the silver arrow pendent. "You're still wearing it."

"Of course. It's so beautiful."

"Just like you."

He moved farther down then, kissing and sucking my nipples while using his fingers to stroke the drenched folds between my legs. He found my clit and began to rub it in a steady rhythm that sent shockwaves through my body. I arched under him and begged, "Please, Bass."

He groaned, promising something about giving me more foreplay next time. He took my hand and wrapped it around his cock. I shuddered at the weight of it in my fingers. Thick, long and so very hard – I wanted it buried inside me, so I helped line him up at my entrance. Feeling the perfect velvety tip of his penis right there – ready – it was so intense. I pivoted my hips, trying to encourage him.

He didn't really need any encouragement. He grasped my hands high above my head and thrust. The movement was strong and invasive. His dick filled and stretched me. I lifted my hips to welcome him deeper. He began to move – slowly at first. With every thrust, he went deeper until he was buried. His pace quickened. I cried out as he began to go faster, hammering into my pussy with an almost punishing pace. Amazing. It felt…amazing.

He reached between us and lightly pinched at my clit and I exploded around him. I could feel the walls of my pussy gripping and pulling at his cock as I came. He groaned, fucking me through my orgasm. His followed soon after mine had faded. He pulled out just in time and came on my thigh.

Afterwards we cuddled for a while. We talked about staying right there but decided against it. "Miles would start to wonder where we were." I reminded him.

"Let's go back to camp. We'll tell Miles I talked you out of screwing some random stranger. I'll be a hero." He grinned at me and his eyes were sparkling. He looked happy, and it made my heart swell to know he was happy because of me.

"You already are my hero." I said, kissing him softly. "Are we going to tell him HOW you talked me out of it?" I laughed as he began to shake his head.

"Not yet. We'll tell him, but let's wait just a bit."

"Okay."

So, we walked back to camp. We didn't talk much but I don't remember being happier. As we neared camp, we stopped for just a moment and Monroe pulled me close and kissed me. "There's going to be a lot more of that, okay? Don't doubt it and don't doubt me. I don't want Stephanie or anyone else, okay? Just you."

I nodded, not even sure what to say.

We walked into a mostly empty camp. Connor was pacing near the dying campfire.

"Hey Connor, why are you here?" I asked.

He started to talk but stopped. He looked from Bass to me and back again. Understanding dawned. "Congratulations, I guess. Looks like you figured out all your shit."

I shrugged, "Most of it. What's wrong? You look…off."

"I came to tell you guys some news. Miles left before I could even tell him all of it. I'm guessing you will too."

My heart began to hammer as apprehension pooled in my gut. "What news? You're scaring me, Connor."

Bass grasped my hand and spoke to his son, "Come on. Out with it."

Connor nodded. "Charlie, it's your Mom."

I felt my knees go wobbly and Bass pulled me against his body for support. "Is she…" I couldn't even finish my thought.

"She's alive. Pittman brought her in this afternoon. Priscilla didn't make it back. Aaron is a mess, but your Mom…"

"What?" I nearly screamed at him. "What about her?"

"She's had another breakdown, Charlie. She's not doing well at all. You should probably get to town as soon as you can. She's with your Grandpa. He's worried."

Bass and I grabbed our things and were back on the trail in minutes. Connor led the way.

A/N Thanks so much for all the comments. They mean so much. Leave another one if you have a moment.