Ari and I took some time after Jefferson and Gunner left to unpack a few things and straighten up. The morning had been blissful, and I felt like I was on cloud nine. Gunner had kissed me twice today, and each time I felt like I was going to just melt in his arms. I definitely liked our move from just friends to more than friends.

I was still nervous about it all, though. I never felt like this with Ryan, not even close. The more time I spent with Gunner, the more I felt like I was stepping into a danger zone. The last three weeks without him had been pure hell, and it felt so good to have him back in my life again.

Ari was being very quiet. I’m not really sure what was going on with her this afternoon. Jefferson and she got along pretty good and even bickered a few times, which was a relief. I wondered if she was worried about going to the party tonight. After all, the last party at Gunner and Jefferson’s house turned out pretty shitty for Ari.

Just then, Ari jumped when a text came through. She grabbed her cell off the breakfast bar. Her face immediately fell.

“What’s wrong? Is it bad news or something?” I asked her as I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

“Oh, um, no, not at all. It’s actually from Jason. Looks like they landed in France a little bit ago and he was just checking to see how my day’s been. Sweet, huh?” Ari said with a small smile.

“Yep, that is sweet. You telling him we are going to Brad’s party tonight?”

“I wasn’t going to. I mean, he doesn’t own me, I don’t have to tell him my every damn move!” Ari snapped back at me and walked off.

What the hell was that about? Ari sat on the sofa to type out a text message back to Jason. Sheesh, she was in a mood all of a sudden.

“What the fuck? Are you fucking kidding me?” Ari shouted as she looked up at me. I was walking back into the living room and stopped in my tracks.

“Holy hell, he just told me I should probably stay home. Who the fuck does he think he is?”

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone tell Ari what to do. Stupid move, Jason.

“What’re you going to tell him?” I asked as I sat down next to her. She was texting so fast I could practically see the steam coming off her fingers!

“I just told him he has no right telling me what I can and can’t do. I mean, holy fuck. I just spent the last three weeks of my life devoted to him one hundred percent. Now he goes to Europe and he expects me to sit home and wait for him. I told him, sorry, that’s not how I roll. If he doesn’t like it, he can fuck off!”

I had to let out a giggle. A part of me thought that Ari was secretly hoping he would fuck off. Her phone beeped again and she read the message. Her whole body just sunk down in the sofa. Oh no, maybe he was telling her to fuck off?

“What did he say, Ari?”

Ari let out a sigh and looked at me. “He told me I was right, he had no right telling me what I can and can’t do, and that I should go and have a good time.”

“And this makes you unhappy? Isn’t that what you wanted him to say?”

“Of course it is! I mean, yeah, of course it is. I guess I should wish him a good time,” Ari said as she gave me a weak smile.

Okay, I was confused.

“Yeah, you probably should. He’s probably already missing you.”

“He said they’re leaving in the morning for their first hike so he won’t be able to be in contact with me for a few days until he can get a signal. Huh, what a shame. Anyway, I think I’m going to go get ready. Do you have any idea of what you’re wearing tonight?” Ari said.

I had to laugh. There is no way she was into Jason at all. I would be devastated if that was Gunner.

“Nope, I have not even thought about it. Want to help me pick something out?”

“Hells yeah, I do! Come on, my closet first!” Ari said as she grabbed me and dragged me to her bedroom.

Ari and I spent the next two hours or so picking out what we were going to wear, taking showers, and primping. Ari called Heather and told her what time we were leaving to pick her up. I still couldn’t believe Amanda was dating Brad. Ari filled in Heather on Josh, and I could hear Heather laughing through the phone. I was pretty sure I heard the words “man whore” in there somewhere.

Gunner had sent me three text messages since he’d got back home. The first one said he was back home safe and sound and they were getting the house ready for tonight. The second said he was thinking about me, and the third said he couldn’t wait to hold me in his arms again. I felt the heat in my cheeks as I read the last one.

Was he really for real? Sometimes I felt like I was going to wake up from this dream to find out I was still living at home with my mother and Gunner never existed.

“You ready to go, chica? Because I’m ready to party! I haven’t been to a party since, well . . . since the last Jefferson disaster party!” Ari said with a laugh.

I started to laugh at how much of a good mood Ari was in compared to a few hours ago.

“I’m ready, let’s go!”

Ari was wearing a blue jean miniskirt with a pink sleeveless shirt along with her pink cowboy boots. Her hair was pulled up in a low pony and she had on a pink cowboy hat. I had on a short white dress with my plain, simple cowboy boots. Unlike Ari, who owned ten pairs of boots in every color, I opted for just one pair of simple brown boots. I decided to put my hair up also since I’m sure we would be spending most of the night in the backyard dancing.

“Oh, Jeff sent me a text asking us to pick up plastic cups, so we need to stop at HEB to grab some,” Ari said as we made our way out to her Jeep.

Was she skipping?

“So what got your mood turned around, Ari?” I asked as I climbed into the Jeep.

Ari threw her head back and laughed. “I’m going to a party instead of the damn country club for dinner! God love Jason, but he needs to loosen up a little! But hey, while the cat’s away, the mice will play!” Ari said with another laugh as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

By the time we stopped and picked up Heather, and then the cups for Jefferson, we ended up getting to Gunner’s place around seven forty-five. Ari pulled in and parked behind Jefferson’s truck. As soon as we walked in the front door, Gunner had me in his arms and was lifting me up again for a kiss. I’m not sure why but every time he did that it made me giggle.

“God, I love the sound of your laugh!” He reached down and gave me a quick peck on the lips. The moment he put me down, I was disappointed. Good Lord, I needed to get a grip. I couldn’t keep acting like this, needing more and more of him every time I saw him. I would have liked a deeper kiss, though.

Gunner grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen where Jefferson, Brad, Josh, and some other guy I’d never seen before were talking. Gunner grabbed a beer out of the fridge, opened it, and handed it to me. Then he introduced me to their friend.

“Jon, this is Ellie, Ellie this is Jon.” I reached out my hand to shake his and our eyes met. Wow, he had the most amazing green eyes. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held onto it another few seconds. The way he was looking at me instantly made me feel uncomfortable. He looked me up and down and then finally let go of my hand.

“Ellie, Gunner has told me a lot about you. It’s a real pleasure to meet you finally,” he said as he smiled at me with a smile that would knock any girl off her feet.

I looked over at Gunner, who was watching my every move. “All good things I hope.”

Oh, Christ, what a stupid answer that was!

Jon threw his head back a little and laughed as he ran his hand through his blond hair. He was built, but not as built as Gunner or Jefferson.

“Do you play football for UT also?” I asked as Gunner came up next to me and put his arm around my waist. I instantly felt the butterflies take off in my stomach and the heat from his touch pool in between my legs. I was praying to God I was not blushing. For once I’d like not to show on my face what Gunner’s touch does to me.

Jon smiled at me and tilted his head while looking at me. What the hell? He looked down at Gunner’s hand resting on my waist then back up to me.

“No, my dear, I don’t play football for UT. I do, however, play baseball for UT. Do you like baseball, Ellie?”

“My dear?” Okay, why was it the way he spoke to me made me feel all weird?

“Um, I guess so, but I really only ever watch football, sorry,” I said with a shrug.

Jon let out a laugh again and looked at Gunner. “Lucky son of a bitch you are.” Then he looked at me again. “We might have to just get you to start liking baseball, Ellie, now won’t we?”

I just smiled. I didn’t really know what to say to that. Gunner leaned down and whispered against my ear if I wanted to step away, and I nodded my head yes. All I wanted to do was get away from this guy. I wondered if Gunner noticed the way he was looking at me. This guy totally freaked me out!

Gunner took my hand again and led me to the one place I was not expecting to go . . . his bedroom. My heart started to pound and my head started spinning. When he opened the door and led me in I felt like I was going to stop breathing.

Oh. My. God. No! He didn’t think I was going to sleep with him, did he? Before I could even open my mouth, Gunner had me in his arms.

“Don’t think that, Ellie, sweetheart. I only brought you in here to give you a proper kiss in private.” He ran his hand through my hair and then brought it up to the side of my face. He took the back of his hand and moved it up and down my face. All I could feel was a tingling sensation everywhere his hand touched. He then took both hands and cupped my face. He tilted my face up and smiled that crooked smile at me. I swear I felt my knees wobble. He leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against mine four times and it was driving me mad.

“More . . .”

I felt Gunner smile against my lips.

“More, huh?” he asked as he let out a small laugh.

“Yes, Gunner, please. I need more.”

The next thing I knew, Gunner’s lips were back on mine and his tongue was seeking entrance into my mouth. I opened and allowed him in. He moved his hand to the back of my head and deepened the kiss so much it felt like all the air was being sucked out of my body. He slowly backed me up against the wall. Thank God, because I needed something to assist me with standing before my legs buckled out from underneath me.

God, I never wanted him to stop. The way he made me feel was unbelievable. I felt . . . cherished. When he finally pulled away his lips, I slowly opened my eyes to look at him. His beautiful blue eyes were looking down into mine. He slowly let a smile creep across his beautiful face. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Was that better, Miss Johnson?”

I let out a giggle. “Yes, yes, it was Mr. Mathews. You have successfully bewitched me.”

Gunner took his index finger and traced my jawline and then ran it over my lips. My whole body trembled and the ache between my legs grew stronger. All I wanted to do was squeeze my legs together to ease it.

“I’m glad to hear I have you bewitched, sweetheart. I thought for a moment someone else might be trying to do the same thing,” he said as he tapped my nose with his finger.

He did notice, and that was why he brought me there! I wanted to throw myself into his arms again and beg him to kiss me once more. I wanted to forget all about some guy flirting with me right in front of him. All I wanted to see was Gunner’s beautiful eyes looking into mine.

“You ready for a party?”

“Only if you promise to keep your dance card open for me all night,” I said with a smile.

“Done!” Gunner grabbed my hand and led me to his bedroom door. He spun me around and slammed me back against the door and kissed me deeply again. He pulled his lips from mine and I gasped for air.

“That’s so you don’t forget who has you bewitched,” he said with a wink. I stepped away from the door so he could open it. My head was spinning again, but this time in a good way. As we walked out from Gunner’s room and through the living room, I felt eyes watching us. I looked over to the kitchen and Jon was watching Gunner and I walk by. The way he was smiling felt like he was trying to look into my soul, and it sent a shiver down my back. I quickly turned my head and looked up at Gunner, who was smiling from ear to ear and leading us outside to the music.

Once we stepped outside, the fresh air felt amazing. I looked around and saw Amanda, Ari, and Heather all dancing. They all looked happy and that made me smile. Jeff had walked out the back door and pointed at some chairs for Gunner and me to sit. I still had yet to take a drink of the beer that was in my hand.

“Do you want to go dance with your friends, Ellie?” Gunner asked.

“Nope, I just want to sit here with you.” The next thing I did was probably the boldest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Especially since my brother was sitting right here. Gunner sat down and I sat down on his lap before I chickened out. I think Gunner was just as surprised as my brother. I went to take a swig of my beer and then felt something. Oh, wow, was I making that happen? I stopped my beer right at my lips as I felt Gunner adjust me in his lap. Jefferson was busy looking at everyone dance so he didn’t notice Gunner lean in and whisper against my ear.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was not expecting you to do that and he kind of has a mind of his own.”

I snapped my head and looked at Gunner. Did he just say that to me? He just told me I gave him a hard-on. I started to laugh and leaned down and kissed him right on the lips. Jefferson or not, I wanted Gunner to know how I felt about him every second of the day.

“Jesus Christ, can you stop, Ellie? I can take you sitting on his lap, but not sucking his face at the same damn time!”