I just started to laugh. “Well considering I could’ve had my ass kicked at any moment if you brother saw us, I would have to say that it was worth the risk of getting caught. Fuck Ellie you drive me crazy!”
She threw her head back and laughed as she looked over at Ari who had yet to swing off of the rope swing while Jeff just kept calling her a scaredy cat.
“Guess what?”
“What baby?” I said as I traced her beautiful jaw line with my finger.
“That was another first for me!” she said with a smile so sweet I just about had my heart explode in my chest. Fuck me.
“Jesus Ellie……” I cupped her face with my hand and kissed her. I couldn’t believe what a lucky son of a bitch I was to have her experience all these things with me. What did I do to deserve her?
Ellie pulled away from my lips just a little and whispered against them.
“I love you Gunner. ”
“I love you too Ellie, more than anything. ”
Just then I heard Ari screaming at Jeff. “You fucking dick! You knew my top would come off if I did that! I HATE YOU…. . you dirty bastard!”
CHAPTER FORTY THREE
Ellie……
I had never in my life seen Ari so mad. Jeff was standing in the water holding her bikini top in his hand laughing his ass off. Just then I heard music and saw someone pulling up. Jeff turned and then swam over to Ari as quickly as he could and started trying to put her top on.
“What the FUCK are you doing? Get the hell away from me and give me my goddamn top back!”
“Stop moving the fuck around Ari and stand still and let me put your top on before Dewey gets here!”
Jefferson sounded panicked. I swam over and took the top out of his hand and gave him a look. I helped Ari put her top on just as Dewey jumped out of his truck with two other guys and two girls.
“Who the fuck are they Gunner? Jeff asked as he looked over at Gunner.
“Hell if I know who they are; but I’m about to find out right now. ”
Gunner got out of the river and walked up to Dewey who grabbed his hand and gave it a slap. I couldn’t really understand what they were talking about. I looked over and Ari was walking out of the river and Dewey was staring at her hard. Jeff started to get out and walked up next to Ari, blocking Dewey’s view of her.
I saw Gunner running his hand through his hair. He only does that when something is wrong or he is worried. I started to get out and walked over to Gunner’s truck. Next thing I knew Dewey and his group of friends got back in Dewey’s truck and took off.
“What was that all about?” I asked as Gunner walked back up to us.
“Dewey had been drinking so I told him to take his friends and get them off of the ranch. I also told him if he ever did it again he would be gone. SHIT! I’m going to have to talk to Drake about this. ”
“Well, I think I’m about ready to head back to the house. I kind of lost the desire to go swimming and fishing thanks to dickwad here!”
Jeff let out a laugh and looked Ari up and down. I just shook my head. Gunner put his shirt back on over his head and walked over to me handing me my shirt and shorts.
“One More Night” by Maroon 5 came on the radio. “Jesus…. . this is Jeff and Ari’s song!” Gunner said with a laugh.
I started to laugh and Jeff and Ari both said “FUCK YOU GUNNER!” at the same time.
“You want to go riding Ells?” Gunner asked as he gave me that crooked smile.
“You mean horseback riding?”
He nodded his head yes and I jumped into his arms.
“YES! Hell yes!” I shouted as Ari and Jeff started to laugh.