Bloody Sunset

by Gwendolyn Harper

  Playfully swatting him on the ass, she laughed, “Better get going then.”

  Grinning, Booker started down the hall towards the clinic.

  And if Caitlin didn’t know any better, she would have said he put a little extra swagger into his walk just for her.

  * * * * * * *

  By early afternoon, the camp was buzzing.

  The gossip mill had churned out story after story, all with tidbits of the truth, but never the full explanation. Each managed to one thing well, however—instigate fear in everyone who heard some variation of what happened.

  As Caitlin wandered, still searching for Donna or someone who’d seen her, she could feel the tensions rise with each group or family she passed.

  They needed to find the person responsible for the Geek swarm before someone got hurt, either by their hand or from an angry mob.

  The gym was mostly empty, save for a few older boys attempting to play basketball with a red kickball, and Desi tossing a rope toy for Fancy in the corner.

  “Mind if I join you?” Caitlin asked, walking up.

  Desi shook her head, curls bouncing around her face.

  “Where’s Booker?” She asked, taking a piece of a treat out of her overalls pocket and giving it to Fancy.

  “He’s with Scott,” Caitlin said, sitting on the first row of bleachers. “He’ll be around later.”

  As Fancy playfully yanked on the rope toy, Desi giggled and pulled back.

  “She likes you,” Caitlin commented after a moment.

  Desi smiled. “We couldn’t have dogs in my apartment building. But my grandpa had them on his farm.”

  “A farm, huh? Where was that?”

  “New Mexico.” She took out another treat, having Fancy sit for it. “He lives outside Santa Fe. We’d go visit him at Christmas time every year.”

  Caitlin smiled, watching the girl. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “It was,” Desi said. “Mom said I could move there one day when I got older.”

  Her expression fell as sorrow and remembrance washed over her.

  “Guess that probably won’t happen now.”

  “You never know,” Caitlin said. “Maybe you’ll get to go back.”

  Through the narrow window in the door leading to the locker rooms, Caitlin spotted movement. Jet black hair she was starting to grow weary of was the first clue, and then Seth’s profile came into view.

  Like an animal sensing they were being watched, Seth froze for a millisecond before turning to stare directly at her.

  Caitlin’s stomach clenched.

  She expected him to hide or walk away.

  Instead, Seth pushed open the door and strode into the gymnasium with his hands in his pockets like the most casual person in the world.

  “Afternoon,” he said, offering a smile.

  Caitlin didn’t speak.

  “Seems like it’s been quite a day, huh?”

  Arching a brow in question, she said, “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

  Seth gestured to the hallway leading to the rest of the school.

  “Oh, I just meant the disagreement over the food rations.”

  Caught off guard, Caitlin blinked owlishly.

  “Huh?”

  Shrugging, Seth tucked his hand back in his pocket. “I guess a few people on the kitchen detail were worried about the food we have left. Things apparently got heated—no pun intended.”

  Desi giggled and Seth beamed at her.

  “I didn’t realize people were worried about the rations,” Caitlin admitted.

  Seth held her gaze for a moment before saying, “Looks like your next supply run will come at just the right time.”

  “None of the others want to go?”

  “Well, sure, but…” He glanced over at the door and back. “We all know they’re not as experienced as you. I mean, look what happened last time.”

  It was eerie to have her own words repeated to her, and by someone she wasn’t sure she could trust.

  “Booker and I will talk to the officials,” Caitlin said, trying to keep her tone even. “See if we need to move our run up a few days.”

  “I hope the kitchen staff stays sedated until then,” Seth said.

  Before Caitlin could comment, he was waving goodbye to her and Desi and walking out of the gym.

  As soon as he was out of sight, Caitlin stood up.

  “Desi, I’ll be right back,” she said. “Stay here with Fancy.”

  “Where are you going?”

  Heading towards the door Seth had come in from, she said, “I just want to check something. Don’t worry.”

  The closer she got to the door, the louder her heart pounded.

  What was Seth doing in the locker rooms if he wasn’t showering? His hair had been dry, and he wasn’t carrying extra clothes or a towel.

  Occasionally people would use the restrooms attached but there was only one stall and the door didn’t latch all the way. It was much easier and more private to use the bathrooms closer to the bunks.

  Pausing with her fingertips on the handle, Caitlin tried to take an even breath.

  There were plenty of logical explanations for Seth’s trip to the locker rooms.

  But Caitlin couldn’t quiet the voice in her head telling her something was wrong.

  A sharp whistle made her jump, hand flying off the metal knob like it had shocked her.

  Whirling around, she exhaled roughly.

  “Where ya goin’ off to?” Booker called.

  Caitlin glanced over her shoulder and then back.

  “Uh… Nowhere,” she said. “It was nothing.”

  Bending down to scratch Fancy behind the ears, Booker grinned and motioned for Desi to toss him the dog toy.

  The perfect domesticity of it all was enough to yank her mind out of the spinning fear and worry. She didn’t want to dwell in anxiety—not then, anyway.

  Caitlin wanted to stay in the warmth of Desi’s laugh and Booker’s lighthearted teasing.

  She stepped away from the door, quickly joining them.

  There’d be plenty of time for worry later.

  * * * * * * *

  Returning from the hall bathroom, toothbrush and toothpaste in one hand, Caitlin opened their door with the other.

  Seated on the edge of their mat, Booker was turning something over and over in his palm.

  “You okay?” Caitlin asked, twisting the lock on the door and pulling the towel they’d tacked up as a curtain over the window.

  Nodding, Booker made an affirmative noise at the back of his throat.

  “Just wonderin’ if I should start takin’ these now.”

  It was then Caitlin could see the shape of a small pill bottle.

  “Scott said it’ll take a few days to really notice a difference,” Booker continued. “But he said they won’t make me a…” He chuckled to himself. “Well, a zombie.”

  Tucking her things back into her pack, Caitlin went over to sit next to him.

  “I’m proud of you, Jack,” she murmured, kissing the curve of his broad shoulder. “Not everyone is brave enough to ask for help. But you did it.”

  “Only ‘cause you pushed me,” he said. “Prob’ly woulda just toughed it out like before.”

  “That’s like trying to run a marathon on a broken ankle. It only hurts you more.”

  Ducking his head, Booker hummed in agreement.

  “A’ight. Better quit the theatrics,” he said. “Hand me that bottle of water?”

  Caitlin did as he asked, smiling softly as she watched him pop two pills into his mouth and swig them down with a huge gulp of water.

  Running her fingers through his hair, Caitlin leaned closer.

  “Good job, champ,” she said. “Want a lollipop?”

  Booker screwed the lid back on the bottle and set it down.

  “Nah,” he murmured, turning to wrap his arm around her. “I want somethin’ sweeter.”

  Caitlin giggled into his sudden kiss, fumbling fo
r purchase on his arms.

  “Have you always been this corny and I just never noticed before?” She asked, laughing as he trailed his lips down her neck.

  “It’s a hidden talent,” he mumbled against her collar bone.

  Shifting onto his knees, Booker hovered over her as Caitlin flattened her back on the bed.

  She felt giddy, as if it was their first time or a special occasion.

  Lifting the hem of her soft thermal long sleeve, Booker’s calloused fingers caressed her sides as he ducked down to kiss across her abdomen and navel.

  “Could take it off of me, you know,” she teased, letting her knees fall open further. “Same with my jeans.”

  “Could…” He murmured, nuzzling against the soft skin just below her sternum.

  When he didn’t make a move to disrobe her however, Caitlin remembered what he’d asked for without so many words.

  Remembered the many times Booker had wanted to serve instead of be served.

  Vaguely she wondered if his desires fluctuated with his other emotions. If being stressed and aimless gave rise to the need to be directed and used.

  Pushing at his shoulders, Caitlin sat up.

  Before he could ask if she was alright, she kissed him until he was flushed all the way to the tips of his ears.

  “Take your clothes off,” she told him, voice firm. “But don’t lay down yet.”

  Booker blinked, momentarily stunned.

  “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

  He shook his head quickly. “Definitely not.”

  Nearly tripping over himself, Booker yanked at his boots and socks, then his belt and jeans, tossing them all into a pile by the foot of their mat. Tugging his shirt off, his head got caught for a second and Caitlin thought about helping him, but he freed himself soon enough.

  The giddiness returned as she stood up.

  Before he could strip his boxer briefs off, Caitlin nudged him in the leg with her foot.

  “Leave those,” she ordered. “I have a plan.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Booker said, licking his lips.

  Jerking her chin at him, she said, “Lean back against the wall.”

  Watching him settle in the middle of their bed with his naked shoulders pressed against the cinderblock wall, Caitlin hummed her approval.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” she blurted out, gaze skipping over his muscled chest and the ridges of his abs, more pronounced after months of fighting for survival.

  He started to chuckle, ducking his head, but she continued.

  “I don’t think I tell you that enough,” she admitted. “I mean, you know you’re handsome, but I should tell you more.”

  “Y’do,” Booker said, voice like smoke and whiskey. “In your own way.”

  Curious, Caitlin arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  He nodded. “Like how y’watch me in the mornin’ when I’m gettin’ ready. Or when y’smile at me from across the room.”

  “Hm.” Caitlin took a step closer. “Still, those aren’t words.”

  Slowly—just to tease him—she popped the button on her fly and dragged her zipper down.

  “And I get the feeling you’d like some verbal affirmations every once in a while.”

  Booker’s gaze tracked her movements and he jerked his chin as a ‘yes’.

  “Good thing I can rectify that tonight, huh?” Caitlin said, peeling her jeans down her legs and stepping out of them.

  Leaving her shirt on, she dropped to her knees, prowling closer in the space between Booker’s thighs. Her long brown waves dragged across his skin, and she watched in the light from their camping lantern as goosebumps rose on his arms.

  Kissing up the line of dark hair under his navel, Caitlin smiled as she watched him twitch beneath the thin grey cotton of his shorts.

  “Before we got together,” she started, breath ghosting over his stomach. “Did you ever think about me while getting off?”

  Booker’s sharp intake of breath was visible in the taut flex of his abs.

  “I tried not to,” he murmured. “Thought it was… disrespectful.”

  Dragging her nails over his inner thighs, she toyed with the elastic and material keeping him covered.

  “But you did, didn’t you?”

  He nodded. “Not like I was doin’ it all the time, but…” He swallowed. “When we were camped by the pond. I’d be gettin’ cleaned up, and…”

  Caitlin glanced down at the thick outline of his cock under fabric and grinned. With a single fingertip, she traced the curve pointing towards his belly, enjoying the soft whimper he made at the back of his throat.

  “And you just couldn’t help yourself, huh?”

  Before he could answer, she dipped her head to gently mouth at him over his briefs.

  Cursing softly, Booker shifted his hips. As he reached to brush the hair from her face, Caitlin stopped him.

  “Until I say so, you can’t touch me,” she told him, grip firm on his wrist. Smiling, she added, “But you can touch yourself while you watch me.”

  Sitting back on her heels, Caitlin pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it to the side. Left in only her bra and black panties, she arched her back a little to give him an eyeful.

  Booker’s lips parted silently as his stare moved down the length of her body.

  Spreading her legs a fraction, she skimmed her hands over her thighs, down the outside and up the inner until she hit the crease of her hips and repeated the path all over again.

  That was all it took for him to do as she asked, cupping himself firmly.

  “Show me,” she murmured, sliding the straps of her bra down her shoulders but keeping herself covered. “Show me how you’d jerk off while you thought about me.”

  The muscles of Booker’s throat worked as he swallowed roughly.

  He was tentative at first—perhaps a little shy under the reality of being watched, but he didn’t back down.

  Sliding his hand under the waistband of his briefs, Booker gripped his base and stroked himself slowly.

  Caitlin practically purred at the sight.

  “God, you look good like that,” she told him, hooking her thumb in the elastic of her own underwear and snapping it against her skin. “You’re like every wet dream I’ve ever had.”

  Breathing out a soft laugh, Booker lifted his gaze to meet hers.

  She’d never seen him look so vulnerable. It flared something forceful and protective inside her, determined to never let him regret opening up to her.

  “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” She asked, reaching behind her to unhook her bra. “It’s like my libido goes into overdrive every time I look at you.”

  Smirking, Booker pumped his fist at a languid pace. He clearly wasn’t in any hurry.

  Leaning forward, she placed her hands on his legs, enjoying the clench of muscle beneath her palms.

  “And don’t even get me started on how other women look at you…”

  When his brows knit together in confusion, Caitlin had to fight not to laugh.

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed,” she said, grinning. “Every straight woman with a pulse in this camp stares at you like they want to climb you like a tree.”

  “That so?” He asked, eyes locked on her breasts.

  “Mhm-hmm.” Caitlin tilted back, pinching her right nipple and rolling it between her fingers until she was gasping. “And I get so high knowing they’re all jealous that I’m the one riding you into the mattress each night.”

  His tempo quickened and Caitlin smirked.

  “You like that too, huh?” She asked, watching his forearm flex. “Like knowing you’re mine?”

  Booker grunted softly.

  “That only I get to see you like this,” she continued, reaching out with her free hand to tug at the cotton still keeping him from sight. “Like my hottest fantasy come to life.”

  She watched as a flush creeped up his bare chest to his neck, and she leaned over him to kiss the edges of the pink hu
e.

  “Take these off,” she said, yanking at the elastic. “Let me really get a good look at you.”

  Exhaling with a shudder, Booker nodded and did as she told, lifting his hips and pulling his briefs down to just above his knees.

  “Christ, you’re perfect,” she said, staring down at where he gripped himself. “My mouth waters every time I see you hard like this.”

  Booker cursed under his breath, barely audible. “Shit, Cae…”

  “Is that what you thought about when you were alone?” She asked, switching to her left breast to squeeze until she was squirming. “How good my mouth would be on you?”

  She felt his breath leave him, rustling her hair against her cheek while she watched his fist work up and down.

  “Or did you like imagining how sweet it would feel to be inside me, fucking me until I screamed your name?”

  Booker’s free hand clenched the blankets tight, and Caitlin grinned.

  “Bet you’re really wishing you could touch me right now, aren’t you?”

  Nodding, he bit off a moan. “Yeah.”

  Hovering her lips half an inch above his, she smiled.

  “Tell me what you thought about,” she whispered. “And maybe I’ll let you.”

  Pupils blown wide, Booker stared up at her.

  “I…” He licked his lips. “I’d imagine scoopin’ you up and puttin’ you on the hood of the Jeep.”

  Bracing one hand on the wall over his shoulder, Caitlin trailed the other down between her thighs, sliding under the strip of fabric covering her.

  “I’d think about those long legs wrapped around me,” he continued, breathless as he watched her stroke herself. “The sounds you’d make when I was in you…”

  Caitlin groaned, pressing her fingers tight against her clit.

  “Makin’ you come hard and fast,” he said, arm bumping her as he pumped his fist. “Not stoppin’ until you were a shakin’ mess.”

  “Jesus, Booker,” she gasped. “That’s so good.”

  “Not nearly as good as the real thing,” he said, gaze lifting to hers. “Havin’ you on top of me, cryin’ out…”

  His hips bucked involuntarily, and he slowed his pace, keeping himself from peaking.

  Caitlin grinned. “You’re doing so well, Jack,” she said, leaning in close until her nose brushed his cheek. “Look at you controlling yourself, saving it for me.”