“Nightmares often,” Bruiser asked this time.
“Most nights, sorry to wake you,” I replied as Max whimpered again.
“Has she talked about it yet?” Prez looked at Max with sympathy.
“No, not yet, didn’t want to push it.” They both nodded, and after another whimper, the curtain closed, and I heard them say something to their ladies in a low voice and the sound of a zipper closing a sleeping bag.
Max whimpered for a bit longer before peace found her. It was hard holding her and not being able to help her in her personal fight. If only she would share her burden, maybe we could get through it together, and her nightmares would reduce, and maybe one day disappear altogether. One could only hope that she will reach that stage.
I drifted back off to sleep when Max stopped whimpering and seemed to have made it through the other side.
Max moved out of my arms, bringing me to half-awake.
“Too early,” I said softly, trying to reach out and bring her back to me.
“Bathroom.” I sighed and watched her dress quickly and leave.
I drifted back to sleep and woke to the smell of coffee and bacon.
My eyes popped open.
Max was waving the coffee under my nose, a beaming smile on her face. How could one get angry at her?
Sitting up, I took the cup and the plate of food, grateful that she was thoughtful and kind. I was such a lucky man when she agreed to be my girlfriend. Max sat beside me, and we tucked into the food, something these camping trips always seem to have, which was good food, and plenty of it.
“Did I wake the others?” She asked after finishing her food and was sipping her coffee, knowing she had a nightmare, and might not have been quiet.
“Yeah, but don’t fret about it, it’s not like you could stop it from happening, did something happen yesterday to trigger it?” I tried not to pry as much as I wanted to and to reassure her that we don’t judge; we have some nightmares, hidden away, that surface unexpectedly.
“Not sure, it was a great day, I didn’t expect to have one.” She looked sad as she took another sip of her coffee, her eyes glassy.
“If ever you want to talk about it, you know I will listen,” I said reassuringly.
“Yeah, I know, give me some time.” That was what she said each time, wait.
Max took the rubbish away, and I begrudgingly got dressed. It was time to start the day. For me, it was too early, when out like this, some might sleep till noon. I had never been known to sleep that long, and I had never been upset that I had missed all the morning events.
I left our curtain open to let the air circulate, plus the guys would know we were in bed still, and tiptoe about.
Stepping out of the tent, I bent my back and stretched, hearing clicks as my body aligned itself. I was surprised I wasn’t bent out of shape. Sleeping on the ground can often leave me with aches and pains, but I was surprisingly feeling good.
I will put that down to the good woman keeping me warm and comfortable.
Maxine POV
Carefully, I placed my clothes within reach before I climbed into the sleeping bag.
I hoped that Tank didn’t want to zip it up, because I like to be open, I can get out fast if I have to, not that I am expecting any trouble here. Still, it’s a habit I can’t seem to break, even at home in our bed; my side of the bed was never tucked in. I don’t like being confined.
I lay there watching Tank in the flickering light from the fires outside, get undressed, and chuckled that he let his clothes drop into a messy pile. I hadn’t expected anything less. He does the same at home, though he has occasionally surprised me by dropping them into the washing basket. I am positive he does it to get a rise out of me.
He climbs in behind me, and we snuggle in. I take a deep breath, hoping sleep will come quickly.
There was still singing outside, and the music, although not loud, was a distraction, enough to hinder sleep, as I lay there enjoying his body warmth against my back, his arms around me. I could feel he was aroused, but knew he wouldn’t try anything, unless I gave him the signal of interest, which wouldn’t happen here, our first time will be at home, or somewhere special, not here in a sleeping bag, with all these people around.
Just as I started to relax and felt sleep pulling at me, the sounds of kissing started, and I blushed as my imagination told me what was happening. Cricket and Sticks were being intimate with their men. I tried not to think about what was happening, but the sounds got louder and more urgent. Tank ran soft circles on my stomach, trying to comfort me, and let me know it was natural, and not to think about it. The intensity increased, their voices getting louder and more demanding, until they both screamed their release, and then more kisses until it fell quiet, only the soft music outside still playing.
I released the tension I had built up from listening to them enjoy themselves, and Tank squeezed me gently, soon I was relaxed enough for sleep to find me.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.