I leaned over her to switch off the light and then rolled onto my side, my back to Gail.
I awoke with my arm draped across her and my groin pressed tightly against the warm curve of her bottom.
Chapter 5 – A Patient Man
The room was bright, I hadn’t closed the curtains fully, and the morning sun cast a beam across the bed. I was wondering what woke me when Gail spoke, “I said ‘no spooning,’ you want to get that thing away from my butt?”
I backed up until there was no body contact. “Sorry, ‘bout that. I was asleep.”
She turned and rose up on one elbow. “I know. That’s why you didn’t find my knife at your throat. Don’t worry about it, you know I’m not some blushing virgin, but I told you I’d let you know if I’m ready to start something back up.”
“No problem,” I said. It was embarrassing to have her know just how much I had enjoyed the spooning. I pulled a pillow down to cover my obvious affection for her. “I’m fine with that.”
“Just as long as we’re clear on the lack of sex, Jesse. Sex during a hunt can be a distraction. Maybe, if we make it through the week, I’ll be more inclined to picking up where we left off.”
I waved dismissively. “Okay by me. I’m a patient man.”
She grinned. “My, you have changed. Dibs on the bathroom.”
Gail rolled away and stood, exposing a bare backside until my dress shirt fell into place, covering her gorgeously round cheeks. My smile returned as I watched her walk away.
While she was in the bath, I made the bed, fixed a pot of coffee, and then popped a couple of bagels into the toaster. I set a couple of plates out and a strawberry cream cheese spread beside them.
Gail came out, dressed for work in jeans, flannel shirt, and boots, just as the bagels popped up.
“Help yourself, I’ll be back in a minute,” I said. I hurried into the bathroom; relieved myself, brushed my short hair back, and washed my face.
When I got back to the kitchen, Gail had already finished her bagel and covered mine with the spread. She stood by the sink, drinking coffee. My cup was next to her. I picked it up, took a sip, and then took a bite of bagel.
“So, this is breakfast for a sleep-over?” Gail asked.
I grinned. “For a platonic sleepover, I have bacon, eggs, waffles, and O.J. for the other kind.”
She laughed. I’d made her laugh, good. I glanced at the clock. It was eight-fifteen. “So, five hours of sleep good enough for you?”
“I’ll take whatever I can get. I’m sure you Army boys were used to sleeping in, but we hunters have to make do with whatever we can catch.”
I chuckled. Sleep in? Hell. “Okay, the stores we need weren’t open earlier, but if you’re ready, we can put the coffee in a Thermos and hit the street.”
“Fine by me.”
While I rinsed out my Thermos, Gail filled me in on other beasties she’d hunted with her father, and then alone or with her mother. The Thermos filled and our cups topped off, I rinsed the pot and set it in the sink to dry.
“Gail, didn’t you ever team up with other hunters?”
“We occasionally did, if something was big and bad enough to warrant it. Hunters don’t trust many people other than family or partners; it makes it hard for teams to join up.”
“Why don’t you trust each other?” I asked as I loaded the Thermos into a backpack with my spare magazines, a few energy bars, and my tablet.
“You’re risking your life on every hunt. If you can’t trust people to watch your back, then you’d be better off to hunt alone.”
“Seriously? They’d bail and leave you in the lurch?”
“It’s happened before, not often, but enough that most hunters prefer their own, either family or someone really close,” Gail answered.
“Okay, which vehicle are we taking?” I asked.
“We should take my van. Not to disparage your truck, but my van’s already loaded with supplies and two can sleep in it in a pinch.”
“You’re the pro.” I led the way out of the apartment and locked the door behind us. Gail stopped at the top of the stairs and searched the parking lot for something. When I asked, she said, “It’s best to make sure nothing’s waiting for you before you get in your car.”
“Happen often?”
“Once is enough,” Gail said. “It looks clear.”
The door next to mine opened and Marge Callahan appeared. She hesitated when she saw Gail and me on the landing. “Jesse, hi. I was wondering if I’d see you today.”
“Hi, Marge,” I said. “Marge, this is Gail. She’s an old friend.”
The ladies exchanged greetings.
“Did you need something?” I asked.
“No, but today’s my last exam. The movers are coming tomorrow to pick up my boxes and then I’m gone for good. West Coast here I come.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, congratulations on the job. I hope everything works out for you,” I said.
“Thanks, Jesse.” She eyed Gail for second and then said, “Don’t think I’m stepping on your toes, Gail, but this will probably be the last time I see Jesse.”
“No worries,” Gail said with a curious look on her face.
“Good,” Marge said.
She stepped close, put her hands to either side of my face and pulled my lips down to hers. Her lips were warm and slightly moist. In a couple of seconds, she dropped her hands and pulled back.
“Sorry, Gail, but I had to say goodbye properly.”
Gail grinned. “Again, no worries.”
I felt more than a little embarrassed and my face warmed.
Marge pulled her door shut and started down the steps ahead of us. “If you ever get out to Seattle, look me up, Jesse.”
“Ah, sure Marge. Take care.”
“You too, Jesse. Bye-bye.”
I watched her walk to her car, her hips swiveled spryly in
