Hunter woke up feeling very warm. The sunlight was shining on his face. He was lying on the couch with Arabella on him and Ajax on the couch next to him. He felt movement, but it was small. A rough wet feeling right on his face. Hunter blinked his eyes open to see Jolie licking his face. She blinked at him a moment before barking right in his face. Hunter smiled and pet the dog a moment before picking her up and putting her right next to Arabella's face. "Shh...Give Ellie a kiss." He whispered to the dog.
Arabella moaned when she felt something wet on her nose. She wiggled her nose and yawned, turning her head down, into Hunter's chest. With a small moan, Arabella slowly started to wake up. She felt the wet thing on her ear and she realized that it was a tongue. "Geeze, Hunter. Calm down. Let me wake up first" she muttered into his chest then she heard the panting next to her ear and she turned her head, coming face to face with Jolie. "Morning, Jo" She yawned and Jolie licked her nose again.
Hunter scoffed a little and felt Ajax wake up a little next to him. "Yeah. You know me...Always licking you in your sleep." Hunter said before picking Ajax up and putting him on his chest. "Good morning, Ajax." He said, being met with a lick to the face. Ajax turned and walked toward Jolie and howled a little before turning to Arabella and licking her face. Jolie turned and barked at him. Hunter laughed and picked up both dogs before pulling the ottoman from the chair over and setting them on it. "I have exiled them." Hunter said before running his fingers through Arabella's hair. "Good morning, beautiful." He said with a smile.
"Mmm..good morning, handsome" Arabella said softly and she pulled herself up to kiss his lips gently. She wanted to stay like that forever. She was warm and comfortable and kissing Hunter made her heart jump for joy. Arabella leaned in, kissing him more and she heard Jolie bark in protest, like she was offended at Hunter for not only putting her on the chair but also for kissing Arabella. With a giggle, Arabella turned to look at Jolie. "Well, Jo barks a lot but at least it's a cute little yip and not something really annoying" She said and shrugged then looked at Hunter. "What are the plans for today?"
Hunter ran his hands up and down her sides. "Do we have to have plans?" Hunter said, letting his hands rest on her butt. He kissed her and smiled against her lips. He felt her lean into him and she ran her hands up his chest before reaching the collar of his shirt where she grabbed lightly, pulling him closer. Bark! Bark bark! Hunter reached over and put a hand over Jolie's eyes. She stopped barking and nipped at Hunter's hand causing him to laugh a little. Hunter found the hem of Arabella's shirt and snaked a few fingers inside, tickling her sides.
Arabella shivered and she wiggled around a little bit, giggling. "That tickles" She breathed and giggled when he started tickling a little bit more. Arabella trailed kisses along his jaw and she moved her lips up to his his. She kissed him quickly then pulled away to look at him. "Why don't we spend a day relaxing and then tonight, we can go out for supper?" She suggested and kissed his cheek.
"It's a date." Hunter said, trailing kisses along her shoulder and then back up her neck. Hunter smiled and moved his fingers up her shirt and to her stomach. He tickled around her belly button and then moved his hands to her sides and then to her back again where he danced his fingers up her spine. "Mmm....I love you." He said against her lips. "I don't say that enough."
Arabella got goosebumps at his touch and she kissed him lightly, brushing her lips against his. "I love you more" She whispered and kissed his top lip, placing her fingers on his jaw. She kissed his bottom lip then kissed his chin, trying her hardest not to rip his shirt off of him.
Hunter smiled and kissed her near her ear. "I love you mo-AAAHH!" He shouted as he felt teeth on his ear. He sat up quickly and looked down at Ajax who jumped up onto the couch and looked up at him with his tongue out. Hunter looked at the dog behind himself with his arms still wrapped around Arabella. He finally looked back at Arabella who was on his lap. "I love you most." He said with a chuckle as he kissed her nose. "But I think Ajax wants something, so I should take care of that before he bites my ear off." He said with a smile before kissing her on the lips. Whenever her lips touched his, he felt like he was flying. It was an addiction almost. He always wanted to kiss her more. He pressed his lips to hers tighter and tighter, but was reminded of Ajax when he felt paws on his back and a howl. He broke away and sighed. "Alright. Duty calls, I suppose." He said with a laugh.
"Mmm...not fair" Arabella said with a smile and she kissed Hunter for a moment before hearing a whine coming from the chair. Jolie was looking up at Arabella with big brown eyes and an expression on her face that just melted Arabella's heart. She smiled and rolled off of Hunter, picking up Jolie and holding her close to her chest. "I think that someone is hungry" Arabella said and then her stomach growled. "The dog probably wants food too" She added and put Jolie down so she could go find the small puppy food.
Hunter turned to Ajax who bounced on his front paws a few times before running in a small circle. "I think Ajax wants to go for a walk." Ajax jumped off the couch and ran around before jumping onto the couch again. "Maybe a run." He said with a chuckle as he stood up. "Come on, Aj." He said, snapping his fingers. Ajax followed happily and paused at the door. "You work on the dog food. I'll make the people food." He said with a chuckle as he pulled out the Froot Loops. He poured Arabella a bowl and a glass of milk and watched for a moment as Ajax ate. "I'm going to run upstairs real quick and then take Ajax on a run. I'll eat when I get back, okay?" He said as he put a hand gently on the small of Arabella's back.
Arabella smiled up at him and she nodded. She stretched up to him and kissed him before brushing her lips to his ear. "I can't wait to see you when youg get back" she breathed pulled away to look at him, wiggling her eyesbrows. She was looking forward to the day. Just herself, Hunter and their dogs. It was going to be perfect. Arabella pulled away and started to eat her Froot Loops, Jolie sitting on Arabella's feet., "Don't bother getting a shower when you get back, by the way"
Hunter laughed and shook his head a little as he climbed the stairs. He changed into a sleeveless shirt and a pair of athletic shorts before climbing back downstairs. "You ready for a run, Ajax?" He asked as he crouched down to the dog who finished eating and licked his chops. He let out a happy bark as Hunter tightened the harness around him and grabbed the leash. "We'll be back, Ellie." He said before walking out of the house and starting his run.
Arabella watched him run away and she smiled softly to herself before finishing off her Froot Loops. She got up and started to clean up the kitchen with Jolie running around her feet. Once she was done with the kitchen, Arabella turned towards the pile of dog stuff and she started taking it all out. She wanted it to be organized and set up so that it looked good and was easy to get at. Jolie was bouncing around Arabella, trying to get her to pet her belly. With a laugh, Arabella grabbed a toy out of the bag and tossed it so that Jolie ran off to play with the toy. Arabella pulled out the food and she poured Ajax's food into a big, clear container. She poured Jolie's into a small container and put them away in a cupboard.
Hunter walked out of his neighbor's house with a smile on his face and Ajax's leash in hand. He was so glad that his neighbors were willing to do him a favor. Hunter crouched down and looked at Ajax who calmly looked up at him. "You're a good dog, aren't you?" He asked with a smile. "And you will keep Ellie and me and Jolie and our kids safe, right?" He asked, looking into the dog's eyes. They seemed so familiar. Ajax was very different from Orion. That much was true, but the similarities were amazing. Hunter was only curious what the dog would be like as an adult dog. Ajax barked once and put his tongue out as he seemed to smile at Hunter. "Thanks, buddy." Hunter said as he rubbed under the dog's chin. "Come on. A few more miles then we'll go home to see Ellie." He said with a nod as he stood up and started to run again.
Arabella looked down at Jolie and she let out a sigh. "What are we going to do, Jo? Hunter and Ajax will be back soon...maybe I can bake some cupcakes! Some girls do that, right?" She said and looked down at Jolie who was giving Arabella a blank look. "Oh..zip it. I'm not totally going to burn the house down" Arabella walked over to her laptop, googling a cupcake recipe. She let out a confused sigh while she read it then she googled bakeries in New York that did home delivery. Arabella quickly called the phone number of one that looked promising and ordered some s'mores cupcakes. Luckily, it didn't take long for them to get there and Arabella picked up Jolie when she answered the door.
"Beautiful dog, you go there" The delivery woman said with a smile. Arabella grinned and Jolie looked up at the woman with a doggy smile.
"Thanks! I just got her yesterday" Arabella said and she paid for the cupcakes. She waved to the delievery woman and set up the cupcakes on a tray. Glancing at the clock, Arabella saw that Hunter was going to be home soon so she ran upstairs, Jolie following close behind. Arabella tugged on a pair of short black shorts from Victoria's Secret and a loose shirt that fell off of her shoulders slightly. With a smirk, Arabella picked up Jolie and walked downstairs. She placed Jolie down on the ground and she watched as Jolie trotted over to the door. She grabbed a pink collar that had gems on it and dropped it at Arabella's feet then walked back, trying to pick up the dog brush but it was too big for her. Arabella let out a laugh and she started to brush Jolie lightly, making her feathered fur shine. She slipped the collar over her head and adjusted it. "There. Are you happy?"
Hunter slowed to a stop in his driveway and took deep breaths. He ran a hand through his hair as he stepped toward the door. He glanced down at Ajax who was panting happily and following close behind. Hunter smiled at his dog as he opened the door. "Ellie? Jo? We're back." He said as he walked in. He stepped inside the house, closing the door behind and walked through the living room. He heard nails on linoleum and watched as Jolie came bursting from the kitchen and started running around Hunter's feet before sniffing Ajax. Ajax sniffed Jolie for a moment before walking into the kitchen. Hunter picked up Jolie and followed Ajax to see him with his paws on Arabella's legs. "Hello, beautiful." He said with a smile as he bent over and kissed her head. He set Jo on the table and did a double take when he noticed her collar. "Princess...You are such a diva." He said before scratching behind her ear.
"I think that she was trying to impress her boyfriend" Arabella said with a smile and she looked at Jolie who was looking at Ajax. Arabella scratched Ajax under his chin then picked up Jolie, placing her on the ground beside Ajax. Jolie immediately started sniffing Ajax, her tail wagging at a million miles a minute. Arabella looked at Hunter and she bit her lip, trying to calm herself down. With a smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him tightly. "How was your run?" She asked him, moving her arms away from his neck and running them down his arms, squeezing his biceps.
"It was good. Refreshing." He said, putting his hands on her waist. "You should come along sometime." He said with a smile. He heard a howl and felt paws on his leg. He looked down to see Ajax looking up at him with his tongue out. Jolie was standing next to him, sniffing him before walking over to Arabella and putting her paws up on Hunter's leg too. "What? What do you want?" He asked with a chuckle. "These dogs are needy." He said under his breath. "Where's the dog food?" He asked, walking out of her arms and toward the counter.
Arabella grabbed his wrist before he could walk away and she pulled him back, pushing him back on a chair. She didn't know why, but there was just something about seeing Hunter in a sleeveless shirt with flushed cheeks from running that got her all revved up. Arabella smirked down at him and she ran a hand down his chest before she sat on his lap, straddling him. Her hands slid down towards his stomach and she kissed his top lip before kissing his bottom lip and nibbling gently. She forgot about everything else. She was focused on the man that was under her at that moment.
Hunter's eyes widened at the sudden and nearly lewd act. "Ellie, I-" He started, but was interrupted by a tight kiss on the lips. Hunter put his arm under her butt while his fingers danced up her spine. "Ellie, we-" She kissed him tightly again. Hunter trailed kisses down her neck and to her shoulder. "I should go running everyday." He said quietly against her skin. He took a deep breath and exhaled along her arm and shoulder back up to her neck. Before he could get back to her lips, she grabbed his face and kissed him again. His eyes widened when he felt the addition of her tongue into his mouth. What got into her?
Arabella grazed her lips down his chin and onto his neck. She kept her lips there for a few moments, sucking and nibbling the skin between tender kisses. Her hands meanwhile, snaked up his shirt and she dug her nails into his skin lightly. "I got cupcakes" She breathed and kissed him, running her tongue over his lips. "Wanna eat them off of me?" Arabella smiled and kissed his top lip again.
Hunter's eyes widened and he could feel his cheeks turn as red as a tomato. "Uhh...." Was all that he could manage at the image and the proposition. "El-Ellie, we umm..." He said, his voice sounding slightly choked. "If-" Bark! Bark! Bark bark bark! Hunter turned suddenly to see Jolie standing on the table and looking at them. Bark! Bark bark bark! "I think Jo needs something, Ellie." He said, looking down at the ground, his cheeks still very red.
Arabella let out a sigh and she looked over at Jolie. She raised an eyebrow and Jolie wagged her tail excitedly. Bark! Arabella huffed and stood up, stretching slightly. There always had to be something. Something to ruin the moment for her. Arabella ran her fingers through her hair, fixing it up slightly. She picked Jolie up and put her on the ground. "What do you want?" She asked and Jolie trotted over to the pile of toys, nudging a tennis ball that was as big as her head. Arabella walked over to her. "Jo, my dearest..this one is for Ajax. He can actually bite it. This one is for you" She said, holding out a small stuffed bone and Jolie grabbed it happily.
Hunter grabbed the tennis ball and got Ajax's attention. Hunter sighed as he recognized the same playfulness that he used to see when Orion and he would throw around a frisbee. Usually Orion would catch the frisbee and then tear it to pieces. Hunter laughed at the memory and threw the tennis ball. Ajax followed it and caught it in air before walking back over to Hunter and lying down at his feet. Hunter bent down to get the tennis ball, but his hand was met with growls and a bark. Hunter laughed and shrugged. "We'll work on it. I'm going to catch a shower, okay?" He said before kissing Arabella's temple and turning toward the stairs. "You're welcome to join me, but leave the cupcakes down here." He said with a chuckle as he closed the door to the bedroom. He grabbed some clothes and walked into the bathroom. He stripped out of his sweaty clothes and stepped into the shower.
Arabella watched him walk away and she thought about it for a second. But then she shook herself and she gently put the dogs into their crates, giving them each a treat and a toy before running up the stairs. It felt oddly good to see Hunter all flustered and awkward like he was before. It made her feel powerful and like some bombshell. Arabella silently opened the door to the bathroom and snuck inside. She slipped out of her clothes and fixed her hair briefly before she stepped into the shower, standing behind Hunter. She slipped her arms around him and kissed in between his shoulder blades.
Hunter laughed when he felt her arms and her lips. "Hello, lovely." he said as he turned around and pulled her close. "I knew you couldn't stay away." He said before kissing her and leaning into her. He ran his fingers up and down her sides, lightly grazing her skin and tickling the small of her back.
"Mmmm...how could I possibly stay away from a wet and very handsome you?" Arabella said softly and she smiled up at him, running her hands down his arms. Was her life too perfect? Things had gone wrong and things had been tough but standing in the shower with Hunter had only happened because she had been though all of that crap. This was perfect and Arabella was happy.