All They Wanted (Wanted 5.6)

Ari turned to face me, a slightly evil smile on her face. “I think I ate too much hummus maybe? I have gas.”

The smell swept around my body and somehow managed to get into my nose … even though I was squeezing it shut with my fingers.

Gagging, I shook my head and dropped my hands. “No shit! Damn, Ari. You ruined the mood.”

“I’m tired anyway, it’s safe to come back in.”

She patted the bed and tried to hide her smile.

I crawled in and fluffed out the covers. “I swear, if I didn’t love you so much and you weren’t pregnant with my child, I may have to re-think things.”

Rolling her eyes, Ari sighed. “Please, like you’ve never farted before.”

“Not like that! I’m pretty sure the earth shook some.”

With a giggle, she pulled my arm over her. “I love you, Jeff.”

Drawing her body closer to mine, I smiled. “I love you too.” My hand rubbed across her swollen stomach. “Goodnight, sweet baby.”

It didn’t take long before the sounds of Ari’s breathing lulled me to sleep. The peacefulness didn’t last long. I felt like I’d only just fallen asleep when Ari woke me up again.

“Jeff! Jeff wake up!”

Ari was rocking my body with one hand, while poking my back with her finger.

“I thought you were tired.”

She poked me again. “Jeff! There’s something outside the tent. I think it’s a bear!”

With a chuckle, I laughed. “There are no bears here.”

A loud crash caused me to sit up.

“Told you. It sounds like it’s trying to get into the food.”

More rustling came from outside as I sighed. “Damn raccoons.”

Quickly getting up, I started to unzip the tent.

“Wait!” Ari whispered. “You’re naked.”

Staring at her, I shook my head. “So? I seriously doubt the raccoon is going to care.”

“Well, what if someone sees you?”

“Someone like who? The raccoon?”

Rolling her eyes, she waved me off. “Fine, go out there naked then. If Ellie sees you, you’ll be scarred for life.”

“It’s three in the morning, baby. I seriously doubt anyone, let alone Ellie, is out.”

I finished unzipping the tent and jumped out with my hands flailing in the air.

“Rawr! Get! Boo! YaYa! Scat on out of here you …”

My eyes were drawn

to the creature on the picnic table. Our eyes met and I knew the moment the skunk turned around, I was screwed.