Chapter 8:
The night was thick with warmth, the gentle glow of candlelight flickering across the wooden walls of their home. A soft melody drifted through the air, playing from the small gramophone in the corner, a tune Johnny had put on to set the mood. The twins, Ella and Isabella, were already tucked into bed, their quiet breathing filling their small room.
With their daughters safe for the night, Johnny and Anabel retreated to their own room, locking the door behind them. The long days of rebuilding had been exhausting, but in moments like this, none of it mattered. Here, in their shared sanctuary, it was just them, two souls bound by love, passion, and a lifetime of memories.
Johnny pulled Anabel close, his fingers tracing lazy circles on the bare skin of her shoulders. She shivered under his touch, her dark eyes meeting him with a fire that hadn't dimmed in all their years together.
"You still take my breath away," he murmured, brushing his lips over her collarbone.
Anabel smiled, her hands threading through his hair as she pulled him down to meet her lips. Their kiss was slow at first, teasing, savoring. But the hunger between them grew, deepened, until hands roamed freely, bodies pressing together, heat rising between them.
Clothing slipped away piece by piece, leaving them bare against each other. Johnny trailed kisses down her neck, over the swell of her breasts, his lips capturing a taut nipple between them. Anabel arched with a moan, her fingers gripping his shoulders as pleasure rippled through her.
She was already aching for him, her thighs parting instinctively as he moved lower, exploring, worshipping. When his mouth found the wet heat between her legs, she gasped, her body tensing before shuddering with release. Johnny groaned against her, savoring the taste of her pleasure, before surging back up to claim her lips once more.
"You drive me mad, Anabel," he whispered against her mouth.
"Then take me again," she pleaded, wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him deep inside her once more, This time from the rear, As she bent over, Her voluptuous beautifully parted ass cheeks wobbled with the rhythm of the night, Revealing her gate of pleasure inviting him to slide in.
Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, each thrust sending waves of pleasure crashing through them. The bed creaked beneath them, their moans swallowed by the walls of their home. Their love was raw, unfiltered, a collision of passion and need.
By the time they collapsed together, breathless and spent, the night had crept into the early hours of the morning. Johnny lay beside her, tracing idle patterns on her damp skin, his lips brushing against her temple.
"Stay here forever," he murmured.
Anabel sighed in contentment, her head resting against his chest. "As long as you hold me, I will."
They drifted into a blissful rest, bodies tangled in the sheets, the warmth of each other's touch lingering long after sleep took them.
But peace, as always, was fleeting.
An hour later, a distant rumble broke the silence.
At first, it was subtle, almost like the restless sea crashing against the cliffs. But then it grew, low and ominous, a sound that sent a chill down the spine of anyone who heard it.
The ground trembled beneath the weight of approaching hooves.
The bandits had returned, their torches burning brighter, their weapons sharper. Three months had passed, but now they came with vengeance, determined to finish what they started.
This time, they came in greater numbers. Their torches burned brighter, their weapons gleamed sharper beneath the moonlight. They moved like a storm, masked figures emerging from the darkness, spreading through Ashford Bay with ruthless intent.
Old Tom stood at the watchtower, his eyes narrowing as he saw them approaching. His stomach tightened with dread. The last attack had been a warning, this was an extermination.
He turned and bellowed into the night.
"Wake up! Wake up! The bandits have returned!"
The village erupted in chaos.
Men scrambled for weapons, women gathered their children, and the town bell rang out, a desperate cry for resistance.
Johnny woke to the commotion, his senses instantly alert. He bolted upright, Anabel beside him, her face drained of color.
"The girls!" she gasped.
Johnny was already moving. He yanked on his trousers, grabbing the sword he had kept by the door since the last attack. Anabel threw on a robe, her hands trembling as she hurried to the twins' room.
Ella and Isabella were already awake, their frightened eyes wide as Anabel scooped them into her arms.
"Mama, what's happening?" Isabella whimpered.
"Shh, baby. Stay quiet," Anabel whispered, her heart pounding.
Johnny rushed back to them, pressing a quick kiss to each of their foreheads. "Take them to Elias. He'll protect you."
Anabel clutched his arm. "Johnny, please don't.."
He cupped her face, his eyes fierce but gentle. "I have to fight, my love. I won't let them take our home."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she knew there was no stopping him.
"I love you," she choked out.
Johnny pressed one last, lingering kiss to her lips. "I love you too. Now go."
With that, he turned and ran into the night.
The village was already burning.
The clash of steel echoed through the streets.
Johnny fought fiercely, cutting down masked figures as villagers struggled, outnumbered.
The bandit leader, cloaked in dark furs, rode through the carnage, his ruthless gaze locking onto Johnny.
"You again," he mused. "I should've killed you the first time."
Johnny tightened his grip. "You won't get another chance."
They clashed. Sparks flew. The leader was faster than Johnny had expected. A brutal swing knocked him off balance.
A flash of silver, pain exploded in his chest. Blood soaked his shirt.
"Johnny!" A voice screamed, distant.
The bandit wrenched his blade free. Johnny collapsed.
By dawn, Ashford Bay was ash. Anabel, clutching their daughters, ran through the hidden path Johnny had shown her. She never looked back.