In the light of the bell tower, John B and Gabriella lay entangled, their bodies pressed close together as they basked in the warmth of each other's presence.
The blankets beneath them were a tangle of fabric, their clothes scattered around, forgotten in the intimacy they had just shared. Gabriella's head rested on John B's chest, her hair spilling over his bare skin as their breaths synchronized in the quiet stillness.
John B's hand gently traced the curve of Gabriella's back, his fingers brushing against her skin with a tenderness that spoke volumes. He glanced at his phone, the dim screen illuminating their faces for a brief moment as he checked the time. It was 11 p.m. The night had slipped away faster than either of them had realized, and now it was time for them to leave their sanctuary in the bell tower.
He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to break the peaceful silence that enveloped them, but knowing they couldn't stay much longer. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Gabriella's forehead, his lips lingering there as he whispered, "We should go."
Gabriella stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at him with a sleepy smile. "Okay, Booker," she murmured, the nickname slipping from her lips with a warmth that made John B's heart swell. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms above her head before reaching for her clothes.
They dressed in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the rustle of fabric and the distant echoes of the night outside. The church around them, once filled with the vibrant colors of the stained glass windows, was now draped in the deep darkness of the night. The bell tower, their private haven, seemed to hold onto the remnants of their shared intimacy, the air still charged with the connection they had forged.
Carefully, they made their way down the narrow stairs of the bell tower, their steps cautious and deliberate as they descended. Gabriella followed closely behind John B, her hand brushing against his back for reassurance. The weight of what they had shared settled between them like a comforting blanket, warming them from within.
Once they reached the bottom, they stepped outside into the cool night air, the stars twinkling overhead as they climbed into the Twinkie. The drive to Tannyhill was quiet, but it was a silence that was full of love and contentment. Both of them were lost in their thoughts, reliving the moments they had just shared, the feelings still fresh and raw.
Gabriella reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, scrolling through the messages from Kiara and Pope.
kie
did u know jj spent
all of the money he stole
at barrys on a hot tub,
generator and lights for
the chateau ????
omg.
he told me what happened,
are you okay? i love you so
much gabs.
pope
i love you !!!
make sure to disinfect
ur cuts !!!
Gabriella smiled to herself, she knew that JJ shouldn't have spent all the money on something else other than restitution, but as she traced the bruises over her stomach and looked into the car mirror, admiring her black eye and cut lip, she knew what he did was justified. Especially considering he was going to kill Luke. But JJ didn't. He wasn't a monster. He couldn't do it. No matter how much Luke deserved it.
As they neared Tannyhill, John B noticed Gabriella glancing at herself in the car mirror, her eyes lingering on the bruises that marred her skin. He couldn't help but worry, his voice tinged with concern as he asked, "Are you okay? Is it your wrist? Your cast? Your bruises?"
Gabriella met his gaze briefly before looking back at her wrist. "My cast is fine, just itchy," she replied softly, though she knew he was more worried about the deeper hurt beneath her skin. John B's eyes scanned the bruises on her arm, the ones on her face, and the lingering tension in her body. She could feel his concern, his protective instinct kicking in.
When they arrived at Tannyhill, John B parked the car quietly, and they slipped through the halls of the darkened house. Even though they were staying there, the silence and the absence of light made it feel like they were sneaking in, as if they were intruding on a world that wasn't entirely theirs. As they reached the bedrooms, John B was about to enter his when Gabriella gently tugged him toward hers.
"Stay with me, please," she whispered, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability. John B smiled softly, nodding as he followed her into her room. She locked the door behind them, and they changed into their sleepwear, the routine somehow comforting after the night they'd had. John B stripped down to his boxers, while Gabriella pulled on her pajamas, the fabric soft against her sore skin.
They climbed into bed together, lying face to face, their bodies close and comforting. Gabriella's fingers, despite the cast, ran through John B's hair, her touch light and soothing. His hand found its way to her bruised arm, gently massaging it as if he could take away the pain with just his touch.
"What happened?" he whispered, his voice laced with a mix of anger and concern.
"Luke Maybank happened," Gabriella responded quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion and sadness. She recounted the events with JJ's father, how they had gone to give him the money for the restitution, but it had turned violent. "He wasn't going to take it to the police, and then he started hurting JJ. I couldn't just stand there. I had to help him."
John B listened intently, his heart aching for both her and JJ. The thought of his best friend and the girl he loved facing Luke's wrath without him there to protect them made his jaw clench. Gabriella continued, explaining how JJ, overwhelmed and hurt, had ended up spending the money on things for the Chateau instead.
John B was silent for a moment, processing everything. "Are you mad?" Gabriella asked tentatively, worried that she had disappointed him.
John B pressed his forehead gently against hers, his voice soft and reassuring. "How could I ever be mad? I'm just sorry I wasn't there to protect you. And JJ."
Gabriella smiled, relieved to hear his words, knowing she could always confide in him. They wrapped their arms around each other, their bodies entwining in the familiar comfort of each other's presence. As they drifted off to sleep, it was a peaceful and loving sleep, the kind that only came from knowing they had each other to hold onto.
A few hours later, John B's phone alarm began to ring, pulling them from their slumber. Gabriella groaned softly, the sound disturbing the tranquility of the moment. John B quickly turned off the alarm, careful not to wake her further as he climbed out of bed, ready to meet Ward for a morning of fishing.
"Come here," Gabriella mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
"I've got to go, Ward is waiting for me," John B whispered, his hand on the door knob, hesitating to leave.
"Come here, please, Booker," she pleaded, her eyes half-open as she reached out for him.
John B couldn't resist. He walked back over to the bed, leaning down as Gabriella pulled him closer, her lips finding his in a tender kiss. "Bye, I love you," she whispered against his lips, her voice filled with a softness that made it hard for him to leave.
"I love you," he replied, kissing her back, his heart heavy with the thought of parting from her, even if just for a little while. With one last glance at her, he reluctantly left the room, heading towards the boat where Ward was already waiting, the memory of her kiss lingering on his lips.
YOU ARE READING
SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE
Fanfiction"𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞." Gabriella has been sent from New York to the Outerbanks. In this coastal paradise, she meets John B R...
