To Tame the Wild: a Red Dead Redemption fan fiction

Chapter 37 - Afterglow

Chapter Track: "Breathe A Sigh" – Def Leppard

He awoke to the warming rays of sunlight through the windows; he enjoyed the warmth on his face and bare chest and the peace it brought him as he lay in bed halfway beneath the sheets. He sighed with contentment, having never before felt such deep tranquility as he opened his eyes and found himself lying on his back staring up at the ceiling, feeling refreshed from the deep sleep he'd had.

He turned his head slightly to the left and grew puzzled when he realized he had awoken in his parents' bedroom; he blinked in rapid succession as his gaze swept across the fireplace and the dresser with the oval mirror sitting atop it. He was perplexed at the trail of clothes strewn across the floor leading toward his side of the bed; the bedroom door was wide open. What the hell? he thought, blinking and frowning as he looked to his right.

His heart skipped a beat at what he saw.

She was laying on her side with her back facing him and the bed sheets exposing all but her lower half. Her long hair, slightly tangled and messy, cascaded down the pillow behind her like a dark-brown waterfall. The sheets were draped over the lower half of her buttocks and concealed her legs; it flowed along with and displayed the curves of her body beautifully. Her right leg was brought up at an almost ninety-degree angle, while her left lay straight. Her left arm cradled her head from underneath the pillow while her right arm rested on her side, her elbow fitting rather well in the crook of her waist. Her side and arm rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. Madeline was lost to the realm of wondrous dreams and restful sleep, far too gone from experiencing the dream-like quality of her conscious lover's reality.

I must be dreaming...

In slack-jawed wonder, Jack looked her up and down. He stared at how the sunlight bounced off her creamy-white skin, making it glow and adding to the surrealism. To prove it to be true, he rolled onto his side and reached out with his left hand. He touched her arm and gasped. Oh, my God, he thought with a growing smile. Last night DID happen...

In a furious series of images, his mind's eye assailed him with memories of the night before. He recalled with a disbelieving gasp at how they timidly undressed each other, how their hands explored each other's bodies; he remembered kissing her as passionately as he could as their first night together commenced slowly, delicately. Maddie grew fearful as things progressed; however, he reassured he was only going to do what she allowed, that everything was up to her, that whatever happened happened, and if it didn't, he wouldn't be heartbroken. It was in that pivotal moment, when she looked up at him, and he down at her, that they fully trusted each other, embraced their passions, and laid down.

They mirrored the same shocked, sensual expression as skin brushed skin and their bodies touched. With no other way to go but further, they let it all go and lost themselves in the moment, and at long last, they were joined together. He had started out slow, as painless as he could possibly make it, just as she had asked him to. They talked throughout it; he made sure she wasn't scared or in pain. When Maddie was still with him and able to relax, her hands began to slide up and down his back. She began to sigh and look up at him with all the ecstasy and fascination he felt as well. He had never felt such consuming lust, such furious ardor. And the look in Maddie's eyes... He recalled hearing her say she loved him. He said it right back, without hesitation. The look she gave him, and he her, solidified their belief in each other's feelings, sealing their fates together in an unbreakable bond that they knew was meant to be.

It was after they professed their love that their passion grew wild: she wrapped her arms tightly around him, she sighed and said his name in a way he'd never heard her say before. Quite soon, his body was covered in a sheen of sweat; he grew exhausted and overwhelmed by passion. Scared by it, he eased back and eventually slowed to a stop before his moment of pleasure happened. Afterwards, he and Maddie laid side by side halfway under the covers, panting and staring wide-eyed at each other. Neither spoke a word as they tried catching their breath; Maddie cuddled up beside him and rested her head on his heaving chest. Still enraptured by their night of love, he enveloped her in his arms, kissed her frequently, and professed his love for her once more. He had never felt so elated and bewildered in all his life. His first time had finally happened after so long, and he couldn't have been more happy with who he shared it with.