The return

Chapter 6

Joy slept little, she was too excited about what had happened the previous day and evening. She felt Buck moving in the bed and never tired of watching him as he slept peacefully. She hugged him tightly and waited for the dawn. When it was time to wake him up, she shook him gently and whispered in his ear: "Buck, it's almost dawn, it's time for you to go if you want to get back before the others wake up"

Buck mumbled something incomprehensible, then slowly opened his beautiful dark eyes and Joy got lost in them.

"Good morning", he said sleepily, "is it time yet?"

"Yes unfortunately"

He kissed her and said: "I had a great time tonight, I haven't slept so peacefully for a long time"

She smiled at him and said: "It's good to see your face next to me in the morning" and kissed him. Buck pulled her to him and they ended up making love again.

"How I wish I didn't have to sneak away"

"I've already been lucky to have had you all to myself until now"

"See you for lunch?"

"All right"

"I have my ride tomorrow and we can't be together, but we can be alone for dinner if you like"

"Absolutely yes, come to dinner here with me"

"Perfect" and kissed her again before getting off the bed. Joy admired him as he dressed and couldn't help but notice his wonderfully muscular body.

When he was ready, he kissed her and said: "Be calm in bed, rest a little longer, I know the way. See you later" and kissed her tenderly.

"See you later" and accompanied him with her eyes as he left the room.

She rolled in the sheets savoring his scent and held tightly to the pillow Buck had slept on. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

Buck went back to the station as happy as he hadn't felt since he didn't know when. He understood that Joy was the right woman for him, that she could be trusted and that she was really ready to accept his traditions and his double soul. He sneaked into the bunkhouse trying not to make any noise, slipped under the covers and undressed in bed to avoid making any noise. He dozed off again for half an hour, until he heard the voice of his friends who were waking up and above all that of Kid who shouted: "Rider coming"; Lou was returning from her run and it was his turn to take the next turn.

He got up from the cot and met the inquiring gaze of the boys: "So, we came back late last night, huh?" Jimmy teased.

"Actually yes, we chatted a bit to get to know each other better and we lost track of time", answered Buck evasively and avoiding looking them in the eyes.

"Yes is? I guess..." Jimmy teased him again.

Meanwhile Lou walked in, still unaware of the developments. "I'm starving like a wolf, when is breakfast ready?" she asked.

"I'd go wash up if I were you, there's fresh fresh gossip for breakfast", Cody insinuated.

"What do you mean?" and saw that everyone was looking at Buck.

"Come on, don't leave me hanging", she begged.

Then Buck intervened and said to her: "Me and Joy are together"

Lou rushed to hug him and said: "I'm so happy for you, you'll see that you'll be fine" and Buck nodded.

At breakfast Buck informed Rachel and the others that he would join Joy at lunch and of course he was the butt of jokes from everyone.