As soon as I step out of the van, I hear it. The swirling. The crashing. The soft buzz in the air.
Breathing deeply, I smell it too. A huge smile breaks out on my face and I bounce excitedly. Nox says in mock sternness, “Uh oh. You’re ruining my surprise.”
Holding his hand with both of mine, I beg quickly, “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!”
He bends down to remove my shoes and socks; we walk forward a little while, and my feet come into contact with cool, smooth sand. I mentally squeal but laugh out loud.
Nox stops suddenly and firmly says, “Do not remove the blindfold, Lily. I’m warning you.”
Placing my index and middle fingers at my forehead, I give him a salute and wait patiently. After a minute, he guides me with a hand on the small of my back. I hear him sit, and gently, he pulls me down to sit on the blanket, between his legs.
He pulls up the blindfold and I gasp softly.
The ocean.
I love the ocean.
Smiling like an idiot, I push back into his body. He wraps his arms tightly around my middle and presses his lips to my cheek. His breath warms me. “’Kay, babe?”
I answer quietly, “This is the best thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
He responds just as quietly on a body squeeze, “You’re welcome, princess.”
We sit and watch the ocean, allowing the sights and sounds to wash over us and take us away from reality.
Right now, we’re just Nox and Lily.
Not protector and protected.
The beach is deserted. And this is our happy place.
Our bubble. Us against the world.
A thought suddenly comes to mind. “What’s your name?”
He stills behind me and I wonder if I’ve somehow screwed up by asking. I think it’s a fair question.
Nox grumbles, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not him anymore.”
Leaning my head to the side, I kiss his chin and admit gently, “It does matter. It’s important to me. I want to know you.”
A long silence follows.
Then finally, “Adam Christian Taylor. Born March eighteenth, nineteen eighty four in White Deer, Texas to a single mother, Clare.” The southern twang I’ve heard escape his voice so many times comes out to play.
Wow.
Oh wow!
Turning, I kneel in the space between his legs and reach up to cup his cheeks. He watches me cautiously, but I smile, then flip off his ball cap. Leaning forward, I peck softly at his lips and say between kisses, “Hi, Adam. I’m Lily.”
His hands span my hips and he presses his lips deeper into mine. Against them, he smiles and simply says, “Hey.”
We kiss softly, unrushed, for a long time, and it’s out of this world. But something’s bothering me. Pulling back a little, I ask, “Is it bad that I still want to call you Nox?”
He shakes his head and replies, “Is it bad that I still want you to call me Nox?” I shrug and he utters, “Adam’s all but gone, princess. He’s just a memory to me. I’ve been Nox for a long time. I am Nox.”
Nodding, I say honestly, “I don’t care what you call yourself.” Placing my palm over his heart, I add, “You’re still the same man in here.”
Rolling his eyes, he whines loudly, “Lily!” It’s so out of character for him that I still.
I have no idea what I’ve done wrong, so I shrink back and he catches it. He points a finger at me, “Don’t. Don’t do that.” Then he sighs, “Fuck me.” Placing my hair behind my ear, he murmurs an awestruck, “So much sweet tucked behind the fierce. I don’t know what to do with you, girl. You’re killin’ me.”
I blink. My response drips sarcasm. “Would you like for me to spit on you to even it out?”
Then he smiles. Bright and all teeth. And I want to drown in that smile. From now ‘til the end of time.
I whisper, “It would be totally stupid for me to fall in love with you.”
His smile fades, but only a little. He nods in agreement. “It would be totally stupid.” He pecks my lips once, twice, three times. Pulling back, I look into his deep-blue eyes and see nothing but sincerity. He adds gently, “Can’t help who you fall in love with, princess.”
Oh shit.
The bridge of my nose tingles. My eyes mist and I bite my lip, trying to hold it together. I sniffle. “Best day ever.”
Nox looks at my face, wide eyed. “Clearly, what with all the crying and shit.”
A bark of laughter escapes me. I smack him. “Ass.” Then I add, “Wanna be someone else for today? Just today?”
His eyes crinkle and he says in his most southern accent, “Sure thing, darlin’. I’ll be Hank and you can be Maude.”
The laughter bursts out of me. I laugh so hard, I double over, resting my forehead on his shaking shoulder.
He turns me around and sits me back between his legs. His arms cinch around my waist and he buries his face into my neck. He says a muffled, “Don’t wanna let you go.”
My heart swells. I whisper back, “Then don’t.”
***
Running into Boo’s room, I slam the door shut behind me.
She turns to me, looking stunned. Panting, I whisper hiss, “How do I do sex?”
The shocked look on her face fades. She motions to the bed and smiles big, “Take a seat. We have much to discuss.”
***
Already in bed waiting for Nox, I smooth down the sheets, wanting everything to be perfect.
Tonight is the night I hand in my V-card. So it’s a pretty special day. I probably should’ve done something to mark the occasion.
Like bake a cake.
Or blown up balloons.
Streamers would’ve been nice.
Boo was damn excited about it. And, my goodness, the things she told me! I read erotica a lot, but when you have nothing to compare these things to, they become confusing. So give a girl a break!
Shaved legs?
Check.
Underarms okay?
I sniff myself.
Meh. It’ll do.
Brushed teeth?
Check and check.
And just as I reach down to adjust my underwear, Nox walks in. So I snap my hand up and out of the covers. But it’s too late.
Shit!
Nox’s eyes widen and he says, “Oh, please don’t let me stop you, baby. Keep going.”
Yep. It looked like I was touching myself.
My face flames and I bite out, “I wasn’t doing that.”
He creeps over to the bed, places a knee on the mattress, and leans over to me, murmuring, “It’s been a long fucking day and I need that mouth.”
Reaching up as he leans down, our mouths connect. He tangles a hand in my hair and kisses me deeper, groaning. Just as the kiss gets intense, he pulls away and says, “No. I don’t wanna get carried away. I need to shower, and if we keep this up I’ll be too lazy to do it later.”
He smiles down at me, “Is it okay if we pick this up in ten?”
My voice hoarse, I reply, “Ten minutes. Any longer and I’ll come in after you.”
Climbing off the bed, his eyes darken and become hooded. “Just try keeping me away.” He walks over to the bathroom and I land back on the bed with a plop.
This seduction thing is harder than I thought.
Chapter Seventeen
All systems go
Lily