Chapter 32 Nikki
Nikki
Life in Whispers is becoming normal. As normal as being on the run can be.
I work, James goes to school, then Sutton brings us home most days, our weekends now filled with more than just quiet days at home.
James teaches Sutton poker while I tinker.
I get to enjoy spending nights wrapped up in the arms of my lover.
The one slowly embedding himself into my chest so tight I know it’s going to be hard to let him go.
Despite the constant fight-or-flight my body remains in most of the time, I doubt my life could get any more settled than it is now.
As I wipe the counter, the lunch rush over, I wait patiently for James to finish school. When the door chimes, I look up expectantly, but instead of my brother, I see a somewhat familiar face.
“Good afternoon,” I greet him with a grin. The old guy is back. He isn’t a local, but I remember him.
“Hello, dear. The chicken pie was so good, I wanted to bring my wife to try it.”
I look at the older lady at his side. She offers me a warm smile, one I return.
“I told you it was good. Two chicken pies?” I ask them as they take a seat at the counter.
“Yes, thank you. He’s been talking about it nonstop since he had it.” His wife chuckles. They’re cute. I put them at maybe in their sixties, although they both look really fit. Travelers are not uncommon around here because of the distillery, but we rarely see the same people twice.
I get their pies, fresh from the kitchen, and then fill a cup of coffee for each of them. “So still in Williamstown?” I pour, remembering him saying that’s where they were staying.
“Just for another few days,” he says.
“We just love it here. So nice and tranquil. Have you lived here all your life?” his wife asks me.
“I have.” I nod, sticking to my script.
“What a magical place to grow up in,” she gushes.
“Do you still have family here?” the man asks, just as James rushes in.
“I’m starving.” He throws his bag on the floor and sits at the end of the counter. Sutton’s late today, but I’m sure he’ll be here soon.
“Excuse me,” I tell the couple, not answering their question as I move to grab James his cupcake and milk and get him settled.
"So how was school?”
“Great,” he says happily.
“Did you hand in your project?” I lift my eyebrows, because he’s so keen to play baseball at lunch now, I wouldn’t be surprised if he forgot to hand in his Benjamin Franklin project. The one he’s been working on for a while.
“Yeeees,” he moans, and while for most parents and guardians, I’m sure they would find it frustrating, I’m ecstatic that he’s got a good group of friends at school and acting like a young boy should.
“Where’s Sutton?” We both look toward the empty booth.
“Not sure. He’ll be here soon, I’m sure.” I nod to him, then move around the diner, clearing other tables, seating a few new people as the afternoon rush starts.
“That was wonderful, my dear,” the older lady says as I step to the counter and take their empty plates.
“It’s the best pie I’ve ever had,” I agree with her. Rochelle’s chicken pies are now building somewhat of a name in these parts.
“Almost reminds me of this lovely café in Manhattan… what’s it called, dear?” She looks at her husband, and I know the one she’s talking about.
“Do you mean Thistle he just gave me the perfect compromise.
“I guess he could go for dinner and a movie and see how it goes.” I’m happy with that. I mentally note to thank Sutton for helping ease me into it.
“I’m packing my bag, just in case. I want to sleep over. Kevin’s dad does these cool pancakes for breakfast that are amazing…”
James is giddy, already running back into the house to pack an overnight bag, and I breathe out any remaining fear, rolling my head on my shoulders. How in the world do moms let go of their kids when they’re old enough?
“He’ll be fine, you know that, right? Sawyer has gates, security, and both he and Annabelle will be home with the boys.
I don’t know what you’re hiding from, but I’ve hidden with Sawyer for months, and no one has found me.
” Sutton’s hands land on my waist as he looks down at me, concern etched into his brow.
“I know. It’s just…” I can’t even explain it.
“It’s hard. I get it. When you love someone so deeply that you’ll do anything to protect them.
I understand. And I’m proud of you for letting him go, at least for a little while.
” He kisses my forehead, then whispers against my ear, “Sooooo, while James is with the boys, I have somewhere I thought we could go.”
My eyebrows rise. “Like a date?” We haven’t really been on a date.
“Mm-hmm, like a date. But one where no one will ever find us.” He grins down at me, speaking in riddles, and I’m already intrigued.
I chuckle, feeling a little giddy.
“You want to grab a change of clothes?” Sutton asks, which has me tilting my head in question.
“What will I need?”
“Well, we’ll be outside, so some warm clothes for later might be good.”
“Okay…” It’s been a long time since someone surprised me, so I’m not asking any more questions.
“Hop to it, woman.” He slaps my ass, and I squeal as I run inside, packing a small bag with a sweater and jeans, having no idea where we’re going.
Once we drop James off at Sawyer’s, we’re back on the road, but not for long.
His truck pulls up to Marie’s place a few minutes later.
No lights are on, so I’m assuming no one’s here.
Marie’s place is next door to the distillery on Distillery Drive.
A small accommodation place that Tanner and Victoria own.
“What are we doing here? Are we allowed here?” I whisper like we’re robbers, and Sutton laughs.
“Don’t worry. Tanner knows we’re here. Come on.” He grabs our bags from the back of the truck, then comes to my door to take my hand and help me out, leading me into the fields.
“Do you know where you’re going?” I look around, the sun hanging low. The afternoon glow spreads across the fields, giving an array of yellow and orange and a touch of pink to the sky. It’s beautiful.
“Not a clue, but Tanner gave directions.” Sutton’s deep in concentration as he leads me down a dirt path.
“To where?” I stop short behind him when he stalls. As I look up, my breath catches.
“Wow…” I’m immediately mesmerized.
“Yeah. Wow.” Sutton and I can only stare at the view in front of us.
“I’ve heard about these, but I’ve never seen them.
Never knew where they were.” I glance around the mineral springs, in awe of how breathtaking nature is.
It’s cool out, the steam from the water rising.
There’s no one else here, so it’s nice and quiet, the bugs and birds slowing down for the day as it gets darker out, and the temperature perfect for spending time outside.
“Wanna go for a swim?” He looks at me cheekily as he starts to disrobe.
“But I don’t have a swimsuit.” I frown as he throws his t-shirt to the ground near our bags, opening his jeans and pulling them off.
“That’s fine. Neither do I.” He strips completely, giving me a sexy-as-sin smirk before he runs in, the water surrounding him instantly.
“Sutton!” I giggle at seeing his naked form out in the elements, looking around making sure no one else is here.
“Ohhhh, this is nice. Come on!” he yells. Feeling like a rebellious teenager, I strip down, leaving my clothes and underwear on the edge and running into the water, Sutton’s eyes on me the entire way.
The water is hot, soothingly so, and as I immerse myself deeper, my muscles instantly relax.
Paddling straight toward him, I hum, “It’s so warm.”
“Mmmm, feels good…” he groans, reaching for me, his large hands wrapping around my waist.
“A few of the locals talk about these springs. They use them for the distillery spa now, too, I think.”
We both bob in the water, my legs around his hips, droplets running down our faces and arms.
“Tanner mentioned it to me the other day, and to be honest, there isn’t really any pools or beaches I can go to these days without getting photographed, so I was keen to try it.” He leans his head back into the water, enjoying the moment.
“What’s it like?” I watch him closely.
“What?”
“Being photographed everywhere you go?”
He blows out a breath, his hands holding me firmly.
“At first, it was a novelty. I was single, working my ass off, and I needed the publicity. After a few years, it became annoying. I couldn’t go anywhere without a tail.
But again, I knew it was part of the business.
If I wanted success, I needed the media attention.
But now… I mean, I’ve hit the heights I always dreamed of hitting in Hollywood.
There really isn’t anything else I need to achieve there.
The movie deals, media calls, living in LA, it all feels like something I’ve already conquered, you know?
I no longer have the patience for it. I’m older, and I want more privacy, a calmer life. ”
“I understand that.” I think back to my mom’s funeral, where cameras were stationed outside the church, just to capture my dad’s tears. And he isn’t even a movie star.
“I think that’s why I like it here so much. I get to just be me.” His tone softens.
Running my hands into his hair, I brush it back from his forehead.
I smile, loving the look on his face when I touch him. “I like just you.”
“I like just you too.” Our smiles meet, turning into a slow-burning kiss. I’ve never felt more wanted or safer in my entire life than I do right here in his arms.
“There’s no way I could kiss my girl in public like this if the media were around…” he murmurs between kisses, and I feel my body flush when he refers to me as his.
“There’s no way I would want the media to capture us both naked in Mother Nature either.”
His grip on me hardens, as does his cock, where I feel it nudging at my core.
“Good thing all this steam is making it hard for the bugs and birds to see exactly what we’re doing under the surface…” His kisses become more demanding as his hand slips between my legs. My hold on him tightens as I move my hips, wanting friction.
“Touch me…” I pant out.
“Fuck, Tinker Bell, you’re so hot.” His fingers explore, and I hold him close, my arms looping around his neck as he circles my clit over and over. My heart rate spikes as he slips a finger inside, and I almost combust.
“Oh God…” I moan, grinding down on his hand. I’m lost in the sensation, the sound of the water lapping as we move, the firm hold he has on me with one hand while the other makes my eyes roll back.
“You like that?” He’s hoarse as he kisses up my neck, and I let my head fall back a little as he continues to work me over, knowing my body better than anyone else ever has.
I whimper as tingles scatter from my core. “Yes, Sutton… Oh God.”
“Fuck, you make me so hard. Are you going to come for me, baby?”
I hear him panting and lift my head to look at him, our foreheads pressing against each other and breathing the same air. Our lips hover close but just an inch apart.
I can barely talk as I nod, and when he circles my clit again, this time, a little quicker, my body shakes. “Yes, Sutton.”
His grin is wicked as he kisses me, our bodies sealed from our lips to our hips. I pull back a little to gasp a breath, his eyes hooked on mine.
“Yes… yes… yes!” I bite my bottom lip as I moan through my orgasm, Sutton’s arm around my waist tightening as his fingers continue their movements.
When I open my eyes, breathless and dazed, they meet the pink sky. It’s like my own taste of heaven.