Chapter 10
It was a long night before Waverly got to leave Shortys. Half of the night was spent stopping Wynonna from sneaking behind the bar and stealing more bottles. Finally Nicole agreed to drive Wynonna out to the homestead while Waverly finished
cleaning up.
Waverly had just finished wiping down the bar when Nicole came back in, "your sister is something else." She said walking in. Waverly stopped what she was doing and just watched as the red head walked across the bar towards her. She looked
radiant, her smile was lighting up the now dimly lit bar. Waverly could have gotten lost in the dimples that were on full display. "Are you almost done?" Nicole asked.
"Yea let me just lock up." Waverly said rounding the bar walking towards the red head. Nicole grabbed her arm as she started to walk past her and pulled her in to a fierce kiss. Her hands slid down around Waverly's waist holding her close.
The kiss sent waves down through Waverly's body. Waverly pulled away, "major." She smiled shyly up at the woman in front of her.
"Waverly Earp, will you go on a date with me?" Nicole smiled down at her. She was trying to hide her nervousness, but it swelled the longer Waverly took to answer.
"A date?" Waverly asked looking up at her, "now? It's 2am!" Waverly wanted to say 'Yes of course what took you so freaking long?' but she could feel her nerves take over.
"Well, how about just dinner at my place?" Nicole asked. Her smile was fading as her fears were going through her head. She was starting to feel like this was a stupid idea. She swallowed hard waiting for Waverly's response.
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"I would love to." Waverly smiled up at her. Nicole pulled her in tight for another kiss before following her up the stairs and out of Shortys.
The drive to Nicole's was short, Waverly had followed Nicole over in her Jeep. Nicole had offered her a ride and to bring her back but Waverly had insisted. Her nerves were growing, she noticed as they parked infront of the little row
of white houses that were on the edge of town. She got out of her Jeep as Nicole was waiting for her on the sidewalk. Waverly could tell Nicole looked nervous as she walked up. Waverly wasn't used to seeing this side of Nicole,
she was used to the major, always in control, always sure of herself. At least in a weird way that made Waverly more comfortable, knowing she wasn't the only one who was in over her head.
As Waverly approached Nicole held out her hand and Waverly allowed her hand to slip into it. Nicole led them up the walk to her front door. She smiled at her as she opened the door. As Waverly walked in she noticed the living room
was dimly lit, then she noticed it was candles. Nicole let her walk in infront of her. She hung her keys and coat on the rack by the door. Nicole reached over Waverly's shoulders and loosened her jacket. She slid it down
off her shoulders as she softly allowed her fingers to caress her skin. Waverly shyly smiled and allowed her to take the jacket. Nicole hung the jacket up on the rack beside hers and couldn't notice how much she liked the view, Waverly
Earps jacket hanging next to hers.
"Wow." Was all Waverly could get out. She looked around and could see the effort Nicole had put into the night. There were candles all around and she could smell something delicious coming from the what Waverly assumed was the kitchen.
"Not too much?" Nicole asked. She was looking around now worried it would scare her away. Waverly looked around and then turned around towards Nicole wrapping her arms around the sultry red heads waist.
"It's perfect." She said stretching up on her tip toes to deliver a soft but suggestive kiss. Nicole fell into the kiss lingering in it a moment longer before pulling back and smiling down at Waverly.
"Are you hungry?" Nicole asked leading Waverly into the kitchen by her hand.
"I'm starved actually." Waverly hadn't realized how hungry she was until the thought of food entered her mind, she couldn't remember the last time she ate. Nicole's kitchen was small and off to the left was what looked like a small dining room.
There was a bottle of wine on the counter next to what ever that delicious smell was coming from the stove.
"There's wine." Nicole said pointing towards the bottle. She stopped suddenly and then looked back at waverly, "or I have water. Or milk?" She suggested. The red head made a face after she spoke and Waverly couldn't help but smile. "Milk?
Really Nicole?" Nicole said under her breath as she dug into the cabinets pulling out two plates.
"What was that?" Waverly asked.
"Um nothing." Nicole turned and smiled at her nervously.
"Wine is fine." Waverly replied smiling up at her. Waverly thought a drink might help calm he nerves she could feel welling up inside of her. Nicole smiled and pulled two wine glasses down and poured them both a glass of wine. Waverly
sipped on hers. She wasn't a wine expert by any means, but Nicole did seem to have similar tastes to hers, not too dry but not too sweet. While Nicole prepared their plates Waverly wandered around the kitchen looking at various things. There
was a picture of what Waverly assumed was Nicole's family in what looked like the desert. Nicole looked very young in it. Waverly was admiring the picture when she felt a hand wrap around her waist.
"That's me in my awkward stage." Nicole laughed looking at the picture. "Dinners ready," she said landing a soft kiss on Waverly's cheek.
Waverly followed Nicole over to the table Nicole had set. Every thing looked perfect, and delicious. Waverly could not get over how much effort and planning Nicole must have put into tonight. If she were being honest with herself
she couldn't remember anyone putting this much effort into anything for her. Even her family had always managed to make Waverly feel like she wasn't worth the effort. Never by intention, Waverly knew that, but she always seemed to
be the one forgotten.
They ate their meal fairly quickly talking about a variety of things from sports that Nicole had played to Waverly's poor attempt at coordination causing her to receive her only broken bone during cheerleading tryouts. Waverly had learned that
Nicole had broken both arms and a leg at some point during her childhood, and had what seemed a running tab at the emergency room of her hometown.
Nicole quickly cleared the table and asked Waverly if she would like dessert. Waverly smiled at the beautiful cake Nicole pointed to that rested on the counter, quickly claiming no credit and that it was store bought. Waverly could only
smile at the beautiful red head that was trying hard to remain smooth but slipping up at moments which Waverly found absolutely adorable.
"Sure" Waverly smiled at Nicole. She didn't really care much for cheesecake but Nicole had gone to the trouble she wasn't going to say no.
They made their way to Nicole's couch as they finished dessert. Nicole had let Waverly choose the movie from Netflix and was surprised she had chosen "Imagine You and Me." The movie played quietly in the background and neither woman was paying
much attention to it. They spent the first half of he movie shyly asking questions about each other.
Waverly wondered why suddenly she felt nervous around Nicole. It wasn't as if she hadn't already kissed her and felt her hands caressing her skin. As Waverly thought about Nicole's hands she suddenly realized Nicole was talking and she
hadn't registered anything she had said.
Nicole was looking at Waverly her eyebrows raised waiting for an answer to her question. "Yes" was all Waverly could get out, hoping it was an appropriate answer to whatever Nicole had asked. Nicole smiled and looked at her, then grabbed
Waverly's wine glass from the table and headed back into the kitchen. Waverly signed with relief.
Nicole was is in the kitchen smiling to herself. She had realized that the small brunette had zoned out and was staring at her and she chastised herself for deciding to have a little fun. Nicole also breathed a sigh of relief that Waverly
didn't hear what she had said, 'How about we take off all our clothes and make better use of our time?" She slipped it in not sure if she wanted Waverly to hear it or not, but honestly was relieved when she didn't. She had instead
grabbed Waverly's glass and retreated into the kitchen to regroup. Waverly was doing things to her she wasn't sure she could handle, but she knew that whatever it was she didn't want it to stop.
Nicole was suddenly aware that someone was watching her. She turned and looked to see Waverly Earp standing in the doorway of her kitchen. She let a smile come across her face as she noticed the young Earp seemed to be looking at her questioningly.
"You didn't ask me if I wanted more wine, did you?" Waverly asked in an accusatory tone but had a smile on her face. Nicole considered coming clean but the knot in her stomach told her to play it cool.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Ms Earp," Nicole said with a smile walking towards the brunette her dimples smile on full display. Waverly shot her a questioning look, and Nicole hoped her smile would get her out of his mess. Waverly just
shook her head taking the glass of wine from the red head. Nicole let out a breath making note that her smile seemed to have the effect she had hoped for.
Waverly stood there leaning against the doorframe seductively sipping her glass of wine looking at Nicole. Nicole could feel her stomach tighten and was unsure if Waverly knew the affect her posture was having on her. When she looked into
Waverly's eyes and saw the pink rising in Waverly's cheeks, Nicole knew she knew exactly what effect she was having on the normally composed Major.
Waverly smiled up at the tall red head in front of her noticing how the majors normally composed demeanor was shifting. Her breathing was becoming more erratic, her face seemed flushed. Waverly contemplated making he major suffer a moment more
for having her fun in the living room but Waverly herself was starting to feel the effects. She sat her wine glass down on the kitchen table and Nicole followed suit. Waverly gripped Nicole by her hips and pulled her closer. Waverly
looked softly up into the red heads eyes, Nicole was looking at her in a way no one had ever looked at her before. Sure she'd seen lust in Champs eyes, maybe even a little love. But nothing like this. She'd been on the receiving end
of multiple of declarations of love and even a couple marriage proposals while tending bar at Shortys but all of those were drunken and lustful. No one had looked at her the way Nicole was now looking at her.
Waverly felt Nicole's hand slide around her waist as she pulled her closer. A small smile was tugging at the corner of her lips as she suddenly rushed up to meet the red heads lips with her own. The kiss started out soft and passionate
and quickly turned into hungry and aggressive.
Nicole was walking backwards as Waverly was pushing against her. She let out a soft moan as she bumped into the cabinets beside the sink. She put her hands on Waverly's hips and picked her up as she spun them around and sat the tiny brunette
up on the counters. Waverly let a giggle out at the move. She pulled back enough to look her in the eyes before she rushed back in to find the lips she was aching for. Nicole made her way from Waverly's lips down her jaw line
and down her neck. Waverly's head fell back as soft moans escaped her lips. Nicole's hands were rubbing up and down her thighs and Waverly instinctively wrapped her legs around Nicole pulling her in closer. Waverly's hands were
tangled in Nicole's hair guiding down her body. Nicole's hand suddenly found its way inside Waverly's top.
Waverly drew in a sharp breath at the contact of Nicole's hands on her skin. The warmth that came from Nicole's fingertips was radiating throughout her entire body. Waverly's hands fell from Nicole's hair and started trailing down
her body finding the hem of her tank top. Without thought Waverly pulled it up and over the majors head. The dog tags Waverly had not even noticed the major was wearing fell back down onto her chest with a clank. Waverly looked
down as they settled nicely into the valley of Nicole's chest. Nicole leaned back and began to reach up to move them but as she noticed Waverly's hand start to rise she paused and watched the brunettes eyes and they took her in.
Waverly slowly rose her hand up and softly glided her fingertips over the top of Nicole's chest tracing just along the top of the teal lacy bra Nicole had chosen specifically for this reason. Waverly's hands then found their way to the metal
resting so nicely in the crevice her chest formed. She picked them up and looked at them.
"Nicole E. Haught" Waverly read aloud. She looked up into Nicole's eyes, "E?" She questioned.
"Elizabeth" Nicole replied her cheeks blushing. She reached down and toon Waverly's hand in hers and slid the tags over her head and laid them on the counter. Waverly put her arms on Nicole's shoulders her hands playing with Nicole's hair. Nicole
smiled at her, the immediacy of the prior situation seemed to have subsided and she cursed herself for choosing to put those tags on this morning. But it was her comfort, her routine. And if she had to admit it to herself, she was
still unsure of the situation in Purgatory and knew that at any moment death may be imminent.
Waverly seemed to catch on to Nicole's internal conversation and pulled her in for another kiss before unwrapping her legs from around her waist. Nicole immediately looked up at Waverly with a look Waverly could only describe as a hurt puppy
causing Waverly to let out a small laugh. Waverly slid off the counter and down to the floor guided gently by Nicole's hands on her waist. Waverly softly grabbed the majors hand and led her out of the kitchen and into the living room.
The credits were now rolling in the movie they had started. Waverly led the major over to the sofa and sat down. Nicole obliged but realizing she was topless caused her to blush suddenly. Waverly noticed and just smiled
over at her.
Waverly had no into ruins of disappointing the Major tonight but Waverly was a researcher. She had scoured websites and articles when she had first met Nicole, trying her best to understand the feelings she was now having. And like a rabbit
hole Waverly had learned more in that first day of reading online than she thought she could have thought possible. Waverly was searching for the right words and the longer she sat quiet the more nervous she found herself.
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"Hey," Nicole said sliding her hand into Waverly's bare thigh. God she loved those shorts. "It's ok" Nicole finished looking up into Waverly's eyes.
"What?" Waverly countered, unsure what the red head was referring to.
"We can go as slow as you need." Nicole smiled at her. The sincerity and honesty in Nicole's eyes made Waverly melt.
"Oh..." Waverly said but as Nicole's words registered she quickly responded, "oh! No that's not why," she made a face something between frustration and confusion. Nicole couldn't help but smiled as the brunette furrowed her brows. "That's
not why I stopped." Waverly responded. "I want to, oh god do I want to, but I also don't want it to be weird. I mean it's different for me right? This is new and you," Waverly raised her eyebrows and indicated to Nicole's half-clothed
top half. "You are beautiful, and amazing, and the sweetest woman I've ever met." Waverly stopped. "And that's why..." Waverly bowed her head looking down at the hands she was wringing in her lap, "I did some reading." Waverly
finally said.
"Reading?" Nicole questioned looking over at Waverly smiling. Of course she did, and that was so freaking adorable.
"Yea, well, I'm a planner. You know. I like to be," Waverly's breath hitched. "Prepared."
"Uh-huh" nicole said as she was nodding the smile creeping slowly over her face. She couldn't help but fall more and more for this girl with each passing minute. Waverly looked up and saw the majors dimpled smile and couldn't help
but blush. Her hands went up to hide her face.
"Oh my god, I feel like." Waverly started but Nicole stopped her grabbing her wrists.
"You are the most adorable creature I have ever met, Waverly Earp." Nicole said smile never fading. Waverly finally turned and looked at her. "So what did this, research, lead you to find?"
"Oh so much!" Waverly said eyes drifting off as she remembered some of the more awkward parts she had uncovered. There was a whole world of things Waverly had never even considered. Sure she had done things with Champ, "I guess I wanted
to make sure I knew what I was doing." Waverly quickly stated realizing she had begun to zone off again. "I mean, I'm sure you are amazing, and you have, well a lot of experience, I don't mean a lot I just mean I'm sure you've." Waverly
quickly stopped herself. Feeling her nervous rambling taking over. "What if I'm bad at it? What if I do something you don't like?" Waverly finally said softly although Nicole could hear the fear in her voice.
Nicole's smile shifted, it went from amused to something Waverly had seen earlier in the kitchen,arousal? "Waverly, I don't think there's a thing in this world you could be bad at." Nicole's dimples again made their appearance.
"I don't know what I'm doing." Waverly stated as she began leaning towards Nicole again.
"Oh sure you do." Nicole said softly with a wink, drawing Waverly back to their first kiss in the Black badge office. Waverly suddenly felt a surge of courage and rushed toward the still smiling Nicole in a kiss she could only describe as
urgent.
