Chapter 15

Nicole

Nicole stared at the closed door that Waverly had just disappeared through. What the hell are you doing? She asked if you loved her and you just stood there like an idiot, what is wrong with you? She's right, I am a coward, I can't do this with her, can't risk losing her again. You're losing her again right now, dumbass! Shit.

She ran to the door and yanked it open, running down the front porch steps in her bare feet and wincing as her feet hit the cold pavement of the driveway. Waverly had just thrown her gym bag in the backseat of her Jeep and was pulling open the driver door when Nicole reached her, putting her palm flat on the doorframe to keep her from opening it. Waverly was startled, her eyes wide and puffy as she looked at Nicole in confusion.

Nicole didn't say anything, just leaned against the car breathing heavily as Waverly crossed her arms over her chest. Jesus, I can't breathe, and I only ran 50 feet.

"Nic, what's going on?" Waverly finally asked, her tone a mixture of annoyance and defensiveness.

Nicole tried to slow her breathing. "Sorry, just give me a sec, that run really took it out of me," she managed. You are so pathetic right now it's embarrassing. She took a deep breath and felt her heart rate slow. Waverly's eyes were guarded, everything about her stance screaming for Nicole to spit it out and leave her alone.

"Waves, I'm sorry about how I reacted in there. You caught me completely off guard and I didn't know…I just needed to wrap my head around what you were asking me, ok?"

Waverly sighed and put her hands in her jean pockets. "It wasn't a trick question, Nicole, I asked you if you loved me or not, pretty easy right?"

"Yes," Nicole answered, looking Waverly squarely in the eyes and letting go of the fear she had been harboring since she had first come back into Waverly's life.

Waverly's eyes widened and she studied Nicole's face. "Yes, it was an easy question, or yes, you still love me?"

"Yes, I still love you, of course I do, Waverly." Suddenly Nicole couldn't get the words out fast enough. "I've always loved you, that's never been a question, I just don't know how to be with you after everything we've been through. I'm not sure if I know how to do this, you know? I need you to help me out here, because I want this, I want you, I just don't know how we make this work. And I'm fucked up, Waves, I need to get back to myself and I'm not there yet, and I don't want you to have to wait for me to-"

Nicole was cut off by Waverly's lips crashing into hers, her arms going around her neck and pulling her head down to meet her. Ow.

Nicole pulled back, reaching up to pull Waverly's hands down from around her neck. A flash of hurt crossed Waverly's face, and Nicole realized what she must've been thinking.

"No no no, Waves, don't freak out, it just hurts to bend down like that," she reassured her, and the guilty smile that Waverly adopted was the most adorable thing she'd ever seen. Nicole put a hand on Waverly's hip and pushed her towards the front of the car. Waverly took the hint and hopped up to sit on the hood, using her legs to pull Nicole back in to her.

"This ok?" Waverly asked, the husk in her voice sending shivers across Nicole's skin, her hands reaching around Nicole's back to fist her t-shirt in her hands.

"More than ok," Nicole said, leaning in to run her nose up Waverly's neck, taking in the slight smell of sweat, smoke and whiskey from her shift the night before. She smells delicious, Nicole thought, following the same path along her neck but with her tongue this time, tasting salt and the underlying sweetness that was 100% Waverly. Nicole put her lips against the shell of Waverly's ear and whispered, "You taste amazing" before biting her earlobe softly, earning a groan and the tightening of fists at her back.

"Kiss me," Waverly breathed, and Nicole obliged, gliding her lips over Waverly's and sighing into her mouth as she opened for her immediately. It was as though no time had passed, the two moving together with ease like they had for years, tongues tangling and teeth nipping and smiling against each other's lips.

Nicole wanted more, and she could feel the answering intensity from Waverly as her legs wrapped tighter around her ass, seeking more contact. Fuck my broken body. Waverly sensed Nicole's frustration and slowed the kiss, pulling back and placing her hands on either side of Nicole's face. The two stared at each other for a long moment before Nicole pulled Waverly into a hug and buried her face in her neck. Thank god for this woman.

"We have all the time in the world, Nic," she felt the vibration of Waverly's words against her face. "I promise."

Nicole pulled back and placed a chaste kiss on her lips before leaning her forehead against Waverly's and closing her eyes. "I trust you, Waves," she said simply.

"And I love you," Waverly answered. Nicole grinned and opened her eyes, staring into the sea of hazel just inches from her own.

"Waves?" Nicole said, straightening up and looking serious.

"Yes, baby?"

"I think my feet have frostbite," she said, wiggling her bare toes against the concrete below them.

Waverly laughed out loud and kissed Nicole's cheek before hopping down from the car.

"Let's go warm you up then," she said, grabbing Nicole's hand and pulling her back towards the house. I have a few ideas about that.