"How far is it again?" Emily asked, stretching out in the passenger's seat. It was seven in the morning on a chilly mid October day, and she and Paige were headed to the McCullers' house in Caribou, Maine.
"A little over thirteen hours," Paige replied, her eyes on the road. "Hence staying in a hotel tonight."
"How far is that?"
"It's in New Hampshire," Paige replied, and Emily laughed.
"That's not what I asked, cutie."
"Oh," Paige replied, grinning. "Sorry. It's about seven and a half hours. We should get there around three, assuming traffic is good."
"I'm nervous about meeting your parents tomorrow."
"Don't be. They'll love you, Em," she assured her. "Especially since you're not Shana."
"They didn't like Shana?" she asked. Paige hardly ever mentioned Shana, and based on what Caleb had said, she didn't want to bring it up.
"No. She was a bitch. I just couldn't see it until it was too late."
"I'll be on my best behavior," Emily promised. Paige smiled.
"Trust me. They'll adore you, just like I do."
Emily smiled, leaning back in her seat. She actually felt calm today with the knowledge that they were going to be far away from Alison's killer and the person stalking Paige. They would have this day to themselves, and she was pretty excited about meeting Paige's parents tomorrow.
"Let's play a game," Emily suggested.
"Okay," Paige replied, rising her eyebrow. "What kind of game?"
"Two truths and a lie," Emily replied. "You know, one of those lame sleepover games."
"Okay. You start."
"Hmm. Let's see. I love to swim, I love pizza, and I got my nose pierced when I was thirteen behind my parents' back."
"The last one."
"Nope," Emily replied proudly. Paige's mouth dropped open.
"Emily Fields! You badass!"
"Thank you," Emily replied, grinning.
"What happened to it?"
"It got really infected and I had to close it up. I learned my lesson. So, which one is the lie?"
"Well, I know you love pizza. So by default, the swimming."
"Yup. I swam in high school and I got so tired of it."
"I did, too. I liked the softball better, though."
"Your turn."
"Hmm. Let's see. I love roasted peppers dipped in mustard, I peed myself during my eighth grade graduation, and I love the smell of garlic."
"I'm hoping the middle one."
"You and me both," Paige replied, and Emily burst out laughing.
"Paige!" Emily exclaimed. "That's horrible!"
"I had a bladder infection!" she protested. "Thank goodness I never saw half those kids again."
"Oh, Paige… you poor thing," she replied, wiping tears of laughter away. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she chuckled. "It's funny looking back. But yeah, the smell of garlic makes me want to puke."
"I'll have to remember that the next time I want garlic bread. Hmm… I'm scared of the dark, I hate rap music, and I don't like dogs."
"I know the dark part is true," Paige replied, grinning at her. Emily blushed, knowing she was referring to the times she practically ran back from the bathroom at night. "I'm going to say the dogs."
"Yup. I love dogs. But my apartment doesn't allow them."
"Same," Paige agreed.
"You're turn."
"Let's see. Christmas is my favorite holiday, I failed a class in college, and my ex-girlfriend who said she was a lesbian cheated on me with a fucking guy. A guy."
The tone of Paige's voice told her the last one was true. So, that was the story behind Shana. Emily was silent for a moment before leaning over and gently kissing the side of her face.
"I'm going to say you failing a class is a lie."
Paige nodded, and Emily knew she was grateful she hadn't commented on the last one. She had just wanted to get it out there, not talk about it.
"I love you," she added. Paige smiled.
"I love you too, Em."
A little after noon they stopped in a parking lot to eat the sandwiches and fruit they had packed in the cooler. They only had about two more hours of driving until they reached the Wentworth Marriott Hotel in New Castle, Hew Hampshire. They hit a slight traffic jam on the way, so it was closer to four by the time they arrived at the hotel.
"Not bad," Paige remarked as they got out of the car and got their bags. "Let's check in and have an early dinner. I'm starving."
"Driving makes you hungry, huh?" Emily teased. Paige grinned.
"Sure does."
They went into the hotel, a nice, cozy looking building, and checked into their room. They carried their bags up to the second floor, tossing them on the ground as they took a moment to look around. It was certainly nice, and Paige was looking forward to having a peaceful night's sleep without having to worry if someone was lurking around.
"This place is nice," she remarked. "I like it."
"You haven't stayed here before?" Emily asked, feeling the one large bed.
"No. Usually when I go see my parents I do the whole trip in one day. But I'm lazy today. Well, that and mostly I don't want to drive in the dark given recent events."
"I understand," Emily replied, and she did. She hated the dark when they weren't being followed. "It's cozy here."
"Sure is. But we'll enjoy the room later. I'm absolutely famished."
They went to the pizza place across the street where they polished off a medium pizza quickly, finally feeling full and content. Emily had never been in New Hampshire before and wanted to go for a walk after dinner to look at the town, something she wouldn't dare do if they were back home. But she felt safe here, hours and hours away from Alison's killer, and she wanted to take advantage of it.
So they took a short walk close by to the hotel, looking at some of the older houses and stopping inside some of the shops. Emily hadn't felt this relaxed in days, and based on the carefree smile on Paige's face, she hadn't, either.
The sun was setting and the wind was picking up by the time they decided to head back. They made their way up to the room, locking themselves in for the night and starting to get ready for bed.
"I want another shower," Paige announced, unbuttoning her plaid shirt. "Wanna join?"
"Of course," Emily replied, and she followed her into the bathroom.
They stood together under the warm water, letting themselves unwind from a long day in the car. Emily stood with her arms around Paige, her face buried in her shoulder, wondering how she had ever gotten along without her.
"Do you hear that?" Paige asked suddenly. Emily listened.
"What?"
"It sounds like someone's knocking."
"Who would be knocking? We don't know anyone here."
"Yeah," Paige replied, distracted as she stopped the water. They both stood in silence for a moment.
"Sweetie? We're safe here. You don't have to worry."
"You're right," she replied, reaching for a towel. "I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be sorry, either."
Paige gave her a small smile, squeezing water out of her hair. Her cell phone began to ring in the other room and she hurried out of the bathroom to answer it, slightly afraid of who would be on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Paige, honey? It's Mom."
"Mom. Hi," she replied with relief. She gave Emily a thumbs up, who was looking worried in the bathroom doorway.
"Are you all settled at the hotel?"
"Yeah. We got here a little while ago."
"Good. Emily's with you?"
"Yes. I can't wait for you to meet her," she replied, giving her girlfriend a wink. Emily blushed.
"I'm sure we'll love her. Nick!" her mother reprimanded sharply to something her father had said in the background.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just tearing Shana apart again."
"Let him," she replied. "It all worked out for the better, anyway."
"As long as you're safe and happy, that's all that matters to me."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Which reminds me. How have you been feeling?"
"Better. It's nice to be away for a little."
"And you're back on your medication?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Honey, I know you don't like it, but I think it will help you. Especially after… after what happened."
"I know."
"I'll let you get some rest. I just wanted to make sure you were safe at the hotel."
"We're good, Mom. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, Paige. I love you."
"I love you, too."
She ended the call, sitting down on the bed with a sigh.
"Everything okay?" Emily asked, unwrapping her towel. Paige looked at her, too distracted by her naked body to answer her question. "Paige?"
"Yeah. I just get jumpy when the phone rings now. It was just Mom checking that we're okay."
"We're okay," she repeated. She kissed Paige's bare shoulder, encouraging her to unwrap her towel. "We don't need to be afraid here."
"No," Paige agreed, letting Emily push her down on the bed. She watched as Emily straddled her, beads of water from their shower sliding down her tan skin as she leaned forward to kiss her. Paige pulled her in closer, needing to feel her.
"Relax for me," Emily whispered, rubbing her wet center onto Paige's stomach. Paige gasped, her own arousal increasing. "What we both need is a good night's sleep. And I know how to get that for us."
"Mmm," Paige moaned as Emily began to suck on her nipple. She closed her eyes, letting herself relax as Emily gave each of her breasts equal attention. But she always knew when to move on, and sure enough she began kissing her way down Paige's stomach, stopping just where she was needed most. Paige moaned impatiently, trying to push herself up to meet Emily's mouth. But Emily just grinned, peering up at her.
"Tell me how much you want me."
"Unf," Paige replied, struggling to find words as she watched Emily's face so close to her center. "I want….. I really, really want you. Please."
"You do," she confirmed, dragging a finger through Paige's wet folds. "Tell me what you want."
Emily knew exactly what she wanted. But she wanted to hear her say it first, watching triumphantly as Paige struggled to find the words.
"I want your m-mouth on me," she blurted, squirming. "Em, please."
She didn't waste another second before licking up Paige's wet slit, earning herself a relieved gasp. She repeated a few times before slipping her tongue inside of her, Paige crying out in pleasure above her.
"Fuck!" she groaned, gripping the bed sheets as Emily thrust inside of her. "Holy fuck that feels good."
She slid her tongue out of her, licking her taste from around her mouth, Paige's protesting immediately ceasing as Emily's mouth latched onto her clit, her fingers sliding inside of her as a replacement. It was time to stop playing around and give her what she wanted.
"Don't stop!" she shouted, not caring if the entire hotel could hear her. "Em... don't stop."
She didn't. She kept working until Paige gave a loud shout of pleasure and came hard, trapping Emily's fingers inside of her. Emily brought her down gently, moving up to kiss her lips softly as she kept her fingers moving gently inside of her.
"You're beautiful," she whispered as Paige panted in satisfaction. "And I love you so, so much."
"I….. I love you, too," she replied, still somewhat breathless, as she leaned in for another kiss. "That was exactly what I needed."
"I thought so," Emily agreed smugly, starting to thrust her fingers inside of her harder. Paige gasped, still not recovered from her first orgasm, moving her hips frantically with Emily's thrusts. "How does that feel?" she cooed, pleased when Paige couldn't answer. It didn't take her long to come again, this time even more exhausted than before. Emily withdrew her fingers, licking them clean as Paige watched her through hooded eyes. "Someone looks tired."
"Mm hmm," she agreed sleepily. "But I'm not going to sleep until you have a turn."
"Paige, it's okay," she replied. "You needed this."
"Come here," Paige replied stubbornly, pulling Emily towards her. When she realized what Paige was telling her to do she couldn't protest and eagerly swung her other leg over so she was straddling her face, gripping the headboard as she felt Paige's tongue on her swollen clit.
She was already extremely aroused from watching Paige's pleasure, and it didn't take her long at all to come. They were both exhausted by that point and Emily managed to collapse next to Paige, burrowing under the covers with her.
"You're so good," Paige mumbled, struggling to keep her eyes open. Emily smiled and kissed her gently.
"So are you. I think we'll both sleep pretty well tonight."
"Mmm," Paige agreed, her eyes sliding closed. She slid her arm around Emily, and less than a minute after that her breathing had become soft and even. Emily smiled to herself, glad that her plan had worked and her girlfriend would finally have a good night's rest. She was pretty tired herself, and it didn't take much of listening to Paige's sleep breathing before she drifted off with her.
A/N: Hope you're all still enjoying the story! Thanks for reading!