"You're some kind of beautiful, Opie," the words fell from his mouth, and she believed them. She stared into his eyes; they were the palest green she'd ever seen. The lilt of his Southern drawl pulled her heart in, but his strong, wiry arms pulled her body closer. She loved the way Opie dripped from his mouth. For a moment, the girl known as Cait Morgan reveled in her father's name for her. When Lucius Everett spoke, her childish nickname had never sounded so good.
"I don't know what to say," Opie whispered. Her eyes met his. "I don't think anyone has ever called me beautiful." A disarming smile spread across his lips.
"Somehow, I just don't believe that," he countered. "I don't think there is a man alive that could look at you and not see how gorgeous you are."
Lucius' fingers grazed her ribs, and Opie's breath caught. Electric fire bolted through her veins, and she felt lightheaded. She was instantly thankful for the massive magnolia she was pressed against; if it weren't for that, Opie knew she would have fallen. Part of her wondered if it was already too late. She closed her eyes as his body grazed hers. Slowly, deliberately, he kissed her. As their lips met, she was amazed at how soft they were. She'd always imagined a boy's lips would be harder. She was surprised.
Lucius' hands stayed put on either side of Opie's waist. Her heart slammed against her chest. As he pulled away, he stared intently at her, searching the depths of her eyes. To his surprise, there was nothing there. What Lucius Everett didn't realize is that Opie came from a long line of liars, thieves, and criminals. Even Opie didn't know that about herself, but either way, she had innate sense of survival. Her feelings would never be written on her face. Lucius was used to girls falling over themselves to attract attention. Opie looked indifferent. Frustrated, Lucius pressed his lips in a tight, thin line, and Opie remained plastered against the magnolia, unsure of what to say.
"You're blushing," he whispered, bemused. Fucking ginger genetics. Even if her eyes were fathomless, her skin wasn't. If she was embarrassed, her cheeks would flush. Out in the sun for more than five minutes? She'd burn. Now, with this hot boy pressed against her, Opie was sure that her cheeks were scarlet with her desire to kiss him back. It was ridiculous, this trait he'd found so enamoring. Opie's fair skin never cut her any slack.
She'd grown up at the tail-end of many a joke. For the longest time, she didn't even know herself as by any other name than Opie. Opie. The name of Andy Griffith's fiery haired son. The story she'd been told was that she had the same hair color. It was ridiculous. She hated it. The story made no sense at all. The fact the Lucius knew her by that name at all annoyed the hell out of her…but he made it sound sexy, so she was ready to forgive it.
"Copper top," Lucius whispered. Opie smiled nostalgically. Her brothers had tormented her with that name for as long as she could remember. Her long, fiery curls were a source of entertainment in the family. Being the only redhead, with blonde and blue eyed brothers, just like their father, and her sister, her twin, was dark haired and hazel eyed, like their mother. She always felt she was the outcast, the standout. Red hair, gray eyes. The Morgans were all tall and fair, but her orangey locks always got her noticed. Up until this moment, Opie hated it.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he murmured again. Lucius' lips hovered centimeters from Opie's. She stared at him openly, just as he stared at her. The setting North Carolina sun glowed in the distance, and it cast violet and vermillion shadows just beyond Lucius' stunning lime green eyes. His white teeth flashed against his tanned skin as he grinned. His chest was inches from hers, and she could feel his heart thudding against chest. He wants me just as much as I want him. The realization was an exhilarating one.
"You want to kiss me again?" he challenged. His mouth was teasing, but his body language betrayed him. He didn't realize Opie felt his trembling fingertips as they hooked the belt loops of her jeans. He didn't know she heard the jagged inhale of breath as he pressed her against the magnolia. You want me. She didn't think; feelings ruled her mind, her body, and her soul. Opie's hands had a mind of their own as they pulled him closer. They shot up his shirt and roamed his smooth skin.
"Op—Cait—Op—" He struggled with her name, but his smile told her everything I needed to know. Opie's hands grasped his face, and she crushed his lips with a hard, strong kiss. Adrenaline poured through me as his tongue darted out and touched hers. She gasped, but she didn't break the kiss; instead, Opie concentrated on his hands freely roaming her belly. She was caught somewhere between desire and lust, and she couldn't breathe. It was the best feeling in the world.
"Cait!" a voice called her name through the haze. "Cait! Your dad is here!"
She rolled her eyes, annoyed with her father's timing. On any other night, he'd be a few minutes late, but something in him must've known of her delicious tryst behind the diner where she worked.
"I've gotta go," she whispered.
"Do me one favor before you do," he returned. Her cheeks flushed again.
"What?" she wanted to leave, but his gaze was like glue. Opie couldn't move, no matter how much she wanted to.
"Say my name," he urged. "You haven't said it once since you got here."
"Are you crazy?!" she hissed. That sexy grin spread across his lips again, and she lost.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" he teased.
"Yes," Opie admitted. She didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, but there was one undeniable fact: Lucius Everett was sexy as hell.
His fingertips sank into the tight denim that covered her hips, and she swore that he would set her afire.
"Only if you say mine," Opie fired back. Her gray eyes lit teasingly. "Not Opie—that's not me. Say my real name."
"Cait," he whispered. He bent down and kissed her again. His lips were seeking, intense, and haunting. He broke away from her for a moment, just long enough to whisper against her skin. "Say it," he gently demanded.
"Lucius," she whispered against his mouth. He pulled away. Silently, he grazed her face with his hand.
"Simply beautiful," he said. This time, she smiled at the compliment.
"Go," she commanded. He didn't need to be told again. She watched him turn and run. His long, dark hair bounced as he ran. She watched as the long line of his back strained against his tight black shirt, and his legs looked endless in his black jeans. She touched her lips and closed her eyes, reveling in the moment so recently passed. She could still feel the sensation of his lips. Her fingers traced the smooth skin of her mouth as I turned away.
"There you are." Her father's voice startled her. She jumped. Her eyes widened as Jax came into view. He was annoyed, but beneath that aggravation Opie saw genuine worry, and instant guilt flooded her. Still, she glanced to ensure Lucius was far from her father's view.
"Damn, Op, are you gonna make me wait all night?" Jax asked. His eyes were wide, and Opie knew she'd pissed him off.
"Sorry, Dad," she stammered. "I—I was just taking the garbage out." She prayed that he didn't see her kiss-bruised lips or smell Lucius' cologne on her skin. "A waitress' work is never done." She gave an eye roll—just for good measure. A relieved smile etched her father's handsome face, and she exhaled carefully, relaxing under his considerably calmer gaze. He casually draped his arm over her shoulders as they walked to his massive truck. Opie pulled the heavy door open and climbed inside.
Jax got in and slammed the door. Within minutes, he cranked the massive Silverado to life. Within seconds, they were speeding down the highway. The huge truck felt almost weightless as it hugged the curvy roads.
"You can have your mom's car tomorrow," Jax's low baritone broke the silence. "She and I are going to take a couple of days off. Maybe go up to the cabin for a couple of days."
The cabin was Jax and Tara's mountain getaway. It was their tiny piece of Charming in the mountains of North Carolina. They'd bought it when the kids were little, and they'd spent many a family vacation there. Now, as all four kids had grown, they used it as a couple's retreat. Sometimes, they could almost pretend it was SAMCRO's cabin; they could remember crazy teenage weekends with Donna and Opie, times when Gemma and Clay were whole, when Bobby and Chibs were younger-it was a time when nostalgia could take over—and they took advantage of it where they could.
"Everything ok?" Opie asked. She looked over at Jax. It amazed her how young he still looked. Her parents both seemed ageless. She prayed she aged like them.
"Yeah," Jax roughly said. "We just figured we'd take off before everything got crazy. Don't worry—we'll be gone maybe a night or two—we'll be back in time for your graduation-then we'll head to South Carolina for Luke's graduation while you and Lala are at Myrtle Beach. Then, we'll all be back for Adam's wedding."
Just like that, Opie felt half her summer was gone. She couldn't believe her high school graduation was just around the corner. Luke was graduating college early—but that's what Luke did. He'd graduated high school a year early. She smiled as she thought of her brother. Ever the overachiever, Luke was honest and humble and beautiful, just like their mother. Then Adam would get married to a wonderful girl. She didn't like growing up. She stared out the window at the quickly darkening Carolina skyline. The red had deepened into purple, and the horizon slowly blackened.
"You okay being alone?" Jax queried. "I know Lala is in the mountains until Sunday night. Your mom and I will be back on Monday."
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Opie answered. Her mind and heart were racing as she pulled her phone out of her bag. Lucius had already texted her.
I can't get the taste of you off my lips. Her cheeks flushed as she read it.
"Who's that?" Jax asked. Opie flipped the screen out of view.
"Just Lala," she said. "She's being stupid." Jax rolled his eyes. Opie began to text Lucius back.
Same. She smiled as she clicked away. I miss you already. The response was instantaneous.
When can I see you again? Opie chewed on the inside of her cheek as her father pulled into their long, gravel driveway. He quickly parked the truck. He opened the door.
"You getting out?" Jax asked his daughter. She nodded and grabbed her things.
Sooner than you think. I'll text you later. The phone disappeared in her bag, and she leapt out of the truck. The lights were on inside. She could see Tara's long dark hair gleaming through the windows. They entered quickly in an effort to escape the humid night.
"Hey babe," Jax said softly. He wrapped an effortless arm around his wife's waist. Opie stared at Tara for a moment. Tara's face was visibly swollen, and her eyes were red.
"Have you been crying, Mama?" she asked.
"A little," Tara admitted. She would never tell her daughter the true reason of her tears. What could I say? she wondered. Hey Opie, I'm crying because your daddy's bad biker past stepped through the door of our house.
"You okay?" Opie asked. Tara warmed instantly. Opie had always been sensitive to her moods, and now, as her daughter circled the kitchen island and hugged her, she knew that hadn't faded over the years.
"Yeah," Tara lied. I'm fine. Just thinking about the IRA. You know what that is Opie? The fucking Irish Republican Army. They know we are alive. They know we're breathing, and they're going to hunt us down. And I have to pretend everything is fine...that we're not going to the cabin to plan our next move. That we're not lying to your fucking face, just like we've been your whole life. "It's just a lot of change coming, you know?"
Opie nodded. It was heavy on her heart too, but in a completely different way. She knew this was the last summer she'd have before college. This would be the last summer she could roam wild and free without a care in the world. Kisses filled her memory. Lucius. He felt like more than a summer fling. But his dark hair and light eyes still teased her.
"I'll be fine," Tara whispered as she looked up at Opie. When did you get taller than me? She smiled. Damn, I must be shrinking.
"I know, Mama," Opie answered back. "You're the strongest of all of us." Opie broke the embrace and went to the fridge. She opened it casually, and she quickly grabbed an apple. Taking a massive bite out of it, she stared at her parents. Jax had gone to Tara, and he whispered in her ear. Tara nodded carefully and looked up at him. There was so much admiration and hope in her eyes. I want a love like that.
"She's right babe," Jax replied. "I don't know what we'd do without you." Instantly, Opie felt awkward in their presence. It happened often. The looks they shared sometimes lit the room on fire, children be damned. This was one of those moments.
"I'm going to bed," Opie said quietly. She walked over and kissed them both on the cheek.
"G'night Ophel-Opie," Tara whispered. She didn't slip up often, but she knew that the day's events definitely contributed to her Freudian lapse. To her relief, Opie didn't notice. She just smiled and walked upstairs, leaving her parents behind.
Safe within the confines of her room, Opie fell onto her bed. She reached over to her bag and grabbed her phone. It lit up with messages from Lucius.
What do you mean, sooner than you think?
You can't tease me like that, O. This statement was followed by a smiley face.
Why not? She answered back. Teasing is what I do best.
Tell me about it, he answered. She laughed. She heard he parents climbing the steps. Her breath caught in her throat as she listened to them. Their feet stepped on the well-worn oak floors. Their bedroom door opened and shut again. Satisfied that they were in their own little world, she turned back to the phone.
Look outside. Opie's eyes widened, but she stood and walked to the window. Below the massive magnolia that sat just beyond her window stood Lucius Everett. He smiled disarmingly up at her, and all logic was gone. She turned and grabbed her phone. Leaving the room, she sped down the hallway to her parents' room.
"Mama?" she called through the door. She waited for a response.
"What's up, Opie?" her father called. She flushed, knowing what that meant. She and her siblings had learned long ago that if neither Mama nor Daddy came to the door, they were too caught up in one another to answer.
"Um…Jen just texted me…she wants me to come over tonight. Can I go?" There was a jumble and a whisper between them, and then a tart answer.
"Yeah," he replied. "Your mom's keys are on the counter. Just be home before ten tomorrow morning. Your mom and I won't leave until you're back."
"Okay, thanks," Opie answered, surprised at how easy the lie rolled off her tongue. She didn't like deceiving them, but she knew the truth would never fly. Excitement filled her veins as she texted Lucius. Go to the end of the driveway. I'll meet you there. She practically flew down the stairs and out the door. Getting into her mother's SUV, she fully expected to wait on Lucius at the end of their long, winding drive, but to her shock and amazement, he was there. He slid into the vehicle with ease, and with a devilish smile, he slammed the door.
"How did—" Opie began. Lucius stifled her question with a hot, demanding kiss. In that instant, all questions were gone. As they broke apart, she looked breathlessly at him.
"Where are we going?" she asked him. His hand immediately grasped hers, and she thought about how perfect that motion felt.
"Wherever you want to take us," he replied. "Let's just go." A brilliant smile lit his features, and she grinned back. It was pure magic.
"I think I have the perfect place," she answered. She pulled the car back into drive, and they drove away. As Opie navigated the car over the winding, meandering roads, she felt invincible. As she looked on into the night, she felt a million tiny thunderbolts strike within her veins. She was alive; she felt electric. It was a perfect night, and with Lucius at her side, she felt like anything was possible.