Willing Captive(51)

Reaching forward, I link our fingers. He whispers on a squeeze of my hand, “Gotta be quiet.”

We creep through the house, and as we reach the front door, I narrow my eyes as Nox picks up a pre-prepared bag left in the hall. Out through the front door, he walks us to a creepy-black stalker van, and my heart skips a beat.

We’re going out. As in, out! I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

I all but skip to the van and Nox smiles big, shaking his head at me like I’m a dork. I even get to sit in the front seat. Sans blindfold!

Just as I buckle up, Nox pulls something out of his pocket and my face falls. “No!”

Nox gently pulls me to him, kisses my lips softly, and places the blindfold over my eyes.

Shit. And I thought we were past that.

Pouting with my arms crossed over my chest, Nox says, “You can pout all you want now, but as soon as we get out the car, you better lay one on me.” He adds, “You have no idea what I’m risking by sneaking you out.”

And it’s then I realize how much of a turd I’m being. Putting my arm out to my side, I feel for Nox. Finding his arm, I follow the trail down until I reach his hand and link our fingers. I apologize quietly, “I’m sorry, babe. I know I’m not being fair. It’s so easy for me to forget that I’m still being protected. Sometimes, I just want to be me again, you know? Without the dramatics and over the top security.”

Lifting my hand to his mouth, he kisses my palm, and silently drives us on.

We drive for around half an hour. I know this because Nox won’t let me turn on the radio due to the fact that I’ll easily figure out where we are, so I spend the time mentally counting the seconds.

I count twenty-seven minutes and three seconds, total, before the van comes to a stop and Nox gets out. He opens my door and I lift my hands to remove the blindfold, but he stops me with, “Signs, babe. I’ll tell you when you can take it off.”

As soon as I step out of the van, I hear it. The swirling. The crashing. The soft buzz in the air.

Breathing deeply, I smell it too. A huge smile breaks out on my face and I bounce excitedly. Nox says in mock sternness, “Uh oh. You’re ruining my surprise.”

Holding his hand with both of mine, I beg quickly, “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!”

He bends down to remove my shoes and socks; we walk forward a little while, and my feet come into contact with cool, smooth sand. I mentally squeal but laugh out loud.

Nox stops suddenly and firmly says, “Do not remove the blindfold, Lily. I’m warning you.”

Placing my index and middle fingers at my forehead, I give him a salute and wait patiently. After a minute, he guides me with a hand on the small of my back. I hear him sit, and gently, he pulls me down to sit on the blanket, between his legs.

He pulls up the blindfold and I gasp softly.

The ocean.

I love the ocean.

Smiling like an idiot, I push back into his body. He wraps his arms tightly around my middle and presses his lips to my cheek. His breath warms me. “’Kay, babe?”

I answer quietly, “This is the best thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

He responds just as quietly on a body squeeze, “You’re welcome, princess.”

We sit and watch the ocean, allowing the sights and sounds to wash over us and take us away from reality.

Right now, we’re just Nox and Lily.

Not protector and protected.

The beach is deserted. And this is our happy place.

Our bubble. Us against the world.

A thought suddenly comes to mind. “What’s your name?”

He stills behind me and I wonder if I’ve somehow screwed up by asking. I think it’s a fair question.

Nox grumbles, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not him anymore.”

Leaning my head to the side, I kiss his chin and admit gently, “It does matter. It’s important to me. I want to know you.”

A long silence follows.

Then finally, “Adam Christian Taylor. Born March eighteenth, nineteen eighty four in White Deer, Texas to a single mother, Clare.” The southern twang I’ve heard escape his voice so many times comes out to play.

Wow.

Oh wow!

Turning, I kneel in the space between his legs and reach up to cup his cheeks. He watches me cautiously, but I smile, then flip off his ball cap. Leaning forward, I peck softly at his lips and say between kisses, “Hi, Adam. I’m Lily.”

His hands span my hips and he presses his lips deeper into mine. Against them, he smiles and simply says, “Hey.”

We kiss softly, unrushed, for a long time, and it’s out of this world. But something’s bothering me. Pulling back a little, I ask, “Is it bad that I still want to call you Nox?”

He shakes his head and replies, “Is it bad that I still want you to call me Nox?” I shrug and he utters, “Adam’s all but gone, princess. He’s just a memory to me. I’ve been Nox for a long time. I am Nox.”

Nodding, I say honestly, “I don’t care what you call yourself.” Placing my palm over his heart, I add, “You’re still the same man in here.”

Rolling his eyes, he whines loudly, “Lily!” It’s so out of character for him that I still.

I have no idea what I’ve done wrong, so I shrink back and he catches it. He points a finger at me, “Don’t. Don’t do that.” Then he sighs, “Fuck me.” Placing my hair behind my ear, he murmurs an awestruck, “So much sweet tucked behind the fierce. I don’t know what to do with you, girl. You’re killin’ me.”