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🔥🔥🔥
“Get up, Haught Pants,” Wynonna shouted as she shook Nicole’s bed. “We’re going out.”
Nicole groaned, rolled over, and glared at her roommate. Wynonna Earp had been her college roommate for three years, and each year, Nicole asked herself why. Why did she punish herself by rooming with the wild child? Why?
Wynonna Earp was a ballsy badass, whereas Nicole was more like a kitten. She liked to snuggle and sleep. Wynonna liked to drink and party well into the night, and she was good at it.
“Where are we going?” Nicole asked, pushing off the bed, then looking around the room for something to wear. “I guess I should say which bar.”
Following Wynonna around from bar to bar was a bad habit that Nicole couldn’t seem to break. A bad habit that would lead her to late nights when Wynonna would hook up with one of her boy toys and Nicole would end up alone. It was a little sad.
“The one on the east side,” Wynonna mumbled, pulling on her black leather jacket, and shaking her arms, so the fringe flowed through the air. “Waves is working there tonight.”
Nicole’s foot was halfway into the leg of her dark blue jeans when Wynonna spoke, causing her to stumble forward and curse. She caught herself before hitting the floor and looked over at her roommate.
“Waverly?” Nicole asked, ignoring the slight panicky sound in her voice. “The dive bar? You want to go to Waverly’s bar?”
Waverly Earp was another one of Nicole’s bad habits. Waverly was Wynonna’s baby sister. She was drop-dead gorgeous and smarter than she was beautiful. Nicole couldn’t stop crushing on the girl, no matter how hard she tried.
Bad habits were going to get her in trouble.
“Shit.” Wynonna inhaled deeply with a longing look in her blue eyes. “Wouldn’t it be great if Waverly actually had a bar?”
Nicole snickered, trying to pull her jeans on without falling again. “You’d drink her out of business.”
“Shut it, Haught Chicken Legs.”
Pulling on her jeans, zipping them up, and turning to look around their dorm room, Nicole groaned loudly. She was a bit of a neat freak, but Wynonna often pulled out all her clothes, stealing shirts to wear and leaving the rest mixed with her own and strewn around the room.
“What have you done to my clothes?”
Wynonna grabbed one of Nicole’s flannel shirts from the floor then threw it at her. Nicole caught it, slid her arms into the sleeves, pulling it over the pale blue T-shirt she was wearing, then sat on the edge of her bed.
Nicole didn’t need to go see Waverly, but she did want to see Waverly.
Being close to the younger Earp made everything so confusing for Nicole. Waverly openly flirted with her, making her heart race and her palms sweat. It also made sober, and especially drunk Wynonna mumble under her breath, seemingly bitter about something.
“She broke up with Beth,” Wynonna said softly, shrugging one shoulder. “I thought we might cheer her up. You know.” She pointed toward Nicole. “You could cheer her up.”
Pulling on her Nike shoes and tying the laces, Nicole took a moment before she responded to Wynonna. Nicole liked Waverly, but the woman had dated and dumped more guys and girls over the last few months than Nicole wanted to count. But she had counted every one of them.
“She’s gotten the reputation of being a heartbreaker. Right?” Nicole asked. She immediately wished she had kept her big mouth closed, but it kept on yapping. “I mean,” she cleared her throat, holding up her hands. “Her reputation isn’t the best right now.”
Then as if her brain didn't know she was in grave danger, Nicole tilted her head, painfully clicking off names in her head.
Champ. Stephanie. She shivered at that name. Perry. Rosita. Beth.
Waverly was a freshman at Big City University and apparently living her best life. Nicole had heard all about the lack of dating options where the Earp sisters grew up and didn’t necessarily blame Waverly.
Nicole paused, running the list through her mind again to make sure she didn’t miss anyone. It was almost like her penance for having feelings for someone who would never be hers.
Punishment for your bad habits.
She looked up to find Wynonna glaring at her. Wynonna crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes.
Ignoring her pissy roommate, Nicole stood, stretching out her back before looking down at the black and red flannel shirt she was wearing. It was wrinkled, but at least it didn’t stink. Sometimes when Wynonna stole her clothes, they smelled like a brewery and their friend Doc. Or Dolls. Nicole shivered again. She didn’t want to think about what that shirt had seen.
She looked at the older Earp.
Wynonna was still glaring.
“You know I tell everyone who even mentions her to shut up,” Nicole said firmly in a tone that dared Wynonna to argue. “I’ve even threatened to hit a few of the idiots. I basically punched Champ, the boy-man, yesterday when he started to say something.”
The older Earp knew that Nicole was one of Wavery’s staunchest defenders. It was another one of Nicole’s bad habits. She fell all over herself defending Waverly Earp — even though Waverly was very capable of taking care of herself.
Bad habits.
“Yeah, okay. Her reputation has never been worse, which is why we are going to see her,” she finally said, growling and flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Let’s go before I go find everyone who is talking shit about my baby sister and make them pay.”
Nicole grabbed her coat then pulled it on. It was almost spring, but there was still a chill in the air. She grew up under the warm California sun, so moving to Big City, Canada, had been a shock to her system. It was worth it though. Nicole was pale and hated the sunburns and sand. Big City had mountains and snow and some of the best scenery in the world — including Waverly Earp.
She sighed longingly, looking at Wynonna but thinking of the youngest Earp.
Waverly had long brown hair, bright hazel eyes, and a smile that would light up the world. She was like sunshine and rainbows. Everything about the girl was warm and friendly, which probably explained why there was a long list of people who wanted to date her.
Nicole was also on that list. Maybe number 1.
She had been around Waverly enough to know that the brunette was more than her reputation.
They had spent hours talking at the bar. They watched movies together, ate in the cafeteria together, and hung out whenever she came to see her sister. But Nicole also knew that Wynonna would never forgive her if she ever made a move on Waverly. Waverly was Wynonna’s precious baby sister.
Yet, Nicole was still willingly chasing after Wynonna, into the night and to the dive bar on the east side of town.
Bad habits.
“Okay, but you can’t just leave me with strangers while you go and flirt with some guy,” Nicole said, sounding hopeful but knowing that was exactly what would be happening. “You do it every single time. I don’t even know why I’m saying anything.”
Wynonna continued walking out of the room, letting the door almost hit Nicole. She walked down the hall, pushed open the door to the street, and walked out into the darkness, shouting over her shoulder.
“You know you love me, Haught Stuff!”
And Nicole did love Wynonna. If Waverly Earp was the sun, Wynonna was the moon. They both shone brightly but in their own ways. At this point, Nicole couldn’t imagine her life without either of the Earps.
***
Ten minutes later, Wynonna and Nicole were sitting at the bar, waiting for Waverly to come take their order. The bar was always busy, and Waverly was everyone’s favorite waitress. She even had a shash.
“Hold on,” Waverly said, smiling and waving before turning her attention to the guy across the bar.
“The bar isn’t a dive, Haught Sauce,” Wynonna grumbled, sounding like a lie. “But the service is a little crappy,” she added as a small smile eased on her face.
Shorty’s was an old country-western-themed bar. The walls were covered with cowboy sayings and old photos, including a plaque that said: “Wyatt Earp Drank Here”. Nicole had repeatedly been told that the Earps were related to the old lawman and wondered if the history of the bar had drawn Waverly to it.
Delicate Waverly.
Nicole knew she was staring at Waverly, but she couldn’t stop herself. The brunette was in her Shorty’s blue and red T-shirt. It was a size too small, cropped, showing off Waverly’s toned tan stomach, and Nicole wondered how hard it would be to help the girl out of it. She wondered if Waverly ever got stuck in it.
Thinking about Waverly was another of Nicole’s bad habits. There had been nights when Nicole would lay in her bed, wide-eyed, staring into space and thinking only about Waverly Earp. It was as if she was like a drug, and Nicole was addicted.
Bad habits.
“Hey,” Waverly said, reaching under the counter for Wynonna’s favorite whiskey and filling a glass of the brown liquor before pushing it toward her sister before turning to look at Nicole. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Nicole licked her lips then gave Waverly her best dimpled smile. “Well, I can’t seem to break the bad habit of following your sister around.”
Waverly placed her arms on the bar, leaning forward and winking at Nicole. Nicole felt the goosebumps run down her spine and wondered why Waverly made her feel like breaking all the rules. She smirked knowingly, and Nicole wanted to kiss the cocky look off the girl’s lovely face.
“Well, I guess I’m lucky that your bad habits led you to me,” she said, her eyes soft and filled with something. Something that Nicole couldn’t place. “Beer?” she asked quietly.
Wynonna gagged. “If you two don’t stop flirting with each other and actually….” The rest of the sentence was mumbled, but Nicole imagined it was a threat about shovels and salt mines.
Nicole still shrugged. Flirting with Waverly was one of her favorite bad habits. She knew nothing would come of it. Waverly was only joking. The brunette had too many options to settle on Nicole.
“I can flirt with whoever I want,” Waverly said, huffing, crossing her arms over her chest. “If I want to date Nicole, I will date Nicole. Got it, Nonna?”
“Baby girl,” Wynonna started, then took a long sip of her whiskey. Her eyes twinkled with something that looked like a dare. “You are a heartbreaker, and Haught Bod’s heart is too tender to be your plaything. You were born to be wild and free. Like me. Haught was born to be….”
She waved her hands in Nicole’s direction but didn’t finish her sentence.
“Hey!” Nicole started to object, but Wynonna was right. She was fairly certain she wouldn’t survive dating Waverly Earp no matter how much she wanted it, and oh did Nicole want to be something to Waverly. “I don’t care about your heartbreaker reputation, Waves. I know that isn’t really you.”
“Oh, look, there’s Dolls,” Wynonna deadpanned, stood, then walked off, leaving Nicole alone with Waverly. She seemed always to be leaving Nicole alone with Waverly.
Nicole blinked a few times, watching as Wynonna and Dolls started talking. She knew she would be going home alone tonight. Nicole needed to learn to say no to Wynonna.
Bad habits.
“Don’t listen to her,” Waverly said, sadness seeping into her voice as she reached over and touched Nicole’s hand. “I’m not really what people say I am or what Wynonna thinks I should be.”
She placed a beer in front of Nicole, but her eyes stayed glued to the floor.
“Thank you,” Nicole whispered, wishing she could pull Waverly into a hug. “I know you’re more than all of those things. And besides, you can do what you want. Be with whoever you want. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.”
And Nicole meant it. Waverly needed to live her life as big and bold as she wanted. She needed to jump out of planes, build a million sandcastles before swimming far out into the ocean. Waverly needed to have all her wishes and dreams come true. Nicole just wanted Waverly to do all of those things with her.
Waverly's fingers brushed against the beer bottle, touching Nicole’s hand. “Maybe you could buy me a drink sometime. I mean, you know, if my reputation doesn’t bother you.”
“Waverly!” Another customer called before Nicole could respond. “I need a drink,” he slurred, and Waverly pulled her hand back to her side of the bar and left Nicole alone with her thoughts.
There was something different about Waverly tonight. There was something in the way Waverly touched her hand — something new, something blue. Nicole hated the melancholy that seemed to be radiating from the beautiful brunette.
So delicate. Nicole didn’t need to make waves.
Wynonna was her best friend. Nicole worried (another bad habit) that she would lose her friends, and while Nicole’s heart screamed that Waverly meant something to her, Wynonna meant something too.
Nicole was so lost in thought, watching Waverly move around the bar, that she didn’t notice someone slide onto the stool next to her.
“Mind if I sit here?”
Turning to see who had taken Wynonna’s seat, Nicole opened her mouth to say the bar stool was taken but quickly shut it. The woman who had slid onto the chair was gorgeous and smiling at her. Nicole’s eyes darted to Waverly before she returned the smile, shaking her head.
“No, of…of course not,” Nicole stuttered, then straightened her shoulders. She was usually much better at flirting than how she was acting at the moment. Waverly was throwing her off her game. “I mean, yeah, that's fine. Please.”
“Thank you,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Shae.”
“Nicole.” Nicole accepted the woman’s hand, but when she tried to pull away, Shae held on a second longer. The touch didn’t have the same warmth as Waverly’s. She pulled away, grabbing her beer with both hands.
The stunningly elegant woman with dark eyes smiled at Nicole then looked down the bar, waving for Waverly.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked, sounding smooth as butter. “Another beer?”
Nicole had seen Shae around but didn’t know her, and it wasn’t as if Nicole was not used to talking to people she didn’t know.
“Yeah, sure,” she said, looking toward Wynonna, who was in the corner booth, pressed up against Dolls. Nicole might as well talk to the pretty stranger since Wynonna and Waverly were busy. “I’d love a beer.”
***
An hour later, Nicole was leaning forward, trying to see if there was any kind of spark between her and Shae, but not finding the same fire she felt when she looked at Waverly. Nicole was trying to think of a way to escape when she saw a bar towel land on the bar.
“Another beer, babe?” Waverly asked, slamming her hand down onto the bar. Her eyes were narrowed, looking between Shae and Nicole. There was a different kind of fire in them now, and Nicole instinctively leaned away from Shae. “Beer?” Waverly asked again tersely.
“Oh,” Shae said, sitting up straighter on the stool. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you two were together.”
Nicole started to say they weren’t, but there was something about Waverly’s posture that told her she should keep her mouth shut, and she listened for a change. Shae was nice but not worth the wrath of Waverly.
“Would you like another wine,” Waverly asked sweetly, seemingly also ignoring Shae’s statement. “On the house?”
Shae was already standing, reaching into her purse and tossing cash onto the bar. She pulled on her long black coat then shook her head.
“No, I’m good.” She turned to look at Nicole and smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Nicole. I should have known your heart belonged to someone else.”
With that truth bomb, Shae turned and walked out of the bar. Nicole watched, trying to understand everything that had happened in the last few minutes. Waverly had been jealous, and Nicole had liked it. She liked thinking that the brunette may want her for more than just a flirting partner.
When Nicole turned around, Waverly was gone, leaving her alone again. She looked at the clock, then stood and pulled on her coat. Wynonna had left already, and Nicole knew it was time for her to go home…alone.
Nothin’ good happens after two.
She wanted Waverly to walk back over, but the brunette seemed to be ignoring Nicole. There was a moment when she wanted to lose control and tell Waverly how she felt. Nicole wanted to say Wynonna wouldn’t be angry forever. She wanted to tell Waverly that she didn’t care about her reputation — that they meant something to each other. Nicole could feel it.
Waverly looked over at Nicole. Her lips curled into a small, sad smile.
One, two, three, four …
Nicole waited a second too long. Before she could move, Waverly walked behind the bar.
After another beat in time, Nicole walked out of the neon lights of the bar and into the darkness of the night. She swore to herself that this would be the last time she let Wynonna talk her into anything but knew it wouldn’t be.
Bad habits.
Nicole would always surrender if those bad habits led to Waverly.
🌊🌊🌊
Dive bar on the East Side, where’s she at?
Waverly was ready to go home. It had been a long shift, and her heart and body ached. She thought about running after Nicole but knew it would be best if she didn’t.
But boy, did she want to chase after the ginger goddess.
When Nicole had walked into the bar earlier, in her dark jeans and Nikes, Waverly thought about all the fun things they could do. The woman was breathtakingly gorgeous. Waverly longed to run her fingers through Nicole’s red hair and see what was under that blue T-shirt for months. And she knew it was more than lust. Waverly knew she could get lost in those soulful brown eyes and live there forever.
But the situation was, quite frankly…balls. Nicole was Wynonna’s roommate and best friend. Her sister didn’t have a lot of friends, and the fact that she was so close to Nicole meant the redhead was probably off limits.
Waverly had been interested from the moment she met Nicole. When she introduced herself as Nicole. Nicole Haught, all confident and handsome, Waverly's entire body tingled with the possibilities.
With every second they spent together, every touch, Waverly knew that Nicole was going to mean something to her. But Nicole meant something to Wynonna first.
Delicate.
There was no doubt in Waverly’s mind that Nicole was special. She was kind and respectful. She would hold doors open for Waverly and ask her about her day. She always listened, even when Waverly was rambling about her history class or speaking French.
Parfait.
Still, Waverly had to consider Wynonna’s feelings. Waverly had always been a people pleaser and needed to make sure her sister was happy. She didn’t want to come between Wynonna and Nicole, and she would sacrifice her own happiness to make sure her sister was happy.
Bad habits.
Which was why she had dated anyone who could put two sentences together and why her reputation had never been worse. Waverly was trying to find someone who even came close to making her feel what Nicole made her feel. But, there was no one.
There wasn’t one single person that made Waverly’s chest feel as if there were a million butterflies beating inside of it. None of the humans she had dated made her palms sweat, and her heart feel as if it was going to burst. And while she might have “dated” a lot of people, she hadn’t been with any of them. Waverly craved Nicole’s touch, and she didn’t want anyone else’s.
It was stupid. It was stupid that while Waverly tried to be wild, and free from all thoughts of Nicole, it wasn’t happening.
She grabbed the Big City University hoodie she had stolen from Nicole, pulled it over her head, and took a deep breath. It still smelled like Nicole. The girl always smelled like vanilla-dipped donuts — Waverly’s favorite. But then again, Nicole was her favorite too.
Waverly sighed loudly, grabbing the rest of her things. “I’m going home, Shorty!” she yelled at her boss and walked out of the back room.
She was hoping Nicole was still waiting for her but knew that was wishful thinking. Nicole would flirt with Waverly, but her brown eyes always seemed to be watching for Wynonna.
Delicate.
Nicole flirted but was respectful. They would snuggle when they watched movies and held hands when Wynonna wasn’t looking, but they would quickly part whenever her sister walked into the room or made a rude comment about how they were stupid.
No matter how delicate the situation, Nicole was Waverly’s on some level, and Wynonna was going to have to get over it.
Waverly groaned, stopping at the bar entrance and rubbing her face. “What is happening?”
She had never been possessive before, but tonight, Waverly was jealous. She had hated that woman when she sat on the barstool next to Nicole, touching her like Waverly liked to do. Waverly wanted to tell the gorgeous lady to stop flirting with her Nicole, but Nicole wasn’t hers.
Waverly shook her head, then started walking to her Jeep. She needed to get Nicole out of her head, but no matter what she did or who she dated, the same thing kept running through Waverly’s mind.
Red hair.
Brown eyes.
Delicate.
“Isn’t it?” she whispered into the silence of her Jeep. “Would Wynonna freak out? Would it be worth it?”
Waverly tossed her purse and phone into the passenger seat then started her Jeep. She started to drive toward her apartment on the west side and wondered if Nicole was back in her dorm room.
She turned up the radio, singing the words to September , thinking about Nicole. Waverly wondered if Nicole was sleeping. She wondered if Nicole ever dreamed about her. Waverly thought about Nicole all the damn time and couldn’t help but hope Nicole thought about her too.
“Fudgenuggets,” she mumbled, turning up the radio even more. “Stop being so Waverly. Be wild and free.”
But Waverly didn’t want to be wild and free. She wanted her happily ever after. Waverly wanted someone to love her. She wanted to love someone. To love Nicole. Wynonna’s Nicole.
Delicate.
Waverly saw her phone light up in the darkness, and when she stopped at the red light, she grabbed it to see who was texting her so late.
Snuggle Turtle 🐢: I hope you know that i like you for you. Always have. Always will
Waverly hit the blinker, turning right and driving toward the old red brick dorm that sat in the middle of campus. She pulled into a parking space outside the dorm and took a deep breath. Her hands were trembling, and her heart was racing, but she couldn’t not be with Nicole any longer.
Regardless of what Wynonna might think. Nicole liked her, and Waverly knew with all her heart what those words truly meant.
Opening the door to the Jeep, Waverly jumped out and started running toward the building.
Because now that she’s decided that she was tired of reputations and Wynonna — of being whatever everyone else wanted her to be, Waverly was ready to go after who she wanted.
Her footsteps echoed on the stairs as she jogged to the third floor. Waverly was breathing hard when she finally made it to room 309. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the raging storm that was battling inside her heart.
Waverly loved Wynonna, but she couldn’t give up the chance to be with the person that made everything right.
Delicate.
She banged on the door, hoping Wynonna was staying with Dolls. Waverly prayed that Nicole had gone home alone.
After a few seconds, the door opened slowly. A confused and concerned-looking Nicole was standing on the other side. She was wearing boxer briefs and a blue tank top. Waverly had never seen that color blue before, and it made Nicole’s pale skin look translucent.
Waverly growled and pushed past Nicole, fighting the urge to touch the woman. She looked around the room then opened the bathroom door.
“What are you doing, Waverly?” Nicole asked, sounding hesitant.
When Waverly was sure Wynonna wasn’t there, she took sure steps toward Nicole. She needed answers.
“Why did you send that text?” Waverly demanded as she grabbed Nicole’s shirt, holding her in place. “What do you mean you like me?”
Nicole shook her head. “Waves, I can’t…”
“Yes, you can. Tell me.” She paused, hoping it was the only thing that was holding Nicole back. “What if I wasn’t Wynonna’s little sister? What would be happening right now?”
They stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Waverly knowing that she wanted Nicole regardless of the consequences and begging that Nicole wanted her too.
“I’d kiss you,” Nicole said so softly that it seemed as if only Waverly’s heart that had heard. “And by like, I mean I like you like you.”
With those words, that final confirmation that all the things she had been feeling were being returned to her, Waverly pushed up on her toes and pressed their lips together.
Delicate.
A different kind of delicate.
It took a few seconds before Nicole caught up, but once she did, the kiss went from uncertain to inferno. She grabbed Waverly’s waist, tugging her closer.
Waverly kept walking, and when Nicole tumbled back onto the bed, she fell too. Her hands trailed Nicole's arms, into her hair, and finally…finally eased the ache she had felt forever. Waverly had wanted to touch Nicole. She had wanted to run her fingers through that glorious red hair.
She sighed, deepening the kissing and pulling Nicole closer. Waverly couldn’t get enough.
“Wait,” Nicole said quietly, pulling away, but Waverly couldn’t stop herself from chasing those soft lips. ‘Waverly. Wait. What about Wynonna?” she asked as her brown eyes searched Waverly’s.
Pushing up and sitting between Nicole’s legs, Waverly blew out a long shaky breath. This was her moment to tell Nicole everything that scared her. Waverly thought about how Wynonna scared her. How her sister scared Nicole. But life was short, and love was fragile. Sometimes you just have to jump and hope you fly.
“I want you,” Waverly whispered, simply and honestly. “I know it probably isn’t the best idea, and we probably can’t make any promises because of Wynonna…”
Nicole shook her head, chewing on her bottom lip. “You’re wrong.”
Waverly tried to stand, and she could feel tears starting to pool in her eyes. She had obviously misread everything that had happened between them.
Nicole stopped Waverly’s escape. “Waverly. It’s more than that. Isn’t it?”
It was more than want.
“Sometimes, when I look into your eyes, I pretend you're mine,” Waverly confessed. “All the damn time. Not Wynonna’s or some other girl’s, but mine.”
Nicole’s lips curled into the softest smile. She was like a mansion with a view. Nicole looked like all of Waverly’s wishes and dreams came true.
Delicate.
She connected their lips again, moaning when Nicole’s tongue brushed against hers. Waverly’s hands moved under the tank top, desperately needing to remove all the barriers between her and Nicole.
Still, there were hundreds of things running through Waverly’s mind. Was it too early? Isn’t it? Is it okay she said all those things? Isn’t it? Is it okay Nicole is constantly in Waverly’s head? Isn’t it?
After the tank top was removed and tossed to the floor, Nicole grabbed Waverly’s hand.
“Are you sure?” Nicole asked, touching their foreheads together.
Delicate.
“I like you,” Waverly said quietly.
“Oh, Waverly.” Nicole’s smile was brighter than the midday sun. “I like you too.”
But the words sounded like a promise of something bigger, and Waverly couldn't help but feel it would all work out.
It was all Waverly needed to push beyond the doubt and the worries. She stood, slowly removing all her clothes while Nicole’s dark eyes watched. And when she climbed back onto the bed, tugging the last piece of clothing between them, Waverly didn’t have to pretend anymore.
She brushed her lips against Nicole’s, barely breathing. “You’re mine.”
Waverly would share Nicole’s time with Wynonna, and some of her love too. She was okay with it.
“I am,” Nicole promised as she pushed Waverly onto her back. “Whatever you want.”
“You.”
Waverly pulled Nicole closer, needing to feel everything. She needed Nicole to touch her. The months of wanting something she thought she could never have needed to be erased. Nicole was hers, and Waverly needed her.
As they kissed, bare and wanting, Nicole’s fingers slowly traced Waverly’s stomach, leaving goosebumps along her skin. It wasn’t rushed or hungry. It was as if Nicole knew they had all the time in the world.
Delicate.
Waverly moaned when Nicole finally pressed inside her. She rolled her hips, chasing sweet release and needing Nicole to go faster, deeper.
“I got you, babe.” Nicole kissed Waverly’s neck as she continued pressing inside Waverly, pulling her apart and putting her back together. “I’m going to make you scream my name.
Waverly whimpered, free falling. “Nicole…”
***
Waverly was curled up next to Nicole, listening to her breathing, hoping that the morning light hadn't changed anything between them. They had made love for hours, making up for lost time, but as soon as Nicole’s eyes fluttered closed, Waverly started thinking — worrying.
Bad habit.
What was Wynonna going to think?
“What the hell!” Wynonna yelled, slamming the door.
Waverly froze.
She was naked, so it wasn’t like she could run, but this definitely wasn’t how she wanted Wynonna to find out.
“Oh, it’s you, baby girl,” Wynonna mumbled, walking toward the bathroom. “Put some clothes on. I don’t need to see you and Haught Bod all naked.”
Once the door was closed, Waverly jumped out of bed and started grabbing her clothes. She pulled Nicole’s hoodie over her head and pulled on a pair of sweats that were lying on the floor.
“Nicole!” Waverly shouted in a whisper. “Wynonna’s in the bathroom.”
“What?”
Waverly pointed toward the bathroom. “Wynonna is in there.”
Nicole’s eyes flew open. She threw off the covers, jumped out of bed, and started turning around in circles. She found another pair of sweats and a T-shirt, covering up her gorgeous body.
Waverly sighed.
Delicate.
Neither of them spoke. They were both standing near Nicole’s bed, waiting for the fireworks. Waverly wants to run but couldn’t leave her girlfriend to face Wynonna’s wrath.
Girlfriend?
Wynonna opened the bathroom door, looked at Waverly and Nicole, then crawled into her bed.
“About damn time.”
Nicole’s mouth opened and shut a few times. Her eyebrows were raised.
“What?” Waverly squeaked, sounding as shocked as she felt. “What?” she repeated.
Wynonna was lying face down, mumbling into her pillow. “I’m just glad you found a smart one this time.” She pushed up on her elbows and glared at Nicole. “But don’t be defiling my sister in our room, or I’ll pull out my gun. Got it, Haught Hands?”
Nicole nodded her head.
Waverly huffed loudly.
Maybe it wasn’t so delicate after all.
She grabbed Nicole’s hand, lacing their fingers together. They all needed to talk, but right now, Waverly needed Nicole more.
“Fine!” Waverly pulled Nicole toward the door. “She can defile me in my apartment. All she wants.”
***
“Dainty and delicate in blue,” Nicole whispered, holding out her hand for the little girl to grab. “She looks like you.”
Waverly snorted. “She looks like Doc. Regardless, she’s perfect.”
Wynonna was still asleep, so Waverly was enjoying the opportunity to hold her niece. She was two days old and amazing.
A lot had happened in the last two years.
Wynonna and Nicole had graduated but stayed in Big City. Waverly would graduate soon, and once she did, she and Nicole were going to travel the world for a little while. But then, they would come home. They had a wedding to plan. Waverly had a book that was filled with pictures and plans. She was a planner, after all, and their wedding needed to be perfect.
“Alice Michelle,” Nicole said quietly. “I’m going to teach you all my bad habits.”
“Shut it, Haught Lips.” Wynonna opened her eyes, glaring at Nicole. “Or should I say, Aunt Haught Lips?”
Waverly ignored Wynonna and Nicole as they bickered back and forth. It was what family did sometimes. When they stopped, she looked up to find Nicole watching her rock Alice in her arms.
“What?”
“I love you.” Nicole smiled, pressing a kiss to Waverly’s cheek. “I can’t wait until we start our family.”
Waverly’s chest warmed at the thought. She was glad she pushed beyond all her concerns and worries. Waverly was glad she didn’t have to worry anymore about bad reputations or bad habits — about situations that she thought were beyond her control. Nicole was hers, and she was Nicole’s.
Delicate.
“I can’t wait either.”
Forever and ever.