Often with Nev, it seemed he was shown two sides of the same coin. She was fierce and fragile, silly and sullen, direct and distant. Through every mood, every step, and every moment he loved her. He would happily spend every minute of the rest of his life ensuring that she knew that. That she knew for him, she would always be worth it.
Nev’s hand rested on the ground between them. As he grasped for it, he felt her pull it away from his reach. It seems someone has forgotten how stubborn I can be, he thought, with a faint smile. He closed his eyes and stretched out with his mind, feeling her breath, her heartbeat… her energy. He took a deep breath and focused his mind. Pulling the light from the fire and stars, he formed it into the shape of a butterfly and nudged it to dance and float closer and closer to Nev’s face. He swirled the colors until they sparked into a vibrant purple. Springing to life, the butterfly of Wyatt’s creation flittered up and landed on Nev’s nose.
She initially ignored it, but it drew her notice when she saw its light flash before her. She was appreciative of what Wyatt was trying to do, but she hurt. She wasn’t ready to let herself stop hurting. Not yet.
With his head starting to ache, Wyatt ignored the discomfort and pushed himself to stretch his abilities farther. In an instant, the one purple butterfly multiplied into a half a dozen. At Wyatt’s urging, the butterflies flitted and played all around Nev.
Fighting the desire to smile, Nev found herself losing the battle quickly. He is awfully sweet and persistent, she thought. Relenting, she smiled and soon allowed herself the decision to lay down her guilt and pain for one evening. Stretching her right arm out, she gently swirled it through the wave of dancing light. After a few moments, she lay on her back and watched Wyatt’s wonderous creations float and flit above her. She stared at them as they started popping out of existence one by one. With the sky now reserved for the real flying insects, she sensed Wyatt lay down on the ground beside her. She searched for his hand with hers and squeezed it gently when she found it. “I love you,” she whispered.
Wyatt grinned. “Of course, you do. I am irresistible,” he laughed softly.
Nev leaned over him and smiled. As she spied a loose curl and moved to twirl it gently between her fingers, she asked, “Do you still think I am worth it?” Awaiting his answer, she gazed deeply into his amber eyes.
“Always,” replied Wyatt with uncharacteristic sincerity. “I love you,” he vowed, before smiling at Nev.
Nev leaned down and kissed him tenderly. She loved him, and that was all she needed to know. For this moment, it could be that simple. Something was different within her now. There was a certainty and an intensity between them she hadn’t felt before. She finally, truly trusted him. Plenty of pain, guilt, doubt, and unknowns still plagued them both, but none of that existed between the two of them now. Without saying another word, Nev moved to hover over him. She stared into his enthralling eyes for just a moment before kissing him with unbridled desire.
Wyatt’s headache seemed to fade instantly as she kissed him. He felt the connection they shared strengthen into an unbreakable bond. Whatever they faced on their journey, they would face it together. Eagerly, Wyatt met her passion and yearning with his own. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, feeling her body pressing against his as he moved to meet it. Feeling how she wanted to be touched, he met each of her demands fervently. Her whimpers made him moan in delight as their bodies each reached their crescendo together.
Nev and Wyatt lay together, sharing light kisses, cuddles, and sweet whispers for a long while before Nev finally fell asleep. Wyatt had watched her sleeping for close to an hour when he eventually heard Addi come back into camp. “Love you, sister. Goodnight,” he whispered.
“Guess you two are good,” she stated, glancing at Wyatt and Nev briefly before laying by the fire.
“Yeah, we are. Thanks for being understanding,” Wyatt replied sincerely.
“That’s me, Miss Understanding. Anyway, I figure you owe me now. So, let me know if you need me to ‘understand’ again. I will keep a tally of the favors you owe me,” she noted, laughing quietly.
Wyatt chuckled softly and replied, “I see how it is. Well, it is a small price to pay for love.”
“You say that now. Just wait till I call in all my favors. Goodnight, brother,” Addi responded before curling up and watching the fire.
Chapter 29
Nev woke early the next morning to the feeling of light rain falling on her face. She ignored it completely as she snuggled in close to Wyatt and sighed with contentment. Feeling him shifting slightly as he slowly woke up, Nev nuzzled him and softly kissed his neck.
“You do realize if you keep this up, I’m either going to have to change my mind about you and mornings or owe my sister a big favor, right? Or both,” Wyatt cautioned while grinning and gazing at her.
“A favor for what?” Nev asked, still kissing his neck.
Wyatt moaned quietly and swallowed hard before replying, “For scarring her forever, perhaps?”
Nev giggled softly and let one of her hands wander his body over his clothes for a bit.
“You, my lady, are a horrible person,” he chided playfully, pretending to look terribly offended.
“I see. Well, perhaps I should stop then,” Nev said coyly as she stopped kissing
