Honeypot (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 13 - Truth

Waverly told Nicole everything over a shared salad. If their meeting in Nicole's flat had been real, this one was raw. A stripping away. Waverly knew it was her last chance to explain herself to Nicole. No more secrets. She needed Nicole to hear everything. No matter how she reacted. If Nicole decided to walk away she would understand.

Nicole listened as Waverly told her how she had followed Champ into hacking websites. How her passion for saving the environment had blinded her to her online actions. How the hacking had moved from annoyance to dangerous. How she knew what she was doing was wrong. How she walked into a police station, no longer able to live with her actions on the Dark Web.

How she desperately wanted to do the right thing. How she had messed up. How she had told her sister. Seen the look of disappointment on her face. How devastated her family would be if they found out. How the only good thing to come out of all the mess was meeting an amazing, intelligent American. How fascinated she was by her. Fascinated by her work in bringing down the bad guys. Who did the right thing. Who still knew what the right thing was.

Nicole sat contemplating what Waverly had revealed. "Thank you. Waverly, please don't put me on a pedestal. I have my faults. I chase bad guys. That doesn't mean I know how to do the right thing. I barely function most days. Shae's betrayal broke me. I ran as far as I could. To London, thinking I needed distance. I brought the hurt with me."

Waverly reached across the table, laying her hand on top of Nicole's. "I'm so sorry. About Shae. About not being completely honest with you. I've made everything worse."

"It's OK. You haven't. I wouldn't have made a move unless I wanted to. I can't stop thinking about you. You say I fascinate you. I feel the same about you. I can't explain. I'm usually so cautious when it comes to getting involved with someone. I can't stop myself with you. I'm not sure I should be telling you this. You now know my weakness."

Waverly giggled. Nicole felt another tingle down her spine. Her drug of choice, caffeine, was being replaced by this gorgeous brunette who walked into her life, while she was in a coffee shop.

Waverly motioned to one of the waiters. "I'll get the bill. Look, I'll understand if you don't want to see me after what I've told you. I don't want to get you into trouble. With the work you do."

Nicole looked directly into Waverly's eyes. "I was hoping you wanted another tour of the gallery."

Waverly waved her hand in the air. "Waiter, I need the bill now. Please."

Nicole closed the door behind them. Here they were again. She knew what she wanted this time. No hesitation. She led Waverly up the stairs towards her bedroom. It was bigger than the spare room. Thoroughly lived in. Nicole wasn't the tidiest. It wasn't messy. It needed someone who cared enough.

They had managed to hold off until reaching Nicole's place. The electricity between them would easily have kept the London taxi light lit all the way to Notting Hill. They both needed the other. Nicole danced them nearer the bed as they kissed. A tango around shoes and discarded exercise clothing. They managed not to stumble, reaching their destination, Waverly laying back, waiting for Nicole. There was a change in the way she was around Waverly. More confident, more assertive. Waverly felt the power. It wasn't domination, more an energetic engagement.

Nicole wanted her.

Their first time in bed together was an introduction. How to be with someone new. Someone different. How each moved. How they moved together. Listening to how the other responded. Seeking soft, silky skin. Tongues moving across new territory. For Waverly, this was all new territory. For Nicole too, in many ways. She may have been with other women, she hadn't been with Waverly. It takes time. Focused exploration. Intense curiosity. Learning how to please another. Wanting to please another. They were both attentive. Both wanting to please. Give, as much as receive.