The Code

Part Two: The Morning After

The morning sunlight warms Everleigh's face as she slowly blinks awake and rubs the sleep from her eyes. The room is quiet, except for the distant sounds of birds chirping and the bustle of the town outside. If she focuses, Everleigh swears she can smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen below. Everleigh can't help but marvel at the simplistic peacefulness of the morning after months of living in the wilderness. She's dreading having to go back, but there is one silver lining...

Butterflies fill her stomach as she becomes aware that a certain sleeping man's arm is still draped over her side, holding her close. A blush starts to warm her cheeks as the memories of last night flood her head. She almost can't believe all of it happened. It feels almost like a dream. Wanting to see him, Eveleigh rolls over so that she is now face to face with Nikolai, whose eyes are closed and breathing softly. Evleriegh thinks this is the most at peace she's ever seen him; his blonde locks disheveled, his muscles relaxed. She wishes she could continue to lay like this, letting Nikolai get the sleep he's so desperately needed as he holds her. But peaking over at the clock on her nightstand, Everleigh realizes it is already way past the time they were supposed to get up. Everleigh reaches out, lightly stroking Nikolai's cheek with her thumb, guilt twinging inside her over having to wake him. Nikolai doesn't stir except for his mouth moving into a faint smile, making Everleigh's heart positively melt.

"Hey," she whispers softly. Everleigh lightly grazes her fingernails against his cheek and into his hairline. She then twists her head to quickly kiss his arm. Finally waking up, Nikolai takes a deep breath in and stretches his arm. His blue eyes flutter open and the moment he sees Everleigh's face, he gazes at her dreamily causing Everleigh's stomach to do a backflip.

"Hi," She whispers.

"Hello, beautiful," he smiles back, his voice slightly gravely from sleep.

"Did you sleep-" Everleigh's question is interrupted as Nikoli leans over and plants a quick, tender kiss on her lips, leaving her feeling dizzy. She can't help but giggle.

"What time is it?" He asks, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"About 9:30?" She answers nervously.

Nikolai groans and rolls onto his back, resting the heel of his hand on his forehead. "We were supposed to be gone hours ago."

"It's ok! Because I had an idea," Everleigh says as she props herself up on her arm. Nikolai moves his eyes to look at her, waiting for her to continue. "Maybe we could spend one more day here. To rest," As she says this, Everleigh trails her finger up and down Nikolai's bare chest.

Nikolai sighs, once again feeling torn between his duties and his feelings. "You know we can't, beautiful."

Everleigh's face falls in disappointment. "But what if..." Her eyes started to sparkle mischievously and he feels his pulse quicken. Merlin, she was so gorgeous. It seriously was becoming a problem for him. And knowing she was still naked underneath the bed sheets wasn't helping. "What if I made it worth your while?" She continued.

This. This right here is what he was worried about. How is he supposed to be responsible when she's so irresistible? "Everleigh..." His warning comes out more like a plea as he moves to sit up.

A plea that goes unanswered, as Everleigh grabs his face and kisses him. He responds immediately, how could he not? He kisses her back passionately with one hand gripping her face and neck. Everleigh shifts so that she is now straddling his lap. He is so thankful that he put on pants before falling asleep last night otherwise he'd be in serious trouble. Her fingers lace through his hair and she pulls him closer, deepening the kiss. A deep groan leaves his throat as he runs his hand up and down her bare back, before settling on her hip. Everleigh gasps into his mouth as their tongues brush against each other. Snapping out of it, Nikolai frantically pulls away.