They rounded the corner and her trees came into view. She smiled a wide grin, Aaron loved how she stared at her favorite spot with adoration. He could hear the music better the closer they got. There was a small table and two chairs and the hammock all nestled under the trees.
Nia walked up to the tree and pointed at a spot for him to stand and he did so without question. She tugged on a gold rope and mosquito net fell around them. They were now in a netted room. Twinkling lights shone on her favorite spot and an unlit lantern was hanging from both trees. The music was the loudest here but still not so loud you'd have to shout.
She patted her hammock, "Wanna try it?” she asked excitedly.
"Yes, I do.", he answered scooting unnecessarily close to her in passing. Nia got goose bumps on every centimeter of her that he touched. She reached in a small chest under the hammock and pulled out a blanket.
"Take off your jacket.” she told him. He complied immediately.
She removed her jacket and he laid inside of the hammock and it was like laying on a cloud.
"This is amazingly comfortable Nia.” he said with wonder.
She couldn't help but laugh. She reached inside the chest again and pulled out a small remote. She dimmed the lights considerably and dropped another sheet of what looked like curtains around them. She giggled a sweet mischievous giggle and joined Aaron on the hammock.
"Are you sure this is safe for two?” he asked laughing.
"Rhea and I have laid out here all day reading before. It's huge isn't it? I call it my cloud.” she smiled again turning on her side to face him. He did the same.
'Ooh', she said mentally. 'I love this song ...a lot.... Maybe even more now.’ she sent only to him, looking in his eyes as the words began to Stripped by Shiny Toy Guns.
"Come with me into the trees, we’ll lay on the grass and let the hours pass.
Take my hand, Come back to the land. Let's get away just for one day...
Let me see you stripped down to the bone."
Nia stared in Aaron's eyes no doubt about what she'd find there. A longing to match her own was deep in his eyes. They each knew what they'd said about taking it slow, but right now she wanted to be in his arms more then she had anticipated. Aaron looked at her questioningly.
'Nia?’ he whispered through their bond.
She didn't answer him, she just took a deep breath and pushed him onto his back placing her head and hand on his chest. His heart sped up as she traced invisible lines that were making him shiver. He put his hand on her wrist and she looked at his eyes again.
That may not be the best idea, but the feeling of completeness she felt looking into those deep pools of blue was too piercing to look away. They stared having another unspoken exchange as verse two boomed through them both.
"Metropolis has nothing on this, you’re breathing in fumes I taste when we kiss.
Take my hand come back to the land where everything's ours for a few hours...."
Nia was done being so careful, at least for that moment. She wanted him to kiss her. She was about to let him know through the bond when he crushed his lips to hers. It was an urgent kiss, like that moment could very well be their last. It seemed to drag on like the fire that was trailing through her insides. Aaron had self-control to spare but who was he to deny her what she clearly wanted. Maybe they were weak but this made him feel stronger. Their bond was growing impenetrable with each tender kiss he was certain.
Aaron pulled away breathless. "I think incomparable is the word that defines that kiss," he whispered with his breathing still labored with Nia rubbing her still moist mouth over his bottom lip. Nia was in a daze, the force she felt inside of her when she kissed him was awe inspiring. If she had any doubt of if they were supposed to be together that was definitely put to rest.
She could get lost in Aaron for days on end and that was enough to settle her uncertainty for the time being.
"Nia, I think we should slow it down before all of my self-control dissolves.” Aaron said huskily.
Nia just laughed, "Mm okay... I guess.” she said huffing out a breath and ending with a pout.
He groaned, "Please don't pout, that is really, really adorable."
She grinned "Okay, I'll behave.” Nia raised her hand as if to swear.
She rested her head once again on his chest and he kissed the top of her head stroking her hair and feeling her heartbeat close to his.
They talked for a while like that about everything possible other than the strange events and bonds. Though they couldn't help but trace out each other’s bond marks. Movies, food, likes and dislikes. Books, Authors and everything in between were the topic of their conversation.
Nia was happy here in Aaron's arms, it was hard to believe that they'd just met yesterday. This taking it slow was going to be harder than Nia had anticipated. He really was beautiful, she thought.
She wanted to see all his tattoos but was too embarrassed to ask. She remembered that he'd wanted to see hers too but she wasn't going to remind him. They could leave all that for later. He grazed his lips across her forehead, he wasn't going to get tired of being close to her anytime soon.
Nia decided to close her eyes for a second enjoying the moment. She rolled onto her belly and he was on his side. Aaron laid his head down and just looked at her, relaxed without a care in the world. She was just slipping into a dream, she could see familiar light blue eyes smiling at her, and she smiled back and heard a far off voice saying her name. And just like that the beautiful eyes were no longer smiling but looking at her longingly. They closed once and then faded and she was lying on her hammock snuggled to Aaron's chest.
She was stretching when Aaron nudged her for what she assumed wasn't the first time. Vince was standing there right inside the curtain and she stuffed her wrists in her armpits to conceal the marks.
"Sorry to wake you. We are about to go to bed and just wanted to see if you were going to be staying here tonight Nia,” her dad inquired slowly.
Nia sat up embarrassed clasping her hands behind her back, "I'm staying at Rhea's I still have to take Aaron home."
Her father walked towards her and kissed the top of her head, "Don't forget your phone and your charger. Keep me posted.” he said sternly.
Nia smiled finding comfort in her father's usual overprotective behavior. "Of course Daddy, love you.” she replied with a smile.
"Goodnight Mr. De La Garza it was great meeting you and your family. Please thank Mrs. D for the hospitality again.” Aaron said moving to shake Vince's hand.
"Will do son, you're welcome here anytime.” Vince replied with a wink.
That definitely made Nia's night. Her dad approved and that meant everything to her. She was glad she brought him to her house. She knew her parents were awesome but that just went up a million points.
"You ready?” Nia asked Aaron.
"Yeah, whenever you are."
She put everything in her retreat back how she'd had it before and lifted the mosquito netting back to how it had been then turned to Aaron. That was awful quick of her dad to warm up to him like that. He'd been cold as ice to her ex.
"Okay I just need to go pack a bag, come on.” she said taking him by the hand.
Once in her room she went into her closet, "So how do you like being my hostage?” she asked playfully and he couldn't help but laugh.
"I think I'm developing Stockholm Syndrome.", he responded.
"Ha, ha.” was her sarcastic response.
"Aaron?”
"Yea.", he replied.
"Could you come in here?” Aaron rounded the corner.
"This really is a pretty great space,” he said looking around Nia's closet slash dressing room. She was standing in front of a large shelved built-in with bags, suitcases and purses on it. Seemingly trying to decide what to take. She turned and noticed the look on Aaron's face, biting her lip.
"Bags and shoes are pretty much my addiction besides books and music of course.” she told him with a co
ncentrated look on her face.
"If you wanna check your Facebook or something it's cool." Nia said motioning to a small desk next to her chaise lounge or chaise-longue if you were being proper. "You know in case you maybe wanted to send a friend request to some hot girl...” she added smiling innocently.
Aaron laughed and pulled out the chair and sat. He logged in and searched Nia De La Garza with her instruction and found her at the top of the list. Admiring the cute pic on her profile. He sent her a request and updated his status then Nia's phone beeped twice.
"Oh wow some weirdo just sent me a friend request.” she laughed hitting accept.
She went around the closet and grabbed her stuff and put it in the bag she'd finally chosen. She grabbed her messenger bag removed a tablet and eReader then dumped the bag on the chaise swapping it out for the black Vans bag with Gir on it.
She noticed Aaron looking at Gir and grinned, "Sorry, but I love Invader Zim. Gir's awesome!” she threw her stuff back in her bag and grabbed the small duffle, went to her dressing table and grabbed a small black bag from there stuffing it in the duffle as well.
Lastly she threw in a pair of Vans and she asked "Ready?” he nodded.
"I'll get that.” Aaron said taking her duffle and messenger bag from her shoulder as she grabbed her phone and put it back in her pocket, getting her charger and keys and she was good to go.
They made their way to the front door when Lena came to meet them, "Bye, Nia. Bye Aaron.” she said handing them a small hot pink thermal bag.
"Thanks." Nia said looking at her baby sister fondly.
"It was nice seeing you again Lena.” Aaron told her.
They got in the car and started the drive home in the dark. The moon was full and the sky was dark.
"The stars look amazing out here.” Aaron said.
"I know I love living out here almost for that reason alone,” She was looking at the stars with wonder.
"Open the bag.” Nia told him. He did and put the two cokes in the cup holders and the two snickers in the middle console. Nia laughed.
"I never know what she puts in the bag. But she always sends one when I leave the house without her.", she explained.
"That's cool.” Aaron said.
The rest of the ride was spent listening to music and holding hands timidly like they were thirteen. At least until they got to the city, you need both hands when driving in the city there.
Once at Aaron's, Nia pulled to the curb and got out of the car. Aaron grabbed his stuff and took off his hoodie and threw it on his bag on the sidewalk. Nia leaned on the trunk after shutting it and he went and stood in front of her grabbing her left hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed it softly, "Nia this has been one of the craziest yet best days of my life and I wouldn't change it for the world."
Nia smiled, stared at him adoringly, "I had a great time too. I'll see you tomorrow?”
"No I'll see you tonight, in my dreams.” he leaned in and kissed her softly on the edge of her mouth.
Nia couldn't calm the heat or the tingling that ensued starting from that exact spot. "See you soon.” she said, slowly walking away.
"Nia? Can you call me when you get to Rhea's? So I know you made it safe.” Aaron asked quickly.
Smiling and nodding she got back into her car.
"Goodnight Nia.” he said before she closed the door.
“Night Aaron.”
The drive to Rhea's was hazy Nia was tired and drained. She grabbed her bags and went up, unlocked the door and slipped past a snoring Al on the recliner with an infomercial playing on the TV. She went up to Rhea's room and saw she had headphones on with her back to the door. Nia went and flopped on the bed and Rhea still didn't turn.
She took out her phone and dialed Aaron. "Hello?” he said after two rings.
"Hey I'm here safely.” She told him as butterflies’ wreaked havoc inside her.
"Good, I'll pick you up tomorrow to go meet with Darragh.” he said, Nia thought about it for only a second.
"That's cool. Just text when you're en route.” she said.
"Okay. Goodnight Nia.” Aaron spoke softly like he was already on his way to sleep.
"Goodnight Aaron.” Nia whispered.
A moment later she heard a soft snore from her phone.
"I guess he beat me to Eric...” she mused giggling.
“Bye.” She whispered hanging up her end of the call.
Rhea took off her headphones and Nia froze as Rhea was walking to the bathroom grabbing P.J.'s on her way.
While she was getting ready for bed, Nia did the same but chose her black Rebels Read oversized tee with pink neon "booty shorts’, as Rhea loved to call them, and brushed her teeth in the hall bathroom. She naturally made it back before Rhea had even come out yet.
Rhea finally came out and flipped on the light then jumped stifling a scream.
"Holy crap Nia!!” Rhea exclaimed clutching her chest over her heart. "You scared the crap outta me!”
Nia rolled on the bed laughing. "That was too funny!”
"When did you get here?" Rhea asked starting to move throw pillows off of the bed.
"When you were listening to music at the computer.” she said grinning.
"Still got my ninja skills.” she added jokingly.
"Oh, hush!” Rhea said throwing a pillow at Nia.
Nia got up and moved her bags to the closet, and Rhea looked at them questioningly.
"Oh this is my ready to get the hell outta dodge bag. I'm going to have it with me always now I guess.” Nia said shrugging her shoulders.
"Oh, should I have one too?” Rhea asked.
"Probably.", she responded with a sad face. Nia got under the covers and Rhea turned out the lights and joined her.
“I’ll do it in the morning.” Rhea said yawning.
Nia stretched and yawned herself. “Cool.”
"So I take it everything went good with date day?” Rhea asked.
"Yeah, better than good but I'm really sleepy. I'll tell you all about it in the morning.” Nia replied.
"Okay good night Sweet Pea.", Rhea yawned again.
"Night Rae.” Nia said then rolled over tucking a hand under her pillow and looking at the dim glow of her bracelet as she started to drift to sleep.
Chapter 8
On the way from the warehouse to their new digs Eric sensed someone of their kind was close to Nia and he was freaking out. Both he and Darragh insisted they check it out. They doubled back and followed Nia tracking the phone Darragh had given to Aaron. The tracker said Nia was in Manvel where they knew her family resided, but Avery honed in on the hunters about five miles outside the small town.
"We have to let them know we're on to them.” Avery said, readying her weapons.
Darragh met her eyes in the rearview, "Avery's right.” he said knowing she was using her abilities.
Eric sighed, "Let's do this then.” he said solemnly.
It had been a while since he has had to dispatch any hunters or rogues. Avery switched to the passenger side letting Darragh drive.
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Her sight was a useful gift even if it wasn't her strongest. Seeing them a mile behind Avery instructed Darragh to pull over and cut the lights. As soon as the car passed carrying the hunters Darragh pulled out behind them to follow.
"I'm not going to let them get remotely close to her.", Eric nearly spat at an already tense Avery and Darragh.
"You're not the only protection on this trip. Could you please stop acting like that?” Avery snapped obviously annoyed by his attitude. Eric just huffed.
"They're going to stop to get gas. There’s only one attendant.”
Darragh nodded at Avery’s information, knowing this was where they would ambush them. He'd worked with her on more than his fair share of jobs and knew to listen. She was tough and smart and he had no problems following her lead, he could always trust her instincts. They pulled into the gas station and parked in the shadows beside it.
Silently the trio exited the vehicle with stealthy precision. Eric peered around the corner, using signals he gave the go ahead to Darragh to enter the store to take care of the attendant. Avery walked out to the guy pumping gas steeling her nerves.
"Hey there.” she said approaching him with a seductive smile. He stiffened at the suddenness of her appearance then raked his eyes over her slowly. She was glad she'd changed out of her guardian blacks and had slipped into the green mini dress she had on.
True Fate Page 13