Set Me Free

Chapter Seven

“And what kind of look is that?” Juno asks again. Nix’s smile was disarming and for a momentary second, Juno forgot what she was doing.

“You have this look of a wild cat. The way your eyes track me, they dilate when some naughty thought crosses your mind. Your breathing gets a small hitch to it when you’re nervous.”

Juno laughs nervously, she never realized he paid far more attention than she had thought. It felt both empowering and unsettling at the same time, a flurry of butterflies flutter in her belly. 

So, now I’m a wild cat? Just an animal to you?” Nix leans in very close, Juno refused to budge away and give him the satisfaction that he was winning ground. Yes, currently in her mind they were having a tiny war and she was unwilling to retreat.

“I think you’re much more than that. For now though…” Nix pulls a helmet out from behind his back like a magician, magically conjuring the shiny black helmet. He gently places it on her head. Juno’s voice was muffled as she tried to talk through the heavy barrier.

“Why don’t we take a ride and see where the road takes us?” He stretches his hand out for her to take. Looking at his hand then back to his smiling face, free from any motive or agenda. He felt genuine and kind, and his presence always carried a reassuring aura about him. Juno would be silly not to at least give him a chance. Like Callie said, ‘take a chance.’

“Fine! Let me message my sister first. Just in case,” She waves encompassing him and his bike, “You know, you’re secretly an axe murderer or something.” Juno shoots off a quick text telling the girls where she was going, or as much as she knew at this time. Callie told her to keep them updated, which Juno also asked to be notified when Callie learned anything about their other sisters.

“I Promise! Now have fun you two!XOXOXO”

“No hanky spanky in the kitchen or anywhere else, but your bedroom! Got it!?” Emra teases.

“Ewwww! Gross, Emra. Remember, I’m just feeling the waters.” 

“Feel away my young starlet, Feel away!” Callie texts.

“Both of you are impossible! But I love you two!”

“Love you, too. Now go get him Tiger!” Callie sends winking cat emoji’’s. Emra adds in a Gif of a woman shoving a man into a sack and dragging him off into the forest like some sort of reverse caveman mating ritual.

Shaking her head Juno chuckles pocketing her phone. Nix occupied his time by looking around the house and yard. His long, muscular legs eating up the space when he noticed she was done messaging. 

Nix whistles in a surprised manner. “Never expected you to live in a mansion.”

Nervous butterflies took flight. Kevin always made her feel less than small because of her house. Always acting like just because she had money and a large home that she doesn’t work hard for anything. That she simply enjoys the freedom that was given to her. Juno won’t lie, she does have the freedom because she was blessed to have been given so much, but the fact remains so many frown on her just because she has money. Kevin made it a point and they often argued about it many times over. He always insisted that she should owe him something, looking back on it now, simply being in a relationship was enough grounds for Kevin to dictate that she owed him monetarily. It tended to deter some and push others away.  She only hoped it wouldn’t push Nix away. 

Looking through the visor of the helmet she asked in a soft voice, “Is...that bad? I...our..Father left it for us.” Juno felt small, like she was afraid of admitting that it wasn’t something she earned for herself. 

Nix’s smile was kind and not at all accusing, or condescending. “It’s gorgeous, Juno. I’d be proud of this place. The yard especially is in amazing shape and I’d assume you have caretakers for that?” He questions with curiosity.

“Ok, I’m not posh. Yes, we live in a mansion, but that doesn’t mean we stop functioning as humans. My arms work, see?” Juno flexes her biceps as best as she could. With a smirk, he runs one large hand through his hair, sliding the strands back out of his face.

“I like a woman who can take care of herself. I also like that you aren’t...how did you put it? Posh.”

“Well then, didn’t you just strike gold.” Juno cringed at her poor choice of words and groaned inwardly.

Nix came closer and lifted the visor covering her eyes. “I certainly have, make no mistake about that.” She could feel the heat emanating from him on her cheeks. He wasn’t talking about the fact that she has money, the way he focused intently on her, made her squirm.

Grabbing a jacket hanging next to the door she tossed it on and zipped it up. Locking the door behind her she skipped down the steps placing her hand in Nixs. He pulls her along towards his bike. The motorcycle was huge, the front wheel extended out like it was reaching for something. The back tire was huge in comparison to the front one. Chrome pipes highlight the rest of the dark matte colored bike. Nix swung one large leg over and helped her on behind him. Her legs felt weird with a heavy machine between them. She’s been on motorcycles before, but this one felt oddly interesting.

“Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?” Before she could answer him her phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling her phone out thinking it was Callie or Emra but a name she’d rather wish she didn’t see flashed across the visible screen, Kevin. Juno ignored the call and pocketed the phone not wanting to ruin what is so far, an interestingly fun morning.

“ I have and I love them!” Juno had a secret that was her own that she’d never admit to anyone. Juno loved the feeling of the power inside them, the way they would roar like a vengeful dragon and vibrate with so much power between her legs. She’s found herself in a wet heap multiple times in the past, and on more than a few occasions back in college she’s even had orgasms while riding them. 

“Ready?” Nix calls over his shoulder.

Juno shakes her head to clear her thoughts. She shouldn’t be thinking about bikes and orgasms. Nodding her head she wrapped her arms firmly around Nix’s torso. Her hands can feel the jagged lines of his abs through the jacket. Her n*****s hardened against him, claiming it was the chill in the air and not the proximity of her and Nix. The motorcycle exploded to life under her.

“Ohh!” The bike rumbled like a deep earth moving purr. It vibrated more than she’s experienced in the past. 

Nix turned the bike around and headed out onto mainstreet. She wasn’t sure where they were going, and she honestly didn’t care. The cold wind whipped past her, with her jacket and helmet she stayed relatively warm. Granted she didn’t have much to keep her legs from freezing but the warmth of the bike between her legs burned hot enough to stave off the frigid kiss of November's cooling air. Exhilaration coursed through her veins.

They rode down the highway for what felt like ages. Nix pulled off the highway and turned down some dirt roads and hidden paths until they came to a stop alongside a forest.

“Um...Nix? Why did we stop at a forest? This isn’t where you chop me up is it?”

Nix’s deep chuckle reverberated through her. “Nope, no murderer here.”

“Wouldn’t a murderer say they aren’t a murderer?”

“Possibly. Juno, you are safe with me. That I promise. Let me show you something I think you’ll love.” He grabs her by the waist, Juno let out a squeal when his fingers dug into a ticklish spot on her hips, picking her off the bike effortlessly.

“Hey you brute! I can get down just fine on my own!” He doesn't listen and lowers her down until her feet touch solid ground.

“Jerk!” She says through a smile. Nix took his sunglasses off, his eyes were magnetic, pulling her in. He knew she enjoyed it just as much as he did.

“If we head in that direction we’ll come across a clearing. I discovered a while back and it’s been one of my coveted secrets.”

Juno latched on to the word ‘secrets’. She wondered what kind of secrets Nix was hiding. She stares at his broad back as he moves through the forest, Juno trailed after him. His wide back flexed with each stride, her eyes lowered to his shapely firm ass. Biting her lower lip she fantasizes about squeezing them.

“So, if this is a secret, what other kind of secrets do you have?” Juno pounces up to his side and walks next to him. They step over a fall tree branch.

“We all have secrets don’t we? Tell me, what are some of yours?” Juno struggled to keep pace, walking beside him she is grossly aware of how much longer his legs were than she thought. Keeping pace was a chore she huffed. Is there anything not perfect about him she mused. Her eyes followed every line that contoured his body, like she was dissecting an insect, thinking that if she stared long enough she’d be able to pull back the veil and see something that'd be a deal breaker. Anything that would throw her for a loop and have her running for the hills. Men like Nix, the ones who look too picture perfect can’t be all perfection. She just hopes that he is real and not some horrible person in secret, because the longer she’s with him, the more she wants him.

“I asked you first big guy!”

“Ha! I’d hardly call that fair. So tell me one of your juicy secrets.”

“Fine!” Huffs in defeat.

‘Let’s see…” She taps her finger against her chin, thinking of a secret that’d she be willing to share.

Another fallen tree blocked the path but with Nix’s guidance he helped her over, his hand resting on the small of her back as they resumed their walk. The dream she had flashes through her eyes again, reminding her what else his hands can do. A blush crept up to her cheeks, distractedly blaming the cold for her errant thoughts.

“No secrets? I don’t believe it. I bet a girl like you has tons.” Nix doesn’t know much about her but he’s going to learn very fast. Slapping his hand away from the small of her back walked quicker down the path.

“I don’t like being call, ‘Girl’. I’m not an infant!” He raises his hands apologetically, his head tilted to the side, much like a curious dog.

Nix ate up the ground with his alien length legs, his chin hovering over her shoulder, his warm breath sent heated tingles down her spine. His lips teasing her ear with his proximity. Her heart was racing, beating hard like a rabid ape trying to break free from it’s cage.

“You are right…” His smooth as whiskey voice, and as sensual as caramel was wickedly disarming. Melting her opposition within an instant. No longer irritated with him but irritated with herself for how easily he broke down her defenses.

The sway of trees in the wind was a relaxing melody. Birds chirped happily as they fluttered from one branch to another. The sun beamed through the breaks in the trees, the majority of the leaves have already fallen off. Despite the bare state of the trees she can only surmise that during the peak summer time the forest looks majestic, filled with magical beauty that can’t be compared.

Much like her reasons for doing portraits for couples, nature holds a certain unshielded truth, and it’s story can be seen clearly. It’s purity and soul encompassing love, nature, much like the some of the couples she chooses to do portraits from have a truth, a story to be told. She captures that in her painting and looking at the forest now, she can see the truth in the life around her. The harmony in the forest life around her, each taking from each other but giving back in equal shares.

“You’re right. I don’t see a girl, but a strong, sexy woman.” Juno readjusted her weight from on foot to the other. His lips were centimeters away and if she just turned a fraction, shaking her head she stepped away. Fighting to control her feelings and her body, afraid of the direction her thoughts were heading and afraid of what she might do.

“So...err..Ahem!” She coughs into her hand. “I don’t think the middle of the forest was the special place you were talking about.” Juno changed the subject and hoped that it worked. With a knowing smile, Nix’s pearly whites flashing back, the smile of sin, Juno labeled.

“We aren’t far now. It’s just on the other side of those bushes right over there.” Nix stepped back, not much, she could still feel the burning furnace of his body. He pointed to bushes adorned with purple flowers.

Stepping closer, Juno was enthralled with colorful flowers that were sitting in the sun, their petals waving with the wind in a carefree dance. “Wow! Those are beautiful! What are they?”

Juno was mesmerized and all thought of Nix and his s****l aura vanished, replaced by the intricate and fluid way the petals rolled down the stalks. The lavender hues painting the petals, swaying in the gentle breeze. This was surreal and she wished she had her sketch pad to capture them for future reference. 

Nix must have found her gushing amusing because when she looked over he was chuckling. Unsettled she folded her arms across her chest and looked at him like he was an i***t, and that maybe she was an i***t. She was about to pull her phone out and message Callie.

“Hey, I’m not poking fun.” He dips his head so he can look her in the eyes. His face is free from any humor. “I was thinking of something and I’m sorry.” Juno kept glaring at him, not feeling better at all. In fact, she felt like a joke. A joke for thinking he’d be different from the others, but instead it seemed he found her dreams and love for things funny. A big joke to him.

“I saw the way your eyes lit up when you saw those bushes, your whole expression changed to one of awe. The way you smiled in pure happiness. It made me realize this next bit?” Juno was no longer scowling. Instead she was listening to every word, hanging actually. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, so when he reached for her hand she accepted. Pulling her through a few more bushes. 

As they parted through the bush there was another clearing. She didn’t know what to expect, for all she knew he was a killer and yet she blindly followed him anyways. That train of thought came to a train wrecking halt, her heart stopped. Before her was a sparkling blue lake that looked like it was made of crystals with the sun's warm rays bathing it in sunlight.

A lake sat, surrounded by the lush forest and rock croppings. A small area looked like a small beach. Nix was staring at her the whole time, she could feel his gaze. She had to admit, this was actually better than the bush, and now felt foolish for getting so upset over something that now seems trivial. She knew now he wasn’t making fun of her, he was enjoying her happiness.

“Thought the bush was gorgeous, imagine what I thought when I still had this to show you.” The beauty of it all was stunning. She was filled with unfiltered giddiness. She wiped an errant teat away, happy tears she exclaimed.

Without realizing it she jumped into Nix’s arms, wrapping her arms around his thick neck. Squeezing him as hard as she could, she brought her lips to his. Nix was stunned, eyes wide with shock, no doubt not expecting her to just suddenly jump. She giggled as their lips parted, she found his expression amusing.

“I’m glad. Callie told me you paint and I thought you may benefit from this.” She stared at Nix, surprised how thoughtful he was for not knowing much about her, and yet he did his research. They hardly knew each other and yet, here they were. This man, this big, kind man with a  heart of gold. 

“You certainly are full of surprises. So, tell me something about yourself.” Nix held her, her legs touching ground. She laid her head on his chest, listening to his strong heart.

He was silent for a while and Juno didn;t think he was going to answer her, but his voice was quiet, she almost thought it was the wind rustling the leaves. “I had a brother. He died a long time ago.” Juno frowns at his tone, like he’s detached himself. Almost like he’s talking about it like it happened to someone else.

Not knowing really what to say, she said the only thing she could think of saying. Definitely a heavy answer for their official first day out together. But she did ask, she told herself. “I’m so sorry, Nix.”

They continued to stand there holding each other when he motions for them to sit. He sits down leaning against a log, his arm pulling her in close to his side. She happily snuggled into him, encased in the safety of his arms. Holding her close and secure. She felt like a tiny person in his arms, but she’s never felt so safe, so protected.

Rolling over she faced him, laying her hand over his heart, her fingers playing with his jacket. A million questions swarmed her mind like locusts, she just didn’t know whether to ask or let him reveal what he wanted. She was torn but also content with just laying there in the clearing, staring out at the glittering lake.

Nix chuckles softly. The sound moving through her body like an aphrodisiac. His hand coiled around her was toying with her hair by her shoulder. “ I can hear the little hamsters wheeling away over there. I know you probably want to ask, but not now.”

“Please?” He pleads with an even softer voice. Her heart broke for him. There was an underlying tension of pain laced in his tone. He may have thought he hid it well, but she heard it and it tore at her.