No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty Four

The motel office was quiet in the pale morning light, the "Closed" sign still hanging in the window. Norma had just stepped behind the desk, setting her coffee down, when she spotted Alex's car pull into the lot. Her breath hitched, and with a quick glance around to ensure no one else was nearby, she moved to unlock the door as he approached.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed, pulling him inside and closing the door behind him. "Someone could've seen you!"
Before Alex could respond, her hands curled into the lapels of his jacket, and she tugged him down for a kiss. Alex quickly reciprocated, guiding her backwards blindly, his steps sure and deliberate as he guided her to the back room, his tongue slipping into her mouth.
They didn't stop until Norma's backside hit the desk, the impact forcing her to sit back on it with a sharp gasp, forcing them apart. His forehead brushes against hers as he laughs under his breath.
"Sorry," he said, his voice low and apologetic, though his smile betrayed him. "I get carried away too quickly with you."
Norma stayed where she was, perched on the back desk, her hands still gripping his jacket. She let out a soft, teasing sigh. "Yeah, I noticed."
Alex didn't move far, his hands sliding to her thighs, gently massaging them through the fabric of her skirt as he stood between her legs. His touch was careful, almost absentminded, but there was a weight to it that made her stomach flip.
Norma's fingers found the badge on his uniform, playing with it as her smile softened. "How'd you sleep?" she asked, her voice quieter now, the sharp edges of her earlier scolding gone.
Alex shrugged, his lips curving into a lopsided grin. "Probably would've slept better if you were there."
She laughed, the sound light and unguarded, her fingers still tracing the outline of his badge. "I miss waking up beside you," she admitted, her voice softening even further.
A short silence filled the room, their gazes locked as the moment stretched between them. Then Norma broke it, her voice quiet but laced with worry. "Have you thought of a way to take care of Bob?"
Alex's body tensed instantly. His gaze dropped from hers, and he hesitated, his fingers flexing on her thighs. "Yeah," he said at last, his voice low and measured. "I've thought of a few things. Just... just let me handle it, okay?"
She noticed the way his jaw tightened, the subtle shift in his stance, as though the weight of it all was pressing down on him more than he wanted to admit. Her hands slid up to the back of his neck, her touch soft and soothing as her fingers massaged the tension away.
"It's all gonna be okay," she murmured, her thumbs brushing gently over his skin. "I trust you. I trust that you know what you're doing. And when this is all over..." Her voice softened even further, her words carrying a quiet promise. "We can love each other openly, freely."
Alex felt his heart skip at her words, her unwavering belief in him wrapping around him like a balm. He dipped his head, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was tender and grounding.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips, the words heavy with meaning.
Her smile spread, warming him in ways nothing else could. When he pulled back, there was something new in his expression, an idea he'd clearly been holding onto.
"Can I take you out?" he asked, his voice earnest, his tone tinged with hope. "On a date?"
Norma blinked, startled by the question, pulling back just enough to study him with a shocked smile. "A date?" she repeated with a laugh of disbelief, her tone playful at first. But her smile faltered as she saw how serious he was, his hopefulness written plainly across his face.
"Alex, a date?" she asked again, more carefully this time, her tone edged with the weight of their situation.
"Not here," he said softly, his voice low and persuasive. "Not in White Pine Bay. Let me take you somewhere else, where there are no prying eyes."
Her breathing hitched as she considered it, her teeth catching her bottom lip in hesitation. The nervous energy radiating from her was palpable, but after a moment, she exhaled softly.
"Okay," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Okay?" Alex echoed, as if he couldn't believe she'd agreed.
"Okay," she repeated, a smile breaking through her uncertainty.
Alex's face lit up, and he leaned in, kissing her with renewed fervor. "Okay," he murmured against her lips, his excitement evident. "I'll pick you up at 8."
"Okay," she whispered back, her arms curling around his neck as she deepened the kiss.
The sound of the door opening sent Norma's heart plummeting. She jumped off the desk in a rush as she pushed Alex off of her, her breath catching in her throat as Dylan and Emma stood frozen midstep, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief as their eyes darted between the two of them.
Her gaze snapped to Alex. His eyes mirrored her fear and panic, a rare expression for him, so unlike his usual calm and quick-thinking demeanor.
For a long, tense moment, neither of them said a word. They just stared at each other, then at Dylan and Emma, their faces heating as the silence stretched. Both scrambled internally to come up with something to say, but no words came.
It was Emma who finally broke the silence, her voice soft and elated as a smile tugged at her lips. "I knew it."
The tension in the room ebbed at her comment, and Norma let out a soft breath, smoothing down her dress as she avoided meeting anyone's gaze. Alex shifted awkwardly, his usual confidence noticeably absent.
"I should get going then," Alex said, his voice low as he glanced at Norma for the briefest moment. He stepped toward the door, his movements quick and deliberate. Dylan and Emma moved aside to let him through, their wide eyes following him as he passed. Once the door clicked shut behind him, the two of them exchanged a loaded look before fixing their gazes on Norma.
Norma, desperate to avoid their stares, busied herself with straightening the papers on the desk.
"So," Dylan started, his tone laced with incredulity. "Are we gonna talk about that?"
Norma looked up, her face the picture of feigned confusion. "About what?" she asked innocently, though the flush creeping up her neck betrayed her.
Dylan rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "About how the sheriff was just eating your face—"
"Dylan," Emma cut in with a laugh, swatting his arm as Norma's cheeks burned even hotter.
Norma's head snapped up, panic flickering in her eyes before she glanced away as she struggled to compose herself. "He wasn't... We just... I..." The words tumbled out of her before she could stop them, her voice faltering before she finally blurted out, "I like him."
Dylan's brows shot up, his disbelief evident. "You like the sheriff?"
Emma's reaction was entirely different. Her face lit up with excitement, her voice practically bubbling over. "You like the sheriff?"
Norma bit her lip nervously, her gaze dropping back to the papers she'd been shuffling. "Yeah," she admitted softly.
For a moment, they simply stared at her, Emma grinning ear to ear while Dylan looked utterly perplexed. Suddenly, Norma glanced back up at them, her expression shifting to one of urgency. "But you can't tell anyone. Please."
Dylan's brow furrowed further, his confusion deepening. "Why not?"
Norma shifted uncomfortably, her hands twisting in front of her. "We're just... We're just trying to keep it quiet. For now."
Dylan gave Norma a weird look, his brow furrowing as if he couldn't quite believe what she was saying. Norma met his look head-on, raising an eyebrow at him and Emma.
"What about you two?" she asked, crossing her arms and tilting her head. "What's going on here?"
Emma glanced at Dylan, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. Before she could say anything, Dylan chuckled. "We're not making out in the back office, if that's what you're asking."
"Dylan!" Emma exclaimed, slapping his arm again sharply, her cheeks flushing. Dylan only laughed harder, clearly pleased with himself, while Norma glowered at him.
"Me and Emma are dating, yeah," he finally said with a shrug, looking at Emma with a soft smile.
Norma's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly. She blinked, as if processing the words took a moment longer than expected. "Really?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine shock. "Wow, that's... wonderful!"
Emma giggled at Norma's reaction. "Thanks," she said, her smile bright and warm.
Dylan cleared his throat, looking at his watch. "Alright, well, I'm off to work. I'll be back for dinner around eight."
Norma hesitated for a second before replying, "I won't be home."
Dylan raised an eyebrow, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "Oh yeah? And where will you be?"
Norma's lips pressed together as she contemplated fabricating a lie, but Dylan's expression told her he already had an idea of where she'd be.
"Out," she said simply, giving him a pointed look that dared him to push further.
He laughed lightly, clearly amused. "And what are you gonna tell Norman?"
Norma faltered at that, the thought of Norman catching her completely off guard. Her hesitation was written plainly across her face. Dylan noticed immediately, his smirk deepening.
"We can say there's a party or something," Emma suggested helpfully, her tone bright.
Norma looked up at Emma, the lie already forming in her mind. "Yeah, we could say that," she agreed, nodding. "At Christine Heldens'. She's always throwing parties."
Dylan shrugged, seemingly satisfied with that answer. "Okay," he said as he headed to the door. But just as he opened it, Norma's voice stopped him.
"Dylan," she called out, her voice softer this time.
He turned back to her, his expression curious.
"Thank you," she said, her tone genuine, her eyes holding his.
Dylan gave her a warm smile, nodding before stepping outside and closing the door behind him.