Blankets in hand, Mia and I make our way to the gate. The Knights were invited to play in a spring, end of the year, farewell game against the Crenshaw Tigers from the next town over. According to Coach, it’s the seniors’ last hoorah before real life begins.

For some of these boys, tonight will be their last night suiting up and stepping under the lights. For others, like Nate, it’s a goodbye tribute to the coach that allotted them the opportunity to look forward to the future that’s impending; the chance to play in a bigger stadium under bigger lights. Emotions are going to run high tonight.

After paying the five-dollar student fee, we walk inside and make our way to the first row, front and center, and right on the fifty-yard line. Perfect view of the boys. Of my man. Unfortunately, that also means the cheerleaders are in sight. And by cheerleaders, I mean Liv.

Yay.

“Mr. and Mrs. Monroe coming?” Mia asks, as she wraps her black and red blanket around her shoulders.

“Yeah. Sara texted me a little bit ago. She said they’d be here.”

Mia bumps my shoulder, so I turn to look at her.

“Sara, huh?” she teases.

To hide my smile, I breathe into my hands, rubbing them back and forth for warmth. It’s cold as shit here for early spring. “She says she’s young and doesn’t like being called Missus, that’s all.”

Mia nods, a grin on her lips. “Yeah, that’s a bunch of shit.”

My mouth drops open and now it’s me bumping her.

“What?” she laughs, pulling her blanket up higher. “It’s true! I’ve been hearing Liv call her Mrs. Monroe at all the barbecues for years. Never once has she said, ‘Please, call me Sara’.” She smiles widely at me.

“Yeah, well.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “She kinda likes me, I guess.”

Thankfully, a scoff is all I get and she buries her face in her phone.

The boys jog onto the field and start their pregame warm ups, so I stand and lean against the railing, watching Nate as he commands his team with simple stretch calls.

It’s all routine and they know it by heart, but they wait for his order before manipulating their bodies as needed.

His head shifts toward me, and while I can’t see his eyes from here, I know they’re on me. I can feel them, burning straight through my chest.

Since Valentine’s Day last month, Nate has spent at least four nights out of the week at my house, and to be honest, I kinda wish he’d stay more. I like him being there, like waking up to him. I hadn’t realized how much I missed having someone around.

As a child, someone was usually there, but as a teenager, other than those last couple months when my gramps finally moved in, everyone was sporadic. I never stopped to consider what it would feel like to have someone like this. Just to eat and watch movies with. It’s nice and it’s bringing back simple memories I’d lost. He’s bringing them back.

Nate’s unknowingly healing pieces of me I didn’t know needed mending, helping memories and feelings I forced my brain to forget to resurface. I hadn’t realized, when I shut down my psyche, I’d also lost all the good moments in my life. But when you don’t allow your mind to straggle, when you force it into the here and now only, I guess it’s inevitable. It’s also tiring. And I’m tired of being tired.

“Hey!”

Peeking over my shoulder, I smile, giving a little wave to Nate’s parents as they shimmy down the aisle toward us.

The second she sets her bag down, Sara wraps me in a quick one-armed hug, then mimics my position. She smiles, letting her eyes roam the football field, then looks down over the railing at the cheerleaders who are four or five feet below, warming up on the track.

“Oh!” She claps her hands, whirling back to her bag. “I brought you something!”

Releasing one hand from the bar, I turn slowly, and lean my back against it. Sliding my eyes to Mr. Monroe - Ian - I quirk a brow.

He shrugs like he has no clue, but the tip on his lips tells me he does. He always knows when it comes to his wife. It’s as if they’re two people sharing one soul. What they have, it’s something to strive for.

My eyes shoot wide when she turns back to me with Nate’s away jersey in her arms. It’s red with the number twenty-one embroidered on the chest in big, black letters - opposite of his home jersey. She turns it in her hands, showing me the Monroe nameplate across the back.

“What do you want me to do with that?” I smash my lips to the side.

With a huff, she shakes her head and thrusts the jersey to my chest. “Wipe that scowl off your beautiful little face and put the damn thing on, Kalani Embers.”

When Ian and Mia laugh from behind her, I narrow my eyes at both of them.

Traitors.

“Yeah, Lolli,” Mia sing-songs. “Wear it.”

“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.” I cross my arms and stand up straight. “He knows and I know. That’s all that matters.”

When I lock eyes with Ian, he tips his head slightly, his eyes soft, reminding me of his son, but Sara looks about ready to cry.

Shit, wrong thing to say?

She steps up to me, gripping my shoulders, and my brows pull together.

“We know that, sweetheart,” she whispers lightly, the gentleness of her voice making me hold my breath. “I didn’t bring you this so you could show it off to the world. I know that’s not you. Though,” she laughs slightly, “I have to say, I wouldn’t mind if you did, because you’re you. But, I brought this for you because I know what it would mean to him." Her eyes shine with unshed tears, and my ribs start to ache. “You sitting here, under the lights on his last night as a high school football player, with his name and number proudly displayed on your cute little body.” She squeezes my shoulders again, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Ian’s hand come to rest on her lower back. “He’ll never forget it,” she whispers.

Heat spreads up and across my neck and cheeks, but more importantly, warmth takes over my body in a way I’ve never experienced and can’t explain.

After a glance between the two, I nod, then reach for the jersey.

She smiles brightly and sits down on the bench, digging in her bag like she didn’t just tell me Nate would carry a piece of me with him, no matter where life took him. Like she didn’t just say she knows and understands the person I am, and she wouldn’t have me any other way.

My chest starts to tighten, my eyes pinching at the sides, and I feel the sudden need to run.

My body turns on its own accord, and my eyes find their harbor immediately.

He senses me.

Nate’s head turns in my direction, the ball he’s been tossing around to warm up his muscles freezing in his hands. He angles his body toward mine, silently asking if he needs to come to me.

He’s got me.

Air makes its way into my lungs and the pounding in my head lessens.

His helmet tips slightly and a smile breaks across my lips.

I can picture the scowl on his handsome face right now, the drop in his brows, the challenge in his dark eyes.

Fuck it.

In one quick motion, I yank his jersey over my head, then grab the railing with both hands.

When the ball falls from his grip, I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. He takes two steps toward me, then prepares to jog, but Mr. P. is quick with his interception and a deflated Nate turns back to his partner, snatching the ball off the ground in a pissy motion I find sexy as hell.

“Told ya.”

I turn back, finding both of Nate’s parents smirking, Sara nestled between her husband’s legs as he sits one bleacher up, his arms wrapped tightly around his wife.

Laughing, I take my seat between Mia and Sara. “Let’s watch some football.”

The buzzer sounds and we all get sucked into the lights, whistles, and exhilaration a Friday night game brings.

The boys play their hearts out as the realization of the night sets it for both teams. It’s all sweat, blood, and dedication on the field, making for one hell of a game.

On the last play, the crowd stands.

Nate calls his play, pointing in both directions, adjusting his guys as needed and gets set. Holding the ball, he searches for an opening, but finds no one free. His only option is to make a run for it.

With the ball tucked tight, he books it, stiff-arming the safety as he makes a dive for him, and from there, it’s open field.

We jump up and down, screaming together as Nate crosses into the end zone, scoring the winning touchdown with only seconds left on the clock. Sara and Mia hug me, then hug each other, a trend that flows through the crowd.

I lean over the railing, yelling out to the boys, watching as Nate jogs back, his teammates hitting his shoulder pads, and slapping his helmet along the way, but he doesn’t stop when he reaches the sidelines. He tosses his helmet and keeps running. Headed right for me.

He picks up speed right before he reaches me, leaping up to latch himself onto the railing, smashing his lips into mine in the same motion.

With a smile, I pull back, allowing him enough room to throw his legs over the side.

His smile is wide and elated. He pulls my body against his, his brown eyes dropping to his jersey I’m wearing, then swinging to his parents.

“Ma?”

I turn to see her watery eyes as she nods.

He looks back to me, dropping his sweaty forehead against mine. “Thank you for wearing it.”

“I almost didn’t.” I reach up, brushing his sweat-soaked hair back.

He catches my hand on its descent, and brings my wrist to his lips, placing a soft kiss there. “I know.”

When my eyes pinch, he cups my cheeks, his dark eyes reaching deep inside me, pulling strings I didn’t know existed.

His grip tightens in warning, so I raise my hands to cover his and hold my breath. I can feel the accelerated rhythm of his heart beating through his palms.

Those chocolate eyes implore mine. “I love you.”

I’m shaking my head before he even finishes.

“Yeah, Kalani.” He nods, sureness carrying his voice. “I do. I’m in love with you.”

“No. You’re not,” I shoot back, my body turning to cement.

He smiles and I don’t miss the chuckles around us. “Yes, I am. And you’re in love with me, too.”

“No, I’m not.”

He steps into me. “Yes. You are. I know you are.”

“You don’t know shit,” I whisper, unable to catch my breath, my eyes darting across his face, searching for a sign of... something.

He brushes my hair out of the way. “How do you feel when I touch you?”

“Warm.”

“And when I hold you?” His arms wrap around me, his pads making him even larger.

My hands drop to his chest, the fight in me slowly dissolving. “Safe,” I mutter.

He brings his mouth to my ear, whispering, “And when I fuck you?” He pulls back, locking our gazes once more, dipping his chin slightly.

I don’t answer right away, but after a few moments, “Everything… loved,” squeezes its way past my lips.

He nods and that perfect smile lights up his entire face.

“Oh, my God…” I think I say out loud. “When did this happen?”

His forehead drops to mine again. “It doesn’t matter, baby.”

I bring my hands to his waist, pulling back again. “I’m in love with you?”

He laughs, nodding his head.

My chest tightens and expands at the same time. Closing my eyes, a sense of belonging, of need and want, settle inside me and suddenly, while nothing makes sense, everything feels right. Him here. With me. Opening my eyes, I zone in on his.

“I’m in love with you.”

With that, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me, not caring about the hundreds of fans around. Not caring that his parents and my cousin just witnessed this moment, he kisses me with everything he has, making sure I know exactly how much he loves me.

And I do the same.

Later that night, Nate and I are sitting on the lawn in Parker’s backyard, me nestled between his legs, my back to his front, taking a break from the chaos that is an Alrick High senior bash.

This party reminds me of that first one I was dragged to back in November. People are crazy drunk and high on adrenaline and – let’s be real - some other shit, too. Even though it’s cold out, there is less clothing here than a strip club, and I’m pretty sure I saw a few getting down and dirty on the makeshift dance floor.

Spring break is in two days. I guess they’re prepping for the massive hangovers they’re bound to be in.

Nate’s arms tighten around me, his face burrowing deeper into my hair, and I turn into him, bringing my cheek against his, enjoying the feeling of simply being near him. Feeling him.

It’s crazy that just a few hours ago, I realized I loved him, because right now, sitting here with him, it feels like it has always been this way. Like there hasn’t been a time where I didn’t love him. He pulled some kind of quarterback sneak on me and found his opening, capitalizing on it.

Dirty jokes aside, I knew he had gotten inside me. I knew he burned himself deep into my being. There was no way a guy like him could make my body feel alive the way he does, bringing me back from the edge of a panic attack and give me the courage to make the first move with my aunt, without having left a mark on me.

He’s become my everything in this short time and while it scares the shit out of me, it offers me a calmness I’ve never known and can’t explain.

“Nate?” I whisper into the night, gazing up at all the stars.

“Hmm?” He takes a deep breath, inhaling me, his thighs tightening against mine. When my body trembles, I feel his mouth morph into a smile against my skin, and my heart beats out of my chest.

“There are things you still don’t know about me.” My voice is low and hesitant, not because I don’t want him to know, but because I’m nervous. I don’t want him to look at me and see an opportunity, not that he needs one. He’s a badass on his own, and will have no problem in college ball or after, but still. I guess maybe I’m afraid of being needed versus him needing me.

“I know everything I need to know, baby.” He kisses my temple. “And everything else, I’ll learn along the way.”

I nod, my brows pinched. “Yeah, but my family-”

“There you guys are!” Mia slurs from the sliding door, gaining both our attention. “Austin is in need of your assistance, Mr. Monroe.” She hobbles out the door, two unopened beers in hand, and plops down on the ground next to me.

Laughing, I grab onto her arm to stabilize her.

“I’ll keep your girl company.” She shoos him away. “Go on now.”

Nate shakes his head with a smile, drops a quick kiss to my lips, and makes his way into the house.

Mia twists off the top to a beer and hands it to me before opening her own. “Cheers.” She thrusts her bottle out and instead of clinking ours together, the bitch hits the top of my bottle with the bottom of hers, making mine overflow, forcing me to down about half of it in one drink.

Her body tips to the side when she laughs, but she sticks an arm out, righting herself.

“Bitch.” I nudge her, throwing her off balance again.

“You love me.” She lays her head on my shoulder.

“I do.”

“Aaand you love Nate?”

I nod, looking off to the side.

She’s quiet for a few seconds, then whispers, “That’s really good, Lollipop.”

While I know she’s happy for me, her tone as an underlying sadness to it. It’s more of a plea than a whisper. I have to ask her what’s going on with her. She’s been acting weird the last few weeks, and I can’t figure it out. “Mia-”

"Okay, so,” she cuts me off and I bit my inner cheek to keep quiet.

Clearly, she doesn’t want to talk about it, and if anyone gets not wanting others to pry, it’s me.

“I think we’ve got everything we need for the trip. All I need is a couple new swimsuits. How ’bout you?” Mia slurs, lifting her head to peek at me.

I wink and watch her shoulders relax. “I think I’m good, other than travel shower shit.”

“That’s easy enough.” She nods, slamming back the rest of her beer. She’s about to speak when something catches her attention over her shoulder.

I glance back, seeing Liv’s silhouette through the door. Following her line of sight, I see Parker, Austin and Nate laughing and taking shots.

A smile crosses my lips. Shifting my eyes back to Liv, her posture stiffens.

The chick must have a bitch-o-meter or something because she lifts her plastic head and spots me in the yard.

She smirks and stands up taller, flipping her fake blonde hair over her proper little shoulder, opens the door, and steps out quietly.

“Bitch,” Mia mumbles under her breath.

I narrow my gaze at her, hoping she’ll get the hint and go the fuck away.

“So, Lolli.” No such luck. “How’s it feel?”

Releasing a huff, I indulge her. “How’s what feel, Liv?” I lift my bottle to my lips.

“Living on someone else’s fortune?”

My hand freezes midair, my head turning slowly to look her in the eye.

Her smirk deepens.

Oh, okay. We’re doin’ this...

I hop to my feet.

No way will this bitch look down on me.

Head tipped back, I let the liquor burn its way down my throat, and slam my shot glass on the countertop-turned-bar in front of me.

“Shit’s nasty, isn’t it?” Parker squints his eyes, pulling the cheap whiskey bottle closer to read the label.

“Hell, yeah.” I cough, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Freshman must have brought it.” Parker’s body shakes, the aftertaste hitting him.

“Oh, shit!” Austin’s slur grabs our attention.

Following his line of sight, I see Liv with her hands on her hips, yapping something at my girl and Mia, who are sitting in the same spot I left them, but Kalani is quick to pop to her feet.

“The fuck’s she doing?” My gaze narrows, but I can’t see around Liv’s body.

“Probably spittin’ some shit about you.” All our heads swivel around, finding Jarrod leaning against the nearby wall, his arms crossed over his chest, looking like a privileged asshole. “Hope it’s false.”

I’m quick to step up to him. “Something on your mind, Hollins?”

The bastard smirks, kicks off the wall and raises his beer to us, before disappearing into the next room.

When I turn back to the girls, I see Mia has stepped a few feet away, giving them some privacy. I look over at Kalani, who is now inches from Liv’s face. “Damn it.” I sidestep the barstool and place my hand on the sliding door’s handle.

“Don’t.” Parker shoves in front of me, blocking my path.

My breathing picks up and I clench my jaw. Parker’s big, but I’m bigger. “Get the fuck out of my way, Baylor. This don’t concern you.”

He rolls his eyes. “Sure. Fine.” He throws his hands up, tilting his head slightly. “Go ahead, big man. Walk out there in the middle of a female version of dick measuring. Let’s see who tells you to fuck off first.” The smug bastard folds his hands in front of him, like he’s preparing for a show.

Dick.

I look back at Kalani, fighting the smile that tugs at my lips when I see her little finger jabbing into Liv’s chest. When I turn back to Parker, he smirks and raises a bottle of the good stuff, pouring us each a fresh shot.

Me and the boys prepare for another shot, all the while I’m watching Kalani out of the corner of my eye. Austin’s obnoxious laugh tells me I’m not fooling anybody.

“So, that was it boys, the final go. We’ll never play on a field together again,” Austin announces, raising his glass and we follow suit.

My face pinches when the liquor hits my throat. “You don’t know that. There’s always college ball,” I tell them with a shrug.

Austin nods, tossing peanuts into his mouth. “Yeah.” He chews while he speaks. “What’s everyone doing for college? We’ve haven’t talked about it since winter break.”

With my body leaning against the edge of the counter, I pull out my phone to look at the screen I know shows nothing, but it makes me look busy so I can try to avoid the question. I want to tell Kalani before I tell my boys.

“I’m headed to Michigan,” Matt Wicker says. “Heard Hollins is headed there, too.”

Austin nods. “Yeah, I heard. How ’bout you, Baylor?”

Glancing out the window at the girls, I hear Parker clear his throat.

“San Diego State.”

My head jerks so fast I feel a crick in my neck, but I ignore the pinch. “California, huh?” I make no attempt to hide the accusation in my voice.

He holds my gaze, nodding.

“When-”

The back door slams shut, cutting me off, and a pissed off Kalani and Mia stomp past us to the bar.

No one says anything as Kalani pulls the bottle from Austin’s hand and tips it back against her lips, taking a nice size swig.

She coughs, wipes her mouth and goes for another, but before she can bring it to her mouth, Parker sticks his shot glass out, waving it back and forth in front of her with a smile on his pretty boy fucking face.

The bottle freezes at her lips. She looks at the glass in his hands, back at the bottle, then at the dishes on countertop. Shoving his hand away, she sets the liquor down and snatches a lime.

She steps in front of me with fury in her eyes. Roughly shoving the slice of lime in my mouth, she tips the bottle back, then smashes her lips into mine, biting both the lime and my lip in the process.

It’s sexy as hell.

But she doesn’t stop there. Spitting the lime out, she wraps her arms around my neck and jumps up, locking her legs around me.

When people around us start to hoot and holler, I pull back, bringing my mouth to her ear. “These fuckers don’t get to watch you like this.” She licks my neck and a lightning bolt shoots through me. My hands tighten on her ass. “Stop.”

She pulls back and gone is the fury. It’s replaced with a dirty, mischievous gleam that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in anticipation. She opens her mouth to speak, but Mia beats her to it.

“Heads up, Lolls.”

Kalani tenses for a moment, her eyes narrowing and slicing to the back door that’s being pulled open by a distraught-looking Liv.

My brows pull in as I watch this chick I’ve known most my life, and never seen any true emotions from, look like she’s about to cry as she shakes her head at my girl, a dubious expression on her made-up face.

Kalani drops from around me. She stays in my arms, but turns her head to Liv.

Liv looks from her to me and back. “You won’t get away with this, Lolli. The truth will come out.” She doesn’t have her normal ‘girl on a power trip’ tone. She sounds kind of concerning.

Kalani just rolls her eyes at her. “Whatever you say, Olivia. The conversation’s over.”

Liv looks to me with a strange plea in her eyes, but she doesn’t speak, instead running off.

Kalani looks back at me, her blue eyes now tired.

“You ready?” I tilt my head, sliding my fingers into the back pocket of her jeans.

She nods, leaning into me.

“You coming with me to get swimsuits tomorrow, Lolli?” Mia slurs, stumbling against Austin’s unsteady body.

“Yeah.” She brings her hand up to cover her yawn. “Sure.”

“Cool. So everyone be at Lolli’s house by nine am sharp on Sunday. Plane leaves at noon.” She squeals, clapping her hands together. “I’ll send out a text.”

“Goodnight, Meems,” Kalani calls over her shoulder as we make our way to the door.

“Use protection, Lolli!”

Kalani flips her off over her head, earning a round of laughs.

She’s quiet and lost in her own world on the walk to her house. I can’t help but wonder what all that shit with Liv was about, but I don’t ask. Clearly it pissed her off and if she wanted to share, she would. So, I don’t push. With Kalani, it’s a pick and choose your battle kind of thing, and this one is not important enough to poke at.

“You hungry?” she asks, once we’re inside slipping our shoes off.

“Starvin’, baby.”

She turns, giving me a flirtatious smile over her shoulder. She reads the intent in my voice. I am starving. For her.

“Sit on the couch, Nathaniel.” Her lips barely move, and her tone is so low, her sexy little rasp more profound. “I’ll be right back.”

With that, she heads down the hall and like a good boy, I do what I’m told, losing my shirt in the process.

A minute or two later, soft music plays through her house speakers, and she rounds the couch, coming to stand in front of me.

My breath is stolen from me like a hit to the stomach.

Kalani is in nothing but my high school jersey. The one I’ll never wear again, but I’ll make damn sure she gets plenty of use out of.

A condom package drops from her fingers, falling next to me on the couch, and she kneels in front of me.

Her fingers find my belt, pulling it from my jeans, her blue eyes locked on mine.

When she tugs, I lift my hips so she can pull them down, taking my briefs with ‘em, and my hard-on springs free.

My hands skim up her arms, my fingertips scratching across her collarbone lightly. I grin when her body trembles.

When I reach her neck, her palm closes around my dick and she squeezes, making me involuntary flex in her grasp.

She smirks and her eyes leave mine to watch her as she works me with smooth, firm strokes.

She starts off slow, gliding her soft little hand up and over the head, then all the way back down and I grow impossibly harder in her hold. Her other hand slides up my thigh, her nails scratching lightly as it makes its way up my chest, where she gives me a gentle nudge.

My body collapses against the couch cushions willingly, my legs relaxing into the seat. Eyes on her, I watch her hungry gaze roam over my naked form. Her lips part slightly and her hand picks up speed. Dipping her head, her tongue sneaks out to lick the precum that’s shining on the tip of my dick.

A deep grumble escapes, and my hand finds her hair, right as her mouth opens for me.

Her lips don’t touch my skin until she has as much of me in her mouth as she can manage, then she seals them around my shaft, sliding them up while sucking lightly, her tongue rolling against me.

She does it again and again, sucking harder and faster each time, and my head falls back against the couch.

“Damn, baby… mmm.” My grip tightens.

She likes it, the feeling of me pulling on her hair, because her speed picks up, her grip tightening around me, and my hips buck.

Quickly and as gently as I can muster, I push her off me. Reaching down, I squeeze my dick, trying to ease the ache I’ve just created by making her stop.

When her bottom lip pushes out in a fake pout, I launch forward, pulling it between my teeth. I suck it hard, then bite it gently, watching her eyes close from the feeling, a small whimper making its way out of her as she opens for me, begging my tongue to play with hers.

As I lean back, she follows, climbing up to straddle my waist.

My hands slide up her thighs, coming around to squeeze her ass.

She moans into my mouth, grinding her pussy against me. She lifts slightly, waiting for me to enter her, but I don’t just yet.

I reach between us and grab ahold of myself, using the tip of my dick to rub circles against her clit. She’s so ready, her thighs tighten around mine from the simple contact, so I tease her, my head pushing at her opening, then slide it back up to circle her clit again, and her head falls to my shoulder.

She kisses my collarbone, then fists my hair and pulls my head back roughly, taking control of my mouth.

I tease her again, but she was ready for it this time, and drops down with all her might, forcing me all the way inside her.

“Fuck… ” I groan, my hand flying to her ass, pushing her down more, harder.

She nods and brings her forehead to rest against mine, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, her moan coming out as a harsh breath through her nose.

I hold her there, pushing up into her as far as I can go.

“Condom, baby,” I whisper against her lips. “Condom.”

I shift slightly and her eyes squeeze shut, her hold on my shoulder tightening.

“Just pull out.”

Oh, thank fuck.

I nod and move her ass back and forth against me.

She lets out a deep breath and starts riding me, slow and steady, grinding into me, her clit rubbing against my skin.

We’re so close.

My hands slide up under the jersey and I grip her tits in my palms, squeezing them while my thumbs and pointer fingers pinch her nipples, rolling them around.

“Mmm… ” Her head falls back as her speed picks up.

I grab the hem of the jersey. “Up.”

Her arms lift above her head and I whip the jersey off, my mouth immediately closing over her right nipple.

“Oh… fuuuck,” She slides her fingers up my neck, holding my head on her as her hips begin to circle against me.

When I release the right nipple and move to the left, her hands fly to back of the couch, her insides tightening.

She explodes, a long, deep moan coming from within her chest, and her body twitches against mine, but I don’t stop. I reach between us, rubbing her clit, grinding her against me. Within seconds, she’s panting again. Her moans turn into desperate pants and I feel my own release teetering. I quickly pull her off me and lay her on the couch, roll a condom on and push back into her. Her legs lift and wrap around me, her nails leaving marks on my back.

And I’m done.

Groaning, I squeeze her ass hard and push myself inside her to the hilt, my hips twitching and she’s right there with me. Her eyes roll back, her sex squeezing every drop out of me, and I collapse onto her.

Once our breathing has settled, I pull back to look at her.

She gives me the softest smile and traces my jaw with her finger. Lifting her mouth, her lips brush mine gently, and she drops back down. “I love you,” she whispers, a beautiful flush covering her skin.

I run my fingers through her hair, looking deep into her eyes. “I love you, too, baby.”

When I go to stand, she shakes her head, pulls the condom off me and tosses it carelessly to the floor. Both our bodies are slick with sweat, but I couldn’t care less. We can clean up later. My girl wants me to hold her, so that’s what I’m gonna do.

I’ll hold her forever if she lets me.