Walking into Kari's house without Kari is a little strange. Luckily, Brett seems to notice my hesitation as I set my things down in the foyer. He runs his hand down my back, reminding me he is here with me before turning to lock the front door and turn off the alarm system.

Once finished, he turns to look at me. His hands running over my shoulders, and I have a sense of calm come over me even though everything that went down tonight should make me feel frantic and alarmed.

"Listen," Brett says running a hand through his silver flecked hair. "Back at your house, I know things got loud, and maybe I said more than you wanted me to. But listen to me Ella, they weren't just words. They were the truth."

I sigh, letting him wrap me in a hug. He smells so good, so familiar, that I relax against him. "Brett, " I say, with my cheek pressed against his chest. "We don't know what will happen tomorrow with Kari and my parents, but when you spoke so decidedly in the kitchen, well, I know it sounds crazy, and maybe most people would think that we are foolish--but I can't deny the truth either. I have always wanted you. And knowing now that you've wanted me too, makes me feel like this is worth fighting for."

Brett's arms wrap tighter around me, his hands on the base of my neck tilting my face to his. I look into his bright eyes and his mouth meets mine and for just a moment everything in the world stops. I know this is right. Even if others might think it is wrong.

His lips are soft against mine and I run my hands over his cheeks loving the way the stubble feels against the soft skin of my hands. I feel myself sinking into him again; my body responding as if it's memorized him, even though in truth, our bodies have never connected before today. But it feels like second nature because I have been memorizing him for all these years. Not in a creepy stalker way. I've been memorizing him in a completely devoted way, in an I trust you and I want you, way. In an I am yours, way.

He groans, and I already feel his cock growing as he presses me tighter against him. My mind is already running full steam ahead with scenarios of the night that lies ahead of us.

"Take me to your room, Brett. I've never been in it in my entire life. Take me there now. Take me as yours."

He growls in my ear and grabs my hand pulling me after him. He picks up my suitcase in the foyer and we climb the stairs quickly.

His room is on the third floor of the mansion, and a lamp is on the bedside table in his suite. There's a massive king-size bed and en suite bathroom. Walk-in closets and plush carpeted floors.

I know Brett has money; of course, I've been in this house a thousand times. But something about being in his room, with him, feels luxurious and inviting. Sensual.

He sets my suitcase by the open bathroom door, and turns to me. I'm looking at the framed photos on his dresser, of him and Kari through the years.

Being together could equal so much loss for both of us.

Still, I can't help want this forbidden relationship no matter what it may cost.

"Back there, at my parents’ house," I ask, "when you said this wasn't a one-time thing, what did that mean?"

I know what I want it to mean but I don't want to say words that might not come true. It would crush me right now, to think of the scene that happened in my parents’ kitchen if it was all for naught.

"Shush, my little pet. I see everything with you."

He unbuttons his shirt, tears off his undershirt, his chest is bare and I run my hands over his skin and pull him toward the bed.

As I ease him toward me, I think about my suitcase and the lingerie I packed in it. I blush, remembering the other silky sets I had brought for the weekend. Hoping I'd have a use for them. I know exactly what I'm going to do before I have sex with Brett again. I'm gonna dress up and be his little play thing.

Brett has his eyes on me, as I sit on the edge of the bed, my legs parted. My hands run along the waistband of his pants, my pussy growing wet as I trace over the lines of his ripped chest.

I want him to tell me more. I need more assurance.

"When I say I see everything with you, Ella, I mean it. Do I love your bare little pussy dripping for me? Fuck yes. Do I want to lock you in this room and never let you leave, chain you to the bed and put my cock in your little cunt every single day? Hell, yeah. But what I want more is to live this life with you." Then he quickly adds, "I know that might not be fair to ask of you. You're eighteen years old, Ella. In your first semester of college. I can't ask you to change your plans for me."

I shake my head. "Brett, you don't understand. You don't understand all."

That pushes him away from me, with a confused expression. I grab his hand and pull him toward me again. "No, you don't understand that I hate college. I don't want to go to school, I don't want to sit in class and listen to lectures about things I'm not passionate about. Maybe I'll change my mind in five years, ten years. Maybe never.”

"The truth is there are only a few things I really, really want. I want to see the world. I want to explore and open my mind to new experiences. I've always lived in Maine, and now I'm in Boston, which isn't much of an adventure. The only time I've ever left the country is when you took us to the Caribbean. I want to see more and I just don't know how college fits with all that."

He's watching me, and it's clear he is assessing where I'm coming from. "And what's the second thing you want?" he asks.

"The second thing I want?" I shake my head. As if it isn't obvious. "You, Brett. The second thing I want is you."

"So you're saying that you'd give up everything, if it meant that I could fly you around the world?"

I shrug. "I hadn't thought of it like that, but yes. Does that make me seem shallow or that my priorities aren't straight?" I bite my bottom lip wondering if he's judging me for being so simple. For wanting such a simple existence.

"Look, Brett,” I say. “It's true, I don't have great ambition, this massive desire to run for President or become a financial advisor. I just want to live and love, deeply and well. That's all I want. And maybe that's asking for the world––"

"It's not a lot." Brett shakes his head, pulling me up from the bed and lifting me up with his hands gripping my ass. My legs wrap around him and I'm reminded how very strong he is. In his arms, I feel weightless. In his arms, I feel loved.

"It's not a lot," he continues. "It's everything. You may be young, but I wasn't joking when I said you're not like women I know. You have your head on straight. You're not chasing shallow dreams. You’re swimming in deep water. You want to love and be loved, Ella, that's everything. That's what everyone is looking for. Some people spend their whole lives looking for it. Hell, I waited my entire life for this. For you."

Tear spring to my eyes, relieved at the way Brett sees me. He's not judging me or thinking I'm not as valuable because I don't want the fancy-ass career. He sees me. And he likes what he sees.

"This is more than I ever could've asked for," I admit, my forehead resting against him.

"Oh, really?" Brett asks squeezing my ass. "I think there's a few more things you could ask for."

"What?" I ask coyly.

"You could ask me to lick your pussy." He tosses me on the bed, and I laugh, bouncing on his mattress. He climbs on top of me, pinning me to the bed, and I laugh, not wanting him to let go.

"No," I tell him. "That's not what I want right now."

"What do you want, baby?"

"Right now I want to suck your cock."

Brett's mouth is on my neck, and then he's kissing my ears. I'm still fully clothed and he has his pants on. I want us to both be naked, I want our bodies to become one.

"Let me make love to you," he tells me. "Let me make love to you Ella."

"Does that mean..." I manage to whisper.

"It means, I love you. I love you."

I look in his eyes, believing everything he says.

And then he kisses me.