My new boss is also the man who took my virginity.

Wait, no. That came out wrong, although it’s technically true.

He wasn’t my boss at the time. He was just a boy, and I was just a girl. We talked, we laughed, and we loved. Then things got too complicated and we parted ways.

Looking back, it should’ve been simple. We could’ve tried harder; we could’ve made good on our promises. And then maybe I would’ve avoided all the heartache and pain I’ve gone through over the past few years.

Could’ve.

Should’ve.

Would’ve.

But we were young.

I was just starting college. It was a time for fun and adventure. Life was about meeting new people. Having a serious boyfriend would’ve held me back from new experiences.

And I didn’t want to put Zeke in danger either. I knew my dad—his boss at the time—would’ve pummelled him into pulp had he known that Zeke had taken my V-card, when he was supposed to be guarding me.

Yes, that’s right. He used to work for my dad, and now I’m going to work for him.

It’s a big role reversal, for sure. But I’ve known Zeke for ten years now, and that’s not even the biggest change between us over the years.

But now is not the time to be thinking about old times. I need to finish my shower and get ready for work.

But I find myself stalling, and I’m blaming this dream that I had this morning.

The dream was just getting good when my alarm started blaring, shoving me into the real world. I woke up with throbbing at the juncture of my thighs.

Even now, as hot water hits my skin, I can’t stop thinking about it…

In the dream, I’m eighteen again. I’m living in my parents’ grand mansion, surrounded by luxury and opulence.

Zeke and I are sitting on a couch with our arms touching. The part of my skin that makes contact with him is burning up.

It feels strange… Funny. I’ve ever been this close to a guy before. My heart is beating fast. I’m eager to learn more about these new sensations.

There’s no one else in the house except for us. Oh, there are the guards, of course, but they’re all outside, patrolling the premises.

Zeke should be outside as well, but he has never been one to follow the rules.

At twenty-one, he has already collected almost a sleeve of tattoos. And just before we put on the Godfather DVD, he offered to go to the liquor store and buy us some beer.

I said no to the alcohol, but I’m regretting it. Some liquid courage would’ve helped with my nerves, which are going wild right now.

On the screen, the credits are rolling.

What are we going to do next?

“Hey, Ali.” Zeke turns toward me, smiling with a mischievous glint in his brown eyes—they seem almost black in this darkness.

“Hey, Zeke.” I return his smile and turn to face him. I’m rewarded by a heavy, masculine hand on my waist.

And just like that, things start to change. He’s transitioned from being one of my dad’s employees, to something more.

“Do you really have to leave in four days?” Zeke asks. He shifts forward and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re going to be so far away from me.”

My heart, which has already been racing for a while, starts pounding.

He doesn’t usually talk like that to me. We don’t usually get this close with each other.

This is different. This feels strange. But this… I want this.

“The ticket is bought and paid for,” I say, my chest tight as I think about leaving him.

“Too bad,” he whispers. He leans closer and then, his lips land on mine.

Oh my god.

Zeke Harris has just kissed me.

I can't believe this is happening, but it feels too real for it to just be a dream.

His lips are hot and firm. They heat up my whole body, starting from my chest and spreading all the way to my scalp and the tips of my toes.

He moves closer, and the couch between us dips deeper, as if conspiring to pull us closer.

There's no need for some divine intervention, though. This is happening.

It has taken us three years, but we’re here now, finally.

With my lack of experience, I don’t know the details of what’s about to happen next. But I have an idea. The girls at school have been talking about it enough for me to get the gist.

And I’ve been playing with myself enough to know it’s going to feel good—and I bet it’s going to feel a lot better with Zeke than it does when I’m on my own.

Unlike me, Zeke seems to know exactly what to do.

His tongue tastes my lips and explores my mouth, while his hands touch my breasts and my butt. They run up my thighs until they reach the top.

My lips part and a strange sound escapes. A moan. Is that really me? It’s kind of sexy.

Slowly, Zeke takes off my shirt and my pink sweatpants, as well as my bra and panties. He’s shedding his black shirt and jeans, too. Our clothes lay on top of one another on the floor.

Soon enough, he’s on top of me, as well.

Without a word, he puts his hard cock at my opening as he hovers over me. The ghostly glow from the TV screen falls on one side of his face, making him appear more threatening than usual. But whatever he wants from me, I want it too.

Staring into my soul with his dark eyes, Zeke pushes inside. It hurts at first, but his soothing hand, stroking my hair, makes it bearable.

So many new sensations. And they’re all so wonderful, so intense, so overwhelming…

I cry out as my whole body shudders, releasing my pent-up arousal. My voice echoes in the bathroom, but the sound of the water drowns it out.

I take the shower head away from between my legs and place it back in the holder mounted on the wall.

I’m trying to save money, so I really shouldn’t be wasting water. And I’m rushing to get ready for work, so I really shouldn’t be wasting time either.

But after my sexy dream ended abruptly, can you blame a girl for indulging?

That night was magical, but we had so little time to spend together.

Regret fills my chest as I think about how different things would’ve been, had we made different choices back then. Because even after all these years, no man has ever made me feel the way Zeke did.

If I had dared to tell my parents, if Zeke had made good on his promises, if we had put more effort into it…

There are too many ifs.

Still, I can’t help but wonder… Would we have a little family by now? Maybe we’d already have a child together—or two.

We could’ve been perfect.

I can’t believe I’ll finally see Zeke again, seven years after he took my virginity.

I’m nervous and excited at the same time. And scared.