With a final shift of her hips, she threw back her head, screaming out as she came long and hard. Slamming into her rougher, unable to contain my own sounds, I felt the rush of pleasure, then closed my eyes and growled out a loud groan, my cum jetting inside her. My arms shook with the strain, and I let go of the headboard, wrapping my arms around my girl, tucking my head into her hair, rocking within her slowly, winding us both back down.

Completely sated, I stared down at my girl beneath me, whispering, “Hey, Mol.”

Blinding me with a smile, she replied, “Hey, you.”

As that stark realization took hold of me, I confessed, “You’re everything I thought I could never have. Making love to you, it was… you know… beyond…”

I couldn’t look at her and, like a damn coward, buried my face in her neck. I could be a possessive ass, but sharing my feelings wasn’t something I found easy. I wanted Molly to know, though; she deserved to know how much I adored her.

Kissing my head and stroking my hair, she sighed. “Romeo… it was… beautiful.”

We stayed that way for a while until it was necessary for me to move, and as I pulled out of her, she winced.

“You sore?” I asked.

“A little.”

It made me damn proud that she was feeling where I’d just been, what we’d just done, and I told her so.

To that she simply replied, “I’m glad you’re pleased with yourself.”

After cleaning up, I returned to bed, smiling at Mol as she laid waiting for me back in bed. Sliding in beside her, I tucked her into my chest, combing out the knots in her hair with my fingers, her humming in response. I’d never had this, this happy after state of making love. It’d always been quick, rough and I’d roll over, ignoring whoever I’d just f**ked, or even better, send them on home. But lying here, happily spent, with my girl beside me… Shit, it was incredible.

“Tell me something you’ve never told anyone,” I said quietly, becoming addicted to our new closeness and wanting to explore it more.

I felt the instant panic seize her breath so I quickly took a hand, feeling her relax.

“Like what?” she asked nervously.

“Anything. Just something no one else knows. Some deep secret or fear that you have.”

Lifting her head, she met my eyes and hers filled with water. I squeezed her hand in support as she whispered, “I get so lonely that at times I literally think it might kill me.”

I was sure my heart stopped beating. I could handle my own shit, but hearing her sound so broken, so down, almost killed me.

She never took her eyes from mine, smiling a watery smile. In an instant, I had her in my arms, kissing everywhere possible, every inch of skin. She was lonely. All the studying, the solitude, was a defense… just like me with my football.

“Molly, baby, you’re breaking my f**king heart,” I said tightly, wondering how the hell an insensitive guy like me could take away her pain.

“It’s true and I’ve never told anyone that until just now… until you. For me, it’s been the hardest thing. It’s amazing how loud the sound of silence can be screaming at you relentlessly, reminding you that you’re completely on your own in the world.”

“Can I tell you something?” I said almost inaudibly, as if my mouth opened of its own accord and a part of my soul fought to get free.

Bracing in anticipation, her breath held as I confessed, “I’m desperately lonely, too.”

Relief and understanding flashed across her face and my girl crumpled in my arms, the floodgates bursting free and years of pent-up heartache making her almost inconsolable. I didn’t know if it was the sound of her breaking or seeing her so raw, but she forced me to face my own demons, and I let my own sadness leak through for the first time in years.

Holding Molly tight, I said, “We don’t have to feel lonely anymore, baby. I have you and you me.”

Shifting back, she wiped at her eyes, laughing, “This is crazy, Romeo. We’ve known each other for such a short space of time, yet I feel as if I’ve known you my whole life.”

It may have been the wrong time to joke, but smirking, I said, “We’re star-crossed, Shakespeare. Fateful, star-crossed lovers. We have a lifetime to get to know each other, unlike our namesakes.” Dropping the humor, driven intention taking its place, I assured, “I’ll make sure we get our happily ever after…”

She settled on my chest, her breathing evening out, when I asked, “That quote on your hip, tell me about it.”