“Good,” she whispers, threading her fingers in my hair. “Tell me what makes you feel good.”
With her here in my arms, my answer is easy. “You make me feel good, Eddie. That’s all I need.”
Mallory kisses me one last time, long and soft. Her hands holds my face as she sits up and aligns herself with me. “Ready?”
I can’t find my voice, so I nod through a shuddering breath. My fingers dig into her thighs as she lowers herself onto me, and I’m glad we’re sitting because I’m sure my knees would have given out from the feeling of being inside her. The room is frozen for a moment, soft gasps leaving her pretty lips as she adjusts to the tight fit.
I lose my breath as I sink deeper and deeper into her perfect pussy, desperate to move, but also desperate to stay here for as long as she will let me. “Ohfuck, I’m not going to last long.”
“Me either,” she gasps. “It’ll be perfect.”
Placing her hands on my chest, we move together. Even now, she’s not afraid to tell me exactly how she feels about me, whispering promises into the space around us. How much she loves me. How special I am to her. How much she trusts me.
It’s in this moment that I know I’ll never be the same.
Like that day on the stairs, I’m reminded that Mallory’s the one who started it all. The want for a life more than just surviving. The need to love and be loved.
I’m entirely hers.
From below, I watch as she bounces, skin damp and glittering in the pale light. Coils fall over her eyes, sticking to her cheeks and neck.
“Baby,” she cries with a stifled breath.
“I know, honey. Me too.”
I pull her chest to mine. My name falls from her lips like a prayer, and the sound of skin against skin fills the room as our movements turn desperate. A sharp bite on my shoulder sends a shudder of pleasure down my cock, but I need her to come first. I thrust harder, following her pleas to not stop, and hitting the perfect spot over and over until she falls.
And I fall with her.
Our breathing is labored, damp foreheads pressed together as we catch our breath. Mallory’s hair hangs around us, creating a shield between us and the outside world. It’s just us in our own little bubble, and I want nothing more than to hide here for a little while longer.
Against my protests, Mallory unhooks herself from me with a quick kiss and slips on my dress shirt before leaving the room.
I’m not sure how long my eyes are closed, but when they reopen, Mallory is dressed in my—now her—hoodie, with her hair wrapped, resting on the edge of the bed. She watches me carefully, returning my wave with a cautious smile.
“I love you.” I sit up and take her in. “How are you?”
“I love you, and I feel great. As tired as I am, I wouldn’t be opposed to going again,” Mallory says with a wink.
I hop off the bed and toss her over my shoulder, letting the sweet sound of her laughter wrap itself around my heart. She talks a big game, but her voice is thick with sleep, eyes already fluttering as I rub circles on her lower back. This is one of those memories I’ll hold close. I’m going to sit here all night, wrapped up with the love of my life.
My Edwards.
My Ed.
My Eddie.
Chapter Forty-Six
Campus being empty feelsweird.
I hook my tote over my shoulder, trudging down the sidewalk to the Hilliard School of Public Health building. It’s been a week since we found out Kenneth won, and today is the day I discuss my new schedule and graduation date with my advisor. I can already hear Ms. Silva’s smug laugh and the uncomfortable conversation that awaits me.
Right now, the only thing I care about is getting this meeting over with, crawling back into bed, and finishing off the pint of ice cream I started last night while hanging out with Shay and Kenneth. It feels as if everyone is walking on eggshells around me. Like they mutually agreed to not bring up the Brain Bowl or my loss, as if not talking about it will make it all go away.
I still talk about it though. Sometimes it’s all I think about.
Mama says she’s proud of me. Kenneth and my counselor Sharon haven’t stopped saying it either. I’d feel like a coddled child if it wasn’t for the fact that I am proud of myself too. Emotions are weird, because I am proud, frustrated, scared, sad, and worried all at the same time.
