We kissed again like we were making up for all the days we had spent pretending our feelings weren’t what they were for each other—every year, day, hour, second—our breaths became shallow and irregular. Whatever had happened in the days, weeks, or years to come, none of it could compare to this moment.
As Josh entered me, I cried out, even as he whispered in my ear, “God, you feel better than my dreams.”
I let out a deep moan, my hands immediately clutching on to his broad shoulders for support. He looked down at me with a mix of love and lust in his eyes. He was a sight, bare like this, perfectly fitting against me. I never wanted to forget it. Ever.
Our bodies moved against each other at a rapid pace, as we knew that right now was not the time for languidness. That was for later. A good thing, considering I wasn’t sure if I could stand it slow and steady as the sensation of him inside of me felt likeelectricity, sending me higher with every movement that my hips rose to meet. I was dizzy with desire.
Josh gently brushed my hair, threading his fingers in it and sending shivers down my spine. “You’re so beautiful. So perfect for me.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
“I love you too, Josh,” I whispered.
His eyes locked on to mine, and I saw a mix of emotions—love, passion, and was that the all-too-familiar hint of worry?
“Don’t look so scared,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “I trust you.”
“I’m not scared. Not anymore” He paused for a moment, looking deep into my eyes. “I’m ready.”
“For what?”
“Everything, so long as I’m with you.”
I held him tighter as the weight of his words settled upon us. Our bodies continued to move fast and in unison, our breaths entwined. I felt like I was shocked into motion, taking as much as I could, until we both gasped. I tensed and cried out against his sharp moan.
“Josh.” I shuddered.
“I got you.” He breathed heavily, holding me through my peak until I was all the way back down with him again. “I got you.”
thirty
“Everyone’s going to know now,”I murmured as I curled into Josh’s chest, still breathless, still not quite believing what had just happened between us.
Josh’s fingers trailed gently up and down my spine, grounding me in the aftermath. “Don’t worry,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of my hair. “I’ll be right by your side. I promised, didn’t I?”
One by one, we started pulling ourselves back together—pants tugged on, sweaters smoothed out. I tried to move efficiently, but my gaze kept drifting back to him. I couldn’t help it. I stared at the freckle tucked in the slope of his shoulder, the slight dimple above his hipbone, the curve of muscle along his lower back, which I made a mental note to revisit when we weren’t hiding upstairs during a family Christmas party.
Josh caught me staring and smirked. “Not tonight though.”
“Not tonight,” I echoed with a sigh, though I didn’t look away. “Think anyone’s noticed we’ve been gone?”
“Eh,” he said, shrugging as he buckled his belt, “not unless they’re paying attention. Though I’m pretty sure my mom already knows.”
I straightened, surprised. “What?”
He shot me a knowing look. “She keeps slipping your name into every conversation. Like, ‘Is Brielle still writing her newsletter?’ Or, ‘Brielle likes those cookies, remember?’ It’s been … frequent.”
I frowned. “You think she knows?”
“I think anyone with eyes could tell how completely in love I am with you.”
The air caught in my throat. I stared at him, lips parted, suddenly less concerned with how my sweater was still half untucked and more concerned with the fact that I might melt into the floor.
We definitely didn’t have time for another round, but when his eyes crinkled with that sparkle, playful and sincere, I felt myself wanting to throw caution—and my jeans—to the wind.
I shook my head, grinning. “Where’s your belt?”
He glanced around.
