My already overheated body tightened as I rose from the chair. “I think that’s a great idea.”
It didn’t take long to walk from the cafe to the nearby park. As children, we’d spent whole afternoons here with Frank and other kids from our neighbourhood, clambering over the playground equipment and playing chase among the trees. The swings and monkey bars had long since lost their appeal, but we had other reasons for returning to the park these days, especially after sunset.
“Now I have your attention,” Gabi said as we strolled hand-in-hand along the dimly lit footpath, “I’ll ask again. Will you, Lawrence Miller, consent to be my model for the portrait competition?”
I made a face at her. “You want to take photos of me?”
“Hell, yes.” Her gaze skimmed my torso with obvious appreciation before returning to my face. “You’re all hot and sexy. Why wouldn’t I ask you?” she added with a wink. “The prize is a thousand dollars. That would buy me some serious equipment. Sean’s entering, too. He’s roped his sister into posing for him.” She leaned towards me with a conspiratorial whisper. “I kind of want to beat him.”
“Going head-to-head with your best friend.” With a quiet chuckle, I drew her off the path and towards our favourite picnic table. Tucked into the corner of a large grassy area, it was cloaked in darkness. The perfect place for horny teenagers who wanted to disappear for a few minutes of wandering hands and heavy breathing. “That’s why I love you,” I said, backing her up against the end of the table, my hands on her hips. “All kitten on the outside, but a tigress underneath.” I leaned in to nuzzle her neck, inhaling the flowery scent of her perfume. “Now, tell me more about how good looking I am.”
Laughing, she wrapped her arms around my neck. “I think you already know you’re a hottie. But you’re also sweet,” she added with a kiss to my cheek, “and kind,” a kiss to the other cheek, “and patient.”
“Ugh.” I wrinkled my nose in a show of distaste. “That doesn’t sound at all butch or manly.”
“Hey, patience can be sexy too, you know.” Standing tall, she moved closer until her breasts brushed against my chest. “In fact, you’re so irresistible, I’ve been thinking…” Her voice quivered slightly, and she paused to swallow. “Maybe you don’t need to be patient much longer.”
My body went rigid and my breath came faster in my chest. I thought I knew what she meant, but I didn’t want to assume. Taking hold of her hand, I curled it between us, against the centre of my chest. “What exactly are you saying, Gabi?”
She didn’t meet my gaze, but the tiniest of smiles curved her lips. “I keep having this dream,” she whispered. “You’re making love to me and it feels so incredibly good.” My fingers tightened on her hip as our bodies pressed closer. “Every time I wake up alone, I wish you were there. I want you to be my first, Law.” Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and a bolt of pure lust shot through me. “I’m ready.”
My mouth covered hers in a desperate kiss and she responded in kind. Our hands were everywhere at once, our bodies straining against each other as we fed the flames we’d been stoking for months. The thought of having sex with Gabi brought me to the edge in seconds and when she moaned into my mouth, I had to force myself to back away.
“Are you sure?” I asked, my breath harsh and loud. “I want you to be sure, and not just because your brother will kill me if he finds out about this.”
“Frank is not my keeper,” she said with a pointed look. “This is my choice and I’ve made it. Besides, he’s used to seeing us together now. He’s not going to kill you.”
“You think? You weren’t there for the lecture I got about how badly I’d broken the Bro Code by falling for my best friend’s little sister.” Gabi and I were the same age for three months out of every year, but as far as Frank was concerned, I was still a disreputable lech. He’d gotten over it after the first two months of our relationship—mostly.
Shrugging her shoulders, Gabi gave a dramatic sigh. “If it makes you feel better, we couldneverhave sex. Then, Frank won’t—”
“Forget I said anything.” I shook my head, smiling as I cupped her face in my hands. “Tell me when, Gabi. When do I get to make sweet love to your delectable body?” I nuzzled her neck and she giggled as her head tilted back to give me better access.
“After graduation,” she said without hesitation. “I need to concentrate on the last of my exams right now, but after they’re done, I’ll be moving on to the next part of my life. I want to do that with you.”
“I’ll be counting down the days.” My hands roamed her body at will, eager to get started, needing to hold back. “Literally counting.”
“Same here,” she breathed, her fingers digging into my waist as she moved against me.
“I love you, Gabrielle.” I whispered the words against her lips, feeling my heart thunder in agreement.
“I love you, too.” The eager excitement on her face told me the wait would be as hard for her as it would be for me. Damn, it was already hard. She had to be able to feel my erection through our clothes, but she didn’t move away.
Lowering my head, I kissed her again. Her lips parted and I slid inside to taste the coffee and cinnamon of her mouth. I couldn’t get enough of her. The soft sighs and gentle curves. This was how I knew I wasn’t gay, because of my love for Gabi. I desired her with everything inside me. The way she smelled, like some exotic flower, rare and intoxicating. The way her breasts filled my hands and her hips flared out from her waist. The lure of her femininity held me captive in every way. Connor’s mouth could never make me feel this way. Connor’s body could never make me this hard. The strength of his hands, the musky scent of his sweat… “Connor.” My dick pulsed—hard—and I had to bite down on my bottom lip to keep from crying out.
Gabi went still. Removing her mouth from my throat, she looked up at me with raised eyebrows. “I know there’s areallygood reason why you said Connor’s name just now.” She wasn’t horrified, only confused. A clear indication she had no idea of the depths of my depravity. “This is the part where you fill me in,” she added with a little more steel in her tone.
I stared at her, wide-eyed with shock. What the fuck was I supposed to say? I moved to sit on the seat of the picnic bench. Gabi lowered herself onto the far side, waiting expectantly.
“Sorry,” I began, grasping at the first idea that came to mind. “I was thinking, you should ask Connor to be your model for the competition.”
Her head tilted to one side. “Why were you thinking that?”
I cleared my throat. “It would be good for his confidence.”
Gabi’s mouth pursed and she clasped her hands in front of her. “Let me rephrase the question. Why were you thinking that while making out with me?”
My mind raced. I couldn’t tell her the truth. She’d dump me before the words finished leaving my mouth. I didn’t want to lose her. “I needed to think about something other than you or I was going to… um… you know.”
