I guess I want to soak it up too. I can’t remember ever being happier than I am right this second.
When we all start to fall quiet—a clear sign everyone’s just about to head home—Vaughn brushes my hair away from my neck and leans in.
“Hey, I have another idea.” His words tickle the nape of my neck as he speaks.
“Will this one leave me smelling like dog?” I raise my hands up to see if I still smell like Pip.
“I think you smell nice.” He nuzzles farther into thecrook of my neck and kisses me there. My body lights up. I never thought I’d be ready to give up my virginity in high school, but Vaughn has me reconsidering a lot of things.
We get to our feet and that pushes everyone else in motion. Vaughn squeezes my hand and then walks ahead of me to Rowan and Austin. He slings one arm over each of their shoulders.
Claire falls back to walk with me. She links her arm through mine. “You look happy.”
“I am.” I let my head fall to the side so it rests on her shoulder.
She squeezes my arm tighter. “Everything feels like it worked out exactly the way it should have.”
“Yeah.” Hard to believe I’m agreeing with her, but it does feel that way.
Before either of us can say anything else, Vaughn jogs back.
He looks to Claire, “You and Austin are going to meet us at the school in about thirty minutes.”
“O-kay.” She says the word slowly, but her curious smile gives away her excitement.
“What are you up to, Collins?” I ask as he opens the passenger door of his Range Rover.
Instead of answering, he wears a cocky smirk.
I don’t bother asking again until we’re pulling up to a private stretch of lake. It’s dark and quiet with only the headlights illuminating the grassy bank and water beyond.
“What are we doing?”
“Only a few more things on the list.”
I think it over and a smile pulls at my lips. “Number fifteen!”
“You didn’t really think I was going to miss out on that one, did you?” He opens his door.
Laughing, I get out to join him. He meets me at the front of his SUV.
Nerves bounce around in my stomach as we jog down to the water. We stop and stare at each other breathlessly. Vaughn kicks his dress shoes off first, then his socks. I slip out of my heels while he removes his shirt and pants.
“Can you unzip me?” I turn and he steps closer. His fingers brush against my bare skin, sending a chill through me. Slowly, he tugs the zipper down.
I swivel around again to face him and slowly let the dress fall to my feet. As I step out of it, he stares at me unabashedly.
Next, I unhook my bra and put it with my dress. A cool breeze blows my hair and caresses my skin but the way he looks at me has warmth spreading through me.
“On three?” I suggest, looping my thumbs through the band of my panties. They’re all that’s preventing him from seeing me naked.
I thought I’d feel nervous, and I do a little, but it’s more excitement than anything else.
“One,” he says.
“Two.” A wide smile stretches across my face.
He pauses and I watch his mouth for the next number. Anticipation thrums through me as he grins back.
