I happily obey, sucking and lifting my tongue. I’ve learned plenty in videos and even though he’s bigger and doing is different, I can tell how close he is. His belly keeps tightening and the way he grips my breast is between firm and almost too hard. He squeezes like he’s milking me, then grips the back of my head and thrusts into my throat.
I suck in a breath at the same time, then he finishes. My name is a harsh growl from his throat as he fills my mouth. I keep sucking softly, keep licking gently, even when he shivers until he slowly, gently pulls out. He tips my chin up while I swallow, then kisses me gently, softly.
He sighs and settles into bed next to me. I swallow again and reach for a blanket, determined to cover myself even though he’s seen and kissed nearly every inch of me. I can’t believe we did that. I can’t believe it took so long too.
But it doesn’t fill in the answers I need.
Wes lays on his back, then slides his arm under my head, pulling me closer to him. I settle against his side as he wraps a sheet around us both. His chest is still bare, but he makes sure I’m covered from breasts to thighs. Shuddering, I bite my lip, then look up at him.
I’ve never had a problem starting a conversation with him, but I’m not sure what to do after that. I’m still shaking, still breathless, and pleasure keeps nipping at me. Wes smiles and kisses my forehead.
“You left.” It spills out of me. His smile falls and he nods once, suddenly serious. I swallow. “It hurt, Wes. You were just gone. I didn’t know if I did something wrong. I didn’t know where your head was at. You were gone and silence is worse than saying ‘I need time’ or something like that.”
He looks at my hand on his chest and takes it. He kisses each finger slowly, then my palm. After a slow exhale, he turns the full force of his eyes on me. “I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t know what to do after kissing you. It wasn’t bad. It was … impossibly good and I didn’t know what to do with that.”
“Stay. Kiss me again. Tell me that,” I whisper.
“I had to work everything out logically. I let my feelings take over once and it led to me in the infirmary because I didn’t think. I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want to do this and not be certain. I’ve already claimed your first time.”
“And are clearly very sorry.”
He chuckles and kisses my palm again, then the inside of my wrist. “I want to be respectful. I want to show you what you deserve. Rushing into things, not being sure about what will happen after we satisfy the lust … I couldn’t do that to you and I can’t.”
“So … you have a plan now?” I start to pull away. “After questioning things.”
“Questioning what to do, not you. I didn’t doubt what I feel for you. The fact I love you is so obvious that even Michael knows it.”
“You … you love me?” I ask.
He blushes. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen it. He pulls my hand to his cheek and nods. “Don’t say it back. Whether you feel it or not. I can’t take another first. But I’m not going anywhere, Hailey. It’s you and me, as long as you’ll give this – us – a chance. A real one. I’m all in.”
“That’s all I’ve wanted. I just … I thought doubt got the best of you,” I admit.
“The age difference doesn’t bother you?” he asks.
“No. I told you I recognized you. I knew that you were older from the start,” I answer. “Does my dad bother you?”
“Slightly, but I’ll get over it. I’ll take care of it. Because you’re worth it,” he answers.
“Not just words this time,” I whisper. “No running away.”
“Never again,” he answers. He kisses me slowly, pulling me closer to him. “Doubt’s an obstacle I’m happy to remove for both of us. I’ll prove myself every day, baby. Starting by us cleaning up together, then me telling you everything I can think of until you fall asleep in my arms.”
Chapter 14 - Wes
Hailey hums softly as she wakes, stretching like she has nowhere else to be. She turns toward me and blushes, eyes warm and sleepy.
“Now you have to get out of here,” she murmurs, amused. “Before someone notices you coming from the dorms.”
I smile despite myself and lean down to kiss her—slow, gentle, lingering—then steal another before she can protest. She laughs quietly, tugging a shirt over her head as I step back and pull on the rest of my clothes.
“I’ll distract anyone who comes by,” she whispers, half teasing, half serious.
“I don’t need distractions,” I murmur, brushing my thumb along her jaw one last time. “I just need five minutes.”
I slip out while the hallway is still quiet, taking the longer route back to my own dorm, keeping my head down and my pace steady. When I pass Michael later, he either doesn’t notice—or chooses not to.
Either way, I don’t look back.
