“Don’t worry, Thorn. I’ll go slow.”
Rosie nodded with a shy grin. “I’m more excited than nervous. I imagined this moment a thousand times.”
Maybe it should have been more special, in an actual bed, with roses and fancy dinner. But she wasn’t one of those material girls for whom those things mattered. What mattered for us was the emotional connection that we formed over the course of the past year.
And since I couldn’t shower her with real gifts, I showered her with my attention, care, and love.
With gentle hands and whispered words, making sure she felt cherished, loved, and safe. I entered her with more care than I had ever given anyone before. I paid attention to all her small gasps and the way she tensed up.
My lips didn’t leave her body, trailing kisses on her chest, neck, and face while watching all her reactions.
When she tensed, I slowed down. When she urged me on, I followed her lead. It was awkward and sweet and perfect in all the ways that mattered.
She squeezed me so tight, it took all my self-control not to mess this up and come within the first seconds. I really wanted to make it last for her and for myself.
It might have been Rosie’s first time, but it was my first time with a girl since my injury. And it felt like a big step for both of us.
The sounds of our bodies moving against each other filled the studio as soft moans echoed through the mirrored room. I wished I could see us all intertwined, but I knew there would bemore time.
“I've got you,” I murmured as she held onto me tightly, her breath coming in quick gasps. “I've always got you.”
“I know,” she nodded, her face buried into my neck. “I trust you.”
We moved in unison; Rosie’s moans grew louder as she lost control under me. I’ve never felt more at peace when she trembled in my arms and climaxed, her beautiful face lighting up with pleasure only I could cause her.
I followed shortly after her, coming with a loud groan before collapsing on top of her, but my mouth never left her skin. She tasted salty from the slight sweat we worked up, and she never looked more perfect, with her hair messy around her, lips swollen, and cheeks flushed.
She was perfect.
And mine.
Afterward, we lay tangled together on the narrow couch, her head on my chest, my arms wrapped around her like I could protect her from everything waiting outside this room.
“No regrets?” I asked quietly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Not even one.” She tilted her head up to look at me, her eyes soft and satisfied. “That was... You were...”
“You were perfect,” I finished for her. “Are perfect.”
She blushed, hiding her face against my neck. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Thorn.” I held her tighter. “No matter what happens with Aaron, no matter how hard this gets, this is real. We're real.”
“We're real,” she echoed, and I felt her smile against my skin.
We stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, pretending the outside world didn't exist. But eventually, reality crept back in. She needed to get home before Aaron noticed she was gone. I had early practice in the morning.
As we got dressed, stealing kisses between pulling onclothes, the weight of our secret felt different now. Heavier, yes, but also more worth protecting.
“After Westpoint,” she said again, like a promise.
“After Westpoint,” I agreed. “We tell him everything.”
She kissed me one more time at the door, long and deep, like she was memorizing the taste of me.
“See you tomorrow,” she whispered. “Where we have to pretend we're just friends.”
“Just a few more weeks,” I promised, though each word tasted like a lie.
