"And if it doesn't work out?" I ask. "What if I stay and we realize this was just a moment? Just something that felt bigger than it was because of the fire and the fear and the adrenaline?"
He shifts so he is looking down at me, his expression serious. "Do you really think that is all this is?"
I swallow hard. "No."
"Neither do I," he says. "I think this is real. I think you are real. And I think we would be idiots to walk away from something this good just because we are scared."
"I'm terrified," I whisper.
"Me too," he says. "But I would rather be terrified with you than safe without you."
The words settle into my chest, warm and solid and true.
"Okay," I say.
He blinks. "Okay?"
"Okay, I'll stay. I'll figure it out. I'll find a way to make it work."
The smile that spreads across his face is bright enough to light the entire room. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," I say, and I feel the rightness of the decision settle into my bones.
The distant wail of sirens pierces the night, a grim reminder of the fire evacuation warning that's turned our town into a ghost of flashing lights and hurried whispers. We're crammed into Dylan's mum's house, the air is thick from the smoke haze outside. Maddie, is asleep in the next room, her soft breaths the only calm in this storm. Dylan's hand trembles as he pulls me into his arms, pulling me close and bringing me into a secret we can't take back.
My heart hammers against my ribs, emotions swirling; it’s the fear from the flames licking the horizon, relief that we're safe here for now, and this aching need for him that's been building for months. It's our first time, and everything feels raw, exposed.He cups my face, his eyes dark with the same chaos raging inside me. “Piper,” he whispers, voice rough, “I can't lose you in this mess. I love you.” The words hit me like a spark, igniting everything.
Tears sting my eyes as I press my lips to his. “I love you too, Dylan. God, I do.”
We kiss desperately, our tongues tangling, his hands sliding under my shirt to trace my skin. I gasp into his mouth, but he shushes me gently, glancing toward the door. 'Quiet, baby. Maddie's right there.' His fingers fumble with my jeans, peeling them down my thighs, and I kick them off, my panties following. The cool air hits my bare pussy, already slick with want. He strips his shirt, revealing the taut muscles of his chest, then shoves his pants down, his hard cock springing free.
I wrap my hand around him, stroking slowly, feeling him throb in my grip. He groans low, biting his lip to stifle it, and guides me to the bed. We collapse onto the creaky mattress, our bodies aligning. His mouth finds my neck, sucking softly, then trails down to my breasts. He takes a nipple between his lips, tongue flicking, and I arch, biting my own fist to muffle the moan. The world's burning outside, but here, it's just us, a love confessed, and our barriers crumbling.
He positions himself between my legs, the head of his cock nudging my entrance. “You ready?' he breathes, eyes locked on mine. I nod, pulling him closer. He pushes in slowly, inch by inch, stretching me open. It burns at first, a sweet ache, then pleasure floods as he fills me completely. I cling to his shoulders, my nails digging in,and our breaths syncing in hushed rhythm. He starts thrusting, he’s gentle at first, his hips rolling deep, and his cock dragging against my walls. I rock up to meet him, my pussy clenching around him, the friction building heat low in my belly.
“So tight,” he murmurs, his forehead pressed to mine, sweat beading on his skin. I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him faster, but he keeps it controlled, every slide quiet and intense. The sirens fade; it's just the slick sounds of us loving each other, and my wetness coating him. Tension coils tighter, my clit throbbing as he grinds against it. I come first, waves crashing silent but fierce, body shuddering beneath him. He follows, burying his face in my neck, cock pulsing as he spills inside me, hot cum flooding my core.
We stay locked, panting softly, his weight a comfort. In this fragile haven, amid the chaos, we've claimed each other, first time, forever etched.
He kisses me again, deeper this time, and I feel the shift between us. The promise, the commitment, and the choice to build something together instead of walking away.
When we finally pull apart, he holds me close, and I listen to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat until I fall asleep.
Chapter 9
Dylan
Morning light filtersthrough mom’s guest room curtains, warm and soft, and for a moment, I forget where I am. Then I feel the weight of Piper's body against mine, her head tucked under my chin, her hand resting over my heart, and everything comes rushing back.
The fire, the evacuation that followed, and the fear that clawed at my chest like a living thing.
And then this. Piper and the promise we made to each other in the dark.
I press a kiss to her hair and breathe in the scent of her shampoo, it’s something tropical. She stirs against me, making a soft sound of protest when I shift slightly.
"What time is it?" she mumbles.
I check my phone on the nightstand. "Almost eight."
