“Oh my god, Caleb.” Her voice comes out all breathy, and it instantly stirs things down south. I quickly adjust myself while I watch her reaction. I have imagined it many times, and now the moment is here, it’s a little surreal. Her hand covers her mouth as she walks to the left wall. “These are…this is…” She’s all choked up, and emotion glimmers in her eyes.
Walking up behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on top of her head. “Every picture and hand-drawn card you have ever given me.”
She trails her finger over the little raised tabs underneath each frame. It’s stamped with the year she drew it. Air trickles out of her mouth in rattled spurts as we move silently down the wall while she inspects every piece of her custom artwork. “You planned ahead,” she whispers, skimming her fingers over the empty space above last year’s tab.
“It was clearly presumptuous of me.” I attempt to make light of it, but looking at the empty space where last year’s birthday drawing and card should be always brings a painful lump to my throat.
“No.” She turns around in my arms, fixing me with glassy eyes. “That’s on me. I’m so sorry, Caleb. I should have spoken to you about those girls at the time it happened instead of freezing you out.” Pain flares in her eyes. “It killed me avoiding your birthday party, and I…” She reaches up, dragging her fingers through my stubble, and I barely manage to stifle a moan. “I still have them.”
“Have what?” I ask, struggling to focus on the conversation with the way her soft fingertips are caressing my face.
“Your birthday card and drawing.” Steely reserve is etched across her face. “Come up to the apartment tomorrow, and I’ll give them to you.” She turns back to the wall, lowering her hands from my face, and I try not to pout. “I can’t believe you did this, Caleb. I’m in shock.”
I hug her closer to my body. “I told you it’s always been you. This is my special space. When I’m feeling low or in need of cheering up, I come in here and play music or read as I look at every piece of art you’ve ever given me, and it has always soothed my soul. You’re my happy place, Lil. My home. My comfort. My joy.”
“Caleb.” She spins around again, throwing her arms around my neck. “I am so incredibly, deeply in love with you. I have never been so happy. I pinch myself every day when I wake because I wanted this for so long and now it’s happening and some days it all feels like a dream.”
“It’s real, angel. We’re the real deal, and I’m going nowhere.”
We spend a couple of hours drinking wine and reminiscing over old times while Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley play in the background. Having her in here feels like everything has come full circle. It feels like I’m exactly where I belong, and my life is finally complete.
I cannot wait to make Elisa Salerno my wife, and I vow to begin planning a Paris trip so I can propose and finally see the lily ring I bought for her on her finger.
I turn on my bedside lamp and switch off the main lights in my bedroom as I wait for Lili to emerge from the bathroom. It’s the first night she is staying over at my place, and I’m more excited than a kid on Christmas morning—at the prospect of justholding her in my arms. I’m not expecting anything. I’m letting her set the pace, and I refuse to put her under any pressure, especially when she’s taking exams.
The bathroom door opens, and I peel back the covers making room for my love. Elisa pads toward the bed, and my eyes widen as I drink her in. She’s wearing a thigh-skimming silk and lace nightie that glides over her gorgeous body, leaving little to the imagination.
My cock instantly springs to life. “Fuck.” I rub at my lips as I watch a pretty flush stain her cheeks. “Are you trying to kill me, Lil?”
She giggles as she climbs into the bed and crawls over my lap. “That’s not what I had in mind.” Leaning down, she kisses me passionately, and I grab her ass through her nightie, groaning as she grinds shyly on top of my erection.
“What are you up to, angel?” I ask, nuzzling my lips against her neck.
“I’m ready,” she whispers, placing her hands on my shoulders and peering at me with lust-drenched eyes.
“Ready for what, Lili? I need you to say the words.”
“Make love to me, Caleb. I want to know what it feels like to have you moving inside me.” She rocks her hips, and her panty-covered crotch slides against my dick making me painfully hard.
“Could we compromise?” I ask, running my fingers up her bare thighs. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but my gut hasn’t led me astray yet. “I think we should build up to sex until I know you’re definitely ready. We don’t need to rush into it. We can do other things first. I want to plan something special for your first time so it’s a memory we always cherish.”
“Oh.” Her blush deepens. “What other things?”
“Take your nightie off, and I’ll show you.” My hands glide under the silky material, and my fingers brush against hercrotch. My dick is like steel behind my pajama pants, and I’m liable to come from just having her sit on me.
She audibly gulps as her fingers move to the hem of her nightdress, and she’s trembling a little.
“Lili.” I gently grasp her wrist and sit up straighter with her still in my lap. “You set the pace, my love. Remember?” She nods. “We don’t have to do this now. We can just sleep. There is no ticking clock.”
“I want to progress things, Caleb, and maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not ready yet for sex, but I need you. I … you make me so horny, and I know you’re horny too, and I want to take care of you.”
Gawd, this girl. She’s unbelievably sweet, and I don’t know what I did in life to deserve her, but I offer up thanks every day.
“Do you trust me, angel?” I ask before leaning in to press a tender kiss to her soft lips.
“With my life, Caleb.”
“Then trust me to know what you need and to give it to you.” Tension lifts from her gaze as she nods. “Good girl.” I claim her lips in a deep kiss, holding her body close to mine as our mouths take and take. I don’t push, content to kiss her without urgency until she gradually loosens up in my arms. Then I up the ante, kissing her more passionately and driving my tongue into her mouth. Lili moans, pivoting her hips on top of me as my arms tighten around her back, and I thrust my dick against her soft place.
