I let out a slow breath. “No more than I do.”
She opens her mouth, but I stop her.
“I don’t want to talk about other girls.” I thread my hands through her hair, tilting her head toward me. “I’m not saying no…”
“Then teach me…show me how much you love me before we leave.” My mouth opens when her eyes narrow. “Are you seriously making me beg right now?”
I pull her into a deep, lingering kiss. “No, Mads, I’m not.”
She pulls back. Her smile is blinding. “When?”
I chuckle, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. “I’ll want to warm you up more…I want this to be as enjoyable as possible.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I’m not going to complain about that.”
“Yes, my deviant girl. I know you’re not.”
“In the meadow?” she asks, hopeful.
I pull her close again for another kiss. “Inourmeadow.”
Maddie
Lake Horizon stretches before us. It’s dark and endless while the water shimmers beneath the silver glow of the full moon. The cool air against my skin has me shivering in Nate’s arms.
Still, nothing can stop my mind from racing.
Tonight’s the night.
We’re pretending to be social for one of the last bonfires, but soon, when the music turns up and everyone’s distracted, we’re going to slip away.
“Are you nervous?” Nate’s breath tickles my ear.
“More about an animal attacking us in the night.” We usually sneak off during our downtime before or after dinner, not when it’s this late.
“It will be fine, and it won’t be too dark. The full moon is bright, lighting up the whole sky.”
As if on cue, the music suddenly starts, and Nate’s eyes penetrate mine.
He nods, signaling that I should get up.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I announce loudly.
Addie’s eyes widen, giving me a quick thumbs-up. “Good luck,”she mouths.
When I notice no one is paying me any attention, I swiftly turn right instead of left and hide between the first two oak trees.
Nate better get here soon. I’m already imagining rustling sounds in the trees.
“Boo.”
“Ah!” I nearly leap out of my skin, clutching my chest while using my other hand to steady myself against the tree. “Are you out of your mind?” He chuckles and then leads me down the familiar path.
“You told Addie about tonight?” he asks as we make it to the clearing.
I glance up at the sky. Nate was right. The full moon is so bright it illuminates our meadow like a spotlight.
“Yes, of course.” I hesitate. “Was I not supposed to?”
