“Chase,” I whisper, pushing past the ache as my pulse hammers through me. And because I’m clearly a glutton for punishment, I say, “I’ve never…”
His forehead drops to mine, and he lets out a tortured groan that vibrates all the way through my body.
“I’ll be your first?” He searches my eyes for a response that answers more than one question, and in a manner I don’t understand, I desperately want him to know the answer.
I should pull away, because being this close to him, being this open and real with him is risky. It’s asking for trouble I say I don’t want, and yet, I ignore the sirens going off in my head that tell me this is a bad idea.
Keeping my eyes locked on his, I nod.
His left hand snakes around my lower back, and he tugs me to him. He shakes his head. Clearly, it’s not satisfying enough. His hand falls from my body, and it’s excruciating—his hands moving from the places I want them to stay.
His voice drops into a ragged and rough tone that I love. “Say it.”
“You’ll be my first.”
He presses his lips to the corner of my mouth. They’re full of promise.
My world tilts.
Lust spirals in my belly, and suddenly, my legs don’t feel like they can hold me up. I’m so turned on, my panties are damp. I’ve never reacted to anyone like this before.
Ever.
My front door clicks open, then he’s stepping back, taking the intimacy of his presence away from my body. With his eyes on mine, he retreats backward to Byrdie, his chest heaving.
“Next time you look at me like that, make sure you’re prepared for what’ll happen next.”
I look downat my phone for the third time. It’s been forty-five minutes and still no Erin. She was supposed to have finished work by now.
I thought when I walked away from her the other night, after letting her know I was going to kiss her soon, she’d retreat into her shell.
I was prepared to take my time coaxing her out of it, but to my surprise, she texted and asked if I wanted to grab dinner after she finished work, and I’ll never say no to my favorite girl.
Erin’s voice continues to echo in my head.
You’ll be my first.
Her words aren’t just confirmation that no man has ever touched her, but that she wantsmeto be the first. I bet she doesn’t even realize I intend to be her first—and the last. I can’t seem to think of anything else other than every time I have her, it’ll be a brand-new experience.
Her confession was honest and raw. I could tell by the way her eyes flitted back and forth that they weren’t easy words to give to me.
I’ve realized it’s not uncommon for Erin to struggle with communication, especially where her feelings for me are concerned, but something about that night felt a little different to the other ones we’ve spent together. And I’m determined more than ever to pull more sweet confessions from her.
Sometimes, I swear I can hear the buzzers going off in her head, warning her to retreat, which makes me wonder if her pulling away is more about her than me.
I want to bring it up to her, but I don’t want to spook her by mentioning it if she’s not ready to talk about it. I know she knows she can come to me about anything—and she has. So, I’m happy waiting until she’s comfortable enough to be vulnerable about it.
The elevator doors ding, and a flood of people rush out. Erin’s small body is the last one through. Her tiny frame lurches in my direction, eyes dull, as if she could close them anywhere and fall asleep on command.
I want to be her safe place to land. The need to haul her into my arms, lull her to sleep, and cocoon her from the weight she’s carrying pulls at me. I want to make the world stop, give her a moment of peace, and protect her from anything that could take it away.
“You waited,” she says when she reaches me.
“Of course.” I take her bag from her.
“Come on,” she says, perking up. “We’re already running behind schedule.”
The street buzzes with people and cars, eager to get home after a long day of working when we exit her building.
