“Yes,” is my whispered response.
When he closes the distance to kiss me, time slows.I can feel the air moving to make room for our connection.The soft rush of breath before his mouth presses to mine.The firm give of his lips.The opening of our mouths, flaming the intensity.
He bends to wrap his arms around me, never breaking our kiss, and lifts me so that I need to lean down to kiss him.My legs encircle his waist.My fingers unbutton, brushing against firm, smooth skin with each release.
His fingers ease the zipper down my back, and the fabric falls from my shoulders.He sets me on the cushion of the couch, where I stand before him and allow my dress to pool at my feet.I step out of it and toe it to the floor.
Jonathan removes his shirt, kicks off his shoes and begins to unfasten his belt.I pull him to me, unable to wait this long without touching him.I run my lips and tongue along his sculpted chest, up his neck, behind his ear.He makes a sound I’ve never heard before.A plea.Of mercy?For more?I like it, so I do it again.
His response is instantaneous.He grips my waist and pulls me flush to him, chest to chest, skin upon skin.Heart to heart.Fluttering to pounding beat.I’ve never been able to admire the body of a boy before.My first and only time was in the dark and under covers.
I allow myself to admire him when he steps back, my cheeks burning.He hooks his fingers under the cotton of my panties at my hips, a burning question of permission in his endless eyes.
“Please,” is all I say, and he grants my urging.
We slide hands over skin.Mouths over grooved muscle.Light touches.Hard kisses.Lost breaths.And found euphoria.
I never knew love could feel like this.I never allowed my body to do this.To trust someone so completely with my vulnerability.And when I look into his shining eyes, dancing with the mirrored lights, I see the same vulnerability.The exchanging of something that can never be given to another person.No matter where we are in two months.Four years.Or a decade from now.
I will always find you, Jonathan Reeves.Because wherever you are, so is my heart.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Collin sucks his milkshakethrough his straw, darting his eyes between us.
I’m determined to act as normal as possible, focused on cutting my omelet.I refuse to look at Jonathan.
Gurgling slurps interrupt the sounds of utensils scraping on plates as he finishes the last of it.“I don’t mean to mess with your afterglow,” Collin finally says.
“Told you he’d know,” Jonathan says, chuckling.
“Not because of me.You must’ve given it away.”
“Aliens on Mars could tell you two finally hooked up,” Collin announces like he’s bored of it already.“Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be staying in Hollis next year.”
I set my fork down.“What do you mean?”
“I’m commuting to a community college for the first year or two, and then I’ll transfer.”
“Why?”I ask.Jonathan hasn’t said a word.He’s staring at his plate, not eating.
“It’s… what I have to do.”He doesn’t explain more.“It’ll be fine.I’ll come visit you.You’ll be back for the holidays and break.I mean, we can’t all live together.We’ve been headlining the gossip feed in this pathetic town since your pregnancy scare in eighth grade.Time to share the limelight.”
I toss a butter packet at him.“Not funny.”
“It was funny.”Collin laughs.“Anyway, I just wanted you—”
Ryan sits down on the chair across from Jonathan.“What’s up?”
Emotion finally transforms Jonathan’s face when he smiles at his brother.“How was the game?”
“We totally won.Wasn’t even close.”
I wave to Mrs.Reeves as the server pours her a coffee at the counter.She smiles in return.
Ryan and his mom surprised us a couple weeks ago when they showed up during our Sunday breakfast.It was Ryan’s eleventh birthday, and his mother refused to let Jonathan miss it.They both miss him.That’s obvious.And Jonathan doesn’t have to say anything to let me know he hates being away from them too.Ryan and Jonathan talked for over an hour, eating cake and drinking milkshakes, catching up.Mrs.Reeves remained at the counter to give them space after checking on her oldest son.
Jonathan spoke with her privately before they left, and whatever was said had her dabbing at her eyes.He admitted that she wants him to come home.The marshal’s report for the Holisters’ fire came back as inconclusive, and Hal will eventually oversee rebuilding the home.So, Samantha believes it’s time for Jonathan to return to his family.Except he hasn’t.
