I grind my h*ps into her. “You have no idea.” I hear a catcall directed toward us and decide it’s time to move inside. It’s so easy to get carried away with this girl standing in front of me. She makes me feel like we’re the only people in the world.

I buzz us in, practically pulling her up the stairs with me. “Dane, slow down,” she laughs. There are moments I wish I had superhero powers so I could teleport us to our bed. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be the bed; any private place will work.

I don’t know what her trick is, but I can’t help myself around her. She brings out a passion in me that I didn’t know existed before I met her. Sex was always a physical thing for me. It was a release, a way to feel good. With Alex, I feel it everywhere. She touches a place inside of me that I never knew existed. When we’re together, our bodies speak silent words, expressing everything we feel right there and then. I think that’s the difference between sex and making love; the ability to feel more than just the touch of skin against skin. Alex is the first girl I’ve ever made love to.

I press her up against the wall and work my lips down her neck and along the exposed part of her collarbone as I reach my hand under her shirt. She arches into me and tangles her fingers in my hair as I gently run my hand along her flat stomach. I won’t admit this to her, but I decided to grow my hair a little longer just for this reason. The pull on my scalp makes my skin tingle, sending a fire down my whole body. “Let’s go inside. Now,” I growl as I continue to move my lips along her smooth skin.

She wraps her legs around my waist and I use my arms to pull her closer. I walk us into the apartment and quickly close the door, never letting our lips break contact. I’m so lost in her body; I’m not sure I could tell you my name right now if you asked. I gently lay her on the bed as my eyes drink in her body. I love this girl so much that she could completely let herself go and I would still think she was the sexiest woman in the whole world.

I lift each of her legs, slowly slipping off her shoes. I run my hand up her right leg while holding her ankle with my other hand. I watch her chest move up and down as her breathing picks up. I love that I do this to her. Knowing I have this affect on her while all our clothes are still on makes my chest want to explode. When I reach the button of her jeans, I undo them with one hand and slowly slide them down her legs. She tries to grab at my hair again, but I pull back quickly, smiling down at her.

“Dane, I need you. Now,” she breathes, tilting her head back. I can’t help myself as I hold my weight up with my arms and stare down at her, being careful not to touch my body to hers. I know it drives her f**king crazy, and I want her to want me so bad that when I finally bury myself inside her she can’t stop screaming my name. I slide my lips down the smooth, soft skin of her neck. She’s wiggling under me, begging to be touched, but I take my time, tasting and nibbling. “I want to take my time tasting you,” I whisper in her ear. I feel her shiver when my warm breath hits her skin.

I trail my chin down her chest and between her breasts, stopping to lift her shirt and kiss the sensitive skin below her belly button. She moans as she grabs a handful of my hair again. It’s taking all my control not to sink myself into her beautiful body. I want to make love to all of her, to show her she means something to me, to show her that I’m hers, always and forever. I want to show this girl my soul by kissing and worshipping her. I want to show her the parts of me that only she can understand. She’s everything to me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

She sits up on her elbows when I pull back to remove my clothes. Her eyes slide up and down my body before locking with mine. She’s begging me to touch her, and my fingers ache from my attempt to take things slow.

“Sit up,” I command.

I reach for the hem of her shirt to pull it over her head. She’s wearing nothing, but the dark blue panty set that drives me completely crazy.

I wrap my hands around her thin waist and pull her up so that she’s standing with her body pressed against mine. Her heart is beating against my chest and I can feel the emotion passing between us. We brought each other hope and love, and I feel it more and more every day. She covers my chest in soft kisses, looking up into my eyes before going in for each one. When she runs her fingertips up my back, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I can’t take it anymore as I splay my hands on her back and quickly discard her bra. It’s one of the last pieces of clothing between us. God, I want her so f**king bad.

I step back and watch as she runs her hands up her stomach and over her breasts. My hands are trembling, screaming at me to give in as she teases me. “What’s the matter?” she asks, running her teeth over her bottom lip. It’s my breaking point as I press my body against hers, leaning in to run my tongue along her lips. I feel her smile against me and I respond by grabbing her lower lip between my teeth and getting a little nibble for myself. Two can play this game.

I lift her by placing my hands under her ass, then shift us back onto the bed. She grinds into me and I rip her panties off, burying two of my fingers deep inside of her. She’s so wet and ready for me. Her eyes close and her head tilts back as I make small circles with my thumb, drawing her closer and closer to screaming my name.

When she’s close I move my hand, making her eyes open. “Dane, what are you doing?” she pants. I don’t respond as I move between her legs and slowly sink into her body. We both moan at the sensation of our bodies coming together. It only takes a few slow movements before I feel her walls clench around me and she screams my name. I keep thrusting as I watch her smile and bite her lower lip. She fits me perfectly, and the way our bodies work together is lyrical. She tries to roll me over and take control, but I don’t let her. I need to do this today. I need to show her my heart beats for her and that I live my life for her.

She’s so f**king beautiful lying under me, moaning my name; it doesn’t take long before her body’s spiraling out of control again. This time, we unravel together before I collapse into her arms. We’re both covered in sweat, trying to even out our breathing. I hesitantly break contact and move to her side, cradling her body against mine. It’s not long before I hear her breathing slow and realize she’s fallen asleep in my arms.

I lay there for several minutes, content to bury my nose in her hair and run my fingers along her soft skin. If someone had told me months ago that I could make love to a woman, then be content to lie in bed and cuddle her, I would have called them crazy.

Chapter Nine

I have my first actual job interview today at Loft 10. Dane isn’t thrilled about having me work there, but right now it’s the only thing I can find, and I need it. Besides, I wouldn’t mind working with him and Jay; I think it’ll be fun. It sounds like I’ll be working the weekend shifts with Dane, which will be perfect once school starts because we’ll still have our weeknights to spend together.

I throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before heading out the door; I don’t want to look too desperate, and I know the staff wears jeans to work every day so at least I’ll blend in.

Dane has already left for work, so I decide to walk and enjoy the warm summer air. Things have been really good between us the last few days, and we’re finally settling into life without the drama. Nolan called once a couple of days ago and said withdrawals were the worst thing he has ever experienced in his life, but I think he’s starting to see life on the other side. Through him, I’m getting a glimpse at the younger version of Dane. I understand him better and realize how little control he had after the drugs got a hold of him. Nolan has Dane, but Dane had no one. Sometimes I don’t think Dane realizes how much strength he has, and other times I wonder what he’s hiding under it. He deserves everything that life can give him; he deserves my best.

I shuffle past men and women wearing business suits and carrying briefcases and realize that I’ll never be one of them. I was never meant to fit in the “whose house is bigger” crowd, but I tried for a long time to pretend I did. I know what will make me happy, and I’m working hard to make it happen. I registered for Art classes in the fall, and I have plans to enter more art shows. In the meantime, I’m looking for my stepping-stone into adulthood. It’s going to take lots of hard work, but I want to look back at my life fifty years from now and smile. I want to leave a name for myself using my paintbrush, not my bank account.

I walk into the bar trying to adjust to the darkness. They keep the lights dim to showcase the bright, colorful strobes around the room, but it’s a harsh contradiction to the bright sun outside. I nervously twist my watch on my wrist as I glance around the room. The manager never told me where to meet him, so I walk over to the bar to say hi to Jay and Dane, hoping they can point me in the right direction.

Dane stops talking when he sees me walking toward him, his lips turning up at the sides. He wastes no time before walking around the bar towards me, looking delicious in his tight black Loft 10 t-shirt and blue jeans, which he paired with black chucks. In fact, looking at him now, I’m not so sure why he’s so concerned about me working here; I’m the one who should be concerned.

My body tingles all over when he stops in front of me, wrapping both arms around my neck. “Did you miss me, baby?” he asks before softly kissing my forehead. He pulls back and stares at my lips like he can’t wait to taste them.

“Behave, I’m here for my interview,” I reply, pulling back slightly. I don’t need his boss, my potential boss, to walk in on our love fest. I would love to stay warm and snug in his arms all night, but I need this job. The more I think about it, the more I want it. I never thought the prospect of having a job would excite me this much, but it does. I’m going to be one of those crazy people who frame their first dollar and hang it on the wall…okay, probably not, but I’m really that excited.

“So, there’s nothing I can do to change your mind?” he scowls, moving his strong hands to my hips. He’s been trying to talk me out of working here since I applied a few days ago, but it’s not working. He’s been supporting both of us, but now he’s helping foot the bill for Nolan’s rehab, and I can’t let him support me too. I need to prove to myself that I can be on my own.