I sat up a little on my elbows and wrapped my hand around his neck, pulling him down to my lips. He pressed his mouth against mine, and I moaned his name softly as he took my breath away. Then he filled me back up, giving me life, giving me meaning, giving me him. I was shocked by his ability to awaken my spirit each and every time we were near one another. He was discovering all of my weaknesses and making them strong.

I slid my hand toward his zipper and unbuttoned his jeans, and as my fingers swept across him, he rewarded me with a soft groan. He wrangled them off completely, and I traced the waist of his boxers. A deep-rooted growl left his throat and I loved the sound. I cherished that I’d done that to him. He unzipped my jeans and helped me wiggle out of them, which wasn’t the easiest task. He laughed at the way they took a while to slide off me. I laughed because I’d never felt so comfortable unclothed in front of anyone.

“We’re not going to have sex, Ashlyn,” he warned.

I grimaced at the thought because he worked me up more than anyone ever had. I wanted to feel him against me. I wanted him inside me.

“I’m not scared, Daniel. I promise.”

“I know. But I want to take my time with you, with us. Besides…” His fingers glided against the cotton fabric of my panties. Ohmygosh! My mouth opened to catch the air he had driven out of my body. “There’s so much more we can do besides sex.” His head lowered down between my thighs, and I closed my eyes as my stomach filled with nerves.

I’d never had anyone down there before. Billy had never pleasured me in any way whatsoever. It had always been about him, his wants, his needs. But Daniel was different in every way possible. He wanted me to feel good. He wanted me to be pleasured. He wanted me.

Feeling his hot breaths against my skin was sending me into a different world.

“I’m going to kiss you, Ashlyn,” he whispered.

My fingers dug into the sheets surrounding me and his kisses stayed low. I felt his wet lips press against the edge of my panties before his fingers wrapped around them and started lowering them more and more.

“Dan…” I muttered in a low tone, unable to complete his full name. My hips arched in his direction, asking him for more, for so much more. The kisses didn’t stop, and my moans didn’t cease.

Each inch he lowered my panties, I received a warm kiss, followed by his tongue running up and down, then another kiss, and then a long, hungry lick once he reached my core.

“Daniel,” I moaned, louder this time, knowing that everything I’d ever wanted was with me now. He licked me deeper, harder, with more love.

I was on the edge of heaven, about to give him all of me. My body was trembling, my hips rocking against his mouth more and more. He spread my legs wider.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered as I dug my fingers into the sheets. “So perfect.”

I buried my head into a pillow, gasping as his fingers found their way to me, rubbing me, finding a perfect rhyme with his tongue. He inhaled when I did, and I exhaled with him.

As he picked up speed, my breaths became heavier, hungrier for all of him. I ran my fingers in his hair, tugging on it gently. One smaller kiss from Daniel was all it took to carry me over, making my body rocket into space, leaving me panting with him lying against me. I knew now that I’d never experienced pleasure in that form—or any form—before he’d come into my life. Daniel brought me another first. My first ever orgasm.

My panting was heavy, and he moved up to me, kissing my neck. “Thank you,” he sighed against me, wrapping me in his hold. “Thank you for trusting me.”

We lay there for what felt like eternity. I felt hot and tired, but not too tired.

“Daniel,” I whispered, running my fingers up and down his spine.

He bit his mouth against my shoulder, making me sigh. “Hmm?

“Can you do that again?”

Chapter 19

Don’t be jealous, it bleeds out red.

Trust your heart inside of your head.

~ Romeo’s Quest

I knew it was stupid, and I knew it shouldn’t bother me, but it did. Jake was coming onto Ashlyn more and more each day at school. Walking past Ashlyn’s locker, where Jake was hovering over her, I paused close enough so I could listen in. I felt like such a dumbass, thumbing through my paperwork, acting as if I were busy.

“So I was thinking… The school dance is coming up before Thanksgiving break and I was wondering…” Jake’s voice cracked from nerves and he gave Ashlyn a smile. “Maybe we can go together?”

Ashlyn glanced toward me and held her book closer to her chest. She frowned toward Jake and turned him down. The bell rang, and he wore his disappointment on his face, mostly in his eyes.

A couple walked by, laughing and holding hands, and Ashlyn’s eyes stayed glued to their hold. A knot formed in my stomach. I knew she thought I didn’t notice, but I did. She looked at the couples walking hand in hand at school with such envy. All signs of public displays of affection never went unnoticed by her. She longed to hold my hand in the light, not only in the shadows.

When third hour came and went, I asked her to stay after for a minute so I could talk to her. Her eyes looked hooded; she seemed tired.

“You can go, you know—to the dance with Jake.”

“No, I’m good,” she lied, cradling her books.

“But you love to dance,” I said.

“With you. I love to dance with you, Daniel.”

“You’re disappointed.”

Her head dropped and she nodded slowly. “It’s just—your hands are right here. My hands are right here. And we’re not allowed to touch.”