“You don’t think I want it?” I press my dick into her stomach. “You think I don’t want you? Are you crazy?”

“So stop making me say all the cringey words, and let’s get out of here.”

I lean down and drop a long, wet kiss on her lips. “I just wanted to be sure. This is a big deal, Ricci. This isn’t just a one-night stand. And this isn’t just sex. This is your virginity, and it’s our first time. It needs to be something we’ll both look back on and smile.”

“You’re still a virgin, right?”

My head snaps back. “Yes. You are too, right?”

She snickers as her anger ebbs away and her body relaxes against mine. “Yeah, I am. I swear.”

“And you’re ready for this? Has your soda been spiked? Is this a spur of the moment decision?”

She smiles and her lips lift up to the side, then she digs around in my coat pocket. She pulls out a key card that I never put there, and she holds it between us. “We already have a room booked. You’ve been holding the key for hours. This isn’t spur of the moment. This is something I want to do with you. Something I’d never give to anyone else.”

I take her hand and spin on the spot. Sammy’s giggles are loud and fun as I drag her across the dance floor and past the guys. Luc hip thrusts obnoxiously as he sings, and I almost stop on the spot when I spot Marc’s glare and bruised eyes. Luc shakes his head and nods his chin toward the door to keep me moving. Marc’s okay, and they’ll tell me tomorrow. I just don’t know what’s up with Marc lately, but he’s a good guy. He’s still standing. He’ll be there to talk tomorrow.

We pass the girls, and Meg pokes her tongue into her cheek. She’s crude as shit, but Sammy cackles as we pass and crash out of the ballroom double doors.

Sammy then takes the lead and drags me toward the elevators.

– Sammy –

Losing Two Virginities

The elevator light dings, and the doors slide open. Sam squeezes my hand firmly, seemingly over his moment of indecision, and tugs me out of the elevator and down the hall at a trot. My dress swishes around my ankles as he counts off room numbers until we hit the right one, then he holds the card in front of the lock until it beeps. Thank god for his rush, because if he did this too slow, my nerves might kill me.

I’m terrified.

I’m exhilarated.

I’m scared this will hurt.

I’m more scared that if Sam and I don’t claim tonight, we might never get it.

As though Sam knows every thought that races through my mind, he drags me into the room, slams the door shut and closes us into the dark. He pushes me against the wall and his hands resume where Mr. Godfrey stopped them.

His mouth drops hungrily to mine and his hands squeeze me in all the nicest ways. The softest stubble that has only recently begun growing tickles my lips, and his long hair drops down and tickles our noses. My hands come up between us and tug at the tie he probably spent hours tying, but he doesn’t seem to mind as his own hands undo my work. His fingers search blindly for a zipper that doesn’t exist, so helping him, I keep my lips fused to his but take a half step back and lower the thick straps from my shoulders.

His eyes snap open, disconnecting his lips from mine, and he pants heavily as his bright blue eyes watch me move.

“I see you every day in a bikini, but I need to watch this,” he pants. “I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for you, Ricci.”

“You can watch.” I lower my straps until they’re hanging loose, then taking a deep breath for bravery, I drop the fabric so it falls to the floor. I stand in front of him wearing nothing more than skimpy underwear and high heels, and although in any other world, with any other man, I’d feel terribly self-conscious, but not this world, not Sam. In front of him, I feel nothing but empowered and strong and beautiful. To him, I am the only girl in the world.

“Ricci…”

My hand comes up to twirl loose strands of hair as I watch him watch me. He swallows heavily, two, three, four times, then his eyes come back to mine. “I’ll never be able to forget those three freckles on your boob now, Ricci. I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

He continues to stare at me. He clenches his fists at his side, and his eyes bounce around my body and face. The longer he stares, the less sure and empowered I feel. “Please touch me, Sam. Please don’t make me stand here any longer.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry.” He rushes forward and kisses me again. “I’m sorry. You’re so beautiful, I forgot how to move.”

“Make love to me.”

He nods and slowly backs me into the room, patiently allowing me to step out of my dress, and holds the majority of my weight so I don’t trip. “You’re so beautiful, Ricci. The most beautiful woman I ever saw. I knew it the moment I saw you.”

“I love you, Sam.” The backs of my knees hit the edge of a large bed, and Sam gently pushes me back until I sit. He drops to his knees instantly, then lifting my long, tanned leg so my heeled foot rests against the front of his shoulder, his hands stroke my sensitive skin, as his lips follow his calloused fingers.