Page 24 of Promise Me Never

His dark lashes stick together as drops of water sluice down his skin. I make the mistake of glancing down into the water surrounding us and see that he’s just as naked as I am. My nipples pebble as I realize he’s half hard, even in the cold water.

Is it a reaction to the cold water? Is that even possible? My lips slip under the water for a moment, but his hand grips my waist, steadying me. His calloused thumb strokes up my stomach to the bottom of my ribcage and back down. I don’t know if he means for it to affect me in any certain type of way, but my core heats with every lazy swipe.

“Well, what do you want to say?” My voice comes out breathier than I intended. I should push his hand away, but deep down, I don’t want to.

“Were you really going to sleep with some random guy to lose your virginity?” His eyes, as blue as the water we’re in, search mine for answers.

“Maybe.” I shrug with a challenge.

“You don’t want it to be special or mean something?”

I groan with frustration. “No, actually. I don’t give a fuck about it. The only thing I need is respect from the men who I sleep with. I don’t need love or romance.”

“Why? You deserve more than the bare minimum.”

“It just needs to be taken care of, alright? Like ripping the band-aid off.”

“Your virginity cannot be compared to ripping off a band-aid.” He rears back at even saying the analogy.

“Why? I don’t hold the concept of virginity with any importance. Technically, I probably don’t even have a hymen at this point.”

“It’s not just about the physical act of breaking a hymen. It’s the gift of allowing a person to enter your body, to experience it, to cherish and worship it.”

“I don’t need that.”

“I don’t care if you think you don’t need it, you deserve it.” His fingers tighten around my skin. “Are you going to keep looking for guys to fuck this summer?”

“Yeah, I am.” I tilt my head back defiantly because I’m not going to allow any man to make me feel bad about it.

He clenches his jaw and pulls me closer. “Then my answer is yes.”

“Yes?” My hands move to his shoulders as he pulls me against him. The long lines of our bodies pressed up against each other. “Yes, what?” I don’t remember asking a yes or no question.

“I’ll be your first.”

My jaw drops as I stare up into his eyes trying to wrap my mind around the direction this conversation has taken.

“You just have to make me one promise,” he continues when I don’t say anything.

“What’s that?” I finally find my words.

“Promise to never fall for me.”

He’s so earnest and serious that I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up from my chest. What does he think, that he has a magic dick or something? That one good roll in the hay will fuck me up forever? He doesn’t seem to find the humor in his lone requirement.

“Seriously, Eli, promise me never.”

“Okay.” I raise my eyebrows at the tension I feel from him beneath my hands. “I promise.”

He relaxes as soon as the words leave my lips. I feel his hand sliding up my side, cupping my ribcage as they slowly move higher and higher. His thumb grazes the bottom of my breast, tracing the smooth swell until goosebumps erupt under his fingers.

“Are we–” I gasp as his thumb sweeps over my nipple. “Are we doing it now?”

His deep chuckle rumbles against my body as his lips graze my temple. “Oh no. We’re going to move slowly and savor each step with each other.” His cock pulses between us.

I fight the urge to wrap my legs around his waist and situate myself on top of him. How is it possible for just one feather light touch to make me feel this way? Heat moves through my body in scorching trails that follow his caresses.

I didn’t even realize that my eyes had closed until I opened them, looking deep into Luke’s glacial blue gaze. Our noses bump as his hands continue their gentle exploration of my body. I inhale sharply as he teases the crease between my ass and thigh.

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