Page 101 of When in December

I swallowed hard, feeling the sincerity in his gaze. “I’ve wanted this,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

I reached up, feeling bold as I pulled his head down until our lips met again. This time, there was no hesitation, no uncertainty. Maybe both us wanted and waited for this much more than either of could say with words.

Every touch was electric, every kiss searing.

We collapsed onto his bed, kicking away the smoothed and folded comforter and perfectly selected sheets that not even I could care about. Our bodies remained moving, hungry for more.

I felt the weight of years of longing and desire wash over me like a tidal wave. I was drowning in it. The passion. The intensity. All of it. It was overwhelming, yet it was all I had ever wanted but would never admit.

We continued to move together, our bodies entwined, our hands exploring every inch—from the smooth swaths of skin to the puckered scars we’d each accumulated over the years, though he certainly had more than me.

I whispered his name, a prayer, a promise.

“I don’t want this to end,” I gasped, feeling my breath catch in my throat as I held him to me.

“Then, I’d better make this worthwhile,” Aaron said with another small chuckle.

The sound made my heart soar as I laughed with him.

His eyes locked with mine, a fire igniting between us. I could feel the force of his desire, the electricity of his longing. It was intoxicating.

Yet even as we drove each other to the brink of pleasure, I couldn’t help but feel that hint of fear that I wished would shut up but wouldn’t.

He would go back to his plan of rejoining the army and I would finish up the project.

And this was it.

That was that.

My thoughts were cut short as our lips met once more, and his hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. The warmth of his body enveloped me, and at that moment, I knew I really didn’t want this to end. Not his whispers, telling me how beautiful I was as I melted into him. Not the gasps escaping our lips, adding to the enticing soundtrack.

Everyone was right about me. I got in too deep.

Too easily.

As we collapsed beside each other, our breaths ragged and our bodies still shaking, I held on to this feeling.

Let it consume me.

If only for now.

I had right now.

“Don’t think like that.” Aaron traced my features.

“Like what?” I whispered, not trusting my voice, which came out scratchy from use already.

The sound seemed to delight him.

“Like it’s already over. It’s not. It’s only the beginning.”

And as if he had something to prove, he showed me so.

twenty-three

. . .

Poppy

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