Nope.I already had my plans for the holiday party. I’d be there with Rachel.

“I just want you to move on already, man, and not suffer the whispers and reminders of humiliation at that exact party.”

Consider it done.Iwasmoving on—with his sister.

“I know. I know.” I headed out, tossing out another wave and farewell as I went.

Once I was on the sidewalk, I broke into a run to chase after Rachel. I knew where her building was. It was the same one Brandon lived in. But fortunately, he’d be walking in the other direction to head to work.

I sprinted, pumping my arms to run as fast as I could to find her on the way to the apartment building. It wasn’t far. Only minutes had passed since she left.

Come on. Please let me in.I knew the building, but not the apartment she was renting. It’d be far easier if I caught her outside instead of trying to hunt her down inside.

And there she was. Her blonde waves tossed from shoulder to shoulder as she walked ahead.

“Rachel!”

She spun at hearing me shout her name. Stopping just before the front door, she waited for me to run up to her.

“You came?—”

I collided with her, kissing her hard. She moaned into my mouth, parting her lips immediately. Cupping her head between my hands, I poured my need into this kiss and prayed she would understand.

“I will always come after you,” I promised on a ragged breath when I broke the kiss.

The slow, small smile she gave me had me grinning. In reply, as she gazed at me with adoration and lust, she took my hand and led me inside without another word.

Kissing her in her building felt different, like it was the most natural lead-in to something so, so much more. We kissed in the elevator. Then when we reached her floor, I picked her up so she could direct me where to carry her. At her door, as she fumbled with the key, I held her against the wall and kissed her more.

We couldn’t get enough of each other, hungry and impatient. With our mouths, and then once we were inside her place, withour hands, we explored and strained to connect as close as we could.

“Rachel, fuck, I want you,” I said, panting hard.

She nodded, unable to stop tugging at my shirt. “Yes.”

“I…” I growled as I kissed her harder. Once more, she was in my arms. Again, her back was shoved against the wall.

We had privacy now, though, and I didn’t want to slack in taking advantage of it, of losing a moment to show her what she wanted.

“Show me,” she begged. “Take me, Nate.”

“No. I’m not taking anything. I want to give. I want to give you the pleasure of coming for me, sweet girl.” I kissed her quiet as I slid my hand lower. Her skirt flipped up with ease, and I didn’t waste time dragging my fingers toward her crotch. No slip or other layer stopped me from reaching her damp panties.

“Yes, Nate. Please!” She widened her legs, giving me access as I held her against the wall. Her lips were glistening wet in the dim light of the street shining through the windows. Shadows cut over her expressive face, and I wished I could see all of her, could witness every bit of her coming for me.

“You’re so wet,” I taunted, kissing along her neck. Sucking on the sweet flesh below her ear had her gasping, but the second I teased my fingers under the wet fabric of her lingerie, she cried out.

“Oh…” she moaned.

I didn’t wait. Angling my fingers deeper and further, I felt her up. I stroked her soft, bare folds, smearing her cream. And then I slid inside, stretching her virginal entrance with two digits, just up to the second knuckles.

She cried out again, breathing so hard. Just this much was pushing her close to coming.

“It’ll be quick,” I warned.

She nodded, shakily, as I fingered her. Pumping my fingers in and out of her slick heat made my dick strain, so hard under the layers of my clothes. She was tight, but so wet, and I felt the first stirrings of her orgasm.

“It’ll be quick,” I repeated between kisses, “thistime.”