Page 39 of My Best Years

I want to feel her skin against mine so badly, not just her arms and legs. I want to feel all of her, every inch of her naked body pressed against mine. We’ve had countless intimate moments together since we started dating, but we’ve never been fully exposed and vulnerable with each other.

We’ve done everything but sex, and after a year of messing around, I’m dying to know what it feels like to be inside of her. She tells me all the time how much she wants me,begging me to fuck her every time things get heated between us.

I want nothing more than to sink inside of her, but when we finally do it, it will be a first for both of us. And I refuse to take Birdie’s virginity in the back of a truck.

She deserves so much more than that.

I want her to remember it. I want to take my time and show her how much I love her. I want her never to want another man inside her body but me.

“Cal?” Birdie hums before reaching up to kiss the corner of my mouth.

I can’t help the smile that curves my lips.

“Yeah, baby?” I rub my fingers up and down her back.

“How was your tournament?”

The second Birdie walked through my front door, my lips found hers. She didn’t care about the extravagant foyer, the immaculate marble floors, or the grand staircase. She just wanted me.

We kissed up the stairs, down the hall, and fell straight into my bed together. Aside from our moans and groans, there hasn't been much talking between the two of us tonight.

“It was rough,” I sigh. “We got eliminated before the championship match.”

She lifts her head and rests her chin on my chest before pushing out her bottom lip.

“I’m sorry,” she mutters sadly. “I wish I could have been there.”

I smile down at her and place a kiss to the top of her head.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, babe. The tournament was three hours away.”

“Yeah,” she agrees, regret lacing her tone. “I still wanted to be there.”

“I’m just happy to be home. To be here with you,” I assureher. “Plus, there’s still half a season left. There’s plenty of matches you can come to.”

A bittersweet feeling floods my chest each time I think about this being my last high school season before graduation.

“Speaking of tennis,” Birdie starts, “have you thought any more about college?”

Over the past two years, I’ve had three D1 scouts interested in signing me for a tennis scholarship. I haven’t made a decision yet because I want to be wherever Birdie is. Even if that means not playing tennis. I know that lots of couples make long-distance relationships work, especially in college, but I couldn't imagine being hours away from Birdie on a daily basis.

“I’m kind of waiting to see where you’re gonna go.”

She purses her lips together, looking disappointed.

“Cal…” she exhales. “Please don’t miss out on an opportunity to play collegiate tennis because of me. It’s been your dream since you started playing. No matter what, we’re going to be okay.”

“I’ll still play tennis,” I shrug. “Most colleges have walk-on tryouts. And even if that doesn't work out, I’ll play on an intramural team. As long as I have a ball and racket, I’ll be happy.”

Her lips turn up in a soft smile, causing her cute dimples to appear.

“I trust you to do whatever feels right for you,” she replies. “And if that means going to a different college than me, I will still support you one hundred percent. You deserve anything you want, Cal. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are now.”

God, I love her.

I love her so much.

I slowly trail my fingers down her back before taking her ass in my palm, giving it a light squeeze.

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