Page 10 of Regrets

She rolls her eyes and lifts her black shirt off and over her head, tossing it to the floor.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

I’m no fucking gentleman, and she damn well knows it. My eyes slide over her black bra that barely contains her full tits and the curve of her hips as she starts down the hall. “I need a shower.”

I watch as she unclasps the bra and continues down the hall and out of sight. I should have known she was going to be a real pain in the ass this time of year.

Believe it or not, there was a time that girl was annoyingly happy.

6

PENELOPE

FOUR YEARS AGO

“Colt . . .” It’s a breathless plea coming from me as I push gently on his firm chest. My body is on fire. The throbbing between my legs is not a new sensation and definitely becoming harder and harder to ignore. My nipples are pebbled painfully under my bra, aching for something I’m not familiar with.

Colt lifts his head and looks down at me, worry crossing his beautiful face. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

I nod, shifting underneath his weight, pressed between him and his soft bed. “I’m fine. I just . . .” I look at his swollen lips, puffy from our intense make-out session, feeling the heat creep to my cheeks as his erection rests between my legs. “We can’t . . .”

God, I’m an idiot.

He smiles at me and nods in realization as he rolls off me, laying on his side next to me. “I know, Pea.”

Does he really understand?Colt has been an amazing boyfriend, never pushing me too far. Never pressuring me to do anything I don’t feel comfortable with. It hasn’t been easy withus going to different schools, but we spend every chance we can together.

Including the nights I sneak over to his house, taking the bus and climbing up to his window like tonight.

I lift my eyes slowly to meet his gaze, his kind eyes shining even brighter when he smiles. “I know you want to.” My voice is nothing but a weak whisper.

He smiles and moves one of his hands to my cheek. “Of course I do.”

I’m living in a foster home with two girls my age. One is fifteen, and the other is fourteen. We all share a room, and at night, I listen to their stories about boys. Both are far more experienced than me. Candace, the fifteen-year-old has already had sex with three guys, one who was in his early twenties. The way they talk about sex, it’s like it’s no big deal, but I don’t know . . . I don’t want to end up like my mother, sixteen and pregnant, having to drop out of school and then eventually ditching the kid.

Not that Colt would ever abandon me like my dad did my mom, but I can’t risk it. The whole thought terrifies me.

His lips move to my forehead where he lays a chaste kiss. “But you’re worth waiting for, Pea.”

It’s his fifteenth birthday today. I should be showering him with presents, and we should be laughing and having a great time. He should not be having to comfort his insecure girlfriend right now.

He’s truly beautiful and starting to mature into a man before my eyes. “You could have any of those prep school bitches. I’m sure they’d be more than willing.” I sigh, “Why are you so good to me?”

I’m not naïve in any sense of the word. I’ve seen plenty in my years on this planet. I know that girls like me are usually used and tossed to the side like trash, especially by wealthy, spoiledboys. But with Colt, I never feel less than him. He never makes me feel like I come from nothing, like I’m not good enough.

He just chuckles softly and pulls me against his chest. “I love you.” I swallow, still not used to hearing that from him or anyone, but he says it so often now, it’s like breathing to him.

“I love you too.”

“I don’t want anyone else, Penelope. And we’re still young. I’m totally fine with just kissing for now. We have the rest of our lives for more.”

I smile and breathe him in. I love the way he smells—clean, masculine, and safe.

“Happy birthday, Colt.”

I can feel him smiling into my hair as he holds my body to his in his bed in the dark bedroom. It’s not much longer before I hear his soft, even breaths, and I know he’s fallen asleep.

I don’t want to leave the safety of his arms, but I’m thirsty and decide to creep down the spiral staircase that leads to their kitchen. Everyone is asleep, and the house is quiet as I try my best not to make a sound.

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