Page 151 of Steps

“Yep. I put all my love into it.”

Varen plants a kiss on my cheek. “I’m sure youdid.”

I signal to the island. “Have a seat. I’ll bringover the food.”

He pours apple juice into two glasses for us. ThenI fill our plates and place them on the island, sitting beside him to eat.

“Wow. Gosh, this is yummy. I’m falling deeper.”

I giggle. “That’s the idea.”

We eat and talk in between until we finish dinner.Varen washes the dishes since I cooked.

Afterward, we flick off the lights and cuddle inbed while watching a movie on Netflix.

Now that we’ve gotten so close and is only gettingcloser, I have a strong desire to let him read my diary.

I ease up and look at him. “I want to give yousomething.”

Varen smiles at me while creasing his forehead.“You’ve already given me a lot, Toya.”

“This is different.” I slide off the bed and pickup my bag, taking out the diary.

He straightens in surprise when I reach it to him.“Really? You want me to read your most private thoughts?”

“Yeah. I want to share those moments with you.Some are good, and some are... dark. You don’t have to read it now.” I climbover and lie down again.

Varen places it on the table by the bed thenkisses me once. “Thank you for that. I don’t know what to say.”

“Hm.” I lock my fingers around his neck, pull him down,and whisper, “You don’t need to say anything.”

I kiss him slowly, running my hands under hisshirt to caress his body.

The temperature rises between us fast. Varen tearshis mouth from mine and yanks off his shirt. I pull my pajama top over my headand peel off my panties.

Varen slides down his boxers, unclasping my braafter. The way he gently and unhurriedly traces my nipples with his tongue isso stimulating. I moan as heat rushes my body. Varen groans in return and rubshis hard shaft against me.

Wet and ready for his width, I spread my legs,eager for him to take his usual place.

He slides inside my tightness, grunting andmoaning as we make love. I dig my fingers into his back and rock my hipsbeneath him. Varen sucks on my neck, leaving his love mark on my skin. Before Iknow it, I start to quiver from an orgasm. Varen follows, pumping his hotfluids inside me.

We haven’t used condoms since I admitted that Ican’t get pregnant, and he’s promised never to be with another. I trust him.

Coming down from our sexual high, we remain nakedand embrace under the sheet as we go back to watching TV.

I’ve been curious about something ever since mytalk with Kenya. “Do you want a family in the future, Varen?”

“With you, yeah.”

“So... you want kids?” A sad feeling rises in me.I’ll never be able to give him that.

Varen stays quiet for a moment. “There are otheroptions, Toya.” He kisses the side of my head. “You shouldn’t think about thatright now. We’re so young.”

“Yeah, but, look at us. We’re already living togetherat seventeen and eighteen.”

He turns me to face him. “I meant starting afamily. You have so much to do before that. College. Launching your writingcareer.” He lightly brushes my cheek with the back of his hand. “Gettingmarried.”

Suddenly, I’m fuzzy all over. He’s thought aboutmarrying me?

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