She turned to me again, her gaze settling on mine. Something unspoken passed between us.
“Blade, there’s something I want to tell you.”
I braced myself.
“I’ve never… I mean, I’m still…” Her cheeks flushed, even in the dim light. “I’ve never had sex. I’m still a virgin.”
I didn’t move. Didn’t speak. I was surprised, yeah, but not shocked. There was something about her—a sweetness, an innocence. Not naivety, exactly. She just seemed untouched by a lot of the world’s ugliness.
She looked away. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. Maybe because I don’t want to be anymore. Maybe because I think I want it to be you.”
My heart thundered.
“You don’t have to say anything,” she said quickly. “I just… I feel safe with you. And if I’m going to let go of that part of myself—if I’m going to step outside my comfort zone—I want it to be here. Now. With you.”
She reached out, her fingers brushing over mine. Then she took my hand. That one touch sent a jolt straight through me. All the restraint I’d been clinging to started to unravel.
I looked at her—really looked—and saw everything I hadn’t known I wanted until this moment. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, eyes locked on mine. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
I leaned in, my mouth brushing hers, my hands cupping her face like she was the most precious thing I’d ever held. And under the stars, with the mountain breeze whispering through the trees, I kissed her like a man starved. Because I was. And she was the first taste of something I never wanted to let go.
5
SIENNA
Icould still feel the heat of Blade’s mouth on mine. We were lying on the blanket, the stars spinning slowly above us, but I couldn’t stop staring at him.
Blade.
His lips were warm, insistent, and so careful. Like he didn’t want to rush me. Like I was breakable. I wasn’t. Not tonight.
I kissed him back harder. My fingers slid up his chest, feeling every ridge of muscle through his dress shirt. I’d imagined this—wondered what he felt like under that shirt—and now that I had him here, I wanted more.
My hand drifted lower, brushing his abs, then the top of his pants. When I let it move farther, over the firm muscle of his thigh, I felt his body tense beneath me.
He broke the kiss, his breath heavy. “Sienna. I don’t have protection.”
I examined his face. His brows were drawn tight, like he hated even bringing it up. I slid my hand up his chest again.
“It’s fine,” I whispered. “I’m on the pill.”
His eyes searched mine for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly, still not moving.
“But I need to hear it from you,” he said. “Are you sure you want this?”
I didn’t answer with words. Instead, I sat up and reached for the top button of my blouse, sliding it through the buttonhole. Then the next. One by one until the white lace of my bra was exposed beneath the open fabric.
He let out a low moan.
I shrugged out of the shirt and stood on my knees long enough to push my shorts down and off. Now I sat in front of him in just my bra and panties, the mountain air cool against my skin.
“Does that answer your question?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He didn’t speak, just sat up and reached out. He then slid his hand behind my back, unhooking my bra in one practiced motion. It slipped off my shoulders and fell into my lap.
Blade groaned again, deeper this time, and leaned forward to take one of my breasts in his mouth. His tongue circled my nipple, then teased it with a slow, deliberate flick that made my whole body tighten.