Page 34 of Barbed Wire Fences
Rhett stays silent, his gaze locked on mine with an intensity that sends a shiver zapping through me. When I finally lift my eyes to meet his, he reaches out, his touch so gentle it’s almost reverent. His finger brushes under my chin, tilting my face upward, and my breath catches in my throat. His shirt, soft but worn thin in places, presses against my chest, and I can feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, yet quick, like mine.
Then, without a word, he leans down slowly towards my face. His lips meet mine, and the kiss that he gives me is just like him: unhurried, confident, and steady. The same gentle yet firm touch he had earlier is present, but now, there’s something else behind it.
Passion or desire, I’m not sure. But when his fingers thread through my hair and squeeze my neck, I open for him wider.
This time, I don’t rush. I don’t push his face aggressively against mine like I’m trying to prove something and show off. Instead, I let myself yield, let him lead. His tongue brushesmine, tasting, coaxing instead of demanding. A warmth blooms in my chest, spreading out through my limbs, until I feel like I’m melting into him.
When his hand that’s tangled in my hair gives a gentle tug, a shiver races down my spine. He tips my face upward, guiding me with just the right amount of tongue, and I go willingly. The kiss deepens, and everything about it feels... right.
His lips are softer than I remember, the faintest trace of cinnamon lingering there—probably from the Altoids he must’ve had before meeting me at the lake.
The scent and taste bring me back to those younger years, when we were just kids sneaking them from his mom’s purse during the church services that she’d drag us to, and popping them like they were candy to keep our stomachs full until lunch.
The nostalgia hits me like a wave, pulling me deeper into the kiss.
Deeper into him.
I’m lost in Rhett’s taste, his touch, this moment. When we finally break for air, I can feel his erection pressing harder into me between my thighs.
“That," he says, pointing down at his dick that’s straining against the thin athletic shorts he’s wearing, “is what happens when you kiss the correct way and don’t hurry things acting like you’re trying to eat my face for dinner. There’s something to be said about a slow kiss. A slow burn. The anticipation for the reward is what turns guys on the most. The tease.”
I nod, swallowing hard, trying to burn this moment into my memory for later, but my thoughts are a tangled mess. I can’t figure out where my feelings for Owen and my determinationto lose my virginity with him begin or end. And now, where Rhett fits into all of this.
Or maybe where he’s always fit into things.
Rhett has been my irritating, too-handsome neighbor next door. Sure, I’ve always thought he was attractive, but we’ve never crossed any sort of line toward anything more than a friendship riddled with teasing and stolen moments.
Until tonight.
In the span of less than an hour, I’ve seen his penis, had an anatomy lesson, and learned how to kiss properly to turn a guy on. And now, I can’t help but wonder... would it really be such a terrible thing if I lost my virginity to Rhett instead of Owen?
Would it still be "just practice" if I let it happen? Or have my feelings for Rhett been real all along, buried beneath years of denial and pretending that I didn’t care about him because I thought he’d never reciprocate?
Has he been what I’ve wanted this entire time without even realizing it?
I glance down, my gaze catching on the unmistakable bulge pressing against the fabric of his shorts. Rhett doesn’t try to hide it, doesn’t shift awkwardly or look embarrassed. He’s just... himself, confident and unashamed. And at least with Rhett, I know he won’t laugh at me or make me feel small if I don’t know what I’m doing my first time.
The thought gives me fresh confidence. Slowly, I take a step closer, feeling the heat radiating from his body as I bridge the gap between us. My chest brushes against his, and my arms wind back around his neck. His dark eyes lock on mine, searching, waiting, and I’m not longer hesitating.
I press my lips to his, soft at first, then more firmly as I take the lead this time. He responds immediately, his lips moving against mine in perfect sync, giving me just enough control while still meeting me halfway.
The kiss deepens, and I feel his hands on my waist, grounding me, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us.
When we finally break apart this time, we’re breathless and flushed, Rhett’s grinning harder.
“You’ve improved. You’re a quick learner.”
“You’re a good teacher,” I whisper, attempting to study his face and read what he’s thinking.
Does he want me? Does he mean that? I decide to go for it. The worst that can happen is he rejects me, and we go our separate ways, never to bring this up again.
“Will you teach me something more? I want you to be my first time,” I whisper.
Rhett takes a gigantic step backwards and pushes my hands away from his neck, causing them to fall to my side awkwardly.
“No, Jael.”
I pout, covering my arms across my chest because clearly, I misread this entire situation.
