Page 128 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Stop.” Leaning in, I touched my head to hers. “I choose you, Sofia Bennet. You. And that ismychoice to make.”

“Cole,” she whispered, her fingers twisting into my shirt. “I…”

“I’ll ask again. What do you want, Sofe?”

The air was thick, crackling around us, coursing through me, making my heart crash in my chest.

I wanted her—I wanted her so fucking much. But it had to be her choice.

Choose me,I wanted to scream.Pick me.

“I want…” She inhaled deeply, as if weighing up every possible consequence of her next words. “I want you.”

Relief flooded me, woven with the smug satisfaction that could only come from a girl you wanted admitting they wanted you back.

She wanted me.

“I’m yours,” I said.

“Show me.” Sofia gazed up at me. “Show me, Cole. I want—”

My mouth crashed down on hers as I buried my fingers in her hair, angling her face right where I needed it to kiss her harder. Deeper. Our tongues tangled, sliding together in a slow dance that sent bolts of desire shooting through me.

“You’re sure?” I murmured the words onto her lips, and she nodded.

“I want this. Before…”

“Shh.” My thumb slid over her lips, silencing the words. The harsh truth of our situation.

The future had no place in this single moment. It was ours. And I wanted to make it perfect for her.

I wanted to give her that.

“I’m scared,” she admitted, her words double edged.

“Shh.” I kissed her softly. “I got you, Sofe.”

When I went to pull away, Sofia anchored her hands around my neck, kissing me back. Her fingers deftly unbuttoned my shirt, slipping inside and painting my skin.

“Your body is—”

“Yours,” I breathed against her lips, smiling. “I’m yours.”

“Cheesy.” She chuckled. “But I like it.”

Grabbing my tie, Sofia pulled me toward the bed, not breaking our kiss. She let go of me and her hands went to the back of her dress.

“Wait,” I said. “Let me.”

Her eyes flared with heat as I brushed her hair to one side and found the zipper at her spine. It glided open with ease, and I gently pushed the straps of her dress down her arms.

“So fucking beautiful.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her curves, the black lacy underwear teasing me.

“Do you have a condom?”

I nodded. “In my wallet. I’ll be right back.”

Jogging over to the sideboard, I retrieved the foil packet. When I reached the bed, Sofia was already lying down, her dark hair fanned out around her like a halo.

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