Through the thin apartment walls, I can hear music thumping loudly.
Somebody yells, an argument.
I wish I was there with you,I type.I wish you could hold me right now. Tell me I didn’t misread the signs in your office. Tell me you were going to kiss me. Because I knew, the first time I saw you, Elias… I knew you were the man for me. Only you.
But then an instinct of self-preservation kicks in, telling me I’m taking it too far.
I delete the message.
Thanks for listening, I send.
I meant it, he replies.I’m here for you.
But why? Just because it’s your job?
I almost delete this message too, but something stops me. I’m able to push send somehow, as though reaching through a fog of nerves and self-doubt.
No,Della, it’s not just my job. We both know what I almost did in the office. I know I’ll have to control it. But it doesn’t mean we can’t talk. I won’t lie, though. It will be hard. I’ve never felt this way about a student before.
Somehow, even as the tears are still stinging my eyes, I’m smiling.
There’s a big grin on my face as I read his words, as I realize what they mean.
So you were going to kiss me? I was starting to think I might’ve imagined it.
Yes, I was. I wanted it so badly. But then I saw your face and I thought I’d made a mistake.
It wasn’t a mistake, I typed quickly.I just didn’t know how to respond. This is a little embarrassing, but I’ve never kissed anybody before. Or done any of that stuff. Do you know what I’m trying to say?
Are you saying you’re a virgin?
I bite down, wondering if Ihavegone too far.
This entire conversation feels surreal, as though I’m going to wake up in class, Mary staring down at me with a stern look on her face. Or my boss at the restaurant will clap his hands loudly, waking me up.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.
I am waiting for a response.
For minutes – though it feels like hours – I wait.
But nothing comes.
CHAPTER8
Elias
I stare down at the cracked screen of my phone, wondering how I did that.
Fair enough, I work out a lot. I keep myself in good shape, and I’ve always had a naturally strong grip. But I didn’t think I’d be able to almost shatter a phone by squeezing it.
The second she told me she was a virgin, my balls flooded. Hot tension rushed up my shaft, precome making my engorged tip tingle.
Even after what she’d told me – even with my heart still aching for her, my instinct roaring that I’d always protect her – I couldn’t deny the primal response.
She’s a virgin. She’s never kissed a man, never touched one.
She’s mine, only mine. And she only everwillbe mine.