Page 79 of Diverge

“I would love nothing more, baby.”

Butterflies whirl around in my stomach as I watch him stand and head to the counter to collect our food.

A part of me feels guilty, like what I am doing is somewhat an insult to Finn’s memory, but I remind myself of my promise to him, my promise to myself.

I did love Nate, and I think deep down that didn’t go away, it’s still there, and with each passing minute with him, it grows, like a flower being showered with sun. He returns with our food, and my mouth instantly salivates as I smell the deliciousness of the cheeseburgers. I scarf mine down within minutes, and Nate looks at me equally impressed and shocked.

“I guess you can still put away burgers, huh?” He chuckles.

“Stop it... don’t make fun of me.” I smile, embarrassed as I wipe the corner of my mouth, then take a sip of my drink.

“I’m not... I love that about you,” he admits, his face turning serious.

“And I love that you love that about me.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. “It’s not my best quality, but it’s an honest one.” I chuckle.

“When you’re finished, we’re going for a walk,” he says.

“Jeez, it hasn’t even been a minute, and you’re already trying to get me to exercise.” I roll my eyes playfully.

“We’re going to take aromanticwalk, not a hike.” He chuckles at my defiance.

We finish up with our meal and head out the door. I begin walking towards the sidewalk, but Nate pulls me back. “We have to drive to where we will walk.”

I shrug. “Okay.” We get in the car and begin driving back in the direction of my apartment.

*****

The lights of the carstwinkle as they cross from one side of the bridge to the other. Nate’s hand in mine, we stand on Marshall’s Beach as we stare up at the Golden Gate Bridge. The stars in the night sky shine almost as bright as the moon. I close my eyes as I feel the night breeze tickle my face, pushing my hair back.

“It’s magnificent,” I say, opening my eyes to find his staring into mine.

“I wanted you to remember this date. Although there will be many more, this one will be the most significant.” I turn to him as he pulls me into him.

“How so?” I lick my lips, watching his move.

“This date is the date you returned to me. This one is the one where you decided to give us a second chance.” He places his hand on the side of my face, his thumb lightly rubbing my cheek. “Because this one will always hold a place in my heart.”

“Oh, Nate.” I wrap my arms around his neck, and our lips eagerly collide against each other. Our hands begin to roam, mine to his chest and shoulder, his from my back to my hips. I move my hand into his hair, gripping it tightly as his mouth moves down to my neck, leaving spine-tingling kisses. A moan escapes my throat as he pulls me in tighter, grazing his teeth from my neck to my ear.

My thighs clench as he breathes into my ear, a grumble leaving his throat as his hands grab my hips, almost bruising them. My chest heaves at his touch. I can feel my nipples harden underneath my clothes as he takes my lips once more. I feel feverish, the heat rising in my body.

Pulling away slightly, my voice barely a whisper. “Take me home,” I say as we both struggle to keep our hands off each other.

The entire car ride is silent as “Mount Everest” by Labrinth plays through the radio in Nate’s car as we exchange glances of desire. I stare at him driving, watching the way the muscles in his hands tense as he grips the steering wheel. The air is tight with sexual tension as he pulls into a parking bay outside of my apartment. He places his hand on mine, looking me in the eyes.

“Come upstairs with me,” I whisper.

He licks his lips, and the sight of it has me shifting in my seat, itching to taste him again. “We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” he says.

“I haven’t been with anyone else since Finn.” I take a deep breath. “It’s been five years... I’m ready.”

We walk up to the apartment. Reaching the door, I unlock it, and once it’s closed, I throw my bag, not caring where it lands. My hands are on him, tearing his clothes off, one by one. The jacket is the first to go, then his shirt, revealing his irresistibly muscular pecs. His lips devour mine as if they were at war with each other, his hands working quickly, removing my jacket, then my shirt. He pulls me into him, reaching behind me, he pulls at the back of my bra, causing it to snap off completely. He takes one of my breasts in his mouth, his hot tongue sending a jolt of pleasure between my legs. My hands travel down to unbuckle his belt, undo his pants, and push them down. He steps out of them without taking his mouth off me, his hands reach down to undo mine, I push them down and step out of them. He steps back an inch, his eyes admiring me from top to bottom. My cheeks flush as I watch the flame of desire burn through those emerald-green eyes.

Within seconds, he’s on me again, his hands reaching down and ripping my lace underwear. I watch as he puts two fingers in his mouth, sucking them before bringing them down, slowly sliding from my clit to my entrance.

The pleasure pools inside me at his touch. I grip onto his neck as his fingers enter me, a moan slipping from my mouth. My hips move on their own accord, begging his fingers to move, to create friction, and he complies, moving them in and out slowly.

His mouth comes down on my neck, sucking, licking, kissing. Reaching down, I grip his shaft, and he immediately hardens at my touch, letting out a groan.

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