25. Ben
BEN
“Do you know who you are?” I smile down at Mandy. She’s lying on my bed, totally naked, and I’m in heaven.
Damn, having sex with her is the best!
We made love in a fast frenzy, but before either of us could come, I slowed it right down, pulling out of her and savoring every inch of her body.
Yeah, it took control, but it was worth it.
She came with my tongue sliding across her clit, and then I entered her all over again—slow, smooth strokes that made her purr and mewl.
I drew it out, lingering in the pleasure until she was so fully sated she was begging me to finish. And then I finally let go, releasing into her and feeling complete, just like I do every time we’re together.
Mandy runs her finger down my cheek, smiling up at me. “Who am I?”
“You are the best time I’ve ever had. The best girl I’ve ever known.”
“Aw.” She tips her head, her smile filled with affection. “It’s been such a fun start to the summer.”
“I know, right?” I lie down on the pillow, drawing her against me and painting patterns on her naked back.
I love her skin. It’s so soft and delicate. So smooth and perfect.
“I’m going to miss seeing you every day when I head back to Nolan. I kind of don’t want to think about it yet.”
“Then don’t.” She rests her head on my shoulder, draping her arm across my stomach.
I can hear the party through my bedroom door, and even though it’s loud, it feels different. We’re caught in our own little bubble up here. No one can touch us.
I love that feeling.
“But we are going to have to think about how we’ll make this work.
When school goes back, I mean.” I kiss her forehead.
“Our time will be restricted, but I’ll come visit you any weekend I can.
Lennox isn’t that far. I can probably drive across to see you some nights too.
I know things will get busy with practices, games, classes, study sessions, but we’ll snatch pockets of time. ”
Mandy doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if she’s fallen asleep.
“You awake?” I whisper.
“Yeah,” she breathes against my chest, then sits up on her elbow so she can look down at my face. “You know, it’s going to be so busy. Don’t feel like you have to see me all the time.”
“I can make time for you, baby.” I tuck a curl behind her ear. “Of course I’ll make time for you. It’ll be a pleasure. I don’t want to settle for just texts and video chats like the way we started. I want to be able to see you.”
Her smile is gentle as she bobs her head. “I just don’t want you to feel pressured, that’s all. It’ll be a busy year for both of us. I don’t want us to be stressing about always seeing each other.”
“You’ll be the break to my pressure, you know? The thing I can look forward to.” Tipping her chin, I wait until she’s looking me in the eye. “I love you, Mandy.” My heart is pounding as those words slip out of my mouth, but they feel so damn right… so damn good to say. “I love you.”
Her breath catches, and it’s triumphant to surprise her this way.
Cupping the back of her head, I pull her down to kiss me before she can say anything. I don’t want her to feel like she has to say it back just because I did. When she’s ready, those words will come out of her, and they’ll be so much more meaningful.
Her tongue lightly caresses mine, and I smile against her lips.
I said it.
She knows.
And this year is going to be amazing.
Sure, it’ll be challenging to see her, but we can text every day, and those times we do get together will be magical. I’ll make sure of it.