Chapter 24 Begin Again #2
His voice kept her steady. His dirty words fueling the fire inside her. And even though her heart was pounding, she’d never felt more powerful, more wanted.
When he warned her he was close, she didn’t stop. She only looked up at him, silently telling him: I want this. I want all of you.
And Dylan, wrecked and shaking, could only whisper her name like a prayer as he came.
Ali wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand, cheeks flushed, heart pounding out of her chest. Her lips tingled, her throat a little sore, but all she could think about was the way he’d said her name—like it meant everything.
“Hey,” Dylan whispered, his voice wrecked but warm. He reached down and cupped her face, gently tilting it up so she’d look at him. “Come here, baby.”
She hesitated. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
Worried she was too heavy for his lap. But he tugged incessantly.
So she climbed awkwardly across the console, still a little unsure, until she was nestled against his chest. He tucked her under his arm, pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.
“You okay?” he murmured. “Was that too much?”
Ali shook her head quickly, her voice still small. “No… I’m okay. More than okay. I wanted to.”
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, thumb brushing under her lips. “You were amazing, Ali. So fucking beautiful.”
She blushed, curling her fingers into the soft fabric of his t-shirt. “I didn’t know if I was doing it right.”
“You were perfect,” he said without hesitation. “God, baby, I didn’t want to stop you. You felt so good. You looked so good.”
He kissed her again— this time soft, lingering, reverent. Not rushed or needy. Just full of quiet awe.
Dylan wrapped both arms around her, cradling her against his chest like something precious. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
She melted into him, sighing as the warm evening air filled the Bronco. Outside, the cicadas still buzzed, the marsh was turning soft gold in the fading light, and the world felt far away.
“Does this…” she began, hesitating. “Mean we’re…?”
He pulled her hand into his, threading their fingers together. “It means I’m not letting you go again.”
Ali’s throat tightened, but she nodded.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay.”
They sat like that for a long time— windows open, hearts open, her head on his shoulder, his thumb tracing circles against her thigh. Everything unspoken settled quietly between them, not needing to be rushed.
Because they had time now.
And this time, they weren’t wasting it.
Ali stayed curled against Dylan’s chest, her eyes watching the Spanish moss sway from the old cypress trees outside. The marsh shimmered in the fading light, all honey and shadow. His thumb kept tracing lazy circles on her thigh, grounding her in the moment— but also making her nervous.
Because she had to say it. Before they got too far. Before she got too lost in the warmth of him.
“Dylan,” she said softly, pulling back just a little to look at him.
“Yeah?” he turned his head toward her, brows slightly furrowed, immediately picking up on her shift in tone.
She hesitated. Then looked down at their joined hands, her thumb brushing over his knuckle. “I’m… not ready to date you. Not out loud.”
His jaw tightened slightly, and she saw him brace— just a flicker, but it was there.
“It’s not you,” she rushed. “I mean… geez, it’s not. I like you. I want this. I just… I’m scared.”
Dylan didn’t speak right away. He nodded slowly, waiting, giving her space. Letting her fill in the silence on her own terms.
“In college,” she said, voice catching. “After people found out. Daisy, her friends… everyone just turned on me. Like I was the villain. Like I wasn’t good enough for you.”
“You were always good enough for me,” Dylan said fiercely.
“But nobody saw it that way,” she whispered. “And I couldn’t handle it. I let them make me feel small. Like I didn’t belong with you. And I guess I never really stopped believing it.”
He reached out, brushing a piece of stray hair behind her ear. “Ali…”
“I don’t want the attention,” she said, trying not to cry. “The whispers. The looks. People comparing me to whatever imaginary version of a girl they think you should be with. I— I know I’m not that.”
“You’re exactly who I want,” he said. “I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks.”
She smiled a little, but it was shaky. “I need time. I need to feel… strong in this. In us. Before it’s anyone else’s business.”
Dylan let out a long breath, then leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. “Okay,” he said. “We’ll do it your way. Whatever you need.”
“You’re not mad?”
“I’m mad people made you feel like you had to hide,” he said, brushing his lips over her temple. “But I’m not mad at you. I’ll wait. I’ll protect this. And you.”
Ali closed her eyes, letting the promise settle deep in her chest. It wasn’t everything yet, but it was something real. Something steady.
She opened her eyes again and looked at him. “Just… don’t stop texting me dirty things in the meantime.”
He grinned, all dimples and heat. “I was planning on doubling down, actually.”
That made her laugh— soft, a little teary, but real. She leaned in, kissed him slow and grateful, and finally let herself breathe.