Chapter 8
eight
Jenna
“Journee, where are you? Are you okay? He’s not holding you against your will, is he?” I rattle off question after question to my sister, not giving her a chance to respond. “I’ll kick his ass if he is.”
“I’m not exactly sure where I am. The day I ran away from my wedding, I started walking and ended up in an abandoned, fully stocked cabin, or so I thought it was abandoned.
I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me. He’s not holding me against my will.
If anything, I’m holding him against his will.
” My sister’s voice sounds happier and more playful than it has in months.
Whatever happened over the last ten days she went missing has definitely improved her mood.
“As long as you're safe, that’s all that matters.” I clutch the phone tighter, cupping my palm around the mouthpiece and whispering. “Did you find your Brad Pitt?” I know she understands what I mean when she replies with a lovesick sigh.
“And then some. He’s amazing, Jenna. I hope you find what I’ve found one day.”
“I think I have.” I glance over at Dash, standing by the window, looking out over the mountains. “Do you have any regrets?” I know she understands what I mean by giving her virginity to a man she barely knows.
“None. And you shouldn’t either, Jenna. Love pops up when you least expect it.
Remember, fortune favors the bold—be bold, Jenna, take the leap of faith.
” A low growl from Journee’s side of the conversation, followed by her giggle, has me longing to be bold.
“I’ve got to go, Jenna. I’ll see you tomorrow.
” We say our goodbyes, but her words ring through my head, be bold.
“Is everything okay?” Dash turns to face me, concern written all over his face. “Do you want to go get your sister tonight?”
If I’m correct about my sister’s relationship with True, there is no way he’ll let her go tonight or any other night, for that matter.
“Can I ask you something, Dash?” I take a step toward him, running my hands up his chest. “Do you believe in fate?”
“Not until today.” His facial features relax, giving me the confidence to press onward.
“What if I told you I’ve waited my whole life to feel the way you make me feel, even in only the few hours I’ve known you?”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close, and gazes down into my eyes. “I’d tell you I feel the same way about you.”
“Good.” I lean up on my tiptoes and place my lips against his in my first real kiss. The kiss is tentative at first, then instinct takes over as I open my mouth to him, meeting his tongue stroke for stroke.
“Are you sure about this? Once I make you mine, you're mine forever,” Dash asks when we finally come up for air and break the kiss.
I’m not sure what the future holds after tonight, but right now, Dash is all I want. “Yes, Dash. I want you to be my first and make love to me.” It’s not exactly a promise of forever, but it’s the best I can give him for now.
He stares into my eyes as if he wants to question me further, then changes his mind. “I’d be honored to be your first. And I want you to be mine, too.”
His confession takes me off guard, but not for long, because I realize that whatever happens tomorrow, tonight will be perfect.