Broken Little Melodies(30)

“I’m ready,” I panted into his mouth.

He leaned back, eyes sparkling with excitement in the bright moonlight. “Are y-you s-sure?”

Knowing he was so nervous that his stutter came out touched me in ways I couldn’t put into words. My eyes watered and my lips stretched with a wide smile as I nodded. “My aunt put me on the pill.”

The way his face lit and he kissed me, you’d think I had finally spoken the three words he was waiting to hear. Though he claimed that he was also a virgin and I thought being on the pill would be enough, he surprised me by pulling a condom from his pocket. I bit down on my lips, determined not to laugh as he fumbled with it, swearing under his breath.

Finally we were both naked. The look he cast down on me when he first pushed his smooth tip up inside me will forever be branded into my memory—more permanent than the ink of a tattoo. His love spread over me like a warm embrace. I could feel it deep inside my soul, more beautiful and meaningful than any lyrics he could’ve written. I felt him branding me, providing a connection that could never be undone.

At first the intrusion burned and my body ached. Roman pressed wet kisses all over my face as he declared his love over and over, telling me I was beautiful and that I’d always be his girl. Our bodies were in sync with our hearts in that moment, merging as one. Then the pain faded somewhat, and I dug my fingers into his back to guide him while he gently glided in and out of my tingling center.

As we locked gazes, I was filled with a melody more alluring than any of his serenades over the phone. The adoration that shone in those beautiful seas of green was forever branded on my heart, always to be cherished and never to be forgotten. I’d later understand the glow seizing my belly wasn’t exactly the start of my first orgasm, but it was something close. Roman was so gentle and passionate that I was sure I’d explode with joy into a thousand pieces like the stars that twinkled over his shoulder.

But he exploded first with a shudder and a low groan before becoming still above me. I pulled his sweaty body down into my arms and stroked his short hair.

“You mean the world to me, Roman!” I whispered with a choked cry. “I’m sorry I can’t say the words you want to hear, but I do! I always have! I just—those words…”

“Shhhh, baby, it’s okay,” he hushed, pressing a wet kiss to my forehead. “I know.”

The best night of my life ended with us crying in each other’s arms.



As the increasingly warm days of June flew past, we became bonded in a way that felt more meaningful than any adult relationship I had ever known—especially my aunt’s nearly two-year relationship with Chris. Roman expressed his feelings with a fleeting look or lingering touches. I drifted my way through camp with my head in the clouds and my heart in Roman’s hands. Nothing could’ve made me happier than his whispered devotions or heartfelt kisses.

We made love on the beach a handful of times after that until Roman was busted when trying to leave after curfew, putting our secret nights to an end. I was crushed that we were no longer able to spend those precious hours alone. Though we sometimes found ways to sneak off to my cabin during free time as Melanie kept watch outside, whenever we were bold enough to have sex under the covers. It was hurried and lacked the magical element of the stars stretched across the sky above us.

More often than not we’d lay on the beach together during swim block, my head on his bare chest as his roaming fingers did nothing to curb the constant longing I felt when he was near. We each hoped to one day have a career in music, but I honestly didn’t want to talk about it as he would be in college a full year before I could join him. And a small part of me was worried he’d fall in love with some other girl while he waited for me to finish high school. It wasn’t until the end of June that he first brought up the idea of us having a future together.

“My grandma wants me to apply to Juilliard,” he blurted.

Knots twisted through my stomach as I tried to swallow. Bright-eyed, I spun around to face him. He never really mentioned much about school aside from saying his grandma was happy with his grades.

“Wow, Roman. That’s—”

“They’d never take me,” he grumbled. “I’ve started stuttering again when I sing.”

Frowning, I shook my head. “If you have, I haven’t noticed.”

“That’s because I never do it when you’re around. Everything’s fine when you’re near. You’re my rock, Belle.”

In that moment, when our gazes met and his finger traced the angle of my jaw, an even stronger connection than ever before struck me square in the chest. I could literally feel our souls fusing into one, breaking down every barrier that ever tried to separate us. In a trembling little flash that started at the pit of my stomach, I saw myself marrying Roman and having his babies.