Sawyer and I had been meeting every day since I got my cast off last week to toss around the football. “Really well. He says my arm is just as good as before.”
“That’s great. I’m proud of you,” she said.
Leaning over, I kissed her cheek, her fruity scent enveloping me. “Thanks.”
“So I have some news.” Excitement was written all over her face. I imagined her eyes sparkling underneath her large glasses.
My heart leapt, almost positive what her news would be. “Really?”
“I got another college acceptance letter.”
She’d already gotten several. “Please tell me this was from Oceanside.”
Biting her lip, she nodded.
“That’s amazing.” I’d already secured my spot at Oceanside and received a partial scholarship. Once I’d realized all that my mom and James did to help that along, I was bowled over. Since then, James and I had gotten pretty tight. I wasn’t sure I was ready to completely embrace him as my new dad, but he was the closest thing to a father figure I’d ever experienced. And for that I was grateful. “So, are you going to accept?”
Chloe appeared conflicted, and my chest tightened. “I want to, but first I want to make sure you’re okay with it.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’re sure I won’t be cramping your style?”
Her question confused me. “Why would you say that?”
“I thought college was a time for guys to play the field, sow their wild oats and all that jazz.”
“I have no desire to play the field, and I don’t even know what sowing wild oats means.” Chloe chuckled at that. Reaching up, I ran my knuckles over her cheek. “Don’t you know how I feel about you by now?” My fingers slipped beneath her wet hair. “I love you, Chloe.”
She froze. It was the first time I’d said the words. Sure, I’d known it for a long time. I was just waiting for the right moment to say it.
“I love you too,” she said breathlessly.
Keeping one hand tucked beneath her hair, I curved my other hand around her waist and scooted closer. “God, I missed this.”
“Being in the spa?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“No. Holding you with both arms.”
She smiled. “I missed it too.”
I feathered my lips over hers, softly, like the sweep of a paintbrush. I savored the feel of her lips on mine, gently rubbing back and forth, creating friction. Then I pressed down a little more firmly, her lips pliable as our mouths fused together. A small moan sounded at the back of her throat, as I teased her lips open with my tongue. When my tongue slid between her perfect lips, I took my time. Softly sliding my tongue over hers and swirling it inside her mouth. Her hands found my chest, her fingers tickling my muscles as they skated over my flesh.
“Say it again,” she spoke against my mouth.
“I love you, Chloe,” I said, loving the way the words tasted on my tongue. My mouth covered hers again, kissing her intensely. When we drew back, I stared into her eyes. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I love you so much, and I don’t plan to ever stop.”
THE END