“But we’re pretending.”
“We were,” he bit, a storm brewing in his gray eyes. I shook my head, but he blew my mind when he kept talking. “We were pretending for about three seconds while that douche Colt was there, and then he left, and we kissed, and it was game over. I was a fucking goner for you.”
“Milo.” My hands rested on his sinewy shoulders. “You don’t have to butter me up. I’m a sure thing.”
“This is why,” he bit, putting about two inches of space between us. “This is why I didn’t wanna cross that line.” He sighed and rested his forehead against mine. Somehow, the shift made it even harder, pun intended, to ignore his stiff dick. “When we go there, when I have you, I want you to know it’s real.”
“What?”
“I should have asked this a while ago, but—” He moved his forehead from mine, his fingers cupping my chin, gently forcing me to keep my gaze on his. “Smarty Pants, will you be my girlfriend?”
“What?” A weird little giggle bubbled over, and my eyes started to sting.
How was this even happening?
Last night and then this morning. This conversation. These were all the things you daydreamed, like a silly schoolgirl. But reality, my reality, was sweeter.
“I fucking like you, a lot. Like you, like you. Hell, I know this is gonna freak you out, but you’re gonna have to deal with it. Because, fuck me, baby, there is no going back. I’m falling in love with you. Head over ass in love with you, Cora.”
“So poetic,” I whispered with a smile and a sniffle.
“When it comes to you, I am,” he said earnestly. “You’re like Christmas morning. You know, where everything throughout the day gets better and better from the moment you open your eyes. That’s you. Every minute I spend with you leaves me craving more time. And the fucking thing is, I don’t even care what we do. Just as long as I’m with you. I even like going to the library and study. I fucking dig watching you sneak smarties into your mouth because you take the no food or drink sign seriously.”
“Smarties are delicious.”
“We can agree to disagree. But you like them, so now I love them. I even have a bag stashed away in my desk, in case I ever have you in here, or when I miss you, I pop one in.”
“You do?”
“I do.” My lips quirked up, and I bit my lip as he kept talking. “I also fucking regret losing so much time because I was an idiot. I didn’t go after you freshman year. I should have, and I’m sorry we lost all this time.”
“Milo…”
“When it comes to you, I want to be a better person.”
“Oh, Milo.” Nothing in the world could hold me back. Maybe I was as much of a hopeless romantic as Allie, after all?
My lips touched his, and I opened. His tongue swooped in, and the taste of him, the feel of him, god, he made my toes curl. The kiss was deep and wet. Passionate and intimate. Filled with promise for something so big and amazing I couldn’t wait. All too quickly, he pulled away, both of breathing heavily.
“Cora,” he groaned. “Be mine, Cora. Please, baby.” I placed the tips of my fingers over his lips; he bit down and I smiled.
“I’ve been yours since our first-first kiss.”
“Fuck,” he growled, his hands tangling in the back of my hair perfectly, pulling a delicious tug so he could control the punishing kiss. He poured everything he felt into the kiss. So much beauty and love it made me breathless. Shifting and rolling us in bed, he moved us, leaving me in the center of it. His beautiful strong body between my legs, hovering over me.
“I love you,” he whispered, dropping his face above mine, and I knew he meant it. Those three words were genuine, and as crazy and fast as it was, I believed them. I did because I felt them back.
“I love you,” I whispered back easily and confidently. I couldn’t believe the whole turn of events. Milo Clark, the boy who had invaded my dreams for years, the one I couldn’t sweep away, was my boyfriend. He was going to be my first. The smile he gave me was the ultimate gift. “Make love to me.”
“We don’t have to—”
“I want to,” I whispered, and I could see his resolve dwindling away.
“I should get you ready.” His jaw clenched hard. I moved one hand down to meet his cock, trying as much as I could to align him.
“I’m already wet. I’m ready.”
“Fuck.” His eyes shut tight, and his nose flared. He could feel me. Slippery and warm. “That for me, babe? So fucking wet.,” he growled, and I licked my lips. His dirty words feeding me, making me ache and blush at the same time.
“Only you,” I breathed and felt him nudge his ruddy wide crown hard against me. “God, you feel good.”
“I need a condom—”
“I’m covered,” I shared, not wanting to lose him. Not even for a second.
“What?”
“I take the pill. Religiously,” I shared with a kiss.
“But you are…”
“It helps with my period and face. Acne, umm—”
“Cora, baby, breathe.”
“I want you. Just you,” I breathed, dying to feel him. I needed to be clear. “I don’t want anything between us. I want to feel you,” I purred, enjoying the hardness sliding against my lower lips.
“I’ve never—” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, and something came over me. I liked the idea of this being a first for both of us. I reached up and licked his neck. “It’ll be a first for both of us,” I whispered, sounding almost like some sort of seductress, and I’d want to high five myself if it weren’t for the fact I was delirious for him.
“Shit, you feel good,” he groaned. “Are you sure—“
“Yes,” I sighed, opening my legs further to help fit him better.
“Eyes. I need your eyes, Cora,” he ordered, and I gave him what he wanted. He balanced his weight with one hand, and with the other he traced my pussy with his dick. I looked down to where we were connected. His shaft was hard and thick. The wide crown slid up and down my folds, nudging against my clit.
“Please,” I begged, squirming slightly underneath him. My entrance ached to be filled. I hadn’t done this before, I wasn’t positive what to expect, but there was a calm that swirled with the excitement and anticipation of the moment. Calm because I trusted Milo.
“You want this, Cora? You want me to fill you up?”
“Yes!”
“If it’s too much, I’ll stop. Just tell me, baby.” His voice was hoarse, and there was no way I could answer as he started to enter me.
“More,” I begged. His body moved closer, and I lost the sight of us together, but he felt so delicious I didn’t mind. The new angle hit the right spots.
“Milo,” I gasped as he thrust inside me again.
In and out.
Slowly. With such sweetness and beauty it was close to overwhelming.
I was so full. Not just of him but of emotion. The slight bite of pain I’d felt at the beginning was starting to dull, transforming into something indescribable. Incredible. I owned toys and had played with a variety of sizes, but this this was so much more.
“You’re so big,” I moaned, my voice unrecognizable, and he was. Never had I ever been filled the way he filled me.
“Shit, you feel good. Never felt anything like this.” His voice vibrated off my skin, and I arched into him; he felt even deeper than before.
“Milo. Oh, oh, it’s, oh my god…” Everything felt brighter. Beautiful. My body was holding on to the edge. The way he worked my body was insane.
“Too fucking good. Fuck, Cora!” he groaned, his voice deep and husky. “You’re so tight. Baby.” His mouth on my neck, his tongue licking just the spot below my ear that drove me crazy.
“I’m…” I was breathless. My body slick against his, I couldn’t even finish a sentence. “I’m, oh god, Milo, I…” I panted, but I couldn’t utter another word because I fell apart. I shattered. Coming harder than I had ever come, my pussy cle
nching, pulling him in deeper as bright lights burst behind my eyelids.
“Yes!”
“Fuck!” he growled as he rammed into me, prolonging my orgasm. He kept moving, and I held on. Held on until he reached his peak and I felt him. His release rushing into me, his groans against my neck, slick skin against mine. I couldn’t have imagined anything better for my first time.
That morning, Milo Clark showed me it was possible for reality to surpass dreams.
Milo
She was mine, and I was hers. Completely.
This time, I wouldn’t let anything mess it up.
We were for keeps.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Milo
“SO?” SHE ASKED almost impatiently the moment I reached her table in the library.
“So, what?” I smirked, pretending I didn’t know what she was asking just as I took the seat right next to her. “Pick one.” I held my hands out in fists.
“Milo.”
“Cora,” I mimicked in her serious tone, “pick one.” Her lips twitched, and she tapped on the top of my right hand.
“Boom.” I winked at her, and she giggled, taking the packet of smarties from my hand.
“Thank you,” she sighed, a soft, sweet smile on her beautiful face.
“Anything for you, baby. How was your day?”
“Really? That’s how you want to play it? How was my day?” The nervous energy flowing from her caught me off guard.
“Cora…”
“What did you get?” The results to our midterms were in, and I was trying to figure out how to play my cards. It was stupid. After making love to her the night after celebrating our win, I took her again and again. She was insatiable, and I matched her tit for tat. It was the start of us being committed to one another. But I worried about telling her my grade, and it was stupid, really.
“Does it matter?”
“Of course, it matters,” she huffed, her eyes rolling. “So? Is your place on the field safe?” she asked, and now I was the one frozen and unblinking, staring at the gorgeous girl in front of me. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, waiting for me to say something. “What?” I whispered.
“Milo, this whole thing started because you were worried about getting benched,” she quietly clarified, and I licked my lips.
“What if I tell you I got an A? Would we have to stop these little sexy library rendezvous?” I tried to make it lighthearted, but I knew she wasn’t going to let me when she did her cute little frown. The one that said she meant business and wasn’t going to back down.
“I don’t know. I mean, you wouldn’t need me anymore.”
“I wouldn’t need you anymore?” I repeated and didn’t know what to say since my stomach felt like it fell to my toes. “Cora, I told you—”
“I know, but—”
“Are you still worried? Do you think I’m playing you? That I would tell you how I feel, take your virginity, start a relationship, ask you to be my girlfriend for what? As a game?”
“No,” she sighed, taking hold of my hand, and I tried not to get annoyed. Would my old mistake of that first kiss follow us forever? “I’m worried that in the light of a new day, you see me, I don’t know, differently.” Her voice went softer, and I leaned in closer, resting my forehead on hers.
“Do you see me differently?”
“Yes,” she answered softly, and I was about to pull away when she kept talking. “But not in a bad way,” she quickly added, the honesty in her eyes warming my chest. “I’m worried this is all too good to be true and the rug’s going to be pulled out from under me.”
“You and me, this is for the long run.” I stroked the side of her face, the smooth skin under my hand stirring something inside of me. A rush of protectiveness washed over me. Like a caveman wanting to make sure his mate was secure and happy. “I love you. These aren’t just words. I mean it. I’m not going anywhere without you by my side.”
“Until June at least, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“We will graduate, and life is going to take us in different directions.” And that was the root of her worry, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Cora—”
“I’m going to law school, and if you get an offer to play for the MLS, you have no idea where it’s going to take you. Or if you don’t…” She paused and looked up at me, questions in her eyes. I knew what was coming. “What are your plans if you don’t play pro?”
“Law school.”
“I’m serious.” She groaned, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“So am I,” I stated. It was time to let her know I was more than the stupid jock she’d labeled me as.
“What?” she chuckled and then turned serious, studying me. “For reals?”
“For reals,” I reassured her. “I’m realistic, baby. I’m a good goal tender, but I had to be realistic. A backup plan is always good, and I like the idea of helping the community. Law was always something that’s interested me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You thought I was just a dumb jock.” I laughed, pulling away, keeping her hand in mine, intertwining and locking our fingers together.
“Well, you are pretty.”
“I am more than a pretty face, Miss Meadows.”
“I’m seeing that.” She looked up at me dreamily, and I leaned in, stealing a small kiss. “This is for reals, then? You and me,” she asked. The hope in her eyes warmed me from the inside out.
“Very real. Having second thoughts?”
“Not at all. I just don’t know how it happened.”
“We’re meant to be.” My nose touched hers. “B plus,” I whispered before taking another kiss.
“Hmm?”
“I got a B plus,” I said, pulling away, trying not to get too carried away in the library.
“You did?” Her face lit up bright and happy, and before I knew it, she was in my lap, her arms around my neck, the joy in her laughter making me happier than I had ever thought possible. Not trusting my voice at the moment, just knowing the vision and feel of her like this would be engraved in my memory, I simply nodded. She was my girlfriend, and with time, she would be more. These small moments were the foundation of where we were going, and like a snap of fingers, I could see the future. Man, it looked really fucking good.
“I’m so proud of you,” she encouraged, and damn, it felt good. “We should go celebrate!” The giddiness shining out of her made me smile. Who would have thought I would be the one to make Cora Meadows giddy? Hell, who would have thought asking for help would get me so much more than not getting benched? She stood and extended her hand. “Dinner. My treat.”
“Cora, you’re my girlfriend. I should be the one who—”
“Don’t finish that sentence, macho man. I’m paying,” she said in that tone I’d enjoyed all too much when we’d seen one another in the past. I’d loved riling her up before. Now, I just liked the fact she was mine.
“Only if we go to the Halloween store after and I pay.” I shrugged, standing and taking her hand, tossing our bags over the shoulder farthest from her.
“Halloween store?”
“We need costumes for the party. I think a couple one. What about you?” I winked, and she playfully rolled her eyes.
“I could pay for my own, you know?” She was putting up a fight, but I knew it was just for show.
“You could. But you’re not.” I gently hip-checked her. “Come on. Wine and dine me, Smarty Pants.”
Cora
The future wasn’t crystal clear, and for a girl who had tried to plan out every step, I was okay with the unknown in this case.
I hadn’t expected Milo and I striking up some weird deal at the beginning of the year, never in a million years, but we had. And because of that curveball, there we were.
Hand in hand as we walked to his car, I looked up at the man who took my breath away. After graduation, things were murky, and I knew it would take work to mak
e things work, but I knew it would be worth it.
Because together, the future was incredibly bright.
EPILOGUE
Cora
“HEY!” I DROPPED the bags from the Halloween store on my bed and smiled at Cat, who was looking out the window, her face serious.
“Hey,” she droned quietly.
“What’s up?” I asked, sitting next to her, taking in her appearance. Still and somewhat melancholy, Catalina sat there in her usual baggy sweater, this one gray with our school’s logo, and her trademark leggings when she was in the house. She never left the house in them or anything that would give the hint of the shape she hid beneath her clothes.
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Cat, don’t do that.” I bumped her shoulder playfully, trying to snap her out of whatever funk she was in.
“Do what?” she clipped.
“Shut me out.” I grabbed her hand, and she squeezed it back but didn’t look over to me. We sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. When I was about to push again, knowing she’d give in, she broke the silence.
“Do you think I’m an ugly duckling?” she asked, emotionless, obviously trying to keep strong. My stomach dropped.
“What?” I asked, frowning. “Who said that?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Catalina Navarro, you are gorgeous.”
“Don’t blow smoke up my ass,” she huffed and turned to look at me. Her glasses perched on the tip of her nose were slightly smudged, her eyes red and puffy. My girl had been crying. My stomach twisted in knots for her. “I’m plain,” she whispered.
“You are not. You’re—“
“I am,” she cut me off. “I know it. I thought I was okay with that. But then…” Her voice cracked. “And he just…” She went quiet as she rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m just tired of being the girl in the background.”
“Babe, talk to me. What happened?” This wasn’t like Catalina. Catalina hardly let anything get to her.
“I’m fat.”
“Cat, we’re roommates.”
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