So this is wh
at it means to make love.
This is what it means to become one.
This is what it means.
I close my eyes and I reach for Gavin, pulling him close.
I never want to let him go.
Chapter 17
Gavin
AFTER WE MAKE LOVE, I lay beside Emilia for what feels like an eternity.
“That was special,” she says.
“I’m glad it was good for you,” I whisper. I kiss her on the forehead. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
She snuggles up against me, touching me, and I let myself just get lost in her a little bit longer. When it comes to Emilia, all bets are off. She’s got my heart and my soul and honestly, she’s got everything in-between. I never want to lose her.
I never want anything to come between us.
“I need to go back to my room,” she finally says. “I have class in the morning. You do, too.”
She’s right. I know she’s right.
Reluctantly, we climb out of bed and get dressed. Somehow, I manage to sneak her back out of the dorms and drive her over to the girls’ dormitory. I probably could have just walked her, but driving means we have a few extra minutes in the car to kiss and snuggle before she has to go inside and before I have to go back to reality.
“Do you have all of your stuff?” I ask her. “Phone? Inhaler?”
“Yeah,” she pats her little purse. “I’ve got it all. Thanks.”
“Of course.” I kiss her again and then she quietly slides out of the car, closing the door behind her.
I watch her walk inside the building. I stay long enough to make sure she’s all the way inside, and then I turn away and stare at my steering wheel for a long time. Tomorrow’s the big game, but somehow, I already feel like I’ve won because I’ve got her by my side.
That’s all I need.
It’s all I’ve ever needed.
I start the car and take off back to the dorm. I park, head inside, and go to my room. Once I’m there, I lay in bed and just think about everything that happened. Somehow, it feels like it’s been a lifetime that we’ve been together. Sometimes it feels like it’s only been moments: even hours.
At some point, I fall asleep, and I wake up to the sound of my alarm.
It’s time to start another day at Crescent Academy.
“WHAT HAPPENED LAST night?” Jared catches me outside of the classroom for literature.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what he’s talking about,” Timothy says, but I’m still pissed at him, and I ignore him.
“I was at practice with you last night, dumbass.”
“After that.”