His lips lift in the corners. “Kinda hoping you do.”
“I wish I didn’t have to leave.”
He kisses my neck, finding that spot that makes me shudder in delight. “So don’t. Skip class tomorrow.”
“I can’t.” Jesus, that feels amazing. “My… um… midterms are this week. I need to study.”
“If you weren’t in school, I'd keep you hostage and never let you go.” He slips his hand between my thighs.
I spread my legs, welcoming his touch. “Pretty sure that’s called kidnapping.”.
Josh presses against my center, but doesn’t go in. I tilt my hips, anxious to feel him again, but he purposely holds back. “Or moving in.”
“You want me to move in with you?”
Josh pulls his hand from between my legs and rests it on my hip. He looks me in the eyes; the intensity of his gaze makes my stomach somersault. “If we’re still together next year and it doesn’t fuck with your schooling, yeah.”
Move in. I was worried about meeting his mom, but this takes things to the next step. I weigh my options, knowing Josh is waiting for an answer, but there’s a lot to consider.
We’ve known each other less than a year.
We’ve only officially been dating a week.
My parents will lose their minds when they find out.
But Josh is the sweetest man I know. He’s never pressured me into doing anything I’m uncomfortable with. He’s respectful, has a steady job and, if I’m being honest with myself, I hate the drive from Orlando to the ranch.
“Well.” I bite my lip already knowing what my answer is. Dad always said there’s no reward without risk. I think Josh and I have something special. Why not? “They have some online classes. I can talk to my guidance counselor about it.”
“I’d like that.” Josh chuckles as my stomach growls and kisses the tip of my nose. “Come on. Let’s get you some breakfast.”
I sit up and pull off the shirt I slept in. I’m naked in Josh’s bed again. From the look he’s giving me, breakfast may be on hold for a while. “After that I should probably get on the road.”
“Do you have to?”
He nibbles on my neck. I arch my back, feeling wetness pool between my legs again. “Maybe I can stay a little longer.”
I'm skipping the fundraiser tomorrow. Aunt Tricia isn’t happy, but I'm not on the schedule to work. I took the whole week off to prepare for my exams. That includes Saturday.
Since I didn’t have to go in today, I decided to drive up early and surprise Josh. FaceTime is great, so is sexting, but I want him.
He comes in the sliding door, the one on the side of the house facing the farm, beside the kitchen, and freezes as soon as he steps inside. “Goddamn. That’s a beautiful sight.”
I finish straining the noodles, then walk around the kitchen island to kiss him hello. Josh is sweaty, smells like grass and male musk, but he tastes like heaven. I curl my arms around his neck, not giving a damn if he gets me dirty.
“Are you hungry?” I pull back and head to the stove. The roasted cherry tomatoes and ricotta are ready. I take it out, mix it all together, then scoop the concoction over plated noodles.
“Starved.” He takes the stool across from me and dives in. I grab a beer from the fridge, twist the cap off, then hand it to him. “This is delicious.”
I smile, pleased the recipe I saw on TikTok was a success, and sit beside him. “Grades posted a little while ago. I got an A in both.”
Josh nudges me with his elbow and grins. “That’s great, babe.”
“Thanks.”
Josh finishes eating before me and starts on the dishes. I finish up and start wiping down the counters. My parents never do anything together, let alone help with the mundane things. We have a chef and a maid, and when I was younger a nanny. But us, cleaning up after a home cooked meal, being a team, it’s nice. I could get used to it.
“We have two options for tonight.” Josh closes the dishwasher and wipes his hands on a kitchen towel. “We can stay in and have a Netflix and chill kind of night, or we can go out to Sprocket Pond. It’s usually a bunch of fun with a bonfire and whatnot.”