I can’t take it anymore. I want Oakley. I love her and I always have. I’ve wasted the last ten years pining after her and I can’t wait another ten to tell her how I feel.
“Because I never noticed any of the girls in school,” I whisper, turning her hand over and pressing a featherlight kiss to the inside of her wrist. Her pulse pounds against my lips and her breath catches in her throat.
“Really?” She blinks up at me with watery eyes. For a second, I fear I ruined everything. But then she gives me a tentative smile, hope blooming in her clear blue eyes.
“Yeah. I’ve been in love with you since I was a kid,” I tell her, laying it all on the line. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. Fuck, gorgeous, I missed you so damn much when you were away at college.”
She nibbles her bottom lip, sitting up so we’re face to face.
“Are you messing with me?” she whispers, and I scoot closer to her in the sand. It kills me that she doubts my intentions, but I only have myself to blame.
“I’ve been in love with you since we were kids, Oakley. I think everyone knows about it. Except for you and Clara. I’m sorry if this makes things awkward, but I couldn’t keep it to myself any more. Not when you’re right here, and you’re so perfect, and all I want to do is kiss you.”
She studies me for a moment, and I hold my breath. Is she going to reject me, let me down easy? Slap me?
The first tear falls, along with my heart. I fucked this all up.
I’m about to apologize and then bury myself in the sand, but then my girl says the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.
“I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember,” she murmurs.
“Really?” I ask hopefully.
She nods, resting her forehead against mine. “I thought I could move on when I went away, but it only hurt worse.”
Another tear falls, but I catch it on my thumb, wiping it away before curling my hand around the back of her neck.
“No more tears, baby,” I whisper. “Only love from here on out, okay?”
Oakley nods, her brilliant smile lighting up my whole world.
All the pent-up lust and longing slams into me at once, and I pull her closer, crashing my lips down on hers. My sweet girl tastes like sunshine and citrus, her tongue wrapping around mine as I stroke into her mouth.
The softest moan falls from her lips, spurring me on. I glide my hands down her luscious body, massaging her generous breasts. Oakley moans again, then tilts her head back, giving me access to her creamy flesh. I nibble down the side of her neck, then lick a strip back up, taking her mouth once again.
Oakley slides her hands up my chest, clinging to me as I lay her back on the sand, continuing to ravish her. “So perfect for me,” I rasp when we finally break for air. I rub my nose against hers, loving the adorable smile she gives me. I notice the sand in her hair, and frown. “Here,” I say, taking off my suit jacket before unbuttoning my white shirt.
Oakley gasps, her mouth dropping open as she watches me undress. I’d apologize for scandalizing her, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Her eyes roam over my chest and abs, and yeah, I flex a little bit. I built this body through hard work and sweating in the fields all day. Fuck yeah, it feels good seeing my woman appreciate the spoils.
Her gaze fixes on the center of my chest, just to the left. I know she sees the tattoo over my heart when her hand comes up to cover her mouth.
I lean over, spreading out my shirt on the sand, then rolling up my jacket for her to use as a pillow. “Got it the day I turned eighteen,” I whisper as I sit back up. Oakley reaches out for me, her fingers tracing over the elaborate letters of her name, tattooed over my heart. “Told you I’ve been in love with you forever.”
Her eyes dart up to mine, and she slowly nods in understanding. “Show me,” she says softly. “Show me how much you love me.”
I comb my fingers through her hair, resting my forehead against hers once more.
“Goddamn, I’ve wanted you for so long,” I murmur, shaking with the effort of holding back the intense lust and possessive thoughts clawing at my insides. “But we don’t have to do anything right now, Oakley. I’ll never force you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
“I’m not uncomfortable,” she assures me. “I want you so much, I just… what if I’m… I mean, I’ve never even…”
I groan, nuzzling into the side of her neck and nipping her sensitive skin. Sitting back on my heels, I gaze into her big, vulnerable, crystal blue eyes. “I know you’re a virgin. I fucking love that,” I admit. Clearing my throat, I look away briefly, gathering my thoughts. “Truthfully, this is my first time, too.”
“Really?” she breathes out. Oakley cups my cheek, drawing me closer to her tempting lips. “I’m going to be your first?”
“First, last, and only, love. I’m never letting you go after this.” My sweet girl blinks back tears, nodding her head as her thumb caresses my cheek.
I loop my fingers around her wrist, drawing her hand up to my lips. Pressing a kiss to each of her knuckles, I gently slip her dress off, then help her with her bra and panties. I guide her backward so she’s spread out for me on our makeshift blanket.