Page 27

All I knew was that I had to see him to know what I truly wanted.

When he showed up at the party, sweeping me off my feet and seducing me, it flipped a switch in my brain. We weren't done, we had never really been done, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that we were.

Pulling down the dirt road, I parked the car and climbed out. Hiking through the woods, I followed the faded path deep into the trees.

It was easy to see that no one had been down there in a really long time. The path was overgrown, sharp thorns were sticking into my skin, making it difficult to press on.

What if this isn't what he meant?

What if he was just bringing up the memory?

Stopping short, I raked my nails through my hair, wondering if I was reaching for something that wasn't there to begin with. Had I just run to an invisible invitation?

I'm a fucking idiot.

Turning around, I started back towards the car, then stopped in my tracks. Yuri was walking up the path, carrying a small bag. He looked so damn handsome it took my breath away.

His dark brown hair was blowing in the soft breeze, gently brushing his brows. His arms were firm and muscular even under his jacket, creating bulges as he adjusted the bag. A strip of sunlight broke through the treetops, making his olive colored skin glow. The hard lines of his jaw caused my skin to prickle, making me shiver.

God, how does someone I'm supposed to hate, look so damn good?

Seeing me, his mouth instantly shot into a wide grin. “I wasn't sure you'd actually come.”

“I wasn't sure it was an invitation.”

“See, you still know me.”

Laughing, I felt my cheeks blush slightly. “Yeah and that scares the shit out of me.”

“It scares us both.” Yuri stopped once he was about a foot away, shifting the bag up on his shoulder. “You remember why this place is so special?” he asked, tilting his head as his eyes glinted like gold.

I felt the warmth of my cheeks spread like fire down my body, coalescing into a throbbing need between my thighs.

Damn it! Why does he still make me feel this way?

“Of course I do, I was actually surprised you remembered it.”

“Are you kidding me?” His mouth pulled back as he licked his bottom lip. “It's where I saw you for the first time. . .” Pausing, his smile turned sultry. “And it's where I took your virginity. I could never forget that.”

My cheeks heated, causing me to smile with embarrassment. “Yes, yes you did.” The memory of that day flooded into my brain, making my heart hammer inside my chest.

I had gone with a few of my friends from school to a party in the woods—these woods. We were hanging out with some older kids, and my parents would have killed me if they knew I was there.

Yuri was standing by the fire, laughing with a few guys. When I saw him, it was an instant attraction. He happened to look up right at that moment, our eyes locking, drowning out everything else around us.

I remember the butterflies in my gut when he started walking over to me, the way my hands became clammy, and how a cool sweat started to trickle down the back of my neck.

'I haven't seen you here before, you're Gwen, right? Tyler's little sister?'

The second he opened his mouth to speak and I heard his voice, it felt like the air had been drained from my lungs. His voice was melodic, deep and thick, making my body do things it never had before.

We spent the night laying on a blanket under the stars, with his arms keeping me warm, holding me tight. He made love to me under that clear sky and we were inseparable after that.

Everything was perfect. Most girls want that, they want the perfect moment for their first time, and most don't get it.

I was one of the lucky ones.

“Come on,” Yuri said, braiding our fingers together and pulling me deeper into the woods.