Page 16

SIXTEEN

ANDRE

Ethan kissed me, his lips soft and warm, a gentle press that silenced the noise in my head. Festival planning and wondering about my relationship with Ethan all faded into the background.

Then came the hug.

And God, he could hug.

His arms wrapped around me, firm yet tender. I leaned closer, my cheek against his shoulder.

When we pulled apart, his blue eyes met mine and my heart stuttered.

My mind flashed to quiet nights here, mornings tangled in sheets, the discovery of who we might be together. Could that all happen before he had to leave in September?

Was long distance even possible for us?

I brought my focus back to him and let my hand drift down his chest, brushing his nipple lightly. He groaned, low and long, and I grinned, loving how he responded.

“Can I…” My voice came out raw, barely above a whisper.

He caught my hand and guided it to the bulge in his shorts.

“Can I make you come?”

He moved my hand against him, slow and deliberate.

“Yes. I want it.” His voice was thick with need. “But fair warning. I won’t last. Almost lost it getting you off.”

I sucked in a breath, imagining it—him falling apart as I came in his mouth.

“That would’ve been hot,” I admitted, “but I’m glad you waited.”

I wanted to savor him, just as he’d done for me. A playful spark flared, and I pulled my hand back. “Let’s see how long you can hold out.”

My hand slipped into his shorts, wrapping around his shaft—warm, thick, pulsing. I stroked him slowly as I leaned in for a kiss. Ethan responded by wrapping his hand around my head and deepening the kiss.

Once I couldn’t wait any longer, I pulled back and dropped to my knees.

Ethan shifted, hips tilting forward, offering himself up. I tugged his shorts down. The fabric dragged over his thighs until they bunched at his feet, leaving him in boxers. His cock strained against the cotton, a damp spot spreading where he’d leaked.

I ran my hand up his leg from knee to thigh, the muscle firm beneath my fingers, soft hair tickling my skin. My hand curved to his ass—tight and perfect.

“You’re a tease,” he said with a groan.

I smirked up at him, eyebrow cocked. “Patience.”

My hand roamed higher, tracing the faint ridges of his stomach then up to his chest. I brushed a nipple and he jolted, grabbing my shoulder, his breath catching sharply.

“How’s that?” I murmured, pushing him a little.

A loud groan tore from him as his beautiful eyes locked on mine.

My fingers slid down, outlining his cock through the fabric. He twitched, his groan transitioning into a whimper of desire.

I leaned in, my lips brushing the head through the cloth, the texture rough against my mouth. His hand landed on my head, pressing me closer. The urgency in his grip made my heart pound.

I worked my mouth over the fabric—slow, steady, feeling him throb with each pass. When I pulled back, he exhaled hard and I peeled his briefs down, inch by inch. His cock sprang free, heavy and veined, the tip glistening with precum.

I grazed its length, slow and deliberate, swirling the slick drop at the tip.

“You’re evil,” he rasped, “and I love it.”

I kissed the head gently and traced my lips along his shaft. His body tightened, a deep sound breaking free as his cock nudged my jaw. I stood, nipping his nipple with my teeth, and he shook, muttering, “Yes, yes, yes,” his hands gripping me hard, nails digging into my skin.

He leaned into me, unsteady, but I kept going. My hand closed around his cock, stroking slowly. I licked his nipple again before moving in for a kiss. Our tongues met, his moans vibrating against me. The kiss was all heat and hunger.

“I’m so close,” he whispered, voice fraying like it might break.

His body tensed, one hand on my hip, the other clawing at my shoulder. I sped up, his precum easing the glide.

His hips forcefully jerked and with a sharp cry, he came. Warm cum hit my hand, my stomach, his stomach, up his chest. I continued kissing him deeply, coaxing out every shudder until he slumped against me.

I slowed, pulling him close, his sweaty skin sticking to mine.

“Stars in my eyes.” His breath was ragged. “Never came like that.”

I sank to my knees again, and he watched, dazed but curious. Smiling, I took his softening cock deep in my mouth, tongue circling the head. He moaned, soft and sated.

Once I’d cleaned his cock, I stood and kissed him deeply again.

“Quite a mess.” He glanced down with a crooked grin.

I laughed, brushing damp hair from his forehead. “Should’ve sucked you off like you did me—less to clean up. Still, watching you lose it was totally worth it.”

“What you did was perfect.” He shook his head, awe in his tone. “We’ve got plenty of time for more.” A blush crept up his cheeks.

I stepped closer, hands settling on his hips. “I want more too.”

Relief softened his face, and he smiled. “Let me clean us up.”

He grabbed his shirt off the grass, wiping my stomach, legs and hand with careful strokes. Then he cleaned himself, swiping at the streaks of cum that had landed on him.

“Better?”

I took the shirt from him, catching his puzzled look. “Got some on your back when I hugged you.” He turned, a streak glistening across his spine, and I wiped it off.

We dressed slowly as the pond rippled nearby, dusk settling in.

Walking back to the house, I took his hand, my fingers lacing with his. He smiled, chest bare, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

“Never talked pasts yet,” he said, “but out here feels right to share something.”

“Oh?” I tilted my head, squeezing his hand.

He stopped and glanced at the pond before focusing on me. “Had my first… thing in these woods. I was thirteen, and a bunch of us were here for a sleepover. We snuck to the far side of the lake, all nerves and fumbling, scared we’d get caught.”

I burst out laughing and he raised a brow. “Sorry, that’s not about your story,” I said, still snickering. “Just picturing a camp here—how many kids would sneak off for their firsts, like us tonight?”

He laughed too. “Tons if my hockey camps were any sign. My first time was here, but camp was wild after—locker rooms, stolen moments everywhere.”

“I missed out, skipping camp,” I said, half joking.

“Maybe we make up for it now?” There was a promise lurking in his eyes.

My pulse kicked up. “Who was that lucky first?”

He started to answer, then grinned, sheepish. “No. Some info has to stay in the past.”

I nudged him, pouting playfully. “Come on, who should I be jealous of? Give me a hint.”

He dodged, shaking his head. “They’d kill me for telling.”

“Fine, keep your secrets, Ethan Gallagher,” I teased, letting it go with a laugh. “I’m glad we didn’t have to sneak tonight.”

His eyes gleamed in the dim light. “There’s more we can do out here, you know?”

“Like what?” I leaned in, voice dropping.

A sly glint flashed in his gaze. “Skinny dipping. Pond’s perfect when it warms up.”

I pictured it—him dripping wet, water sliding down his chest, his eyes in the moonlight. “Just say when.”

We paused by the pond’s edge, the water a dark mirror under the deepening sky. Ethan turned to me, his hand still in mine.

We lingered and I stepped closer, resting my head against his shoulder. He tilted his chin to press a kiss into my skin.

The sounds of the woods enveloped us: the gentle lapping of the pond, crickets coming to life, an owl hooting in the distance.

I jumped at a rustling noise that was louder than any other noise I’d heard since we’d come out here.

“Easy,” Ethan said calmly as if nothing happened.

“What was that? Are you sure it’s safe to be out here?”

“It’s completely safe.” Ethan kissed me.

That and the fact he didn’t seem worried helped me relax.

“Sure, there are animals out here, but nothing that would hurt us. It could’ve been a branch falling out of a tree, which happens sometimes.

Of course, it could be Mabel. Maybe we gave her a show. ” He chuckled.

“You don’t believe in the myth do you?”

“Completely. I’m sure I’ve seen her a couple of times out here when I was a kid. I even helped build a place for her food. I can show you sometime.”

I shook my head. I was surprised that Ethan not only thought Mabel was real but that he’d seen her. “I’m going to need to know everything about that sometime.”

“Sounds like a story to be told on a summer night when we can have s’mores.”

“Hmmm. That sounds nice.”

He pulled me into a hug, making me feel safe from whatever might be out here. I wasn’t sure how much longer we stayed by the pond, but eventually we turned back toward the house, our steps slow as if we didn’t want to let the moment end.

On the deck, I pulled him into a tight hug, his bare skin warm against my shirt. He melted into it, his breath hot on my neck. “Shower?” he asked, voice soft. “Together or separate—your call. After that, time for pie.”

“Already had dessert with you,” I murmured, lips brushing his ear, “but pie’s good. And let’s shower together. I don’t want to miss the chance to scrub every inch of you nice and slow.”

He kissed me and then led me into the house, neither of us in any hurry to end the evening.