Hand in hand, we make our way up the familiar path, the cheatgrass breaking underfoot. The mansion looms larger with each step, its darkened windows seeming to watch us approach.
As we round the side of the house, the ridge opens up before us, the valley below bathed in shades of gold and orange. It’s breathtaking, even after years of seeing the familiar view. Dominic spreads the blanket over a flattened patch of grass near the edge, and we settle down together.
The silence between us is comfortable as we take in the dips of the valley. He leans back on his elbows, and I rest my head against his shoulder. The heat of his body against mine is soothing in comparison to the growing chill, and for a while, we don’t need words.
“So, separate schools, huh?” Dominic says suddenly, his voice quiet.
I lift my head to look at him. “Separate schools,” I echo, confirming his question.
Today was the deadline—college decision day—and we both confirmed to different schools—me to the Universityof Washington and Dominic to Washington State University. Opposite ends of the state, with a five-hour drive between us. It will be the first time since we met that we’ll be apart.
Dominic received a full ride to WSU, something his parents are insanely proud of since he’ll be the first in his family to attend college. His brother Adrian has plans to attend school but he joined the army, with the hope he’ll receive a G.I. Bill to pay for it.
I confirmed my acceptance to UW, a Ledger legacy, one I’m expected to uphold. I’m not even sure what I want to do with the rest of my life, but college always felt like the path I would take. My parents highly regard education, and though they’re not pushy, it’s heavily implied and expected for each of us to get a degree. As the eldest daughter, I set the tone for my younger siblings and won’t allow myself to be the one who fucks up tradition.
I tried to tell Dominic it would be good for us, that we have the rest of our lives to be together, and that four years will fly by. But in the end, I’m not sure who I was trying to convince—him or me.
“I’m scared,” he admits softly, and his admission pokes at my heart like a hot needle.
I’m scared too. Terrified, even. But I don’t want to acknowledge it.
“What are you scared of?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t catch the shake in my voice.
“Losing you,” he responds in a heartbeat, staring off into the distance.
Curling myself closer, I rest my cheek on his chest. “You’re never going to lose me.”
Dominic stays quiet for a long moment before speaking. “We don’t know what the future holds, querida mía. A lot can happen between now and forever.”
Instead of continuing on with this depressing conversation,I move to sit on my knees and press Dominic onto his back. It takes him a second to catch on, but then he’s gripping my hips, digging in as I make my intentions clear. I want to get lost in him. I don’t want to think about the future, because it’s enough unknowns to make me spiral. I’d rather feel Dominic’s body against mine, a reminder of how well we fit together. Made for each other.
“What about this room?”
Dominic gestures widely, showing me a space I’m guessing was once the parlor.
After the sun went down, we made our way inside. The few candles we leave here are our only light.
When we’re here, we daydream—about giving new life to this old house, maybe remodeling it one day. It’s a pipe dream, something that will likely never happen because it would probably be easier to tear the whole thing down and start fresh. And honestly, the last thing I want is to spend the rest of my life in Red Mountain, but it’s fun to imagine. Maybe one day, when we’re older and have lived in other cities, we’ll come back and raise a family here. By then, though, this place will likely be a pile of collapsed wood. It’s barely standing now.
“I want a library.” I give him a playful grin. “Bookshelves from floor to ceiling, with a ladder so I can reach the top ones. Like Belle fromBeauty and the Beast.”
He laughs. “Ellie girl, you don’t even read. The last book you read wasThe Scarlet Letter, and you watched the movie and called it ‘reading.’”
Spinning around, I shoot him a half-hearted glare—or an attempt at one. “So? Maybe when I’m older, I’ll be sophisticatedand worldly, and read novels and go to art museums. You never know.”
Dominic’s eyes light up, matching my playful tone. “I’ll build it for you,” he says without missing a beat. “Bookcases, ladders, the whole damn thing.” Coming up to me, he kisses my forehead gently. “And you’re going to be anything you want. Definitely sexy.” He kisses my collarbone. “You’re already sophisticated.” He drags the strap of my tank top down my shoulder. “Titties out of this world, a work of art.” His head dips and I feel his tongue glide across the swell of my breast.
Laughing, I gently shove him away. “Liar. I have the tiniest boobs ever.”
Not letting me get away, he pulls me back, spinning me around so his front is to my back, completely encasing me. His hot breath fans over the shell of my ear, and I sink into his embrace. “Querida mía, your tits are perfect. Your body,”—he moans, thrusting his hips against me so I can feel his erection—“always has me hard.”
“You’re a horndog,” I tease.
He scoffs as his hands roam over my body. “Were you or were you not trying to ride my dick on the way over here?” His teeth tug at my ear, sending a delicious jolt down my body. “And were you or were you not full of me just a few minutes ago?”
I whirl around to face him and cross my arms behind his neck. With the added height of my wedges, we’re almost at eye level. Dominic is 6’2”, but I’m taller than most of the girls we grew up with at 5’9.
“What can I say? You’re a very cute boy.”
