“I like that,” she drawls. “You look hot.”
“So do you, birthday girl.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes twinkle. “Wore the dress on purpose.”
Heat races down my spine, but before I can respond, Charley’s pulled away when Georgia calls her over. Almost everyone has left, and it’s really just my sisters and her, so I’m hoping she’s able to go home soon. After I finish eating, I head upstairs again to brush my teeth. Then I spray on a little of the cologne Charley seems to love before slipping my feet into my brand-new Nike’s. I check my phone after hearing Grace shut the door to her room right next to mine, my heart pounding when I notice a new message from Charley.
Sunny: Meet me there in 30 minutes.
Me: You got it.
The butterflies swarming around in my stomach multiply as I busy myself, trying to kill time. About ten minutes before I leave, there’s a knock at my door.Shit.
“Come in,” I call out.
Grace pokes her head in. “What are you doing?” she asks before adding, “Wanna do a movie night?”
“Can’t,” I blurt out. “I’m going over to Landon’s house soon.”
She huffs a breath. “Really? That’s lame.”
“Tomorrow?” I suggest.
“Whatever you say, Mr. Popular.” Grace rolls her eyes before closing my door on her way out.
If it were up to me, we would’ve told my sisters already. Frankly, I don’t see what the big deal is, but Charley is convinced they’ll hate her if they knew. As if anybody in my family could ever hate her, she’s practically the fourthdaughter. I’m hoping once she goes to college, she’ll become comfortable enough to tell them because the sneaking around gets old. Especially when we’re all in the same place, like we were today, and I have to pretend like nothing’s there. I want to be able to hold her hand in front of people, kiss her freely.
The walk over to the field is a jittery one, my heart about to beat right out of my chest. Strolling through the rows of sunflowers, my stomach tightens as I spot Charley. She’s sitting on a blanket, in the spot she’s always in. Her back is to me, long, dark hair pulled over one of her shoulders, and her hands are planted on the blanket behind her as she looks up at the sky. It’s not quite dark yet, but it will be soon, and there’s a few stars visible already. Charley must hear my footsteps because she glances over her shoulder, a smile spreading as our gazes meet.
“Hi,” she says softly, and I wonder if she’s as nervous as I am.
“Hey, Sunny.” Sitting beside her, I mimic her position, my eyes never leaving hers. “You enjoy the party?”
Biting her bottom lip, she nods. “I did, but what I was really looking forward to was being here, with you.”
“Me too. Been thinking about getting you alone all damn day.”
“Really?” She smirks. “All day, huh?”
I nod. “All week, actually. We’ve barely seen each other.”
“I know, I hate it.” Charley groans, letting her head fall back. “But we’re here now…” she murmurs before fisting the front of my shirt and pulling me into her.
Our lips collide, and as my tongue slips into her mouth, she tastes sweet and, like always, it’s easy to lose myself in her kiss. She lies down, and I settle between her legs, my hands planted on either side of her head as everything intensifies. Her warm, soft hands slip under my shirt, exploring my back as both of us become more frenzied by the minute.
“Did you bring one?” she asks breathlessly as my lips leave hers and trail across her jaw to her neck. I nip at the flesh, feeling her body tremble under mine.
I nod, my heart going a mile a minute, but I can’t tell if it’s more from nerves or arousal. Maybe both.
“Do you wanna…” Charley doesn’t finish her sentence, but she doesn’t have to. The question sits loud and clear between us.
Pulling back to look in her eyes, which are dark and hooded, I say, “Are you sure? We don’t have to if you’re not ready.”
Her full pink lips are parted, her chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath she takes, and even in minimal lighting, I can make out the beautiful flush to her cheeks. “I am ready,” she says, voice raspy and doing all kinds of things to my insides. “Are you?”
My throat is tight and my skin tingles as fire swims through my veins just below the surface. I nod. “Yeah, I am too.”
A small smile tugs on her mouth before her lips are on mine again. The kiss starts out heated and rushed before shifting to a more slow and sensual pace. My entire body is thrumming with desire, every touch and grind against one another getting us closer to what we both want, and when it comes time for me to grab the condom from my pocket, all I can think about is Charley, and this moment, and how this is really about to happen. Ripping a corner of the foil wrapper with my teeth, she holds my gaze as I roll it on, my palms sweaty, and my hands shaking the entire time.
