“You don’t have to beg.” I bite his bottom lip and grab hold of his hair. “Fucking under the stars is pretty romantic. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
“First time?”
It’s a loaded question.
First time fucking someone I care so deeply about? Yes.
First time being terrified of what happens next because all this seems too good to be true? Because what I’m feeling for him is something I’ve never felt before? Yes.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Be gentle with me, Sebastian.”
He kisses me again, and it’s different than before. It’s a promise.Something new as he whispers my name over and over again, a prayer he’s reciting so he never forgets.
We stop to watch the comet blaze across the sky, his arms around my waist and my leg thrown over his calf. There’s no more talk about the future. It’s us, the only two people in the world, and it’s the best night of my life.
“How are you functioning right now?” Cooper walks into the kitchen and yawns. “The three of us were up way too late last night.”
“Weather never stops. It also doesn’t care about my hangover.” I glance up from my laptop screen. “Remind me to never let Nate suggest tequila shots again. His ass is still passed out on the couch while I’m fighting for my life.”
“And this is why I always volunteer to be the designated driver. I feelgreat.”
“Coffee just finished brewing, but you’re so perky, I don’t think you need it.”
“Let me top you off.”
“Just inject it into my veins at this point.” I close my computer and groan. “Are you on the early shift today?”
“Nah. I don’t go in until the afternoon.” He brings the pot over and fills my empty mug. “I’ll probably take a nap after breakfast.”
“What a life. What are you doing until then? We could play some beach volleyball.”
“You two are annoying as hell.” Nate scowls at us from the entrance to the living room. “It’s six in the morning. Being this loud should be illegal.”
“Morning, sunshine.” I grin and pat the seat next to me at the table. “Join us.”
He flips me off and opens the brown paper bag sitting on the counter. “I’m vetoing beach volleyball. If I go out in the sun, I might hurl.”
“You’d think you’d know your alcohol tolerance at thirty-one, but I guess not. You two should be ashamed.” Cooper shakes his head, disappointed. “You did this to yourselves.”
“And now I’m paying the price.” Nate pulls out a croissant and shoves half of it in his mouth. “Morning shift at the station?”
“Nope. Afternoon. I’m going to swing by Mia’s place on the way. She asked to borrow some of my tools so she can hang up a painting,” Cooper says.
“Coop.”
He looks at me, his mug halfway to his mouth. “Yes?”
“You’re a nice guy.”
“Feels like I’m interrupting something,” Nate mumbles, and I hold up my hand.
“We’re best friends, and we’ve always been honest with each other.”
“Yes. Except for the time I stole NBA2K from you and erased all your high scores. It took me months to tell you.”
“I’m still a little bitter about that, I’m not going to lie.” I drag my gaze to him. “You’d tell me if you had feelings for my sister, right?”
“What?”
