“Are you sure?” he asked, searching her face. “Because Rach, I can wait. I will wait. As long as you need.”
“I know you would.” Her smile was soft. “That's why I want this. Because you've never pressured me, never made me feel like I owed you anything. Everything between us has been my choice and at my pace. And this is my choice too.”
Jack cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. “I don't want you to do this because you're scared of losing me. Or because you think it'll keep us together.”
“That's not why.” Rachel covered his hands with hers. “I'm doing this because I love you. Because I trust you. Because I want our first time to be because we feel cherished and wanted. Because we’re in love.”
“I do love you,” Jack said, his voice rough with emotion. “More than I know how to say.”
“Then show me.” Rachel leaned in, her lips brushing against his. “I want our firsts to be with each other.”
Jack kissed her then, pouring everything he felt into it. Love and desire and promise and protection all tangled together. When they finally pulled apart, both breathing hard, he rested his forehead against hers.
“Not here,” he said. “You deserve better than that. Our first time should be?—”
“Right here.”
Jack blinked at the certainty in her statement. “Here?”
She smiled, and just like always, he felt the punch in his heart.
“I want it to be at our special place. Let’s make it memorable and even more special.”
“Yeah.” He kissed her again, softer this time. “But Rach, I need you to be sure. Really sure. Because once we do this, I can't take it back. I won't want to take it back. But I need to know you won't regret it.”
“I won't.” Her voice was steady, her eyes clear. “I've never been more sure of anything. I want this. I want you. I want us to have this before we separate.”
Jack pulled her close again, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Because she was. Their lips met in a slow dance of tongues tangling as their hands roamed freely. They’d made it to third base many times, but this was the first time she shed her bathing suit, and his gaze roved over her soft skin and delicate curves. He quickly followed, his fingers fumbling with the condom he had in his wallet.
He made sure she was ready, and with eyes locked, they spoke with only looks. He balanced his body over hers. With fingers linked, he held her hands by the side of her head and thrust gently, watching every nuance of her face. If she seemed in pain or uncomfortable, he would have stopped in an instant.
His hands moved with reverent care, gliding over the curves he'd spent hours exploring in the past, always stopping before they got too carried away. He memorized the little sounds she gasped when his fingers readied her, wanting to ensure that she wanted this as much as he did.
Rachel's breath caught, her eyes fluttering closed as his touch grew bolder. But when she opened them again, they were clear and sure, filled with trust and desire and something that looked a lot like forever.
She gave him adoration and love as he rocked her body with his, becoming one. Soon they shared releases, and he couldn’t think of anything better to experience than the joining of their bodies as well as their hearts.
The sun painted the sky in brilliant oranges and purples as they came together, the world narrowing to just the two of them on their private stretch of beach. Every touch was a promise, and their every whispered words were vows.
They kissed, slow and deep, tongues tangling as he drank her in. Rachel's hands slid up his chest to curl around his neck, pulling him closer. When he grabbed their blanket and pulled it over their cooling bodies, she smiled as her fingers threaded through his hair.
Jack held Rachel against his chest as their breathing slowed. She fit perfectly there, her head tucked beneath his chin, her hand resting over his heart that beat only for her.
“Okay?” he murmured into her hair.
“More than okay.” Her voice was soft, content. “Perfect.”
They lay wrapped together as the stars emerged one by one above them, the gentle rhythm of the waves providing a soundtrack to their whispered words.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
“I love you too.”
“I meant what I said,” Rachel spoke into the growing darkness. “About forever.”
“So did I.” Jack pressed a kiss to her temple. “Four years is nothing. We can do four years.”
“We can do anything,” she agreed, snuggling closer. “As long as we're us.”
