The Trouble With Love: An Age Gap Romance (The Forbidden Love 1)

A reminder of my final goodbye with Austin comes to mind. “Oh gosh, what’s the time?”

“Just after eight,” Mom informs me. “You go spend time with Austin. Don’t keep that lovely boy waiting.”

I say goodbye to Aunt Adriana and Uncle Julian, then remind Andy we planned to catch up in two weeks for dinner in the city.

I drive over to Austin’s place, though he suggests we take his car for a drive since he plans to take the vehicle off-road. After twenty minutes, we park the car and take our belongings to our favorite spot.

We sit on the picnic blanket on a hill that overlooks the city. The views are stunning at night, a light show which twinkles in the distance. The area is secluded, making it peaceful and just what we both need to calm our anxious nerves.

“Are you nervous?” I ask, staring into the distance.

“Yes,” Austin admits, his trance just as deep as mine. “New school, new crowd, no parents. It’s a lot to take in.”

I nod, feeling just as overwhelmed as him.

“I’m just a call away, or text, or DM.” I smile, offering him support. “I’ll always be there for you.”

Austin lowers his head. “I’d be foolish to think you’ll be mine forever. Once those college boys see you, you’ll be the talk of the campus.”

I purse my lips, placing my hand on his knee. “That’s not true. Have you seen me in study mode? I look like Chewbacca. When we were cramming for finals, I didn’t wash my hair for a week.”

A laugh escapes him. “Don’t underestimate how beautiful you are, Millie.”

“Well, I can say the same for you. I spent most of this year trying to fend off junior and senior girls from trying to dig their claws into you. College girls will fall in love with the handsome man studying to be a doctor.”

“Hmm… I forgot about the doctor card. I guess it could come in handy one day.”

A pang of jealousy hits me. Why does this have to be so hard? If I love him like I say I do, why am I going to a school so far away? I often look at my parents, knowing their story since Mom had shared it with me. They moved heaven and earth to be with one another. That’s true love, so why am I not fighting for Austin?

And the biggest question to remain unanswered is what if Austin is the love of my life? The man I’m supposed to grow old with and have his children. The thought of letting him go hurts, but every way I analyze the situation, it never works in our favor.

“Austin?” I say above a whisper. “I don’t want us to end.”

Austin closes his eyes, almost as if he’s breathing a sigh of relief. He turns to face me, his finger grazing against my lip, making my heart pitter-patter like a butterfly trapped in captivity.

“Neither do I, Millie, but I don’t know how to make it work. We’re so far apart, and then our class load means we’ll be so busy.”

“Maybe,” I suggest eagerly. “We don’t label this or us. We don’t need to say goodbye forever. Why can’t we just say no words at all?”

Austin cups my chin, bringing me in for a deep kiss. I tug at his shirt, not wanting to let him go. For a moment, our eyes meet, and something passes between us. Gently, he lays me down and hovers on top o

f me, burying his head into my neck and lavishing me with kisses. I moan slightly, running my hands through his hair, desperate to capture his scent in my memories. His hand wanders toward my thigh, grazing up before our eyes meet again.

I want him.

“Austin,” I whisper with trembling hands. “I’m ready.”

His eyes widen, not with excitement as I assumed most men would feel at this moment, but of torture. “Are you sure? I don’t want to pressure you.”

Austin’s caring nature settles my anxious thoughts. If there’s any man who deserves to own this moment, one that will stay with me for a lifetime, I want it to be Austin Carter.

I take in the sight of him, bringing his lips to mine. “You’re perfect.”

And much like the last few months, this moment came and went in the blink of an eye. I gasp with each touch and wince slightly when he enters me, but soon I understand the power of intimacy. How this very moment, with the right person, can change the beat of one’s heart.

With every thrust, desire overcomes us, driving our bodies to move in sync. Our kisses deepen, rushed with urgency, until the slight pain I experienced subsides, and my body begins to convulse into a beautiful finish.

I throw my head back when Austin pulls out abruptly, his body jerking forward as he spills out beside us.