“Are you sure? It’s not going to be easy, and I have no idea how we’re going to manage it. But I’ve been thinking. I thought about us and how we could make this work the entire two weeks you were gone.”
“And?” I pressed, eager to hear what conclusion he’d come to.
“And I…I need a job, a decent job, something worthy enough. So…I know…I think I know what I want to be.”
I lit up, too excited to hear what he had to say. “What?”
“Well…I love our woods. I love plants and working with my hands, and just being surrounded by nature. I think...what do you think of, like, me running a tree nursery?”
“You want to own a tree nursery?” I wasn’t expecting an idea like this, but I liked it. I loved it, actually, and I could envision Knox in that kind of profession perfectly.
He shrugged, looking suddenly bashful. “I know I’d probably have to work at one for a while, learn the trade, you know. But then, maybe after a couple years when I’d saved up some money...” He shrugged again. “Who knows? Maybe it’d actually work.”
“Of course it will.” A smile spread across my face. “And I could minor in business management, so I could help you with the legal paperwork part of it.”
He glanced at me in surprise. “You don’t have to do that.”
I grasped his arm and shook. “But I want to. I want to be your partner in all things.”
He interlaced our fingers. “I want that too.”
I leaned in toward him, my mouth reaching for his. Our lips meshed, and soon we were breathing hard and straining for each other.
By the time his palm slipped under my shirt, I was so keyed up I think I could’ve come as soon as he touched me. “I still have the condom in my pocket,” I said into his ear.
He groaned, his hips lurching up to press harder between my legs. “Jesus, City. You sure like to tempt me.”
“We’re going to be married, anyway,” I coaxed, spider-crawling my fingers down his abdomen. “It’s pretty much like we’re already husband and wife.”
He didn’t stop me when I opened his jeans. Leaning his head back against the leather car seat, he panted as I pulled him into my hand. “Are you sure?” he finally asked. “You’re only sixteen. Once it’s done, you can’t ever be a virgin again. And I could last for years on third base. There’s no reason to rush.”
I pressed my forehead to his and pumped him harder, making him press up into my hand. “I want to share every possible thing there is to share with you, Knox Arrow Parker. Please make love with me.”
The moment his resistance shattered, he kissed me hard and gripped my clothes, yanking my shirt off over my head. I reached behind me and undid my bra. He slipped the straps off my shoulders and kissed his way down my collarbone and to my breasts. When he sucked a nipple into his mouth, I clutched his head and whimpered.
“Knox.” I shifted on his lap, pressing down on his thigh to help relieve some of the pressure between my legs. “Be careful, or I’m going to come before we even start.”
“Good.” He slid me off his lap and onto the seats so I was lying on my back, spine against lea
ther. “I want you to come at least once before we start, so I know you’re really ready.”
“I’m ready,” I assured him in a high voice as he slid my shorts and panties down my legs.
He only grinned before taking off his shirt. Then he leaned forward and kissed me…between the legs. I bowed up my back and clutched handfuls of his hair. His tongue swirled fast and my body grew rigid, seeking relief while it savored the mounting compression. I gasped his name, and he must’ve known how close I was because he thrust two fingers into me. Almost immediately, I screamed out my release.
When I finally came down, he was sitting up and tugging his pants down his thighs. “God, you’re amazing,” he murmured as he found my discarded shorts and fished out the condom. But as soon as he had it in his hand, he paused. “You sure about this?” He held it up and shook his head. “We can still wait. I’m okay with waiting.”
“Put it on,” I said, opening my legs and touching myself. “I need more.”
He sucked in a breath. “Fuck, City. That’s so hot.”
“I remember you saying how much you wished you could’ve seen me do this to myself.” I whimpered and arched my back when I hit a spot that actually felt good.
“You are hands down the best girlfriend ever. I so do not deserve you.” His fingers shook as he opened the package and carefully eased the condom on. Once he was suited up, he turned to me. “We can stop at any time, baby. Don’t ever forget that.”
I nodded. “Okay. Why are you shaking so much?”
Even his laugh trembled as he moved above me. “Because I’m nervous as fuck. I want to make this amazing for you, and I really have no idea what I’m doing.”