Page 112 of Don't Let Go

She straddled my hips as I guided myself into her folds. “Is this okay?” I asked.

“Perfect,” she replied, slowly accepting me. She had to move a bit to make room but we fit like puzzle pieces.

We moved together, savoring each touch, each kiss. The world outside faded away until it was just us, wrapped up in each other. Our sweaty bodies pressed against the backseat of her car. All I could smell was sex and her apple shampoo.

She nipped at my shoulder as she came. It wasn’t long until I followed. I laid beside her the best I could as we caught our breath. Rory rested her head on my chest, her long dark hair splayed across my skin.

The windows steamed up from our heat. She giggled and pressed her hand along the foggy glass before dragging it down, revealing glimpses of the starry night sky outside. The momentfelt perfect and I knew that I was right where I belonged—in Rory’s arms, with nothing but love between us.

The handprint on the window slowly faded as our breathing returned to normal. Rory’s jade-green eyes locked with mine, a mix of contentment and mischief dancing in their depths. She reached to brush a strand of hair from my forehead, her touch lingering.

“That was...” I started, searching for the right words.

“Incredible,” Rory finished, a soft smile playing on her lips.

I nodded, drinking in the sight of her flushed cheeks and tousled hair. The weight of everything she’d been through in recent months seemed to have lifted, if only for this moment. I wanted to freeze time, to keep her safe in this bubble of happiness we’d created.

“We should get up before my leg cramps,” she joked.

I nodded and we peeled ourselves off each other. I got dressed outside, using the door for cover as she slipped on her dress and left her panties discarded.

She sat on the car's hood with her arms behind her and leaned back to stare at the millions of stars above us.

“I love the desert for this reason. I can see all the stars,” Rory said, pulling me onto the hood and snuggling under my arm.

“I have to agree.” My foot brushed against hers, making her turn to look at me.

“Graduation is in a few weeks. Can you believe it?” Her voice sounded distant, almost wondrous.

What would the future hold for us?

I turned my head, losing myself in her siren-green eyes. “It’s crazy, but I’m looking forward to putting high school behind me.”

She flicked my forehead and giggled, gazing at the stars again. “Of course you are. You’re a hot talent with all the collegeswanting you to play ball for them. Have you decided where you want to go yet?”

“Not sure. I’m thinking maybe California.”

She nudged my cheek with her nose. “You stalking me?”

“I’ll follow you into the depths of hell.”

Rory stretched her neck and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I’d love it if we were at the same university, but I don’t want you to be on a subpar team because of me.”

I rolled onto my side to look at her better. “It’s just a lucky thing. Where you’re going is a good team.”

She leaned back on her elbows. “You promise?”

I hooked my pinky with hers. “I promise.” I slid off the car and grabbed both her hands, pulling her up as well. “I’m never letting you go, remember?”

“Good.” Rory wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me. “You better hold on tight.”

Rory was something special. I kissed her lips, and we swayed with the music drifting from the bonfire party. It was insane how my life was in shambles when I met Rory, and somehow our shattered lives found a way to be whole.

43

Aurora

*Five years later*

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