Page 67 of Only Fate

It’s what makes you want to keep it forever and never let it go.

The blanket has heard us talk about our dreams, our futures, our fears.

Adrian drapes a sweatshirt over the blanket, and I follow him toward a secluded area. As soon as we got back to the hotel earlier, I changed into my pajamas. So I’m dressed in a plaid pink pj set and sneakers.

He spreads out the blanket. I sit, and he wraps the sweatshirt around my shoulders, knowing I’m almost always cold.

“Well …” I drawl when he sits next to me. “What do you want to do?”

He taps his cheek, fake thinking. “I wouldn’t mind kissing you again.”

“Then, do it.”

He drops his head, and his lips smash into mine.

This kiss isn’t as careful as the last one.

It’s more rushed, like he planned for this moment the entire time he waited in the car. We kiss and kiss and kiss. I lower onto my back as he climbs over me.

We’ve never had the sex talk.

He doesn’t know I’ve only had sex once, and I have no idea about his sexual history. I know he isn’t a ladies’ man, but he’s dated.

He drags the sweatshirt off and flings it to the edge of the blanket as his lips trail from my ear down my neck. I moan and grip his shoulders.

Then,it happens.

He lifts my pajama shirt.

My reflexes kick in before my brain does, and I shove him away. He falls back on his ass. The lighting is limited, but I can see the shock on his face.

“I need to go,” I say, my voice breaking.

I’m nervous, embarrassed, and scared. I can name a million other emotions flowing through me.

Adrian scoots closer but still keeps a comfortable distance. “What did I do wrong?”

“Nothing.” I stand and pull my pajama shirt down so far that I’m surprised it doesn’t rip. “I’ll text Amelia and ask her to pick me up.”

Amelia drove us to the university and is the only one with a car, other than River, who most definitely isn’t getting a call from me.

“No way in hell am I leaving you out here alone.” Adrian gathers the blanket in his arms when I step off it. “I’ll take you back to the hotel. You don’t have to say one word to me in the car.”

I cross my arms.

Adrian might think I’m beautiful now, but that will change when he sees what I really look like. Whenever we hang out, I’m careful to make sure I’m always covered. It’s become a habit I’ve mastered.

No bikinis, only one-pieces.

No crop tops.

My breathing halts, words dying in my throat. I don’t know what to say to him without breaking down.

Adrian stares at me as if he wants to crack into my soul and get the answers I’m unwilling to give him. After all this time, he thought he knew the real me. But no one can ever know the real you until they know every burned inch of your skin.

He’s anxious, his body shaking as he waits for my next move.

“I’m sorry, Essie.” His voice cracks. Thinking he hurt me hurts him.

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