Page 21 of Forbidden Bratva Virgin

“Almostevery day,” I reiterated, and his questioning glance found mine. “There was a time we talked every day, and now, we don’t.”

Nathan sobered up, scooting closer to cover my hand with his. “You know, it’s not intentional. The session’s become more intense than ever before and—”

“I know, babe.”

I smiled to reassure him because I understood.

And that was who I had been to him from the moment he moved to begin his journey in New York University School of Law—the understanding long-distance girlfriend who couldn’t wait for him to come back home, with the degree attained, of course.

Nathan and I met in high school. We started off as friends, even though I liked him from the first moment I saw him. He’d always been sweet and proper. Unlike the other boys in our class, who thought they had to run through every single girl before they earned their “I AM A MAN” badge, Nathan’s view was quite the opposite.

I liked that he was a smarty-pants, always so focused and determined. From time immemorial, I wanted to be a therapist, and he, a lawyer, and high goals always made him stand out amongst the crowd.

One night, after he walked me home from a school game, he pulled out the most beautiful necklace and asked me to be his girlfriend. I didn’t hesitate; I said yes with the loudest squeal, and I could never forget the joy I felt at that moment. I was the luckiest girl in the world to be his.

Even now, as I watched him animatedly talk about how much he was enjoying frequent basketball games on Saturdays and joining the choir in the local church, a smile grew on my face. Nathan was an amazing singer. On my eighteenth birthday, he’d showed up on the porch of our family house with a mighty bouquet of flowers and a box of my favorite doughnuts to serenade me.

The memory stirred a flood of warmth in my chest. And it also made me realize that something was missing.

Nathan was laughing now, gesticulating as he mimicked one of his professors who’d made some corporate law jokes, but that far-away gaze in his eyes had returned, like he wasn’t really talking to me. I shook it off and blamed the distance we’d had between us. I’d read about it somewhere during my crying days of trying to cope without him. One of the effects of Long-Distance Relationships (LDRs) was an emotional gap between the couple.

But we were in love and willing to make it work. So, in time, we would adjust, and everything would fall back to normal.

“Why do corporate lawyers make good partners?”

I laughed, unintentionally leaning closer as I stuffed my face with another doughnut. “I don’t know. You’re the lawyer. Tell me.”

“Because they’re always willing to merge.” I laughed, and the smile that lit his eyes made me forget all about emotional gaps and whatnot. Gently, he tucked my hair behind my ears. “Hold on, I have another one: Why did the corporate lawyer become a baker?”

I thought about it and, when nothing came, gave up with a shrug. “Because his girlfriend likes doughnuts?”

“Close.” He dropped a light peck on my nose. “It’s because hekneaded the dough.Get it?”

I was full-on guffawing now, and Nathan was laughing too. Now, he was looking atmewith dilated pupils and eyes flickering between my heaving chest and lips. When he flicked his thumb at the corner of my mouth to wipe off a smudge of jam, his touch struck a match somewhere between my legs, and I felt my nipples tighten.

“You’re so beautiful, cupcake,” he rasped. And with his jaw clenching and fingers flexing, I knew he was struggling to contain himself.

I didn’t want him to. I’d missed him too much to let him go again without any action.

Confidently, I moved even closer and slid my hands up his chest with a shaky breath. He was so firm; I wanted to feel him bare beneath my palms.

“Nate.” My hand glided up to his neck, and he leaned into my touch. “You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. Seeing you again…it’s doing things to me.”

“If I didn’t think I’d go crazy without seeing you, I wouldn’t have come here.”

It was my turn to blush. “I like that the thought of me drives you crazy.”

He paused, hot eyes burning my lips. “Can I…can I kiss you?”

Nathan always asked.

“You know you can, babe.”

This time, he didn’t wait or pause to think like he usually did.

Like a bulldozer, Nathan cupped the back of my neck and smashed our lips together. He flicked his tongue against my mouth, and I parted it with a sigh, granting him permission to delve deeper. I held onto his shirt for dear life. He tasted like strawberry jam, and it made me light-headed.

My heart soared, my toes curled, and I released an ecstatic moan into his mouth. My imagination must have been playing tricks on me when Nathan groaned like an animal into mine.

---