“You guys get to know each other while we head into town,” my mom suggested.
Ash came out of the kitchen and smiled. He wore a tight muscle shirt that showed off his arms and some beach shorts. He looked so hot I couldn’t help but stare. His voice dropped seductively, and I wondered if I was the only one who noticed. “Sounds like a great idea to me.”
“We’ll be back around four with some food for dinner. Sandwiches,” Mom said.
“O-okay,” I stammered, “gotcha.”
I looked at my mom and Gary as they gazed lovingly at each other. They were too damn enamored with their own love to notice the sexual tension that practically rolled off of Ash and me in waves. They closed the door behind them, and Ash and I stood, alone, in an uncomfortable silence.
“I’ll show you the beach. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. It’s the best,” he offered.
“Okay. I mean, that actually sounds good.” My heart hammered out of control as I followed him out the door. The warm breeze of the day smoothed my hair, and I could almost taste the saltiness of the ocean in the air.
“So you like the beach, huh?” Ash asked.
“Yeah. I do. It reminds me of being a kid—when my parents were still together.” I instantly regretted telling him that because I wasn’t ready to open up to anyone. Strangely, though, he had that effect on me; I could say whatever. Maybe it was because he was so uninhibited. Nothing I could say would be a shock to someone like him.
Surprisingly, Ash looked down and frowned. “You’re not alone in that. Sometimes I miss the way things were before, too. Not that your mom isn’t great, but it’s just not the same,” he confessed.
I stopped walking and looked at him in understanding. “Yeah.” He looked so sad. I reached out to give him a hug, and he accepted. Feeling the warmth of him against me was so comforting. We continued to walk along the beach, side by side, nearly hand in hand.
“I have the coolest place to show you. My friends and I used to come back here and get stoned,” he said.
I laughed. “All right, sure.”
Off the beaten path was a small stand of trees. The sand from the shore still littered the ground, but there was enough room to pitch a tent. Someone had left a few beer cans there, and I could see where there was a place for a campfire.
“I have so many good memories here.” He took a seat, and I joined him. He was so close to me that I could feel the warmth of his body radiating off of him. I wanted to engulf myself in it and never let him go. I looked at the ocean, marveling at the thunderous roaring.
“You know, the most amazing thing about the ocean is that it’s endless,” I began. “I wonder if love could ever be that way. Based on the way my parents ended, likely not.”
“I feel you,” he said, and for a moment, we were just two humans sharing a vulnerable moment with each other.
I turned my head to face him, and he was gazing at me, serious again, his face hungry and hard. The kind of face I’ve only seen when making out with guys—the kind of sexual energy I saw on television shows.
He kissed me gently, and I kissed him back, enjoying the feeling of his hot, rough lips. He was endearingly gentle at first, but then his kisses became harder and more wanton. I gasped as he kissed my neck, having never felt that kind of intense sensation before. I was soaking wet, wetter than I’d ever been in my life.
“Did you like what you saw in the bathroom last night?” he breathed into my ear. His deep voice tickled every single inch of me—my brain, my heart.
“Yes,” I gasped breathily. “I did, you’re… really hot.” I could feel myself blushing.
He chuckled quietly and pushed me down until he was straddling me. I ran my hands through his thick brown hair and shivered with desire. I wanted him to fill me like I’d never been filled. He continued to kiss me, and I could feel the hard length of him pushing against my leg. I moaned, urging him closer by grabbing his hips and drawing them closer to mine.
“Has anyone ever eaten you out before?” he asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “No one ever has.”
“Have you ever…” he began.
“No, I’m a virgin.” He sat up and sighed, looking serious again. “What?” I asked nervously.
“I mean, I kinda figured you were. You didn’t seem experienced. Are you sure you want this? I mean, are you sure you’re ready?”
I nearly had him figured out. Beneath his had boy exterior, he had a soft and caring side. I took his hand gently and said, “I was planning on losing my virginity this summer, and I honestly have never felt this physically attracted to anyone. I really want this.”
He looked deep into my eyes. “Really?’
“Yes, I really want this,” I said, almost begging. No one had ever reduced me to this state of desire before. I needed him now.