Page 68 of The Promises We Were Never Meant To Keep

“I want you. All of you, Holt.”

The first thrust is shocking. The second comes with a pinch of pain that snags the breath in my lungs. The third makes me cry out as I grip him.

“Are you okay, Faye? Tell me you’re okay?” Holt’s body quivers as he holds himself still, only halfway inside me.

“It—hurts,” I whisper, tears threatening. “I don’t know…” I moan. “Don’t stop.”

Holt drops his lips to mine. He kisses me deeply as he moves another inch inside. The burning pain is a lot when he thrusts all the way. I grip him, stiff beneath him.

I knew the first time would hurt. Andy told me as much. But I didn’t know it would hurt this much.

The fire between my legs is a whole new kind—and I don’t love it.

“Kiss me, Faye,” Holt encourages. “Kiss me and let your body adjust. It—I think it’ll get better for you.”

I nod, but it’s a little frantic. Holt kisses me for a long time. He kisses me until I relax against him. And then he starts to move. The pain isn’t so severe anymore. In fact, the more he moves inside me the less intense the pain is—although it’s in no way less intense.

Something else is building inside me now. It’s the same something that Holt builds when he touches me.

It doesn’t take long for it to erupt, or for Holt to tip over the edge with me.

Holt pulls out of me, ties off the condom and pulls me into his naked front. He kisses my shoulder again and again. “I’m so in love with you, Faye. I have so many dreams for my life, and you’re a part of every one.”

“I love you, Holt. I’ll always love you.”

“Promise?”

I giggle as I pull his arms tighter around me. “I promise, Holt. I’ll always love you.”

I wake to the feel of sticky skin and muggy heat. Holt makes a noise and I jolt, my eyes snapping open to find he’s propped up on one elbow, watching me.

I groan, trying and failing to sink into the covers to hide.

“I like watching you sleep,” Holt tells me.

I scowl up at him. “Creep.”

Holt laughs. I love the sound so much. I love watching him laugh.

I love him.

“You know, one more year and I’m going to get to wake up next to you every morning.”

My heart quivers. My belly tightens.

Oh, my God. I’m not a virgin anymore.

I had sex last night. With Holt.

I want to do it again.

My lips curl into a slow smile that Holt watches with a hunger that has morphed into something more since last night. I can already tell we’re different. New. More connected.

His eyes drop to my bare chest and back up to my eyes. “Are you sore?”

I clench my thighs and bite my lip. “Only a little.”

His eyes close slowly before they open again. “Let’s get you some breakfast.” Holt pushes up from the bed as though determined to put space between us. “We both know how you get if you’re not fed.”