Free Ignite by Kate Benson Page B

through my veins and pulling another moan from my chest. Slowly, he lowers his mouth to my chest and as he runs his tongue over my nipple, my back arches involuntarily as my nails sink into his strong arms.
     
    “Oh my God,” I gasp, letting my head fall back against the seat as he continues to lap and suck his way across my chest.
     
    Slowly, he moves lower, still using one of his palms to massage my breast. I’m lost in the fog until his tongue slips into my navel. As I feel the heat building in my belly, he rests his hand high on my inner thigh, just a couple inches from… there … and an alarm sounds off in my head.
     
    “Stop!” I call out, louder than I intended and stopping all movement.
     
    As mortification fills my cheeks, I glance down and find him frozen in place, his blue eyes locked on mine.
     
    “Did I do something wrong?” he manages through his panting, his features filled with concern.
     
    “No,” I say, shaking my head quickly. “No, you didn’t, I just…”
     
    “What’s wrong?” he asks, slowly lifting to give me more room. “Too fast?”
     
    “No, not really,” I admit, surprising myself. “I just… Zeke, I can’t be one of those girls, ya know?”
     
    “One of what girls?” he asks, watching me as I sit up beside him, pulling my shirt closed.
     
    Oh this is going to be so embarrassing.
     
    “Addie…”
     
    “I can’t lose my virginity in your mom’s truck at the lake,” I blurt out, resting my head in my hands. “I’m sorry, Zeke, I just can’t…”
     
    “Hey, look at me,” he says, cutting me off and pulling my hands away from my face. “We don’t have to do that, Addie. If you decide you’re ready, I am totally down,” he admits, causing my blush to deepen. “But I would never pressure you to do that.”
     
    “I know,” I admit, resting my hand in his. “I do want to, just not yet… not like this.”
     
    “I’m not going anywhere,” he says, kissing my hair.
     
    The words he says to make me feel better do just the opposite and give me the reality check I’ve been struggling to avoid for days now. Swallowing hard past the lump in my throat, I can’t escape the sinking feeling in my chest.
     
    “Actually, that’s not true at all, Zeke,” I sigh, fastening the last button of my top shut before facing his sad expression with my own. “In a few weeks, we both are.”

Chapter Twelve
     
    July 13, 2010
     
    Zeke
     
    Over the past week and a half, things have been pretty intense between Addie and me. I thought we’d spent all our time together before, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Now, we’re more inseparable than ever.
     
    The second our eyes pop open, we’re on the walkies waking the other up. Within minutes, I’m climbing in her window and standing in front of her. More often than not, I sneak into her bedroom after her dad’s gone to bed and spend the night wrapped up in her.
     
    We’ve not done taken things any further yet, truth be told we’re mostly sleeping and talking, but that was fine by me. Although my body’s nagging, screaming at me really, I meant what I’d said to her the other night at the lake. I’ll never pressure her to do anything she isn’t ready for and she’s clearly not there yet.
     
    I’d had my suspicions that she was still a virgin when I came home for the summer, but since she’d confirmed them, I knew we needed to take things slow. Although this is the first time we’d crossed over the lines of friendship, I was pretty sure her experience consisted of that kiss I’d stolen when we were on her roof back in high school. I wasn’t in any rush, though. In fact, even though I’d never told her as much, I love that I have all of her experience. I know it sounds selfish, but I’ve never had to share her with anyone before and I’m definitely not crazy about the idea now. I only wish I could give her the same in return.
     
    Although she’s right, we’d both be heading for school in