body, connecting us deeper as she clung to my neck and dug her fingers into my hair. She tasted sweet—of mint and berries—and her tongue darted softly in and out of my mouth as if to tease and lure me in for more.
Oh, did I want more. And I wanted it right here in this car. Three seconds of my lips on hers and I was dying to taste every sexy inch of her. As our kiss deepened and my hands found the buttons at the back of her dress, her grip found my arms and pulled me tighter against her.
“Jack,” she whispered, her soft, lustful voice working her spell-like magic on me.
“Mhhmm?” I hummed, barely audible.
Pulling back from our kiss, she rested her forehead against mine. “I’ve never done this before.” Her hands quaked in my lap, her fingers nervously drawing circles on my thighs. My dick was jealous and begged for some of the same attention, but I could tell there was something holding her back.
“Are you telling me this is your first kiss, because there’s no way in fuck’s sake someone who’s never done that before can do it so well.”
Backing up against her seat, she readjusted her clothing. The peaks of her hardened nipples were visible through the light material of her dress. Why’d she stop? Her body was giving me the green light, but her expression—the poor thing looked petrified.
“What’s the matter, Stella? I’m sorry if I—”
“It’s not you,” she interrupted. She twirled her hair to one side and rested it over her shoulder.
“Talk to me. I thought you were into it. I would’ve never pushed you if I didn’t think we were on the same page.” It was true. If she only knew how long I’d wanted to kiss her, hold her, have her—I waited for her to be ready. Moments ago, it seemed like she was and now we were back here again.
“Like I said, Jack, it wasn’t you. You did nothing wrong.” She gazed out her window, avoiding eye contact with me. I couldn’t read her that way—she knew that and it frustrated the hell out of me.
Rubbing my palm against her thigh, I tried comforting her. I needed to her to face me. “Please, Stella.”
When her eyes finally met mine again, the carefree, wanton, daring Stella was gone. “It can’t go any further than this, Jack. I can’t give you more.”
There was that damn word again. The one word that could make or break us. The one word coming in between us. I wanted it, but she didn’t. Would I ever convince her? Would I even have enough time?
Stella
I was screwing this up! Leave it to me; I knew I would.
I wanted more than just that amazing, spine-tingling kiss—hell, I wanted it all with Jack. But I was leaving. He was staying. I was a virgin, and he certainly wasn’t. Should I just come out and tell him that’s why I stopped? I could hardly stand the disappointed look on his face. And I knew it wasn’t only about stopping him at first base. His eyes told it all. He didn’t want some quick lay, although we were just about to get it on in the front seat of his car. He could give me everything I ever wanted in a guy—if I’d only let him.
In the few days since we met, I’d shared more of myself—hopes, dreams, fears, the real me—than I had with any boyfriend I ever had. Giving myself to Jack wouldn’t be a mistake or a regret; I was certain of that much. It would just be something I’d have to live with knowing I could never have again once I left.
“You probably think I’m a tease. And I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be. I’m just—” What? What was I? Did I say it? I’m a virgin, Jack. And I want nothing more than for you to screw my brains out and teach me every single thing there is to know about getting down and dirty, but I’m scared shitless right now. No, I couldn’t say that. So, thank God Jack interrupted with something less humiliating.
“I don’t think you’re a tease, Stella.”
“Then what do you think?” I was dying to know what was running through his mind. I wasn’t playing a