𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗

Even though my time with Grayson is slowly running out, the past few days with him have been nothing but pure bliss. My list of fun activities is getting filled up, and I couldn't be happier. Being around him has changed me for the better.

I thought living in a world without Hunter would be miserable. I assumed that my life would continue to be dark and depressing, but it's not. I'm gradually healing my broken heart, and all it took was an angry boy from New Jersey to do it.

It's almost been a week since I confronted Kyle and his friends, and it's still radio silence. I was hoping one of them would do the right thing and allow the truth to be spoken, but I should have known better. I was a fool for thinking they would be honorable towards Hunter.

"You have that look again." Grayson's strong voice brings me back to reality, as I lift my head up to look at him.

"What look?" I mumble.

"The look of getting lost in your thoughts. What's on your mind, H?" He tightens his protective grip around my back.

I let out a sigh and lean my head back against his chest. The soft material of his t-shirt feels comfortable against my cheek.

"I feel like I failed." I murmur.

"Failed? Why?" He shifts his body on the mattress, turning so he's directly facing me.

"With Kyle. I feel like he continues to make sure everyone keeps quiet."

"It's only been a few days. Maybe he'll come forward."

"I feel like I made it worse." I helplessly shrug.

"You didn't, not at all." He places his hand under my chin and lifts it up, allowing my eyes to look into his. "You did the right thing. I am so proud of you for that."

A comforting feeling floods my core as I continue to look into his beautiful orbs. "You know, Grayson, you give me the strength to be this strong."

"And you give me the strength to have peace among this Earth." He says with a wide smile.

"I wouldn't be able to cope with all of this without you." I whisper.

"Our shared trauma brings us together. We're pretty much bonded for life at this point." He grins.

My heart rate increases as I stare down at his lips.  The minute he presses them against mine, I feel my entire body light up. An explosion of happiness erupts in my brain as I wrap my arms around his neck. His hands glide down my back, increasing our contact with one another.

A fire is burning in my core. It's hot enough to electrocute my bones. He begins to shift his body so he is directly on top of me.

My heart is plummeting into my chest. His hands continue to graze down the side of my body, until they land on my hips.

"Wait." I murmur while pulling away from him.

"Are you okay? Am I pushing it too far? I didn't mean to-"

"No, Grayson, you're fine." I reassure him while exhaling a breath. "I want to."

"Wait, so you-"

"I want to lose my virginity. And I want to lose it with you." I blurt out.

His eyes widen while his mouth falls agape. Oh god, what is wrong with me? That was probably way too forward and he most likely feels uncomfortable now.

"Um, I'm sorry. That was so awkward." I gulp before going to stand up from his bed.

"It's not awkward." He gently grabs hold of my arm and places me back onto the mattress. "It was on your list."

"I crossed it out for a reason." I close my eyes out of pure embarrassment. "Forget it, I just ruined the moment."

"H, stop it. You didn't ruin anything. I just want you to be ready for it. The first time can be uncomfortable and if you aren't ready-"

"I am ready. I know we haven't been together for that long-"

"You know our situation isn't like any other couple." He whispers, slowly placing his hand on my cheek.

My tongue slips out of my mouth to run over my lips. "You're my soulmate, Grayson. And I love you. You need to know that."

His eyes soften at the eight letter statement. "I've been wanting to say that to you since we woke up. I didn't want to rush into anything, but being with you opened up my entire world. I love you so much, Hope."

Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I push them back. Now is not the time to be weeping at how much I love Grayson Dolan.

He kisses me again and my world spins. My breath is totally taken away. He pulls my light gray t-shirt over my head, leaving me in my bra. I have never been exposed to a boy before, and the terrifying nerves are already growing in my core.

"It's okay if I take off your bra, right?" His voice is dripping with innocence.

"Yes. I'm pretty sure that's how sex works." I can't help but laugh.

"Yeah, correct." He nervously laughs.

When his hands reach behind my back to unclip it, my breathing hitches. He's already seen me naked, but this is nothing compared to that night in the ocean.

He pulls his shirt over his head and we continue to undress ourselves, right down to our exposed skin.

"Let's just take it slow, okay?" His raspy voice echoes through me.

"Before we start anything, I want to apologize in advance. I probably have no idea what I'm doing, and this is undoubtedly going to be the worst sex of your life." I avert my eyes from his gaze, not wanting to look at him directly.

"Do not say that, Hope. Everyone goes through the process of losing their virginity. It's all about making you feel comfortable, which I will make it my one mission to achieve. If anything hurts or is uncomfortable, let me know immediately." His voice is filled with patience and love, something I need right now.

"Why are you so amazing? And how did you end up in my life?" I ask myself this question everyday.

"Because we were meant to be, H." He smiles down at me.

He places a kiss against my cheek, and I automatically blush.

"Grab the pillows and put them under your head, for more support." He nods his head.

I slowly listen to instructions and grab the pillows from the top of his bed. I stick two under my head, propping myself up so his face is even closer to my own.

Grayson shifts us to one side, reaching for the pack of condoms that are stashed in the nightstand drawer. Ripping one open in what has to be record time, he lifts his hips and rolls on the condom.

"Wow, you were really prepared." I nervously laugh.

"Ethan left them in my room, I guess he was having a wild summer in between visiting me at the hospital."

"It was all that built-up stress." I smirk.

Dropping his forehead against mine, he stares into my eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

My hands come up to the sides of his face. Running my thumb across his bottom lip, I close my eyes and part my lips.

I close the gap between us in a slow fit of passion. He's the only person I want to be doing this with. My time with him in Renton is running out, let me be wild and free for one night.

Our tongues shadow the gentle rock of our hips, as the heels of my feet dig in deeper against his lower back. The isn't like our regular kisses. This one is filled with love.

My body suddenly goes on fire. I want all of him, need all of him. Feeling bold, I reach down between us, wrapping my fingers around the head of his length. A shudder wracks his body and I smile against his lips.

Lining him up against me, I lift my hips and squeeze my thighs around him all at once. His body lurches forward, not expecting my boldness.

He thrusts into me, and my back arches off the bed. A sharp burn knocks the air out of my lungs. I keep my arms wrapped around his back to bring us closer together.

He freezes and tries to pull back. "H, what are you doing?"

I clench my lips between my teeth. I keep trying to hold out the scream that's fighting to escape my mouth from the uncomfortable pressure of him inside of me. I guess taking charge wasn't the best way to do it.

"It's okay." I gulp.

"It's not okay, I'm hurting you." His voice is filled with accusation. Not at me, but at himself.

"Give me a second, it'll be fine." I breathe through my mouth and some of the pain subsides.

"I don't want to go too fast." He sounds nervous.

"I'll be fine. You can move now." I shift my hips on him, the pleasure slowly shining through.

"Are you sure?" His head jerks back. He stares into my eyes for a hint of deception.

Lifting myself again, I push my hips against him in a thrust. We both moan and his arms lock around me in a protective manner.

Brushing my hair back from my face, he thrusts his hips forward, burying himself deeper in me. My back arches off the bed and I moan out his name. That seems to be the magic touch.

His slow, steady thrusts transform with each loud moan. My nails dig into his back and I scream louder than I intend too.

His lips find mine in a gentle kiss, and I grow more comfortable the more I adjust myself around him. I feel him pulsing inside me, triggering my climax. It's a wave of slow motions.

My legs shake uncontrollably and his do the same. He fills the condom and collapses next to me. The air is escaping my lips in loud pants.

Turning his head to look at me, he stares deeply into my eyes. The sharp pants of his breathing are matching my own. My smile is so wide, my cheeks are aching. Along with the rest of my body.

"Was it okay?" He scoots closer to me, still catching his breath.

"That's supposed to be my line." I place my hand on his cheek. "It was more than I ever could have hoped for."

"I love you." He says with a wide smile.

"I love you, too."

I cuddle into his chest, and he wraps his arms around me. The silence of his house consumes us as we lie here in peaceful bliss.

"I don't want you to go back to New Jersey." I can't help but say.

"I know. Same here." He says while looking down at me. "I can't leave you behind, H."

"If I really came with you, there's no way your parents would just allow me to live in your house."

"Yes they would. I told them how special you are to me." He lets out a breath.

"What about school?" I ask.

"I told you, you can attend my community college."

"Thinking about the future is scary." I admit to him, allowing my fears to take over.

"It is. But I think the future is going to be great. Especially since we got a second chance at it." He looks down at me.

A small smile forms on my face. "Yeah, we did." I whisper before crashing my lips onto his once more, allowing the taste of him to consume my world.