Did I really just ask Hardin to show me the bedroom? Gosh, I hope it doesn't sound as cheesy as I think.

"You want to go to the bedroom? Tess, are you sure?" Hardin's eyes search my face for an answer.

"Yes." I wasn't sure until I heard Hardin say those magical words to me, but now I'm more sure of this than I've ever been of anything else.

Hardin stands from the couch and immediately lifts me up. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He carries me up the stairs so easily. I can tell how eager he is. Suddenly, I feel like I'm in a scene straight out of The Notebook, minus the rain. He continues to kiss me while he carries me up the stairs. I'm still nervous, but I'm also excited for what's coming.

Hardin walks us into the bedroom and gently tosses me on to the bed before climbing on top of me. I wrap my legs around him again, but this time I can feel how hard he is for me. "Tess," he moans. "I love you," he promises as he places kisses down my neck. I help Hardin remove his shirt between kisses and quickly toss it to the floor. He latches himself to my neck again. "You have no idea how many times I've fantasized about this."

He starts to remove my shirt and I lift off the bed to help him. He reaches behind me and unclasps my bra before gently sliding the straps down my arms and tossing it aside. He stares at me for a few seconds, admiring my half naked body, before leaning down and feverishly trailing kisses along my collarbone, all the way down to my stomach. He locks eyes with me before he slides my pants and panties down my legs at the same time. Without wasting a second, he parts my thighs and dips his head between them. Within seconds, I'm squirming against the bed from the way Hardin is working his tongue on me. Hardin's always been good at this, but there's something about knowing this isn't going to stop after going down on me that makes it feel even more exhilarating than any other time.

Hardin continues to move his skillful tongue against me and as I move closer to my release, I thread my fingers into his hair and tug, just the way I know he likes it. I feel him moan against me and that's all it takes. Seconds later, I'm coming hard for him while he continues to move his tongue in the most delicious pattern.

I barely notice Hardin moving beside me as I finally come back to reality. "You're really beautiful after you come." He smiles.

"Hardin!" I cover my face with my hands.

Hardin chuckles and removes my hands. "You're also beautiful before you come and while you come."

"Stop!" I groan and turn over, pushing my face into the pillow.

Hardin rolls me so I'm facing him again. "Are you sure, Tess? Like really sure?"

I'm really nervous, especially after Hardin's embarrassing compliment, but I muster all the confidence I can and reply, "Yes."

"I love you," is all Hardin says before getting up, grabbing a condom from his wallet, removing his jeans and boxers and then sliding it on.

I'm so lost in trying to process that this is really about to happen that I don't realize I'm staring.

"I hope you see something you like." Hardin smirks.

"Sorry," I whisper. "I was just thinking."

"Tess..."

"I'm sure, Hardin." I smile at him.

Hardin moves to join me on the bed, lying next to me. He looks at me for a moment before tucking my hair behind my ear. "I want you to know this isn't just your first time, Tess. I'll be making love for the first time, ever." Hardin's words warm my heart. "Make sure you tell me if you need me to stop, okay?" he asks as he looks into my eyes and I slowly nod before watching him gently part my legs and move between them. He slowly guides himself into me and I immediately reach up and wrap my hands around his biceps. "You okay, baby?" Hardin asks softly and I nod before he continues moving into me.

I close my eyes and scrunch my nose a little as I try to focus on how in this moment, Hardin and I are as close as two people can possibly be.

The uncomfortable feeling starts to fade slightly, so I open my eyes and meet Hardin's gaze. His expression is saying so much. I can tell he's being overcome with pleasure, but I also see his love for me. I can see how worried he is about me and how gentle he's trying to be for me. I continue to watch him adoringly while he thrusts in and out of me, slowly and gently.

I've known that I've loved Hardin for awhile now, but I was afraid to say it too soon and scare him away. When I think about how I felt when I first realized I loved him, I know it doesn't even come close to how I feel now. As I watch him make love to me, I realize I've never loved him more than I do in this moment. "Hardin, I love you," I whisper softly and remove a hand from around his bicep, moving it to caress his cheek for a moment.

"Fuck, Tess... I'm going to come now, okay?" he groans and I nod. Hardin empties himself into the condom, his eyes never leaving mine.

I don't know how much time passes before his breathing starts to return to normal, but when it does he presses his forehead to mine and whispers, "I love you, Tess. I've never told anyone that before. I'm so happy you're the only person I've ever made love to."

Hardin's words leave me speechless, so I run my fingers through his damp hair before kissing him.

He rolls off me and disposes of the condom before scooping me up in his arms. "W-was it what you imagined it would be like?" Hardin asks nervously.

"Mmm-hmm," I hum, unable to put how I feel into words.

"Are you sure you're okay? You haven't said much and I'm starting to worry."

"I am. I'm just enjoying the feeling of being with you this way. I've imagined what my first time would be like so many times, but I never imagined how amazing it would feel to be that connected with someone. It was really wonderful, Hardin." I wrap my arm around his waist and snuggle into him.

"Tess... I-I feel the same way. I mean, I know it wasn't my first time, but I never thought it could feel that special. I guess I just needed it to be with the right person." He kisses the top of my head.

Hardin holds me against him, skin to skin, with only a blanket covering our naked bodies. We don't speak as I trace the ink tattooed on his stomach and he twirls my blonde locks around his finger. Nothing needs to be said, though. The way he cradles me in his arms speaks volumes. I know he loves me. I have known he loved me even before he finally confessed his feelings to me.

As I lie in Hardin's arms, smelling faintly of his signature minty scent, I can't help but replay the images of him making love to me for the first time in my head. Eventually, I slowly and peacefully drift off to sleep, feeling loved and protected, while lying naked in Hardin's arms for what I hope is the first of many nights.