*The second half of this chapter contains mature content.

Ch. 24

I swirled the wine around in my glass, just as I had seen Ruby's parents do on so many occasions, and stared at the pink liquid that I was, admittedly, a little nervous to sample.

"I'm sorry I don't have wine glasses," Jake apologized.  "My aunt and uncle never drink." But I was barely listening.

I brought my nose to the rim and inhaled the pleasant aroma. Glancing up at Jake, I noticed he was carefully gauging my reaction. I gave him a small smile before touching my lips to the glass, tipping a small amount of wine into my mouth. I whirled it around before swallowing, reveling in the crisp yet smooth sensation it left in its wake.

"Well? What do you think?"

"It's delicious," I exclaimed, reluctant to drag myself away from it's fruity flavor. I had never tasted anything quite like it before, and I'd felt very grown up sitting there with Jake, drinking it.

I watched him as he took his first sip, admiring the way his muscles moved underneath his shirt as he lifted the glass to his mouth. I smiled in anticipation as I waited for his reaction.

"This is good," he said finally, after finishing half of what was in his cup. "Probably the nicest wine I've ever tried. You got lucky, Addison. My first taste of wine reminded me of soap."

I laughed and held my glass out for him to pour a little more.

Jake looked at me warily. "Are you sure, Addison? I don't want you to over do it. You're not used to drinking so it probably wouldn't take much to make you...feel funny,"  he said, a slow blush covering his cheeks. I couldn't help but grin at his discomfort, enjoying the fact that it was him for a change.

"Just a little," I persuaded. "It tastes so good!"

He smiled and poured a small amount more into my cup. We brought our glasses together for a quick toast before I drank it down, marveling at the slightly euphoric sensation taking over. I knew better than to ask for more.

"I'm sorry--I can't give you any more," Jake said, regretfully. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn he was psychic.

"That's okay, I'm good." I smiled at his sense of responsibility. So many guys would have taken advantage of the situation...but not Jake.

I set my glass down on the counter and walked closer, enveloping him in a hug. "Thank you."

"What for?" he whispered into my hair as he wrapped his arms around me.

"For everything. For just being you. For making this the best summer of my life. For letting me fall in love with you, and for loving me back. For giving me my first taste of wine-. 'm so glad I got to share this with you." I smiled into his chest, loving the way we fit together. "I love you."

He pulled away from me and brought his hand up to my face, brushing my hair behind my ear. His eyes looked so tender as he stared down at me and I felt myself melt. I didn't drunk, after all, I'd had a few swallows, but I had to wonder if it was the wine that brought out the honesty, or just the fact that I really wanted him to know how I felt.

"I love you, too," he responded quietly.

I inhaled deeply, suddenly needing to hear more.

"Why?" I asked him.

A look of confusion covered his face. "Why what?"

"Why do you love me, Jake?" It felt like a perfectly normal question to ask at the time, but I could tell it had caught him off guard.

He paused before bringing me back into his chest and holding me tightly. "I love you because you make me feel..." his voice cracked slightly. "You make me feel like I've never felt before. I love you because you're the first person I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last person I think of when I when I go to bed at night. I love you because you're smart, and witty. I love the way you make me laugh. I love your innocence and naivety. I love how you always want ice cream." He chuckled quietly.  "I love everything about you."

My heart swelled. I looked up at him and felt more love than I ever knew possible. Everything about him was so perfect and I was so lucky to be a part of his life, even if only for a short while.

He brought his forehead down and rested it against mine. "I love you, Addison." They were the sweetest words I had ever heard, and I knew I would cherish this moment for as long as I lived. No matter how much time passed--those words would be cemented into my heart forever.

"I love you," I repeated, bringing my lips up to his.

Jake's hands traveled down to the small of my back, and I twisted my hands into his hair. When an involuntary moan escaped from his mouth, I felt my stomach leap.

I needed more.

"I want to be with you, Jake," I said, after he brought his lips down onto my neck.

I felt him still.

Oh no! Had I said the wrong thing? Would he not want me the same way I wanted him?

Jake pulled away from me and looked deep into my eyes. He seemed conflicted, as though he were struggling with something internally. Was he trying to figure out how to let me down gently? I had to force myself not to take it back; not to say "just teasing".

"Addison," he began. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea..."

"Why?" I asked him. "Don't you want me?"

He brought his forehead back to mine and let out a sigh. "I want to be with you more than you know," he whispered back.

My heartbeat quickened, thankful he was not rejecting me. "Then why isn't it a good idea? I want to be with you."

"Look at me," he said, tilting my chin upward. "Once you make that decision, there's no taking it back."

I shook my head vigorously. "I won't want to take it back. I promise! I love you, and I want my first time to be with you."

Jake gave me a smile, but still seemed hesitant. "I just want to make sure that you're ready..." his voice trailed off.

"I am ready, Jake. I'm more than ready. I'm eighteen years old! And you are not just some boy that I'm dating. I'm in love with you! I've never felt this way before."

"And I'm in love with you," he answered back.

"Then what's the problem?" I whined childishly.

"It's just a big decision, that's all. And I don't want you to regret it."

"I'm not going to regret it, Jake," I insisted, grasping his face between my hands. I looked him square in the eye. "I'm only going to regret it if I don't do it. Once you leave for Texas--who knows when we'll see each other again. If ever..."

My words seemed to resonate with him. His face relaxed and he released a long, drawn out sigh. Finally, his lips met mine for a slow kiss.

I smiled against his mouth as I waited for his next move.

"What's so funny?" he asked, returning my smirk.

"I'm just excited," I announced, bravely.

"Addison..." He laughed lightly. "What am I going to do with you?"

I raised my eyebrows and laced my fingers through his. "I can think of something..."

Jake led me into his bedroom and closed the door behind us.

* * * * *

"You're so beautiful," Jake murmured, as his fingers worked their way down, much lower than they'd ever been before. Sharp tingles shot throughout my body and spread to my core in electrifying waves. How was it possible to feel scared and exhilarated all at once?

I tried not to let my eyes linger, but I had never seen a naked man in real life before. I'd seen a picture once when I was thirteen in a magazine Ruby had found from God knows where, and I remember we sat there laughing at it for what felt like hours.

I was not laughing now.

As we laid in his bed, Jake began to move the soft pad of his thumb in slow circles below my belly button, causing the tingles dancing through my body to intensify. Every part of me responded to his touch in ways I was completely unfamiliar with. I forced myself to take a deep breath, but it did nothing to calm my nerves.

His experienced hand moved up my side at a slow, languid pace until it reached the swell of my naked breast. When his fingers brushed the sensitive bud, I felt a rush of sensations in lower regions, sensations that were very new to me. I tried to pretend I was the kind of girl who knew exactly what to do in situations like this, but failed miserably when I let out a cry as Jake lowered his head, closing his mouth around the tender, pink tip.

His eyes fixed on mine as if asking permission. I gave a slight nod and his tongue began to torture me once more. I let my hands flutter to his hair and tried desperately not to embarrass myself. It wasn't easy.

After a long moment, Jake let his lips scorch a path upward until they brushed against my ear. "Addison," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Are you sure you want to do this? We can stop if you want to."

His words sent shivers up my spine. I wanted nothing more than to surrender to the feelings that were stirring inside of me. No way was I turning back now. I moved my head to look at him and our eyes locked again. "I'm positive."

Jake's eyes centered in on my lips and he moved his arms around my waist, closing what little distance there was between us. His breath was warm as his mouth pressed against mine, slowly taking its time.

Every inch of my body awoke and all I could do was think about how much I wanted him, how much I needed him. With his gentle kiss, an agonizing warmth spread across my chest and trailed down my body, finally finding it's way to my core. Jake released me slightly and reached into the wallet that sat on top of his dresser, removing a small, square package. He brought it closer, releasing the condom that was nestled inside. After he slipped it over his length he moved on top of me, his mouth once again finding mine.

My breaths were ragged as I kissed him back, wondering if my inexperience would ruin the moment. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint him. But the low growl that escaped from his confirmed Jake was enjoying himself just as much as I was.

Moving alongside my jaw, Jake traced a fiery path down my neck, and when his mouth found mine it was more urgent than before. He slipped his tongue inside, exploring every inch. I clung to him tightly as he moved on top of me and I could feel his arousal pressing against my middle. I sucked in my breath, knowing what would come next.

Was I really going to go through with this?

You bet I was.

Fire raced through my veins as Jake gently pushed into me. He moved in deeper then slightly pulled away, raising himself up onto his elbow. Jake lifted his hand and caressed wavy strands of hair from my cheek, then carefully brought his fingers beneath my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. Sapphire eyes bore into mine and his expression was so gentle and sweet I could feel my own eyes fill with moisture.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded my head, not trusting myself to speak.

Jake captured my lips in a heated kiss as he settled back between my legs. His hand brushed the swell of my breast and then made it's way around to the back of my thigh, raising it slightly allowing him to move in deeper. Our hips rocked together, back and forth, finding a comfortable rhythm. I marveled at the shock of pleasure and pain I felt. I'd never really given much thought to how it would actually feel to make love. And that's what it was. Love.

I let my hands slide up the smooth, tanned skin that stretched over taut muscles, until my fingers tangled into his tousled hair. Electrifying sensations raced through my body, building in intensity toward the center of my core. Jake's hand was on the move again, making it's way up my midsection until it finally found my hand. When our fingers entwined, the connection I felt with him in that moment became so powerful, so real, I had to remind myself to breath.

Jake's gaze caught mine and he held it tightly. I was unable to look away. My pulse raced as a slow burn began to build deep inside my stomach. Jake clung to his rhythm and his fingers grasped mine tighter, his breathing becoming quicker, more jagged.

Suddenly, a glorious warmth exploded in my center and rushed through every limb in my body, causing me to cry out at the exact same moment as Jake. We laid together, tangled in each others arms, as our breathing began to slow.

Jake had been so gentle, so careful with me and somehow I found myself loving him even more.

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