chaos swirling around beyond this forest. Why had she thought it was so important to take things slowly? The important thing was to live every day to the fullest, because you never really knew what tomorrow held.
And right now, living life to the fullest meant more of Drew. Hope’s heart and body were increasingly dissatisfied with mere kisses from Drew. His lips weren’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted his hands on her body. She wanted his bare skin against her bare skin. She wanted him inside of her.
Hope squeezed her eyes shut and tried to force her thoughts to go somewhere, anywhere, besides Drew. But her racing heart refused to slow down, and she seriously contemplated getting up and going across the hallway to his room to slip into his bed next to him. She was pretty sure he wouldn’t have any complaints about that. The way he had been looking at her lately made it clear that he was ready for more of her, too.
But what kind of self-respecting girl demanded to take things slowly, only to beg for more hours later?
“The kind who’s just realized she’s madly in love,” Hope said aloud to the darkness, surprising even herself with the word “love.” She wasn’t the kind of person who threw that word around, but she knew deep down that what was developing with her and Drew was more than just a casual crush. She was falling hard for him, and she didn’t want to waste another minute pretending that she wasn’t.
Slowly, Hope sat up in bed and looked around her small, bare room. With her heart pounding, she began to slide out of the bed and put her bare feet on the hard wooden floor. But before she could even stand up, her bedroom door opened a crack. Startled, Hope quickly pulled her feet back into the bed and peered cautiously at the door, which was slowly opening. As the hallway came into view, Hope saw Drew’s tall silhouette standing in the doorway.
“Hope?” he whispered. “Hope, are you awake?”
Hope felt a rush of joy running through her. He had obviously been thinking about her, too, unable to get her off his mind.
“Drew,” she said softly. “Get in here.”
Drew stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind him before padding silently over to sit on the foot of the bed. He was wearing a loose-fitting long-sleeved t-shirt and flannel pajama pants, but Hope could still see his muscles bulging underneath the fabric.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” he said. “I hope I didn’t wake you up. But I just can’t get you out of my mind. I know we are supposed to be taking things slowly, but my heart is already running away with me. I had to at least see you once more before going to sleep. I can’t do anything except lie there in my room and dream about you.
Hope took in a huge breath and slowly let it out. She suddenly didn’t care anymore about rules or appearances or taking things slowly. All she cared about was having Drew in her arms. He was so strong and yet so gentle all at the same time. His body was muscular and broad, but his heart was tender and soft. Despite the fact that he had a temper, and often closed himself off from the world, Hope was beginning to see what a caring individual was at the very core of himself. And Hope was falling in love with that person.
“Get over here,” Hope said, patting the empty space next to her on the bed. Drew smiled and slid from the foot of the bed up toward the headboard, so that he was sitting right next to Hope. He started to reach for her hand, but before he could grab it, Hope reached out and pulled him down so he was lying on his side next to her. Then she attacked him with her mouth.
Her palms framed his face as her lips met his. She kissed him hungrily, with passion and abandon. He seemed startled for a moment, but quickly recovered and began kissing her back. His tongue, warm and strong, danced with her tongue. His hand reached to hold her by her ass cheeks, squeezing tightly as if to show ownership. Hope felt the
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