“No, I’m fine.” She smiles, making my heart race. Taking an errant strand of hair that is in her face from the light breeze, I tuck it behind her ears. “I’m ready… I… I just want to be good enough.”
I rub up and down her arms, trying to ease her nerves. “Baby… you’re so perfect. Come here.” She walks into my arms, and all I feel is her warm, naked chest against mine. If this was all I got tonight, I would be completely content.
“I want to make you happy, Jace,” she says into the salty ocean air.
“You are the only thing that could ever make me happy. Don’t you know that?” I lay her down before me, her long curls surrounding her beautiful face. I don’t know how I got this lucky. Grabbing the heavy blanket, I lay it next to her. I don’t want her cold. Leaning over her, I kiss her lips, her face, and her neck. Moving lower, I kiss her chest and her stomach. She shudders as I get to her belly button and lick her, kissing every inch around her underwear as I slowly take them down her long, sexy legs. She’s quiet, as I lie back down on top of her, careful not to put too much weight on her. I place the blanket over us, keeping us covered, and lock my arms on each side of her face. “I love you, baby. I don’t want to hurt you, but it might hurt a little until I push all the way in, okay?” I look down at her body beneath me. “Open your legs for me.” I want to be gentle with her, but a part of me wants to push into her with force because I’m desperate for her.
“I’m okay, Jace, I promise.” She leans up, bringing her lips to mine. I let her lead me. I don’t want to rush it, but then she pushes up into me, and I can’t help but grind against her. Our breathing gets ragged as I kiss her harder.
“Baby, I need to be inside you now.”
“Yes,” she moans against my mouth. I don’t take my mouth away from hers.
“Open your legs wider.” She spreads her legs, and I settle between them. Our eyes lock. “Don’t take your eyes off of mine, pretty girl.” I keep one arm braced on our blanket while the other grips her face. “Keep your eyes on me,” I say, settling myself at her entrance. As I push in slowly, her lips start to tremble, and her eyes fill with tears. I push in a little harder, closing my eyes as I feel myself go all the way inside her. I open my eyes when she releases a low gasp.
I still, taking it all in.
Her eyes never leave mine. “I need to move, baby,” I tell her. Shay arches her back, pushing up into me, and I feel like I’m in heaven. She looks so gorgeous with the faint glow of the moonlit sky on top of us.
I’m floating.
As I move, she meets me with every thrust. “I love you, Jace,” she says in that beautiful voice.
I can’t even speak I’m so fucking lost in her. The whole world just fell away. When I dip down and kiss her, she wraps her legs around me, allowing me to go deeper.
Shit, that feels so good. Our breathing picks up. Her hands are all over my ass, gripping me tighter. She runs her fingernails up and down my back, and I’m climbing. I slow down to make it last, and we’re now like slow motion. I can only describe it like our surroundings. When the waves slowly make their way to the shore and the water slowly inches its way back out, that’s what our bodies are doing. We are totally in sync.
I wasn’t expecting for us to come apart together, but as soon as I slow down, I feel her tighten around me. I can’t think clearly; all I can do is feel every inch of her skin all over me. Jace… I’m…”
“Let go, baby.”
She clutches me so firmly I can’t help but thrust into her harder. Her voice turns into shallow breaths before she starts coming. It’s euphoric the way she is pulling my orgasm out of me, hard. The feeling is a rush that I could never have dreamed of. She shivers beneath me as I pulsate around her. I feel my mouth water from the release, but I can’t move.
After a few still moments, I take my face off her warm neck and bring my gaze to hers. She looks so sated.
“I love you.” She sighs and smiles. “That was perfect.”
“Yeah, you could say that. We make the best music together,” I say with a wink, kissing her shoulder. She wraps her arms around me, bringing me against her. Still inside her, I put my hands under her, cradling her head and just holding on to her. She wiggles beneath me, and I can feel the wetness between us. “I knew we would have fun getting wet together.” She giggles against my arm, and instantly I’m hard again. I know we just did it, but I’m ready again. “Baby, I want to submerge myself.”
“Me, too,” she says, grinding against me. I thrust once, and she pulls my face down, giving me that luscious tongue. I’m so hard for her. Just knowing I have a lifetime to be home in her warmth is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Putting my arm underneath her, I bring her to a sitting position.
“Straddle me, baby. I need to hold you,” I tell her. She sits up and brings her body down onto mine. “If this is too much for you, tell me.”
“I want all of you, Jace.” She sinks down with a shaken breath. I run my hands down her bare back, bringing goose bumps to her sun-kissed skin. She starts to rock into me slowly while I grip her ass, pulling her against me.
“God, baby, you don’t know how good this feels. I don’t ever want to live without this. You were made only for me, Shay.”
She grasps me again, and I know she’s getting close. I wrap my arms around her as she rocks into me over and over again. I feel my release building inside me. I’m going to come so hard inside her.
“Jace… I’m going… to come…”
I pull her mouth down onto mine just as she lets go. I don’t want to stop. I’m climbing so high that I can’t feel anything but the rush of her warmth as she spills herself all around me. Then my release hits me hard. I groan with no reservations as she goes limp against me. Keeping my hands on her hips, I pull her beautiful body into mine, nice and slow as she grips me tightly, digging her fingernails into my chest. “You are mine, Shay. You will always belong to me.”
Cradling her in my arms, I hear her softly cry, “Only yours, Jace.”
I CAN’T MOVE. My eyes flutter closed as I feel Jace release everything he has inside me for the second time tonight. I had no idea what to expect the first time we had sex, but now I know when Jace told me we would never have sex, it would only be love, he was telling the truth. I can’t imagine it ever being as good as what we just did.
Jace gently wipes between my legs as I stare at the stars and the glow of the full moon as the ocean glistens around us. That’s when it hits me… our song. I can’t think of a better title to sum up how I feel.
I asked Jace to have our first time under the moon and stars, because our alone time away from all the noise has always been the ocean—under the moon and stars. There is something about letting go emotionally and physically with the person you love in a place when the only thing that surrounds you is absolute stillness. When I look up at the starlit sky, it’s hard to imagine how it got here, how it’s a true gift to watch unfold day after day, night after night. The magnitude of its beauty is inexplicable. That’s how I’ve always felt about Jace. He’s always been a gift, just like the moon and stars. My love for him will never fully be explained.
I hear the water rolling onto the shore and Jace breathing as he lays us down, pulling me onto him. I lift my head as he cradles me to his hard chest, feeling my hair tickle my face as he tucks the loose strands behind my ear. He presses a kiss to my temple, and I breathe in his scent that is mixed with both sweat and salt. The blanket we are lying on is scrunched up from our love making, causing my toes to dig in the sand.
Every single moment of this night is behind my eyes, taking root in my memory. Every touch, every smell, every taste, every thrust of his hips that met mine, slow and steady, just as he told me they would be. He gave me everything he wanted me to have, and I feel cherished.
“What are you thinking, baby?” he says quietly against my hair that’s blowing lightly in the breeze. Resting my head against his chest, I feel his heart beat. My lips begin to tremble, and my
eyes fill with happy tears that threaten to spill. His heartbeat is everything to me in this moment. Raising my head off his chest, I look into his pale blue eyes—the eyes I’ve loved since I was twelve years old.
“My heart is so full right now. That’s what I’m thinking.”
He tilts his head to the side and leans forward, lightly brushing his lips against mine. Then he trails his fingers down my shoulder, down my arm, and ends at my hand where he raises it to his lips. He kisses each finger until he gets to my ring finger. Raising his eyes to meet mine, he kisses it, and says, “You are mine. There might not be a ring on this finger yet, but you belong to me, Shay, and I belong to you… forever.” My tears fall with his words. “Don’t cry, baby,” he whispers.” Come here.” He pulls me into him again, and this time I get as close as I can, practically climbing on top of him. I can’t imagine not having this.
“Thank you,” I say, against his beating heart.
His voice vibrates against my head. “For what, pretty girl?”
“For giving me the most beautiful first time a girl could ever dream of. Thank you for giving me the moon and stars.”
“Baby, I will never take your love for granted. I love you so much. It doesn’t even seem enough to say it, but I promise, you will always feel it.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE we are graduating.”
“I know, right? I’m totally wearing my Converse with my graduation gown.”
“Shay, you need to wear cute shoes.”
“Why? Not like anyone will see them.” Grabbing my brush, I run it through my tangled hair. This morning, Jules and I ran a lot of errands to prepare for graduation. Just two days and I’m a high school graduate. “No, I’m totally wearing my Converse.”
“Your choice,” she says, glossing her full lips with the new light pink gloss we picked up. “My parents want to throw me a graduation party.”
“I told mine I don’t want one. There will be so many, and I don’t want the fuss.”
“I know. Besides, I’d rather them spend the money on just me.”
“What do you want for graduation, you greedy girl?” I ask her.
“Money, of course. We should go on a trip.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere tropical where there are hot men with accents,” she answers. I glare at her.
“Oh, I know you have Mr. Perfect, and I’ll admit, he is really dreamy… especially after you had sex. Wow, that boy is so swoony.”
“God, Jules, I’m not telling you personal things anymore.”
“What? Not like you gave me details really.”
“That’s true.” I sigh.
Since Jace and I first made love, we can’t keep our hands off each other now. My boy can’t get enough of me. It’s just not sex, though. He’s more passionate than before, if that’s even possible. I’m a very lucky girl.
“Where is Prince Charming, anyway?” she says, twisting her hair up into a loose bun.
Grabbing a ponytail holder, I put mine into a side braid.
“He’s been working a lot at the motorcycle shop.”
“Shay, what are you going to do?”
“What do you mean?” I say as I strip down to my bra and underwear to try on a couple of dresses to wear at graduation.
“College, Shay. Remember that thing we worked toward all through high school so we could go let loose and join sororities and party? Well, I was going to party and date hot frat boys while you pined over lover boy. You know, I got in to every college I applied for,” she says proudly.
I pull the dress over my head. “I got accepted to NYU, too, but I don’t think I want to go. I’m going to concentrate on my music. I haven’t made a final decision yet, so we’ll see.”
“What does Jace say?”
“Not much. And, that’s because I don’t like to talk about it. I guess we’re even that way.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jace doesn’t like to talk about his family life, and I don’t like to talk about college.”
“Well, I think that conversation will have to come up pretty quickly with graduation in a couple of days,” she says. I nod my head in agreement. She’s right. I’m going to have to figure things out.
When Jules leaves, I lie in bed staring at my picture wall. Every one of my favorite memories involves Jace. I can’t go away to college. All the years we saw each other once a week was torture. Now we are finally able to be together, and I won’t lose that. My eyes begin to close when my phones rings. Reaching over, I answer it. “Hello?”
“Hey baby, you sound tired,” Jace says. I close my eyes, taking in his sexy voice.
“I’m tired. We had a long day preparing for graduation.”
“My girl is going to be a high school graduate. You don’t sound very excited.”
“How can you tell?” I say sleepily.
“I know every tone in your voice, Shay. Something is wrong. What is it?”
“I’m just tired.”
“Baby, tell me.”
I inhale deeply. “What are we going to do? I’ve been accepted to NYU.” In a low whisper with fresh tears falling, I add, “I don’t want to leave.”
“You’re going to college, Shay. You’ve worked too hard not to.”
“What about us?” I ask him.
“I will figure us out. There is always going to be an us, so don’t ever worry about that, pretty girl. I promise you, wherever you go, I will find a way to be there. I’m going to make things happen. You’re my girl, Shay. We won’t ever be apart.”
I’m a nervous wreck, because as much as I know his words are sincere, I just don’t know how we would do it, but I say, “Okay.”
“You don’t sound convinced. Trust me, baby. You have my heart, so it’s got to be near you to beat and keep me going.” I smile into the phone. “I just called to tell you I love you. I know you’re going to be busy tomorrow. I will see you when you walk across that stage. Goodnight,” he says lovingly.
“I love you, Jace.” We end the call, leaving me torn. Jace would never admit his struggles growing up to me. He’s too proud. I just don’t know how he would be able to come to New York.
Graduation Day
IT SEEMS LIKE we have been sitting here for hours. The sun is just setting, making the unbearable glare of the sun easier to bear. Finally, they call my row, and both Jules and I stand up and start making our way toward the stage. When my name is called, I hear Beau. I know it’s him. He has a really loud whistle. Walking up, I receive my diploma, shake hands, and then exit the stage. By the time I sit back down, I hear Jules’ name. I cheer and clap, even though they tell us not to. Once the rest of the names are announced, the principal does a quick closing speech, and then mayhem happens as everyone hoots and hollers.
Looking through the crowd, I see my parents, and then Beau with Tristan and Tatum. I still don’t see Jace. My eyes search every possible inch I can see over the thick crowd of students and their families. Jules grabs me, puts her cell phone into our face, and says, “Say we out!” We both say, “We out!” at the same time at the top of our lungs and then do our best pouty face. She must snap twenty pictures.
Balloons are everywhere, and music is blaring as I continue my search for the one person I want. Beau grabs me first. “Proud of you, girl.”
“Thanks, I know it wasn’t easy for you to get here,” I say, kissing his cheek.
“I wouldn’t miss it. They only had to shut down the set for one day. I fly back out tomorrow.”
Jules walks up to us with her parents. She looks at Beau and then quickly turns her head. He grabs her and kisses her on the top of her head. “Great job, Jules. Nice speech.”
She looks up into his eyes, and something changes briefly. For the first time, she just says, “Thank you.” Usually, she has some sarcastic comeback for him, but not today. She must be feeling nostalgic.
Tristan and Tatum come up to me, looking bored out of their minds. “Congratulations, Shay,” they say in
unison.
Tristan then turns to our parents, who have waited patiently to congratulate me, and says, “Can we go eat now?”
Mom looks at Tristan. “After we take pictures. My God, Tristan, you just ate before we left.”
“I’m hungry again. I’m a growing boy, Mom,” he replies, but she shrugs him off.
Both my mom and dad hug me at the same time. “We’re so proud of you, Shay.”
“Thank you,” I say. Then in a whispered tone, I ask, “Is he here?” They both look at me. “He was here before we got here. He just said he was going to step back to give us a family moment,” Mom answers as Dad’s eyes dart to the side bleachers that were pulled out to accommodate all the families. Following his eyes, I see Jace standing there holding a large bouquet of pink flowers.
Everything falls away.
I run to him. Right before I reach him, he sets the flowers down. Over the years, he knows the drill by now. I jump up and throw myself into his arms, straddling him. “Can you believe it?” He twirls me in a circle. I throw my head back, letting the light breeze dance around me. He laughs as I close my arms tighter around him. “I’m done. I graduated high school.”
He slows down, but still holds me up with my Converse tangling. “You’re all done, baby. I’m so proud of you. Wow, all those honors next to your name.” He gives me the sweetest kiss and sets me down. Leaning down, he picks up the flowers. “Congratulations, pretty girl.”
“Thank you,” I say as he hands them to me.
My family walks up. “Shay, let me get a few pictures of you and Jace,” Mom suggests. I turn to set my flowers down, but she stops me. “Wait, honey. Let’s get a couple with those beautiful flowers Jace got you.” Jace puts his arm around my waist. I nuzzle into his side, and she takes a few pictures. “Okay, Tatum. Take the flowers.” Reaching over, Tate takes my flowers and smells them. “Just a few more.” This time, Jace puts his arm over my shoulder and looks down at me with the most adorable smile. “Don’t move, Jace. Stay just like that.” I bite my bottom lip as she snaps away. “A couple more,” she says, moving her angle. I look up at him and stare into his eyes. I can’t believe I am officially done with high school, but I don’t want to think about that right now. Instead, I take in Jace’s beautiful face and the way he is looking at me.
Labeled Love Page 24
