Just Me

He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed a condom. I couldn't take my eyes from the sight of him slipping it on because I was impatient to feel him inside me. He didn't make me wait long. He settled between my legs as the hard tip of him pushed at my opening.

“I'm sorry, but this is going to hurt.”

His mouth settled over mine and I tasted my own arousal on his tongue which turned me wanton just as he shifted his hips and pushed into me. He was only about halfway in when I wrapped my legs around him and forced him to me, needing to feel him in me. I felt the pain, but it was nothing next to the feeling of being co

“I love you, Lark.”

And then my heart leapt as love burned through me. “I love you.”

Still inside me, he brushed his fingers across my cheek. “I wasn't too rough?”

“No, oh my God, Bastian, no. That was...amazing.”

He pressed his lips to mine in the sweetest of kisses before he pulled from me, rolled from the bed and headed to the bathroom. My eyes were glued to him, watching as he came back to me gloriously naked. He settled in bed, pulling me into his arms. “You sure you're okay?”

“Okay? Bastian that was so much better than I imagined and I imagined it crazy good.”

He looked a bit smug and he should because, wow.

“You're really mine now.” he whispered.

“I was already yours.”

***

I woke in the middle of the night to the sight of Bastian sleeping soundly at my side. My thoughts turned to earlier as a warmth burned through me. I knew sex with Bastian was going to be incredible, but even my imaginings paled in comparison.

Climbing from bed, I went to the bathroom, where I flicked on the light so I could study myself in the mirror. I didn't look any different, but I felt different; felt a co

“Are you okay?” He asked groggily.

“I feel wonderful.”

“You’re sure I didn't hurt you?”

“You didn’t hurt me.” I lowered my head as my heart started pounding just thinking about it. I turned my gaze back to him. “It really was amazing.”

Something sinful flashed over his face. His arms wrapped around me right before his lips brushed across my cheek. “You're amazing.”

My body started to burn and I wanted him again. He knew what I was thinking because I felt his body grow hard. He lifted me into his arms before he kissed me, and then he started back to the bedroom. “My thoughts exactly.”

***

I was on cloud nine the following day in school, and if people guessed why I was, I didn't care. Poppy cornered me before lunch and pulled me into an empty classroom. “Spill.”

“What?”

“You and Bastian had sex, didn't you?”

“Yes. Is it that obvious?”

“You're both walking around with moon-dog eyes. He can't stop touching you and the look you keep giving each other...”

“What look?”

“The one that says ‘we share a secret.’ It's such a freaking hot look, I'm surprised you haven't spontaneously combusted. You have to tell me what it was like!”

“Heaven, Poppy, with just the perfect hint of sinful hell.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Yeah, I was definitely offering my thanks to the gods. Several times, in fact.”

“You lucky lady.”

I gri

“Thank Obi-Wan.”

***

It was the day of my birthday surprise. After sharing breakfast with Bastian, he drove me to Poppy's house, so he could finish with the last minute details for the day. He helped me bring my things up to Poppy's room and took a minute to say hello to Poppy's parents, who liked him despite their misgivings about the apartment. I walked him to the door where he touched my face and smiled. “See you at four.”

“I can't wait.” I replied.

He leaned over, kissed the corner of my mouth and winked at me, then strolled down the front path to his bike. When he was gone from sight, I followed the sounds of Poppy and her parents to the kitchen. I settled in a chair at the table and asked Mr. and Dr. Wright, “You know what he has pla

“Of course. And don't bother trying to get us to tell you. Our lips are sealed.” Dr. Wright retrieved a small, brightly-colored package and placed it down in front of me.

“Happy birthday, Lark.”

“We waited until today to give it to you since it seemed fitting.” Mr. Wright added.

“Open it.” Poppy demanded and I laughed at her enthusiasm, but my laughter froze in my throat once I had. Tears burned the back of my eyes as I stared down at the most beautiful pair of diamond earrings I had ever seen: pear-shaped drop earrings in platinum that sparkled against the black velvet. It didn't pass my notice that the box said Harry Winston.

“Before you say something like you can't accept them, know you are like a daughter to us,” Dr. Wright said. My refusal died on my lips. I stood and wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you.”

She held me close for a moment before Mr. Wright moved in and kissed the top of my head.

“Happy birthday.”

Poppy had tears in her eyes. What a friend she was—I saw only love looking back at me. “Come on we have facials to do.”

And as I followed after her, I whispered, “I love you, Poppy.”

I knew she’d started full-out crying since she didn't answer with words, but reached back to squeeze my hand.

***

A few minutes before four, Poppy, Sophia and I studied ourselves in the mirrors of Poppy's dressing room. Sophia wore a black sequined dress with long flared sleeves which was opened in the back and fell to mid-thigh. The contrast of the black against her blond hair was stu

We all opted for up-dos and I had to say Poppy was rather skilled when it came to twisting my locks into messy, yet elegant affairs. My new earrings made the perfect complement to the pale blue of my dress.

Dr. Wright let us all borrow shoes and cashmere wraps since it was cold outside. I felt like I was shopping in a store when she took us into her closet. Poppy and I settled on silver platform heels and Sophia black ones. The sound of the bell sent my heart into my throat.

Dr. Wright touched Poppy’s arm to pause us. “Be safe, don't go off on your own, stick together. Bastian has our numbers and we have his and the number for the driver. Have fun!” She hugged each of us and then we heard Mr. Wright calling, “The gentlemen have arrived.”

As we started down the stairs, I saw Shawn and Tyler first. Both wore black suits, but their shirts and ties matched their dates’ dresses. Dr. Wright's smile was her only response to her subterfuge. I looked at Bastian only to find he was already watching me. He was also dressed in black and his shirt and tie were the palest of blues. His hair framed his beautiful face. We might not get prom together, but this was so much better.

“You look stu

“So do you.”

Reaching for my hand, he pressed his lips to my knuckles and held my gaze a moment before he looked behind me to Mr. and Dr. Wright.