I know how Stone is and I don’t want him to get upset that my family pulled some strings. I want him to be happy, because strings or no strings, he’s earned this.

He raises an eyebrow. “Okay.” He gestures for me to follow him into his bedroom. “Not gonna lie, though. You’re kind of scaring me.”

“Don’t be scared,” I tell him, closing the door behind us. “It’s a good thing.” I grin so hard it hurts. “A really good thing.”

“Well, if that’s the case can you spit it out already, Bourne? The suspense is killing me.”

Right.

“Well, the other night I talked to my dad and told him that you were waitlisted and how it wasn’t fair…and he agreed.”

It’s not quite the truth, but close enough.

The air in my lungs grows thin as I gather the courage to tell him the most important part. “He ended up making a few phone calls and… you’re officially enrolled in the pre-med program at Duke’s Heart.”

I brace myself for him to start yelling, but he doesn’t.

In fact, it’s a good thing he’s sitting on his bed now because he looks like he’s about to pass out.

“Holy shit,” he says after a minute. “Are you serious?”

I nod. I nod so hard I’m surprised my head doesn’t fall off. “Yes. They’re mailing out your acceptance letter today and everything. I just wanted to be the first person to tell you because I know how much this means to you.”

Rushing toward me, he hoists me off the ground so fast I squeal.

“Thank you.” He peppers kisses along my cheeks, my lips, my forehead. “Holy fucking shit. I can’t believe I’m in.”

Whatever anxiety I was harboring about Stone being mad dissipates as I wrap my legs around his waist. “I love you.”

Walking us toward the bed, he sits us down. “I love you.”

There’s so much joy on his face, my heart takes flight. “You deserve this, Stone.”

He kisses me slow and deep, like I’m the most precious thing in the world. “You’re amazing, Bianca.”

“So are you.”

Desire shadows his eyes before he kisses me again, his tongue spearing mine.

My chest heaves, my nipples grazing his chest with each breath I draw in as he continues kissing me into oblivion.

Groaning, he shifts so he’s lying on top of me. I instinctively part my thighs and he situates himself between them.

Goosebumps break out along my flesh as he grinds against the spot that lights all my nerve endings on fire.

My fingers grip the hem of my shirt and I slip it over my head, needing fewer clothes and more skin between us.

Stone squeezes my breast with one hand, while his other goes to the zipper of my jeans. “Is this okay?”

I slide them down my hips before kicking them off. “More than okay.”

“Good.”

My panties follow suit a moment later.

“Jesus, Bourne.” His gaze darkens with lust as he stares down at my exposed sex. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

I tug on the elastic of his sweatpants and his dick springs out, hard and ready for me.

“Stone?”

His throat bobs on a swallow. “Yeah?”

I peer up at him. “I want you inside me.”

Stone’s been patient, never pushing me for anything I wasn’t ready for, but this feels right.

So fucking right.

I wrap my fingers around him, giving his dick a slow jerk as he fishes out a condom from his nightstand. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

My mouth goes dry, want and need coiling through me as I watch him roll it over his length.

And that’s when it occurs to me.

“I can’t remember ever having sex,” I utter aloud as he lines himself up with my entrance.

Stone stills, my confession visibly confusing him. “Are you a virgin?”

I shouldn’t laugh, it’s not funny. But the thought of former me being a virgin is downright laughable given what I know about her.

Hell, I probably screwed half the town.

“I don’t think so,” I whisper.

But my past—who I used to be—it no longer matters. Not anymore.

“Should I stop?” Stone questions.

The head of his cock nudges me, desperate to get inside.

“No.” Spreading my legs wider, I run my hand along his jaw. “I want to make new memories.”

With him.

“I love you,” he rasps, slowly sliding inside me.

The first thrust is so different, so unfamiliar and new, it steals my breath.

“Are you okay?” Stone whispers, tiny beads of sweat breaking out along his brow.

“Better than okay.” I press my hands to his back, urging him on. “Keep going.”

And he does, fucking me in slow, steady strokes that have us both sucking in air like it’s our last.

“You feel so good,” he rasps. “So fucking good.”

Stone’s mouth finds mine mid-thrust. His kiss is demanding and needy, as if he can’t get enough. “Tell me you love me.”

“I love you,” I breathe, running my nails up and down his back.

He thrusts again, harder this time. His eyes turning near black with need. “Tell me you want me.”

Our gazes collide. “I want you.”

The declaration has him grunting as his movements pick up speed. I can feel his body straining and his muscles coiling, his breaths now coming out in short, frantic pants. “Oh, fuck.”

My thighs clench. I’m so close to coming, I can practically taste my impending orgasm.

Reaching between us, I impatiently circle my clit.

A breathy moan escapes me, my legs shaking as the tension releases and ripples of pleasure shoot through my body.

A second later, Stone groans my name before he collapses on top of me. “That was amazing.”

I make a hum of agreement in my throat as I catch my breath and he gets off the bed.

I take in his naked form as I watch him deposit the condom in the trash can.

“You have a cute butt,” I comment when he joins me in bed again.

A laugh escapes him, and the sound is like music to my ears. “Thanks.” He folds his arms around me, tucking me to his chest. “I still can’t believe I got in.”

I decide now is the perfect time to share my own good news. “I didn’t tell you before, but I got accepted into the psychology program at Duke’s Heart.”

Grinning, he peers down at me. “This is seriously the best day ever.”

“I know.” I skim my fingertips along his stomach. “I heard they have co-ed dorms on campus, so maybe we can—”

“I can’t dorm on campus.” His face falls. “My financial aid only covers the classes.”

My heart sinks. There goes that idea.

Unless…

“Let me talk to my dad again, his company gives out grants and—”

“No,” Stone barks, sitting up in bed. “I don’t need your daddy to come to the rescue again.”

Wow. That hurts. A lot.

I hug the sheets tighter around me. “Calm down, Stone. I was just trying to figure out a way we could live close to one another since our schedules will be hectic next year and we’ll barely have time to see each other.”