First, I can’t get over how intense that orgasm was. I felt everything at once. I could feel each flick against my nipple, each stroke against my clit. Even more than that, I could feel Caleb, and not in just the obvious sense. I could feel his emotion, his need. I was so tuned in to him, I wasn’t sure where he began and I ended.

I’ve never had that before, never been so in sync with someone.

It felt…good. So fucking good.

I’m surprised we went as far as we did tonight, surprised at the gentleness and care he demonstrated, and his reaction to my nipple piercings? Ugh. His eyes were so lit with fire and hunger and desire. I can’t remember the last time a guy looked at me with that much want.

Caleb’s turning into something so much more than I thought he would.

My silly moments of damn he’s hot have become a sense of deep desire. I crave his presence, can’t wait for the next moment he puts his hands on my body and sets it ablaze.

“You still awake?”

I nearly jump at the sound of his voice. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear the shower turn off or him creep back into the room.

He climbs into bed and settles down against me, wrapping his arm around me from behind and pulling me close. He places a soft kiss against my exposed shoulder and I sigh.

“You sighed again.”

“I did.”

I can feel him smile.

“Hey, Caleb?”

“Yeah?”

“I like you…a lot.”

“I like you a lot too.”

“Let’s not screw this up, okay?”

He’s quiet for several moments before he finally says, “I’ll do my best, Zoe.”

Caleb has one hand resting on my thigh, one holding the steering wheel as we blaze our way down the highway to Outer Banks. Mittens rests on the floorboard between my feet, soaking up the afternoon sun. The windows are down, and the cool breeze is blowing through my loose hair. My road trip partner is wearing his signature ball cap, this time turned the right way, the edges of his blond hair peeking out beneath it.

I think a few days of freedom are going to do us good. After last night, this trip feels like the start of something more between us, and I think I’m ready for it.

Reaching over, I run my fingers through his hair as it blows loose, enjoying how the soft curls feel. “I kind of dig your hair longer like this.”

“Yeah? I always hated my curls.”

“They’re sexy on you, plays into the boy-next-door thing you have going on.”

He grins. “You know, I’m not as innocent as you’d like to think, Zoe.”

My cheeks heat. “After last night, I’m starting to believe that.”

“So, did you grow up in Outer Banks?”

“Nope. Northern Virginia. My parents moved down here when I left for college.”

“Why Outer Banks?”

“Why not? Beach all year long—what’s not to love about that?”

He lifts his shoulder. “I’m not a big beach person.”

“Really? I figured you’d be all for it.”

“Nah. I mean, it’s not bad, but I’m not going to go out of my way to get there, you know?”

“That kind of makes me sad. I love the beach. Soaking up the sun, listening to the waves crash against the shore—it’s one of my happy places. I was so thrilled when my parents decided to move to OBX.”

“Maybe you’ll convince me to love it like you do.”

“I hope so. I’d hate for that to be the deciding factor in whether or not I want to date you.”

“And do you, Zoe? Want to date me?”

“I think I do.”

“Think? Or do? Come on, sweet girl.”

I take a deep breath, not answering for several miles.

Do I like Caleb? Yes. Do I want to date him, turn this kissing roommates thing into something more? Yes. Am I scared as shit? Hell yes.

But I think I’m ready to let go, to let myself find that happiness Delia keeps talking about, and I think I’m ready to find it with Caleb.

“Do.”

I can see the grin that overtakes his face in my peripheral.

“Told you you wanted me.”

I glare over at him. “Shut up.”

“It’s okay. I want you too.”

“That was made evident last night.”

“Speaking of last night…your nipples—when did you get those?”

“Not too long ago, maybe six months.” I place my hand on his leg, running my fingers in circles, moving closer and closer to his dick. “You’re the first to see them.”

Caleb coughs and shifts in his seat. “I am, huh?”

“Yep.”

“That, uh, is something I like.”

“Yeah?” I say, my fingers inching closer and closer to his growing erection.

“I’m driving, Zoe.”

“So?”

“Get your hand away from my dick.”

“Or…”

“Or two can play this game.”

“You could always pull the car over,” I suggest.

“Not gonna happen. We have a schedule and I’m sticking to it. Besides, do you want to explain to your parents why we’re late to meet them? I don’t want their first impression of me to be that I can’t be on time.”

I pull my hand away at the mention of my parents, crossing my arms and pretending to pout. “Fine. You win.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Another few miles pass before I ask, “So, do you want to? Date, I mean.”

“I’m down if you’re down.”

“I’m going to tell them you’re my boyfriend then.”

His head snaps my way. “Wait, who? What?”

Laughing, I gently push his attention back to the road. “Watch where you’re going. I’m going to tell my parents you’re my boyfriend.”

“I am?”

“We agreed we want to date, right? So I guess that makes you my boyfriend.” I pause. “And I let you touch my lady bits and see my nipples—that totally makes you my boyfriend.”

He shakes his head, amused. “I guess it does.”

“So it’s settled, right?”

“It’s settled.”

Something hits me, and I lean forward in my seat a bit, the anticipation of hearing the answer to my next question too much to contain. “And we’re…exclusive?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve been exclusive this whole time.”

“Good.” I sit back. “That’s good.”

“Zoe?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m real glad you’re my girlfriend now.”

“Me too, Caleb. Me too.”

Seventeen

“Nervous?”

“A little.” Caleb pulls his cap off his head and stuffs it into a pocket on the duffle bag he’s holding. “I’ve never met a girlfriend’s parents before.”

“I like it when you say that.”

“What? Girlfriend?” I nod. “Me too.”

“But you’ve never met the parents before?”

“To be fair, I started this trip as your kissing roommate and you roped me into being your boyfriend on the car ride. I wasn’t prepared.”

I let out an unattractive snort. “You act like I forced this girlfriend-boyfriend thing on you. It’s not a big deal.”

He meets my eyes, his stare serious. “Yes, it is.”

There’s a sincerity and seriousness in his voice that makes me realize that maybe all these feelings I’ve been rapidly developing aren’t one-sided, and maybe Caleb’s feeling them just the same as I am.

My heart begins beating so hard and loud, I fear he’s able to hear it.

“Am I wrong, Zoe? Is this just a fling to you?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He studies me, trying to read all the emotions running through me—excitement, fear, nervousness, happiness.

“Good.”

“Good,” I echo.

I lift my hand, ready to press the doorbell. “Last chance to run.”

He shakes with laughter. “Press the damn button, Zoe.”

We hear the bell chime throughout the house, and we wait.

And wait…and wait.

No one ever comes.

“Are you sure this is the right house?” Caleb asks.

I glare at him. “I know where my parents live.”

He tucks his lips in, eyebrow shooting up. “Whatever you say.”

I pull my phone from the purse I have dangling from my shoulder and swipe until I find the video chat option. Hitting the green button next to my mom’s face, I hold the phone out and wait for her to answer.

My mother’s face—or should I say, her nostril—fills the screen.

“Mom, move the phone away from your face.”

She complies and gives me a wide grin. “Ah! There’s my beautiful girl!”

“Here I am, but where are you? I thought you and Dad would be here until tomorrow.”

“Well, we were going to, dear, but your dad—” She shoves her phone into his face. “Say hi, Rafe.”

“Hi Rafe,” my dad deadpans.

My mom’s face comes back into view. “He never wants to play along. Anyway, he decided to whisk me off for a romantic stay at a B&B before we go visit your grandmother.”