Finally, after what feels like forever, Samson joins me. “You ready?”
“For what?”
He puts the truck in gear and then rests his hand on my thigh. “The best day of your life.”
“That’s any day with you.” My cheeks burn as soon as the words leave my mouth. Way to sound like a stage-five clinger, I think to myself.
“You mean that?”
I hold my breath until we’re on the main road, debating how to answer. My mom always says a healthy relationship has no room for mistrust or dishonesty, and I want Samson and me to go the long-haul, so…
“Yeah. I mean it. You’re…”
“I’m what?” He gives my thigh a reassuring squeeze. “Tell me.”
“You’re everything to me, Samson.”
“Fuck, Luna,” he murmurs, his voice thick like honey.
“Why do you call me that?” I turn in my seat to look at him.
His throat bobs as he swallows. “You really wanna know?”
I nod.
“Because you’re the brightest light in my life. Your smile is enough to make the worst day bearable. You steady me, you challenge me, you center me.”
Tears—happy ones—fill my eyes, but he keeps going.
“I tried to fight it. Truly, I did. You’re too young for me, but fuck if I can stay away from you. You’re captivating, and I don’t just mean your looks, as beautiful as you are. It’s your soul, Stella. Just like the moon pulls the tides, your soul calls to mine, and I am helpless but to answer.”
“I…” I swallow hard. “I love you, Samson Carter.”
“I love you too,” he murmurs, unknowingly giving me the best birthday present of my entire life.
Chapter Two
Stella, Age 17
I check the clock—it’s almost eight, which means Samson will be here any minute. I’m usually still asleep when he gets here, but for some reason, this morning I’m wide awake and more than ready to see him.
“Happy Birthday, Luna.”
“Good morning, Samson.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and grin as he lingers in my doorway.
“You’re supposed to be asleep.”
I scrunch my brows. “Why does it matter?”
“I love getting to see you all cute and sleepy.” He shrugs. “It’s like looking into our future. One day, you’ll be waking up next to me like that.”
Feeling emboldened by his words, I kick off the covers and stand from the bed.
“The fuck?” Samson shouts, nearly choking on his tongue. “Where are your clothes?”
“I thought you’d like to see my pajamas too.” I glance down at my tank top and sleep shorts. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Samson swallows roughly. “I can see your nipples.”
“So?”
“Stella.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I swear to God.”
“Chill. It’s not like I’m naked.”
“You may as well be.”
Giggling, I take a small step toward him. “I think you’re being a little dramatic.”
“And I think I’m about two seconds away from breaking every rule I’ve made surrounding you.” His eyes move over my body in a way that makes my entire body feel warm.
“Do it,” I whisper, knowing good and well I’m playing with fire.
“Stella.” He grips the door frame on each side, his upper body leaning ever so slightly over the threshold. “As much as I love seeing you like this, I need you to get dressed for me, okay?”
I pout. “Fine, but only on one condition.”
“Anything—you name it.”
“You kiss me again.”
Samson groans.
“Those are my terms. If you don’t like them…”
“I like them just fine.” Samson takes a step back. “Maybe a little too much.”
“We’re all alone.” My lips lift into a saucy grin. “You could come in here and show me how much?” I’ve been testing his boundaries lately, but it always ends the same way…
“Not until you’re eighteen.”
Only three-hundred-and-sixty-five more days to go.
“That’s dumb, Samson.”
He cocks his head to the side and stares at me, his eyes never leaving mine. “Is it? Is it dumb?”
I nod, after all—it’s my birthday and I can be a brat if I want to.
“I think it’s pretty damn smart.” He licks his lips. “Do you have any idea the things I’d like to do to you in that big bed of yours? Me not coming into your room is about more than respecting your dad—it’s about resisting temptation.”
“I tempt you?”
“You know you do.”
“Fine.” I’m torn somewhere between wanting to see how far I can push him and respecting his boundaries.
I know it’s only because he cares about me—because he respects me—but he makes me feel all of these things I don’t always understand, and every now and then, the reassurance that I affect him just as much as he does me is nice.
“That’s right, Luna.” He pinches his eyes shut and mutters something to himself before addressing me. “I need you to hear me when I say I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. But I want more than just your body. I want your mind, your smiles, your words, your thoughts.”
“Samson…”
“I want your minutes and your hours. I want your days, months, and years. Your whole future, Luna… it’s mine. Which is why I can wait. We have forever.”
“You really mean that?” I ask, my lip quivering.
He nods and before I can think better of it, I rush him and fling myself into his arms.
“Whoa.” He stumbles a little as he catches me, one arm around my middle and the other supporting my ass.
I wrap my legs around his waist and nuzzle my face against his. “Kiss me.”
He resists at first, but then his entire body softens against mine as he licks his way into my mouth.
Our tongues touch, sliding together, and it’s like time itself ceases to exist.
There’s only us. We’re reduced down to atoms… molecules… two burning specs of lust and need.
I tunnel my fingers into his hair and shift my hips against his, gasping when I feel the hard press of his erection against my belly.
“Samson,” I moan his name, a whole deluge of foreign feelings pouring through me, turning my blood to lava in my veins. “I… I feel…”
“Shh, Luna. I’ve got you.” He reclaims my lips, moving his mouth over mine while sliding me up and down over his rock-hard dick, like our very existence depends on what happens next.
My breaths come in sharp, gasping pants, until finally, I fall apart in his arms.
“Whoa,” I whisper in a daze as Samson sets me down on my feet. He grins when I sway a little before steadying myself on the banister.
“Was that your first orgasm?” he asks, an awestruck look in his eyes.
“I… um.” I glance away from him and mumble the rest of my reply to my feet. “I told you I wanted to save all of my firsts for you.”