2. Xander

People make a lot of mistakes when they’re young and dumb. My mistake, was falling in love.

“Come on, baby. It’s my senior year. And it’s literally the last time I get to attend this rally. Let’s go together,” I implore.

Katerina’s lying face up on my bed. Long sexy legs crossed, blonde hair fanning out behind her. She has a tablet out, staring up at it and seemingly not listening to me.

It’s only been three months since this amazing, gorgeous woman agreed to date me. And sometimes it’s still crazy that she did.

“No,” she says without even looking at me.

I take a seat on the beanbag and stare at her for a couple of seconds. With Katerina, it takes incentives to get her to do things she doesn’t want to. I just have to think about something she wants more. Dating her has taught me diplomatic negotiating. I love every second of it.

She finally turns her head to look at my face, big brown eyes narrowing.

“I can practically smell the smoke, Xan. You’re not convincing me to go to that rally. No way. Rallies are loud and messy and uncomfortable. There’ll be too many people.”

“Yeah, but I’ll be right beside you.”

She rolls her eyes, “You’re exaggerating your importance in this scenario.”

“Oh come on, beautiful. I’ll take you to see that play you wanted to see.”

“I can take myself,” she says dryly, eyes going back to her tablet.

I chuckle. Katerina’s a woman that doesn’t take any bullshit. Dating her could pose some challenges to most people. But I’ve always liked a good challenge. Enjoyed it even. Seeing her fires up something in me. Makes me strive to be even better.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned dating her, it’s that no one’s better than her. I come from a home where everything was turned into a competition and I had to work hard every day to be better. With Katerina, that element is still there, but there’s less pressure. There’s no beating the insanely beautiful, intelligent woman that’s my girlfriend. And I’ve made peace with it. I enjoy it even.

“Alright fine,” I say, clapping my hands together. “What’s it going to take for you to go to this rally with me, Katerina Petrov?”

She perks up at that, seemingly interested. I fight back a grin as she sits up, her legs swinging down to the floor. She looks at me, brown eyes fierce.

“I want a weekend gateway,” she states.

“What?”

“I want one weekend, with just us. None of your friends, no parties. I want you to myself for three nights. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We can go anywhere, hiking, camping, any of those shit you like. But I want it to be just us.”

Something warm slides through my chest. I stare at her for a couple of moments, completely dumbfounded.

“You hate hiking and camping and all that outdoor stuff,” I manage to say.

She shrugs, the shirt she’s wearing, sliding off her shoulder. “Yeah, but they’re slightly manageable when I’m doing it with you.”

My mouth widens into a grin. “So you do love me.”

“When did I say that, Xan?” she sighs.

In the time we’ve been dating, I’ve said the words a total of twenty four times, she’s said it a total of zero times. But I know she loves me. For some reason, Katerina has a hard time saying the words. It’s okay though, because I understand her. Better than most people.

I get to my feet, sit on the bed and, pull her into my arms. We both fall onto the mattress, lying down.

“It’s okay, baby. I get it. What was that about me over exaggerating my importance again?” I question teasingly.

“Shut up, Xan,” she mumbles, punching my shoulder.

I chuckle. “We can go on as many weekend gateways you want, baby. Just say the word and I’ll do it.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m just worried,” she says softly.

I lean slightly away to look at her face. “Worried about what?”

“Well, you’re in your senior year. Which means we’ve only got a couple of months before you graduate. I want us to make the most of the time we’ve got left.”

Something about that statement doesn’t sit right with me.

“Woah, princess. Don’t tell me you think we’re going to break up after I graduate or something. My family quite literally has a private jet. I’ll be flying over here every weekend to see you.”

She laughs. “Sometimes I forget you’re a total rich boy.”

“Says the girls who owns every luxury item to exist. Your family’s rich too.”

Or at least I think they are. I don’t really know much about Katerina’s family. I know she has a little sister and her mom passed away a couple of years ago. But she doesn’t talk much about them. It’s odd but I’ve been trying to respect her privacy. I don’t want to be too pushy. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

She’s still smiling when I tilt her head up. Our eyes meet and a shiver rolls through me. I’m still not sure what I did to deserve her. My heartbeat pulses in a way that makes me feel alive. Promises and assurances swirl around us. Her eyes darken before flaring to life. She meets me halfway as I bring my lips to hers. Her lips part immediately. One second she’s lying by my side and then the next my body is over hers, her arms wrapped around my neck.

It’s all a rush from there. Clothes, underwear. Everything comes up as I kiss my way down her neck and chest. Every single time I’m with her I feel alive in a way I’ve never felt before.

My fingers find their way to the heat between her legs.

“Always so wet for me, Katerina,” I say her name in a purr.

She’s breathing heavily as she says, “You know you only ever say my full name when we’re having sex?”

“Really?” I ask, before closing my mouth over one puckered pink nipple.

She lets out a small whimper as I lick and suck, pulling my hair hard enough to hurt.

“Xander,” she gasps, bucking against my fingers which are in between her leg in a search for more friction.

I continue thrusting inside her, while my thumb teases her clit. My teeth grazes over her nipples before I soothe them with soft, leisurely licks. My thumb continues to play with her clit, lingering over the spots that I know drive her wild.

“Tell me what you want, baby,” I prompt.

“I want...” Her hands fists the sheets as I add another fingers inside her, hitting a spot deep within.

My mouth trails down her stomach. Her skin is hot to the touch, tiny trembles wracking her body the closer I get to her clit. I pause at the juncture to her thighs and look up, soaking in the sight of her flushed face and hazy expression.

“Answer me, Katerina.”

“I want you inside of me,” she pants, squirming and clenching around my fingers with obvious need.

I pump inside her slowly. My body practically vibrating with the need to thrust inside of her and taste her as she comes. But I want to draw this out as long as possible. To savor every second, every sound that comes out of those gorgeous lips. “Be more specific. What exactly do you want inside of you?”

“Your cock. I want you to fuck me,” she says, the words escaping in a plea.

She once confessed to me that for the longest time she didn’t like having sex because it was the only time she has ever felt helpless and out of control. I worked hard to become someone she felt comfortable with relinquishing control with. And I’m damn proud of the fact that she chose me to be that person for her.

I groan softly before pulling my fingers out of her and burying my face between her legs. I lightly circle her clit with my tongue, letting the taste and scent of her distract me from the ache in my cock.

“I’ll fuck you, Katerina, I promise. But first I want you to be a good girl and come on my face.”

Her moans grow louder as I feast on every inch of her. My blood surges with every cry, the way she arches into me, greedy and searching. I grip her thighs, resting her legs on my shoulders so I can continue to thrust inside of her. I lock her in place as my tongue fucks her, thrusting inside and licking her until she finally comes with a loud cry. Her entire body shudder and her arousal coating my tongue.

“Holy shit,” Katerina pants.

“We’re not done yet, baby,” I tell her. One upward movement and I’m inside of her, sinking in slowly, to draw out the pleasure.

“Oh God, Oh God,” Katerina says continuously.

I grit my teeth, trying to imagine something that’ll stave off my impending orgasm. Naked grandmas are always the best bet. I exhale deep, ragged breaths each time I pull out and push in, making sure to hit her most sensitive spots.

Katerina clings to me as I drive in deep, harder and faster until we’re both gasping for hair. The headboard slams against the wall with each thrust. Pleasure starts to burn bright inside of me. I grunt softly as I fuck her, feeling myself about to be taken over the edge. I reach for Katerina’s clit, massaging lightly.

“Come for me, baby,” I whisper against her ear.

My words are a detonator. She explodes around me, her pussy gripping my cock like a vice as she comes with my name on her lips. I have to slow down a little, my hands gripping her hips as I thrust into her. Katerina offers me a dopey sex hazed grin.

Her hand moving up to my forehead that’s slick with sweat. She pushes a few strands away.

“Let go, Xander,” she says softly.

And that’s all I takes. I come with a hoarse cry, my legs giving out from under me. Every bone in my body liquefies. I fall down onto the bed beside her. Katerina holds me as I recover, placing soft kisses against my chest.

My heart continues to pound in my chest. I love her. It’s not really a realization. More a promise to myself, to her. I’ve only known her for a couple of months and I can’t even begin to imagine a future without her.

“You’re stuck with me, princess. Okay?” I ask, kissing her cheek.

She lets out a soft, satisfied sigh, “Okay.”

My mother always used to tell me that the people you fight the hardest to keep are the ones you end up losing in the end.

I just never thought Katerina would be one of those people.