Chapter Three

Dallas

Now

I spent the next two weeks burying and losing myself in work. It took the better part of the first week to get Josh to speak to me. We'd never had a single issue that had kept us at odds for so long. I had apologized to him profusely one night at his front door as he refused to look at me. When he'd finally let me in to explain, it took the better half of the night to convince him that I'd remained faithful.

"Dallas, I can't be with a woman I can't trust," he said as he paced his living room, refusing to look at me. I walked over to him and forced his eyes to mine.

"And I'll never give you a reason to again. Stop treating me as if I've done something wrong here," I said, exasperated.

"You have slept with that man before?"

"Dean?" I asked stupidly, hating my answer. "We had one heavy year in college, okay? That was centuries ago, and he is engaged," I said, throwing my arms around his neck.

He looked down at me, his body tense under my touch.

"And if he weren't?"

I shrugged. "Look, I'm tired. There is nothing between us. It's history. We were talking about old times. I realize how it might've looked, but we are over, okay?"

"I don't want to see him around you, Dallas. He doesn't look at you like an old friend."

"Fine," I agreed quickly.

"Fine?"

"Yes, Josh, I don't want to talk about him anymore. Let's go to bed."

"Why do I feel like you aren't telling me everything?" Josh eyed me suspiciously as I kissed his stubble-filled chin without answering him. "I'm serious, Dallas. I don't want to see him." Josh proceeded to pick me up, throw me on the bed and show me just how serious he was. I lay awake that night trying to figure out why I was so desperate to keep Josh and my relationship with him. I lay on his chest with his arms wrapped around me as I stroked his hair, thinking of Dean and his blue gaze.

That same familiar guilt washed over me as I stared at Josh in his slumber. I couldn't stop thinking about one man while I held another.

And then I remembered why and gripped Josh tighter to me.

I parked in my usual spot, cursing the Texas heat as I wiped a mascara smudge away from my eye. In less than the ten minutes it took from my door to the parking garage at the hospital, I went from completely ready to a wilted hot mess. I groaned inwardly as Dean pulled up next to me and parked. I cursed my luck as I waited out of courtesy for him to exit his Jag. I could keep our interaction professional and friendly. I had no idea what was going on in his head the night we went to dinner, but I was sure it was nothing more than flattering old memories. Of course, the attraction was still there, but for all I knew, we were two different people now. I was sure he had gone home to Helena, finding the situation as redundant as I had.

"Good morning." He smiled as he joined me in our walk toward the elevator.

"Dean," I said as casually as I could when the smell of him intoxicated me immediately.

"I went to look for you a couple of times last week to take you to lunch and could never find you," he said, glancing at me as we stopped in front of the elevator.

"I've been really busy," I said lightly, trying to match the conversation with my tone.

"Ah," he said, giving me the look that told me he knew I was full of shit. "So, how mad was he?"

"Well, let's just say you and I—" I gestured between us "—will not be going to any intimate dinners for two for the next…decade."

"That bad." He smirked.

"It looked bad," I said, stepping onto the elevator as he followed.

He pushed the buttons for his floor and mine, and I had to fight a desperate battle to keep my eyes averted. Perfect hair, perfect face, perfect suit, and perfectly matched tie.

"When he's not being a jealous guy, is he good to you?"

"Very, very good, Dean, and I can't screw it up," I pleaded as I braved a look at him. His jaw hardened as he nodded at me with understanding.

Why did I suddenly feel guilty? Dean didn't deserve an explanation.

"I really would like to catch up, but now—"

"I get it, Dallas. No big deal," he said, moving to the opposite side of the elevator to let someone on. I felt the loss of him and sighed. He turned to look at me, his gaze intense as he took in my appearance, and then quickly answered the smile of the woman next to him. I felt the heat race through me at my instant pang of jealousy. I couldn't stop staring at him. I spent every night of the past two weeks wondering what would have happened if I'd let him kiss me.

When we were the last two left in the elevator, and it was my turn to exit, I turned to him.

"Why did you try to kiss me?" Damn it, Dallas, let it go!

He took a step forward and held the door for me as he leaned in. "You look beautiful today, Dallas. Have a good one."

"Aren't you going to answer me?" I gazed up at him as his stare penetrated me as he grazed his bottom lip with his teeth, a move I had specifically told him I found irresistible when we were dating. He chuckled when he saw me take in a breath.

"You know, old habits," he said before he pecked my cheek and stepped inside, letting the door close.

I stared at the elevator and heard my name being called.

"Dr. Whitaker, good morning."

I turned to see Dr. Pierce giving me an odd look. I quickly shook off the spell I was under and nodded to him, regaining what senses I had left. I instantly became angry at myself and Dean for what he had just done to me.

I finished my rounds with the med students and Dr. Pierce and found refuge in my office. I sat at my desk, clicking and un-clicking a pen in a complete stupor. Why the hell was he coming on to me when he was engaged? What the hell was he trying to do? I heard the light knock on my doorframe and looked up to see Josh.

"Hey, baby, lunch," he said as he stuck a plastic container on my desk and kissed my cheek. I smiled as he pulled away.

"This is awesome," I said, pulling the lid off and inhaling the mouthwatering scent of sautéed vegetables and risotto. "The perks of having a chef for a boyfriend." I beamed as I took a huge bite and exaggerated a moan in appreciation.

"There is more than one," he reminded me with a cocky grin.

Josh took a seat next to me as I ate and stayed with me until it was time for his shift. We were laughing as he left me at the reception desk and turned to walk toward the elevator.

"That man is in love with you, honey," Beatrice said, looking between the two of us as Josh stepped on the elevator and it closed. "I can almost guess that this time next year, he will make you his missus," she added.

"Will she say yes?" This time the voice belonged to a distant memory—someone who didn't belong in the new world I'd created. I jumped at the intrusion and turned quickly to face Dean, who was being scrutinized by Beatrice as he stood behind me with his arms folded on the counter. His stance was arrogant, and I couldn't help but notice the tick of his jaw as he eyed the closed elevator behind me.

"What's up, Dean?" I asked dryly as I braced myself for a look at his gorgeous face. As usual, it did not disappoint. My insides sighed as I studied him.

Beautiful bastard.

Dean was half-Spanish from his mom's side and could credit her for his flawless olive skin and startling blue eyes. His parents had met when his dad had taken a trip overseas after college. I had met them a few times when we were kids and once in college. His mom, Dayana, had a nickname for me that she frequently spoke in her native tongue. Dean had refused to tell me its meaning. I constantly worried when we were younger that she didn't approve of me, but she treated me with nothing but kindness. It seemed so long ago, and yet I couldn't help but notice the same kindness in her son's eyes now as he watched me closely.

Dean grabbed his tie, studying it without interest as he spoke. "I was just meeting you halfway to treat you to day-old egg drop soup and green Jell-O for lunch in the cafeteria, but it looks like you already had a lunch date."

"Yes, I'm all set. Maybe tomorrow."

"Sure." He gave me a small smile, nodded, and waved goodbye to Beatrice before he walked off.

"Oh…shit…honey, I smell trouble," she said, shaking her head as she picked up the phone when it rang.

I couldn't help but laugh at her spot-on assessment of the situation. I fully intended on making sure that lunch happened with Dean soon. I wanted to know why he was back in Texas and working in my hospital and why he was so reluctant to talk about his fiancée.

Whatever the hell was going on with him, I had decided to find out sooner rather than later.

Dean

Then

It was three long years before I heard three words that would forever change me. I was walking across campus toward the Marshall Hall building when the voice sounded. "Dean, Dean Martin?" A smile was already on my lips as I looked in the direction of the voice. Dallas's laugh was unmistakable as she walked toward me. What I wasn't expecting was that the mere sight of her would leave me scrambling to regain basic fucking motor function. My smile quickly faded as she flew at me in a hug. All the breath left my body as I inhaled her scent. I gripped her to me tightly as she laughed and hugged me back. When she pulled away, my arms were still securely around her. I knew I had to be grinning like an idiot as she beamed back at me.

"How the hell are you?" she asked, a little Texas twang in her voice.

"Better now," I said, still refusing to let her out of my grasp.

We spent a little longer than we should have in our embrace, neither of us willing to pull away from the other. In that instant, I felt the pain of missing her ease slightly. My chest tightened at the return of a familiar stir.

It was just that damned easy.

"Let me look at you. Damn …" My voice was hoarse as I let her go to take her in. She was wearing tight jeans, knee-high rider boots, and a tight-fitting red sweater. I took in every curve as I whistled slowly.

"I know." She waggled her eyebrows up then down and did a little turn for the full effect. She was a far cry from the skinnier version I left. She had a small amount of curve on her hips, and her long legs remained one of her best assets. This was no longer the tempting Lolita that I had left. This was the young woman I'd always pictured but even more beautiful than I could've imagined.

"Still dressing like every day is a Sunday at church," she said, poking fun at my clothes, as usual.

"I don't hear anyone else complaining," I pointed out, still overwhelmed by the sight of her in front of me. "And you're still a pain in the ass," I noted as she laughed.

"You have no idea. So did you miss me, Dean?"

"You know the saying ‘Don't know what you got till it's gone?' Well, I can't stand most of the girls at this school," I assured her.

"Well, don't tell me the infamous Dean Martin has changed his ways," she teased .

"No, I still sleep with them. I just run like hell after," I chuckled. "Anyway, what about you?"

"What about me?" she asked, her eyes meeting mine. I let them stray and sweep down her body, slowly bringing them back to her. "Dean, you wouldn't be checking me out, would you?"

"Yes, I absolutely fucking am," I said pointedly, giving her pause. She gave me a wary glance as she looked around campus. She seemed more relaxed than when I'd left her—more comfortable in her own skin. Her confidence radiated off her in waves. My mind drifted back to the kiss I'd left her with as I studied the slow curve of a smile forming on her lips.

We quickly made up for lost time and spent the rest of the day stuck together, holding hands and laughing as I gave her a full tour of campus. I was in my last year and would be leaving for Columbia next fall, and I was again a senior to her freshman. I refused to dwell on that. I felt completely relaxed for the first time since I'd left her three years ago.

We were inseparable our first few weeks of school as we stayed busy, getting reacquainted. When we were not in class, we spent our nights on the phone, walking on campus, attending parties, or hanging out at my frat house. My friends seemed to like her right away—a little too much for my liking. I caught their hungry eyes on her and glared at them openly as they shot a game of pool at the table in what was supposed to be our dining room. The minute her back was turned, I was bombarded with the inevitable question of who she was to me.

There was no mistaking my straight answer to Casey, the newest member of my fraternity. "Don't even fucking look at her," I barked.

"Okay, bud, all right," he said, backing away to grab the pool stick from Rob—another brother who was a senior—and eyed Dallas suspiciously. It wasn't common practice for me to bring girls back to the house other than to my bedroom. I had fallen into a bad habit my first few years at school but had slacked since then, concentrating more on my grades .

New York was a whisper away, but Dallas…Dallas was here.

I watched her work the table as she made herself comfortable, shooting off her shit talk at my frat buddies, who happily obliged her. They were impressed, especially Casey.

Casey was notorious on campus, easily one of the biggest players. He had absolutely no good intentions when it came to the opposite sex, and though I wasn't one to preach, he had a rather tasteless way of discarding the affections of his women. He did his best to impress her, and she seemed to notice, humoring him.

Rob was the next to ask, stepping up and handing me a beer. "What's the deal?" He asked as he eyed Dallas's perfect ass as she took a shot and made the eight ball, winning the game. She looked up at me with her knowing smile. She was so fucking beautiful. I cursed my stupidity in bringing her to the house.

"The deal is any woman I bring into this house is off limits," I said through clenched teeth. Rob laughed as he eyed me. "Dude, that's not exactly fair. I don't think any of us would get anywhere that way," he said loudly. I ignored him and grabbed Dallas's hand.

"Nice game," I said, giving her a wink and pulling her toward the door. The guys frowned as if I was taking away their shiny new toy.

"Bye," Dallas said quickly as I pulled her out of the house.

"Oh, come on, Dean. You aren't going to pull the same old shit you did in high school." She raised a brow. I took a step toward her.

"No, this will be different. I promise." Before she could question me, I swept her in my arms and hauled ass down the steps of the massive front porch of the house.

"What the hell are you doing?" She laughed as I ran like a lightning streak toward the quad. "Getting you somewhere safe. Couldn't you smell it in there?" I said, running faster as she laughed.

"Smell what?" she asked, her voice choppy as I kept my legs moving .

"Your pregnancy," I answered, slowing to a halt. She rolled her eyes as she jumped from my arms.

"They were just curious," she said, giving me a pointed stare. "I'm sure you don't bring girls home often to meet the parents, am I right?"

I smirked.

"Gigolo," she said without affection. I pushed her down on the grass as she yelped out in protest, flailing her arms before giving in to the inevitable.

"You ass!" she said testily as she wiped grass from her sweater but stayed seated.

"Oh, Dallas, always trying to bring out the angry Spaniard in me," I teased as I joined her on the grass.

She chuckled. "Truth hurts."

The night was surprisingly cool for early September in Texas. I looked over at her, memorizing the perfect outline of her face, the way her silky hair cascaded down her shoulders and swirled around her as the breeze lifted it. She smiled at me, and the unmistakable jolt shot through me, the effect the same. This time, I didn't fight it.

"It's not like that anymore," I said in an attempt to reassure her. I grabbed a stray hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She sobered up a bit, her smile slowly fading.

"Not what I heard," she said, hugging her knees to her chest, averting her eyes. She wasn't being confrontational, and I knew that. "They don't call you the Spanish slut this time," she said with no humor in her voice.

"Oh yeah, what do they call me?" I said, nudging her, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Dean," she said, looking straight into my eyes. Fuck if I didn't want to kiss her at the most inappropriate moment. I didn't want to aid in what she probably already thought of me. I'd wanted to kiss her so many times in the past few weeks but had held back for this very reason .

"You do them a disservice, you know," she said thoughtfully as she played with the blades of grass, not looking at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, plucking a piece of grass between my fingers.

"Letting them think that's all you're good for. They never get to know you. It's sad."

I laughed. "They objectify me?"

She looked at me seriously. "Yes, they do." That wiped the smile off my face.

"Dallas, I told you a long time ago, I don't care about that shit, never will."

"No, I guess not," she said, perking up with a smile I knew wasn't genuine. "I mean, you're the big man on campus again. And what the hell is up with that frat chair in there, anyway?"

"It's my throne," I said defensively.

She rolled her eyes. It grew darker as the lamp lights came on around us, our faces covered in shadows. We enjoyed a few minutes of silence before she spoke up.

"Tell me about Columbia," she prodded. "You're so close," she encouraged.

"I can't wait," I said honestly. "My parents took me to New York when I was ten. I remember being excited the entire time. I loved the semi-organized chaos. The noise, the culture clash, it was palpable, you know. Even then, at that age, I could feel it, and it was everywhere. At least that's the way I remembered it. I made my decision then, I wanted to be there, and Columbia was a big heap of icing on the cake. My dad and I spent hours going over my game plan. He always loved the idea of Columbia, especially when I told him I wanted to be a doctor. All these years later, I haven't changed my mind. I've been back a few times since to check out the campus, look at housing. I still love it. Have you been?"

I hadn't realized she was watching me closely, a small smile on her lips. "No, my parents and I vacationed a lot, but mostly to Colorado and then California to see my aunt and uncle. We never really made it out east."

"It's incredible and nothing like it is here. It makes our corner of the world seem so small. There is so much potential bursting out of it. I think you'd love it."

"Maybe…probably," she said, lost in thought.

"Then again, you are a true Texan. So damn proud to be from this fucking state with no plans of ever leaving," I teased. "Even your name suits you."

Before she could attack me for that, I lifted her to her feet. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

"Are you going to do this every night?" she asked as she leaned in close, and I played with the tips of her long hair as I trailed my fingers down her back, pulling her closer to me. "Maybe, if you want me to."

"Hmmm, kind of a boyfriend-type thing to do, isn't it?" I avoided her question, leading with mine.

"Coming to my toga party tomorrow night?"

"Maybe," she said, glancing my way with a smile.

"You should, Dallas."

"Why is that?"

"'Cause I'll be there," I said, slowing to a stop at her dorm.

She turned to me playfully. "Oh, well, when you put it that way, meh…and change clothes would you. You look like a bible salesman." She hurried up the steps as she chuckled.

"Just come, okay? We can tilt a few beers back, and I want to talk to you."

"About what?" she asked as I admired her from the bottom of the steps. She had on a sweater dress that outlined her curves perfectly and tight black leggings that I dreamt of ripping off of her all day.

"There's just something I want to talk to you about." She heard the hint of seriousness in my voice. "It's important."

"Okay, I'll be there."

I sat on my throne, wrapped in a fucking white sheet, my look complete with a golden Caesar crown, holding an oversized chalice full of beer as I waited for Dallas. I watched the swarm of people around me, completely disinterested and knowing I'd been stood up. I had texted her twice with no response. My aggravation grew as the beer failed to numb me, and the idiots around me raised total hell. So far tonight, we had put out two potential fires, taped up three broken windows, and now I was stuck watching two bikini-clad girls fight in a plastic pool filled with grapes. I was supposed to be judging the winner, but instead of paying attention, I was fuming.

Relief turned to disbelief when I heard the cat calls at her arrival and Rob's "HOT DAMN DALLAS!" as she came into view.

Taking her in, my body went completely stiff, and a hunger I'd never felt pulsed through me. She was covered from head to toe in gold. Golden sandals, golden dress, golden painted skin, even her long dark hair was sparkling. Her arms were covered in bracelets, and she wore a small crown of her own. She had painted her eyes heavily, Cleopatra style.

It was the sexiest fucking thing I'd ever seen in my life.

My mouth watered as I noticed the heavy cleavage and large amount of leg her dress revealed. My mind raced with possibilities, and I couldn't ignore the fact that I was painfully hard. Her dorm mate, Cammie, was behind her and gave me a knowing smile as Dallas took the small step to stand before me in my chair.

Before I had a chance to speak, she planted herself on my lap, grinding her ass against my hard dick, and turned to the side, hooking her heels on the armrest, giving me a clear view of her perfectly toned legs. She looked up at me through her lashes, her perfectly painted lips beckoning me.

"Hey," she said sweetly.

Possessiveness took hold as I scolded her. "Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting for hours," I said, shifting so she couldn't feel the evidence of what she was doing to me.

"Well," she said, winking at Cammie, whom Rob was currently badgering. Cammie rolled her eyes in boredom as she handed him her cup. He didn't have a chance in hell. "We took our time getting ready, and from what I can tell," she said, looking dead at me with a knowing smirk, "you appreciate it."

"You look beautiful, but I told you I wanted to talk to you," I said, trying to keep from eyeing her legs.

"We will. I just got here. Aren't you going to offer me a drink?" She leaned in so I got a clear shot of her chest, then grabbed my chalice, taking a long drink.

"It's warm." She wrinkled her nose and stood, making her way to the keg as I watched her with hungry eyes. Casey was the first to leap to her side, and I glared at him, unable to move due to the painful reminder in my groin. I willed the beast in me down as I finally joined her, and we walked around the party. We drank a few beers as we observed the out-of-control rager. The Greeks took their toga parties seriously, and my frat house was no exception. I was surprised we hadn't been shut down.

Dallas's eyes widened when the DJ put on an old-school rap mix, and she dragged me to the dance floor. I watched her move her hips seductively as she brushed her ass against my front, pulling me closer to her, her hands behind her on my hips. I snaked my arms around her, brushing my fingertips over her middle, and she molded into me. She leaned her head back as I cradled her, and I saw the want in her eyes. I brushed my lips against her temple as she continued to sway with me. We danced, glued together in a sweating, needy mess through three songs before taking a break, walking out to my porch with a fresh beer and some much-needed fresh air.

"This is fun," she said, looking up at the night sky from the porch, her mascara smudged. I moved in front of her, wiping the smear away with my thumb.

"You look so beautiful. There wasn't a guy in there that didn't wish they were me. Thanks for coming."

Jade eyes beckoned me, and I leaned in and slowly took her lips, and she kissed me back without hesitation.

This was it.

"I want you to take me upstairs," she whispered as I pulled away.

"What?"

"You heard me, Dean. I want you to take me upstairs," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me so I was a whisper away from her lips.

"I'm not going to take you upstairs and just screw you, Dallas," I said as my dick disagreed, raging in my shorts underneath the thin sheet.

I wanted this woman.

I needed this woman, and I'd be damned if she hadn't just stolen my thunder again by making the first move. "Not tonight, not like this." I was fighting for control. Every fiber of my being wanted to do exactly what she asked me to. I'd planned on telling her everything about how I felt. I didn't want our attraction to get in the way of the truth. I wanted her to understand that before I laid a hand on her. She deserved it. She was worth the wait.

"I'm aware of what I'm asking, you ass." She looked at me seriously as she leaned in, taking my lips slowly as I groaned in frustration.

"This is not a random hookup, Dallas, all right? You mean more to me than that. You're a lifetime girl."

"What?"

Her lips parted, and I couldn't resist. I went in. I'd already waited three years to deliver this kiss, and I wasn't waiting a fucking second longer. I took her mouth greedily as she latched on to me desperately and moaned. My body lit on fire as I tasted her, unable to hold back. I gripped her head, plunging my tongue in over and over again, tasting her, savoring her every whimper, her every reaction. When I pulled away and could finish a sentence, I continued my explanation.

"Lifetime girl," I whispered as she opened her eyes slowly, drawing a long breath, just as affected by our kiss.

"What does that mean?"

"You aren't a girl to just screw, Dallas. You're a girl to fall in love with. I've always thought that about you, but I couldn't be with you the way I wanted to."

"Oh please, that was just an excuse for you to be able to sleep around. Newsflash, I'm no longer innocent and haven't been for some time. I don't need you to marry me. I need you to take me upstairs."

"We're more than a quick screw, Dallas," I defended.

"Not to me," she said defiantly. This wasn't her. This was the hurt fifteen-year-old that I'd rejected three years ago staring up at me. She was scared. I understood it.

As much as her sharp words stung, I could no longer ignore the fact that I needed her beneath me. I closed my eyes and opened them, no longer a man in control.

"You can't handle what I have to give to you," I growled as I studied her.

"Try me," she said coyly as she gripped me firmly through my pants. Throwing her over my shoulder, I walked her around to the back door as she laughed as I flew up the stairs. When we reached my room, I paused as I set her on her feet, and she walked in, taking a look around. She noticed I wasn't next to her and turned to look back at me.

"Shut the door, Dean." She moved to take off her dress, and I shut it quickly, turning back to her. She was now bare to me in only heels and underwear. Clearly, she and I had two completely different ideas about how this night would go.

I damn near hit my knees at the sight of her.

Unwrapping the sheet from around me, I locked the door behind me as I admired her beautiful body. She took a few steps toward me, and I met her in the center of the room. The second I had that door locked, it was time to let her know she was no longer in control. I pulled her into a kiss that had her breathless as I backed her into the wall. Devouring her mouth, I felt her melt into me, completely consumed. She ripped her lips from mine, looking up at me with absolute hunger. I stoked the fire by cupping her breast and taking her nipple in my mouth, laving it until it was tight and peaked under my tongue. She moaned as she arched her back, offering me more, which I took greedily. I looked up at her as I stroked each peak with my tongue, spurring her on.

Releasing her from my mouth, she looked down at me in surprise.

"Is this what you want, Dallas?"

"Not quite." She took my hand and brought it to her center. I felt her heat through the top of her panties and groaned as I again pushed her back against the wall, spreading her legs and stroking her over the soaked strip of lace covering her. She looked so fucking beautiful as she panted, desperately grinding into my hand.

"Damn it, Dallas, you feel so good." I coaxed with my fingers, slipping them under her now useless panties and slid them into her. She gasped and threw her arm around my neck to keep from buckling. I thrust my fingers in deeper, palming the hard bundles of nerves as her body begged for release. She threw her head back, her chest heaving as she pleaded with me.

"Make me come, Dean."

Fuck me.

I lost it at her words as I pushed into her with my digits, tasting her chest and neck until she fell apart against my hand, her head falling toward my chest. I quickly gripped her throat to keep our eyes locked as I milked every last drop from her. She trembled as I kept her pinned to the door, my grip firm on her neck, her breathing erratic. I lifted my soaked fingers to my mouth, sucking each one dry, and closed my eyes at her taste.

Perfect.

"I want you, Dallas. I've always wanted you," I confessed as she watched me, open-mouthed, chest heaving. I loosened my grip on her throat, massaging where my fingers had been as she reached into my shorts and gripped me hard in her hand. Stroking my needy dick, her eyes drifted down as she took me in.

"Well…I see you have been holding out on me," she remarked as her eyebrow quirked. I leaned in toward her, rock hard and close to coming, as she touched the evidence of my need for her.

Every scenario I'd ever imagined, every dream I'd ever had of her, couldn't compare to the beautiful sight in front of me. She was breathtaking and perfect, and I was more determined than ever to make her mine. Unable to handle much more, I lifted her off her feet, wrapping her legs around me. We both moaned as her wetness met my hardness as I carried her to the bed. I stood and quickly discarded my shorts and boxers as she writhed with anticipation on the bed. I pulled a condom from my drawer and rolled it on as I eyed her. Her legs were open before me, and my jaw dropped as she spread them a little wider, noticing the effect it had on me. Her hands drifted over her body, from her breasts to the spot between her legs I had just been working on. She looked up at me with apprehension, as if she was asking permission, and I had to force my words out.

"Do it, baby. Do it. Jesus, Dallas," I heaved out, trying desperately to stay in the game. My dick jolted as she reached her center and began to manipulate it. I stroked myself once, twice, and had to grip myself tightly to keep from going any further.

"Fucking sexiest thing I've ever seen in my life," I said, watching her come with my name on her lips. I dipped between her legs, tonguing the exact spot she had just lost herself in, and she shrieked in surprise, gripping my hair. Her moan fueled me as my tongue slowly explored her entrance, never stopping until I had her begging. Making my way up, I kissed her stomach, exploring her skin in slow lazy kisses, tasting all of her.

When our mouths met in a fiery kiss, I looked into her eyes and drove into her in one hard thrust. Once we connected, I paused, watching her lips part and waiting for her eyes to find mine. Once she adjusted to my size, I wasted no time moving inside her. There was no holding back with her then. I was all in and was beside myself. Her feel, her taste, it was all too intoxicating. It was the first time I'd ever slept with a girl I loved, and it was the best I'd ever felt. I slowed my strokes, unable to keep the tightness growing in my chest from spilling out. A close confession of love was on my lips, but I wasn't sure if she was ready to hear it. As I moved inside her, capturing her gasps with my mouth, I couldn't help the few words I let trickle out.

"I've always wanted you, Dallas. Can you feel it? La mitad de mi corazón te pertenece." She nodded her head, unable to hide the tears slipping down her face. I stole each one with my lips, trailing my kiss over her eyes, down her cheek, and back to her lips, where they remained for the rest of the night.

I took her slowly for hours, knowing why it had taken me so long to open that door. It would be impossible to close.

The next morning, I woke up alone and completely confused. When I realized she was really gone, I texted her.

For days I texted her.