Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

I exhale and unsuccessfully try to blink back tears as I sniffle. Will, my Will, just told me he loves me. I feel this pressure within my chest as though it's expanding with emotion I am unable to contain. Will tightly grips my hand as he keeps glancing over at me with a concerned expression on his face. He relaxes once he's parked in front of my house.

He kisses my hand once more before releasing it to cup my face. He studies me. "Please say something."

"I just can't believe you love me too." I croak, my eyes brimming.

All of the tension drains from his face as the corners of his mouth pull up into his lopsided grin. "Believe it," he murmurs, his lips hovering above mine.

"Kiss m—"

His mouth crushes mine before I finish my command. I lift my hands to tangle in his hair. I moan when his teeth nip at my bottom lip. If we weren't in front of my house I probably would have crawled into his lap. He breaks our kiss and looks up at the ceiling of his car as he catches his breath. I'm doing the same, only watching his chest rise and fall as he inhales and pushes the air back out.

He turns to look at me after a couple moments. "So much."

I nod. "Me too."

"Can I take your picture?"

I cover my face. "I must look awful. My eyes are probably red, and my nose—"

He cuts me off. "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

His words destroy any argument I have. I only ask that he take one of the both of us as well. He reaches into the backseat and fishes it out of its case.

"Tell me you love me again."

"I love you, Will."

I hear it click three times during. He lowers his camera and leans forward to place his lips on mine. "Thank you."

He turns the camera and holds it out to face us, his finger ready. I lean in and kiss his cheek when I hear the click. He turns his face to kiss me, and I hear the click again.

He pulls back and smiles. "Hopefully we'll be in that last one."

He reaches back to place his camera back in its case. I get out and wait for him to walk around. He pulls our bags from the back seat, passing me mine before we head into my house. Before Brian caught us making out on my bed, we would sometimes do our homework in my room. Since then, we stay in the family room. That doesn’t stop us from making out. It just makes us hyper aware of where my family members are. Brian is back at school. He comes home at least one weekend a month, but during the week, we don't have to worry about him. Both my mom and dad work, so right after school we usually have the house to ourselves. The family room is far enough from the front door that if one of my parents comes home earlier than expected we have enough time to separate and adjust clothes.

Today, we can't keep our hands off of each other. We take a moment to spread a couple of text books and binders on the coffee table to make it look like we've been busy with schoolwork before Will pulls me on to the couch. We've made out before, even done some under clothes exploring but with our declarations of love so fresh on our lips, this time feels different. Will's shirt is off, and my button-up top is open. My bra has a front closure. Will stills when I unclasp it. I don’t uncover myself. I just lay there, holding my breath. Will's own breathing is unsteady as he holds my gaze, lifting his hands to uncover me. His touch is tender as he trails his fingertips across my skin.

"You are so beautiful," he says in a hush tone before dropping his lips to mine.

I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen his kiss. He lowers his body onto mine, and I feel for the first time the perfection that is his bare chest on mine. I grip his shoulders as his hips grind into me. He's turned on. Part of me wants to go all the way right now, but my parents could come home anytime. He moves onto his side, pulling me with him and unbuttons my shorts. His lips stay on mine as his hand makes its way into them. This is the farthest we have ever gone. I tense as I feel him touch me. The feeling, taking over me, scares me. A small part of me wants to stop, but it's only because I'm afraid of the unknown. I suck in a breath and close my eyes when I feel his finger slide inside me. When he starts moving it, my eyes flutter open and widen as he watches my reaction. I want to bury my face in his neck.

"Don’t," he pleads. "Let me watch you."

I blush but hold his gaze, even when I lose control and rock against his hand. I've never felt anything like this before. I feel like my limbs are numb and weighted down. It's a few moments before I can breathe normally again. The whole time, his face is a picture of awe. He seems surprised he has this power over my body. He helps fix my clothes before pulling his shirt back on. I start towards the kitchen to get us drinks, turning back when he calls out my name.

"Wear a dress tomorrow."

I look at him confused. "Why?"

He grins. "I want to try something different." He pauses, chewing the corner of his mouth. "You'll just have to wait and see what."

I start to sag and reach my arm out to brace myself on the doorway. His chuckle follows me into the kitchen. We're innocently working on homework when my mother gets home.