I wasn’t sure I could go to college. Granted, college was a long way off, and Daddy should be back to normal by then, but after heart surgery, he couldn’t take care of the farm on his own. I would do whatever it took to make sure my dad stayed around to see me get married and have kids. He would be the best grandfather a kid could have.
Quinn lay in my arms, her head on my chest, one leg entwined with mine. “I don’t want you to go.”
I slipped my hand into the back pocket of her jeans, gazing up at the rafters in the barn that Ethan and I had turned into a makeshift gym. The space wasn’t anything like Quinn’s barns and certainly didn’t have animal dung lingering in the air.
At the moment, I was inhaling Quinn’s lavender shampoo. “I don’t either. But I’ll be home in a few weeks for Christmas break.”
She shuddered. “Maiken, where do you think we’ll be next year?”
Every muscle in me seized. “What kind of question is that?” Since I’d seen her in the hospital with Trevor, I couldn’t shake the impression that she was into him. There was no question in my mind that he was infatuated with my girl. Anyone could see that by the way he’d been holding her—gentle, soft, and caring.
Like hell is he getting his paws on her.I knew Quinn loved me. I knew I could trust her. Trevor, on the other hand? No fucking way. Quinn was extremely vulnerable at the moment.
Her dad was still in the hospital and, barring any complications, would be home next week. Thank God he was doing well. According to the doctor, Mr. Thompson should make a full recovery, although he had a long road ahead.
Quinn traced lazy circles on my abdomen, her head resting under my chin. “I know you’ll be a star basketball player at a big school, but I can’t go to college. I have to be here for my dad.” She snuggled deeper into me. “Anyway, do you think we’ll be together?”
I couldn’t imagine a life without Quinn. Sure, we were about to embark on an adult life of college and new experiences, but I didn’t want to do any of that without her.
“I am yours, babe. My heart is yours to keep. So no matter the distance between us, I will be there for you.” I thought we’d done a pretty good job at keeping our relationship strong while I’d been at the academy. “We’ve had great practice too. We’re doing great.” At least I thought we were. The separation was tough, and it probably wouldn’t get any easier, but Mom and Dad had made their relationship work with him always on a military mission.
I remembered something Dad had said a time or two.“Being away from your mother and you kids only makes my love stronger. I’m working for you guys and a better life.”
“College won’t be any different,” I added. “We just have to make a strong effort to see one another.”
“Liam and Celia broke up when he left for college. They both wanted to see other people.” She sounded frightened.
I threaded my fingers in her hair. “Do you want to play the field?”If she says yes, I will fucking die.
She lifted her head, digging her chin into my chest and batting her big amber eyes at me. “Hell no. I want to make sure you don’t either.”
I grabbed her waist. “Come here.”
She crawled up until her body was flush with mine.
“The only field I want to play is one with you in it. I’m serious, Quinn. You’re it for me. I couldn’t imagine anyone else making me laugh and cry, or holding my hand, my heart, and my soul. I would die if I didn’t get to kiss you ever again.”
She blinked away a tear before crashing her mouth to mine, showing me her answer. Her tongue slipped in, tangling with mine.
Nothing else mattered in that moment but her and me and the way she made me feel—whole, happy, elated, and feeling as if I were on top of the world.
My hands roamed up and down her body, making her moan. Our kiss became wild, frantic, and passionate to the point that my body was on fire.
She nibbled on my lip, slowing the kiss. “Remember that surprise I mentioned to you on the phone a couple of weeks ago?” She swallowed, her cheeks turning red. “I’m on the pill.”
Whoa!I wasn’t expecting that, but my body reacted instantly—tingling, hard, and throbbing in one specific place.
She giggled, pressing her hips into mine. “I’m ready. You are too.”
No doubt.Still, my stomach was in knots as I took in a deep breath.
She looked around. “We’re alone.” She lifted her eyebrows, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. “I think we should. Now is a perfect time.” She pressed her hands to my chest, sitting up and straddling me.
We were in a dark corner of the barn, a small carved-out space where Ethan and I had set up a lounge of sorts with blankets and even an old chair Mom didn’t want in the house anymore.
I was ready, yet I wasn’t. Although was there ever a right time? If two people loved each other and both were in agreement, then sex was a natural next step.
“Your family is out shopping,” she said.
