“My dad is on a business trip, and my mom went with him,” Nick said as he placed her on the bed. “My brother and sisters are with my aunt until they get back.”
“Perfect,” she whispered, grabbing the collar of his Hawaiian print shirt and pulling his face to hers.
He engulfed her lips in his own while pondering over her comment. Was she implying that she wanted to do more than just make out? As much as he wanted to keep kissing her, his conscience forced him to pull away. “Wait, where is this going?”
She met his eyes. “Wherever you want it to go. I’m ready for whatever you want to do.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I love you, Nickolas Gene.”
“I love you, too, Elizabeth Anne.” He reached down and began unbuttoning her shirt. His lips gently grazed her chest, but he stopped and looked up at her. “You’re sure this is okay?”
She closed her eyes and moaned softly. “Oh, God, yes.” This was it. She was completely ready.
When they finally finished, they collapsed against each other, their sweaty bodies wrapped in each other’s arms. “That was amazing,” she breathed, closing her eyes.
“You’re wonderful, Lizzy.”
A while later, Beth opened her eyes and looked at the clock. “I have to go,” she groaned in a muffled voice. She was lying on Nick, and her face was buried in his chest.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s 12:30. I told my mom I’d be back by one at the very latest,” she stated. After several minutes of trying unsuccessfully to roll out of bed, she sighed. “I can’t leave.”
He pulled himself out from under her and grabbed his boxers. “I don’t think you have a choice, babe.”
With him away from her, she had no reason to stay in bed, so she finally managed to get up. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. I had a great time tonight.”
She grinned and kissed him. “I did, too.”
“Let me walk you home.”
“Okay.” He grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs. When they reached her doorstep, she took a deep breath.
“You look like you want to say something.”
“Thanks,” she said simply.
“Thanks for…”
“Thanks for being you. Tonight was the most special night of my life. You made it that way. Everything you do makes me feel like a goddess, Nick. I love you so much for everything you’ve done. The way you made sure I was okay with everything tonight, the way you smell my hair all the time, the way you stare at me like no one else exists, just your touch makes me feel like I’m important.”
“You are important, Lizzy.”
“You really think so?”
“You’re certainly important to me.”
Sighing, she rested her head against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. “You’re perfect.”
“We already went through that on the beach. I’m only perfect because you bring out the best in me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. You’re a beautiful person. You care so much about your music and your fans and your friends and your family. You care about everything. It’s hard to find people like that.”
For several minutes, he didn’t say anything. Finally, he took a deep breath. “I won’t see you in the morning because my flight leaves at five.” He frowned. “You better go. It’s ten to one.”
“Goodbye, Nick. Keep the calls and letters coming.”
“Of course I will,” he promised. “I love you, Beth.”
“I love you, too.” After one more kiss, she slipped inside, never suspecting it would be another five years before they saw each other’s faces again.