He tasted like strawberries, and despite the craziness of the last five hours, pleasure pooled in my belly as heat traveled between my legs. The L-word had done something to me.

Lincoln pulled back, and gave me a lopsided grin. “Aren’t you supposed to say it back?”

I laughed. “Oh please, we both know I’ve been in love with you for months.”

That made him chuckle as he reached out and stroked my chest, right over the mark, just above my towel. “Lucky me.”

I think we both became aware that I was dripping wet, naked except for just a thin towel, at the same time, because all of the air seemed to suck out of the room. My breathing slowed as heat throbbed between my legs.

And I dropped my towel.

YOLO.

His eyes widened, desire flaring in his gaze. “Brielle.”

I took a step toward him, one hand on my bare hip. He’d never seen me completely naked before. Pretty close, but not the full deal.

“Lincoln, I’m a woman. I may only be nineteen, and I may have less sexual experience than you, but I am a woman. And I know what I want.” I stepped closer so my tight nipples were pressed against his chest. Even with his shirt on, I could feel the warmth from his skin.

His breath came out in a ragged gasp. “Are you sure? Now?” His words were gentle, and sweet. He didn’t want to take advantage of me in a vulnerable situation, but I needed him. I needed our love like a life raft in the ocean. Now more than ever.

I nodded.

He snaked a hand out and slid it down my spine to cup my butt. With a light squeeze, he pulled me into him. My pelvis pressed against his, and my arms went around his neck, as we started to walk backward into the bedroom.

Once inside, I shifted my hands from his neck to the button on his pants. My mouth was hungrily feasting on him as my body heated, preparing for what was going to happen. I’d never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, Lincoln lit me up inside. He was my other half, which was probably why we butted heads, but dammit, I loved the guy so much it hurt.

And now, to share a moment so special with him, it completed something in me, something I hadn’t realized was feeling unfinished.

Lincoln laid me down, his lips on the curve of my breasts. With an outstretched arm, he rummaged through his nightstand drawer and produced a condom. As he peppered my skin with kisses and licks, I felt my desire ramping up to epic proportions.

Our bodies pressed together then, moving in rhythmic motions. I moaned every time his skin came back to reach mine. I trailed my fingers down his back and lost all sense of time; it was just Lincoln and I, stuck in this moment of love, pleasure, and complete trust.

My back began to arch as my body started to unravel. “Lincoln,” I moaned.

His hands clenched as he reached that place with me, and I felt every last piece of darkness flee from my soul.

I am light.

I am lovable.

This mark does not define me.

Our breathing slowed and then he laid down, curling me into his chest. We stayed there for some time, just being together in the moment.

Suddenly, a charred smell hit my nose. “What’s that smell?” I asked.

Lincoln bolted from the bed. “I burned dinner!”

Laughter erupted from my chest. It looked like cereal was on the menu.

Sitting in a clean pair of Lincoln’s boxers and an oversized shirt, I took a bite of the crunchy cereal, and pinned my lover with a glare.

“So hit me with it. Did Tiffany’s team pass?” I asked.

He chuckled. “That’s all you care about right now?”

Priorities. I needed to know if I’d be spending the next three years of schooling with that demon. I nodded, and took a sip of cranberry juice.

He sighed. “She did. One of her girls has a nasty acid burn on her back, but they passed.”

Dammit. That wench.

I growled. “So what now? Fallen Army?” I wasn’t sure what joining entailed.

He smirked, and leaned in closer, leveling me with a sinister gaze. “Boot camp over the summer. Run by yours truly, Drill Sergeant Lincoln Grey.”

I dropped my spoon into my bowl.

“Oh shit.”

To be continued…