AFTER OVERHEARING SOPHIE’S CONVERSATION WITH my sister, I realized that by giving her space in the bedroom, I wasn’t helping her recovery. Instead, I made her feel unwanted and insignificant—two things that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Instead of being upset with her for not coming to me with her worries about our relationship, I was proud of her for talking it through instead of letting it eat her alive.
But the moment Sophie ended the call, I went to the basement and rounded up some of my camping gear. It took a lot of energy to haul it all up into a tree, but I owed her romance and several weeks’ worth of sexual attention.
After blowing up the air mattress, unfolding two sleeping bags, and replacing the batteries in the lantern, the space was looking a lot cozier. I even hung a few of the gaudy campsite bulbs around the ceiling and plugged them into the lantern jack. In all of twenty minutes, I transformed the space into our very own love shack.
As I sit here in her car watching nervously as she climbs up the side of the old oak tree, I’m only able to relax once she’s safely inside. I told her five minutes, but I wait almost fifteen before jogging to meet my girl.
The climb is easier the second time around, especially with both hands free. I expect Sophie to be waiting for me under the warmth of the sleeping bags, but as I lift my body onto the platform, I get the opposite. My beautiful Sophie is completely naked, lying on her side with her silky blond curls draped over her shoulder. All of this was supposed to be for her, but she’s the one giving me the gift.
“Shit, baby. You look incredible.” I stand gawking, ready to blow my load before I even touch her. She crooks her index finger, inviting me closer. Afraid to blink for fear she’ll disappear, I shuffle over to the mattress.
“You’re overdressed, Kipton.”
This confident side of her is so damn hot. “Beautiful, this was all for you. I’m supposed to be seducing you tonight.”
I have to touch her, so I bend down on my knees to taste her lips. She holds the back of my head in her hand, determined to set the pace. Her kisses taste like cherries, most likely from one of her Jolly Ranchers she’s always sucking on. I’d be satisfied kissing her like this all night, but I’m eager to give her more.
Hurriedly, I strip my clothes off, tossing them on the floor in a heap. I climb on all fours next to her before sliding under the sleeping bag, covering the both of us. Sophie cuddles close before climbing on top of me, her body so soft against my skin. Before I touch her anywhere else, I have to kiss her again. Greedy for her lips, I nibble and bite my way through the seam of her lips—our tongues mingling the moment they touch. I’m hungry for more as I knead her naked ass in my hands. She lets out a sultry moan, tipping her head back in pleasure. Damn, she looks amazing.
Placing soft kisses on my chest, then my stomach, she’s inching lower with each peck. I don’t want her want to stop. Her mouth feels too good and when she uses her tongue to trace over the hard ridges of my abs, I fight to regain control. “Sophie, wait.”
Her head pops up and her cheeks redden. Shit, I wasn’t trying to discourage her.
“I’m sorry.” She rolls back onto the air mattress and clutches the sleeping bag. I miss the warmth of her soft curves already.
“No, I didn’t want you to stop.” I have to start thinking with the right head. Sophie tilts her head to the side and creases her forehead in confusion. I’m not making any damn sense.
“What’s going on, Kipton? Isn’t this what you asked for? You said in the car–.”
“No, beautiful. I know what I said in the car, but tonight is supposed to be all about you. You don’t have to do anything, or say anything. It doesn’t matter what you think I want. I did this for you—let me make you feel good.” She still looks uncertain. “What’s wrong?”
She swallows and licks her cherry stained lips. “Nobody’s ever done anything like this for me, especially without expecting something in return.”
“It’s all you, Sophie. Now are you ready to be wow’d?”
She giggles and her eyes light up. Finally she says, “Wow me, Kipton.”
I end up doing just that, several times, until we’re both so exhausted it’s too much effort to move inside the house. Instead, we cuddle up under the moonlight in our own little world away from the chaos of college life. We’re safe, satisfied, and complete.
“Thank you.”
“Baby, you don’t have to thank me for loving you. And you’ll never have to question how attracted I am to you again. I won’t let you forget this time.”
It’s never been this intense after sex. As long as I got off, I was happy. In fact, before Sophie, I’d be dressed and on my second drink by now. What she and I share is different, insanely different. But I crave it.
She holds tight to my hand, her body slightly trembling. Assuming it’s from the mixture of sweat and the chill of the night air, I pull her closer to my body. “I love you, Kipton,” she whispers against my chest.
For a minute I think I imagined it, but after her body tenses up, waiting for my response, I know it was real. “God, beautiful. I love you too.” If possible, I squeeze her even tighter. She has no idea how her words just lassoed my entire heart, pulling tight with no intention of easing up. She’s it for me. She’s fucking it.
“DO YOU TWO LOVE BIRDS have any idea how long it took me to find your asses?”
What the? I wipe the sleep from my eyes and turn my head. Cara’s standing at the end of the mattress tapping the toe of her boot against the wood. “Shhh. You’ll wake Sophie. Why are you even up here?”
“I should ask you two the same thing. I broke two nails climbing up here to make sure you were still alive. Two, Kipton!” She holds out her mangled nails like it’s my fault she’s incapable of climbing a damn tree.
“How did you know we were up here?” Sophie questions. I didn’t realize she was awake. Leaning over, I place a kiss on her forehead. She wraps her arms around my neck and finds my lips.
“Excuse me, can you stop making out and answer me?” We don’t stop. “Guys, come on. That’s gross.” We still don’t stop. Sophie smiles against my mouth and our laughter mingles with our kisses. She’s enjoying this. Finally, Cara kicks the air mattress and jolts us hard enough that we break apart. “Are you done, sucking face?”
“No,” I respond honestly. “Not so fun is it?”
“Ugh. Well I’m ready to go back to the dorm. Let’s move people. And, I apologized about you catching me with Drew.” She claps her hands like Mary Poppins and shushes us.
“Trust me, we hear you.” I’m almost afraid to ask, but I torture myself anyway. “Where did you sleep last night?”
“In your bed with Drew.”
“Oh hell,” I groan. “Did you at least change the sheets?”
“We slept, Kipton. There was no sex. But now I regret that. Especially since you two were in a damn tree all night leaving me stranded. I looked everywhere for you two.”
She’s going to love this. “Can you climb back down without killing yourself so we can get dressed?”
Her eyes widen and her mouth pops open. “You mean. You’re both naked right now? Under there?” She gestures toward the sleeping bag. The only barrier between us.
“Yes.” Sophie rolls on her side and can’t help but laugh at her roommate.
“Oh for the love of god, you two, that’s disgusting. Someone’s gonna get a damn tick. Put some clothes on and hurry up!” She sits back down on the wood floor and eases her way onto the ladder. I don’t hear any noise, so I assume she makes it safely to the bottom. It’s confirmed when I hear the pile of leaves under the tree rustle with each retreating footstep.
We do have to get moving, but I want one last moment alone. She’s going home today for a week and I’m not used to being in separate beds let alone different towns. “Good morning, babe.” I roll on top of her, covering her body entirely with mine.