When Emma's eyes fluttered open, the first sensation that registered was the warm, comforting weight of Blake's hard chest against her cheek, his arms wrapped so securely around her that her heart instantly began to pound a joyful rhythm against her ribs.
The closeness was exhilarating, and her pulse quickened with a thrilling awareness. As she rubbed the last vestiges of sleep from her eyes, the second realization hit: it was gloriously morning. Sunlight, bright and unwavering, streamed down on them, painting the clearing in soft gold, while the gentle, innocent chirping of unseen birds wove a peaceful soundtrack around them.
She yawned, a deep, full stretch that lengthened her body, her eyes closing against the brilliant light. Beneath her, Blake sighed in his sleep, a low, contented sound that resonated through his chest, a vibration she felt down to her toes. She lifted her head, propping herself on an elbow to study him, enchanted by the quiet moment.
Even in repose, he possessed an almost sculptural beauty. His pink lips were slightly parted, releasing slow, steady breaths that fanned warmly against her hair. The morning sun, now casting soft, defined shadows, seemed to sculpt his jawline to an even keener, more striking edge, and his dark hair was a deliberate mess, falling casually across his forehead and framing his face, his unnaturally long lashes lying flat against his pale cheeks.
She couldn't help herself. Her fingers, almost without conscious command, drifted over the taut, defined landscape of his abs. A small, nervous bite of her lip. She felt a silly flush, a giddy warmth, checking him out like this in his sleep, but he was truly captivating.
She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his warm chest, her lips lingering for a moment. Then, a low murmur from above. "What are you doing, Emma?" her hand froze instantly, her breath catching in her throat, a little jolt of surprise.
He wasn't looking at her, his eyes still closed, a lazy smile playing on his lips. He sighed again, a relaxed sound, as his hand, large and warm, moved from her back, slipping beneath the hem of her Green Day shirt to rub slowly, deliciously, up her thigh. "I didn't say you had to stop. I was just asking." He chuckled softly, the sound a low vibration against her ear. Despite her initial shock, the warmth of his touch, the playful permission, sent a delightful shiver through her.
She felt herself flush but obediently continued her soft kisses on his chest, her other hand resuming its gentle exploration of his abs, the skin warm and firm beneath her fingertips.
He hummed, a deep, satisfied sound that seemed to acknowledge her presence and her touch. With a smooth, effortless movement, he pulled her over him, onto his lap, the sudden shift bringing their bodies even closer.
The intimate positioning made her blush fiercely, and she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears, a nervous habit that always seemed to surface when he was this close. "I'd rather you kiss my lips, though," he murmured, his voice a low, husky invitation as he settled back fully, his fingers resuming their slow, hypnotic journey up and down her thighs, a feather-light touch that sent goosebumps across her skin. His hands, tracing delicate patterns on her skin, felt impossibly good, so utterly right that it felt like they were meant to be there.
A surge of unfamiliar bravery, a dangerous confidence, bubbled up inside her. She wanted to be bold, to push it a little further. Leaning down, she linked their lips with an intensity that bordered on hungry, taking him slightly by surprise with her eagerness, as she pushed her tongue into his mouth.
He responded with a deep, guttural moan, a sound that vibrated through her, his breathing instantly growing heavier, ragged with desire. His hands, now more insistent, moved from her thighs to her hips, his fingers brushing against the delicate lace of her panties, a breathtaking sensation. A shiver, not from cold, but from pure, raw sensation, ran through her body, making her arch into him.
She unintentionally, almost instinctively, ground her hips against him, a soft friction that made him moan loudly, his head arching back into the grass, a silent testament to the pleasure she was giving him. Emma, fueled by a desire she barely recognized, peppered kisses down the side of his neck, tasting the dampness of the lake mixed with his skin.
She had no real-world experience making out, but she had devoured countless romance novels, and in that moment, the vivid descriptions were proving incredibly, delightfully useful. He pulled gently, teasingly, at the side of her panties, a soft, seductive tug, before moving his hands more firmly over her ass, pulling her down harder, pressing her intimately against the growing heat of him.
They were consumed, lost in the moment, grinding against each other, their breaths ragged and heavy, mingling in the quiet morning air. She could feel the unmistakable bulge growing in his boxers, a solid, undeniable heat against her, a thrilling awareness.
"Oh wow!" The sudden, familiar voice shattered the moment like brittle glass. Their lips snapped apart, their bodies freezing mid-motion.
Looking up, Emma saw Chris standing there, his hands comically covering his eyes, but a wide, amused grin stretched across his lips, undeniably visible through his splayed fingers. "Sorry to interrupt your make-out session, but your parents are looking for you guys. Your mom wants us all to go hiking together." He peeked through his fingers at them, a teasing glint in his eyes, as Emma scrambled, stumbling to climb off Blake's lap. Blake, however, kept his hands firmly on her hips, a subtle but undeniable grip, not quite ready to let her go.
Blake let out a frustrated sigh, a low growl that was almost animalistic in its thwarted desire. "Okay, we'll be over in a few minutes." Chris simply nodded, his grin widening, before turning and sauntering away, still chuckling to himself.
Emma crumbled against Blake's chest, burying her face against his neck, the lingering heat radiating off him still overwhelming. "Oh my god, I can't believe that just happened," she whispered, embarrassment washing over her, a hot, visceral feeling that threatened to consume her.
He simply laughed, a deep, comforting rumble against her ear, moving his hand from under her shirt to rub her back, a soothing, rhythmic motion. "Don't worry, I caught him and Kandy doing a lot worse." His words, intended to reassure her, worked. The sheer absurdity of it, and the knowing wink he probably sent Chris, made her laugh, a shaky, slightly hysterical sound. It seemed like the universe was telling them it was time to leave this dizzying, intoxicating daydream and reluctantly go back to reality.
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
