My eyes are closed and I’m not entirely sure I’m in control of my own body, but somehow my lips are on Gabrielle’s. Our bodies are still connected in the most intimate way as I soften slowly inside of her. But our arms and legs are intertwined as well as our lips that continue to make love to each other. “James,” she moans against my lips. “I love you too.”

“You didn’t come.” I frown as I pull myself off of her.

“That was really hot.” She giggles. “But I’m an eighteen year old woman and have had sex, what, like five times? How is it that I know that it’s a little harder for a woman to climax during intercourse but not the guy who’s had sex…” She trails off as she gets off the bed and begins picking up her discarded clothing. “More than five times.”

“Well, yes, I know that but usually—” I stop immediately knowing that this is not where I want this conversation going.

She pins me with a glare. “Care to finish that one?”

I shake my head. Not in a million years. “No,” I tell her as I get off the bed and make my way to the door.

She pulls my hoodie over her naked chest and a pair of joggers up her legs and then she’s in my arms. “I love you.” She presses her lips to mine and I smile just as I always do when those words leave her lips.

“I love you too.”

I open the door to let her out when she turns back to me and cocks her finger at me. “You know those usually people I assume you were referring to that I believe you think you made come every time during intercourse?” Her lips form a thin line. “This doesn’t necessarily say anything about you as a lover but…more than one of them faked it,” she says with a wink, and then she’s tiptoeing through the basement common area and back up the stairs.

My mouth drops open at her cheeky comment but I’m pretty sure I saw a hint of humor in her eyes…I think.

It’s nearing noon when my eyes open again and I can’t remember the last time I slept this long. I guess probably because I haven’t slept much the last few nights with these new developments with Gabrielle. I grab my phone and bypass all of the work emails and immediately open the text message from her. After she went upstairs last night, we FaceTimed until she fell asleep, and then I sat on the phone watching her. I ended the call just before my eyes closed for the night.

(10:04) Gabrielle: Going to the mall with Mon and Mom… I had fun last night. I love you