“Bingo. I was pissed. I wanted to travel over the summer in their RV, stopping at different clubs. But now, thinking about it, I don’t think it would’ve been a cool idea. I don’t really know them that well, and I had no interest in being high or drunk on a regular basis. The pics they’ve been sending me kind of confirmed it.”

“You’re the smartest woman I’ve met. You have this sense of self that comes right through. There’s no need for you to fit in with anyone, Allegra, especially with people who want to change you. Plus, I happen to find nerds extremely sexy.”

I laughed and cuddled closer. “Then I guess we’re on the same page. By the way, what’s your favorite color?”

“Blue.”

“Like your eyes.”

He stiffened, and suddenly the easy affection between us turned. A spark ignited, and I caught my breath as a raw want shook through me. Slowly, I turned my head and met his gaze.

“Allegra.”

My name came out hoarse from his lips in a question I already knew the answer to. I didn’t consciously plan it, but there was nothing more I wanted than to belong to Ian tonight. To have him be my first. My heart exploded in my chest and I reached up. “I want you,” I whispered against his lips. “Is that okay?”

He shuddered and muttered something under his breath. “Yeah, it’s okay. More than okay. I just need you to know I wasn’t expecting this tonight, and I didn’t come here to—to be with you like this.”

“Have you ever done it before?”

He shook his head. “No. I know I needed it to be special. With someone I loved, who I’d never forget. I wanted it to be beautiful.”

Emotion choked my throat. “That’s what I want. I’m a virgin too.”

He clenched his jaw; his blue eyes filled with agony and a hunger that thrilled me. “But I can’t give you what you need,” he said miserably. “I don’t want to hurt you when I leave.”

I smiled and pulled his head down, kissing him with a confidence that came from his obvious feelings for me. “Ian, you’d hurt me if you walked away right now without being mine.”