“It was”—he takes a deep breath and holds it, as if steeling himself for his next word—“exceptional. It’s never felt like that before.” His voice drops to just above a whisper. “It was weird because that wasn’t just sex. It was…” Even this close, I strain to hear him. “It was something…more.” His words are labored and hesitant. I relax my body a fraction, resisting the urge to wrap my arms around him. To soothe him.

I’m desperate for him to keep going.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

There’s a pregnant pause. There is more he wants to say, but he doesn’t. He lets out a heavy sigh. It doesn’t matter. He’s said enough.

With his final apology, I relent, turning my face back toward him. I can’t see his eyes, but we’re now cheek to cheek. He trails kisses along my jaw and I wrap my arms around his neck. When he kisses me sweetly, I taste his atonement. I wrap my legs around his hips so he can feel my forgiveness. We spend the rest of the lazy morning kissing, touching. Making love.

* * * *

“Holy shit, she lives!” Jackie taunts me when I answer her video chat. I guess I had that coming. The past few days have flown by in a sex-filled haze. The sexual floodgates have been thrown open and I can’t control the torrent from washing away everything that isn’t Austin.

“Sorry. I know I’ve been kind of MIA this week.”

“Ah, the demands of a wanton sex goddess,” she jeers. I blush. “Where is your sexy man meat this evening, anyway? Thought you two were practically sewn together at this point.”

“He has a curfew tonight. Big game tomorrow.”

“Good. Finally get some rest for that poor vajayjay.”

She’s right, I’m a little sore. But I’m so not going there with her. I lie instead.

“It’s nice to have the house to myself again.” I miss Austin. I don’t know how or when it happened, but suddenly he’s become a part of my life. All week, when we weren’t in class or he wasn’t at practice, we were together. We make dinner together. We study. We cuddle on the couch watching movies. We even play Rule Them All. I’ve gotten used to waking up in Austin’s arms. I’m comfortable there, with him. He fits into my life flawlessly. He drives me crazy, makes my heart race, but he’s safe.

He’s home.

“Fucking liar.” Jackie calls me on my bullshit with a devious smile. “You miss that big dumb animal, don’t you?”

The blush on my cheeks gives me away before I even answer.

“Maybe. Just a little. He’s a good cook.” I try—and fail—to sound detached.