But my inexperience in that department does worry me a little because I know Adam is very experienced. He hasn’t told me that, but I just get the feeling that he has been around the block a few times. I’m not surprised. Looking like Adam does, he could have his pick of girls. So, knowing he’s choosing to spend his time with me, sans sex, makes me feel pretty damn special.

And seeing the way Max is with girls also leads me to believe that, prior to me, that was how Adam was spending his time. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen Max with four different girls, each one exiting his bedroom.

But, man-whore aside, I like Max. He’s cool, and even though I’ve come in and invaded his and Adam’s time here together, he has had no issue with it.

I’m not precious when it comes to my virginity. Just right now doesn’t feel like the right time. I want to spend more time with Adam, get to know him more, before I go all the way with him. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to do other stuff with him. This past week especially, all I’ve been able to think about is taking things a little, or maybe a lot, further.

And the way he’s touching me right now with the heat of his breath on my skin has me tingling in all the right places, making me want his mouth in other places than just my shoulder.

Putting my pencil down on my paper, I lift my hand to his face, scratching my nails over his scruff, until I’m cupping his cheek. I tilt his eyes up to mine.

He smiles at me, and my heart clenches, as do a few other parts of my anatomy.

The way I feel about him…I’ve never felt anything like it before. In a short space of time, he’s become beyond important to me, and I’m struggling to remember my life before him.

But I do remember that it was gray. Now, with him in it, it’s filled with color, all varying shades of brightness illuminating my days.

I press my lips to his, giving him a soft kiss.

“So, I’ve been thinking…”

“About?” he murmurs over my lips, his eyes closed.

“Well…I’m still not ready to have sex, but…I was thinking that maybe…we could do, you know, other stuff.”

I feel his body stiffen, and his eyes open to meet mine. “Define other stuff.”

A blush creeps onto my cheeks. I feel a little embarrassed, talking about this. To be honest, I can’t believe I brought it up.

“I don’t know…just…all I do know is, when you kiss me…I want more.”

“More,” he echoes.

“Mmhmm…more.” My gaze flickers down.

“When? I mean, there’s no rush—”

“We could…now.” I bite my lip, suddenly feeling a little more than nervous.

Adam is up on his feet before I even get a chance to blink.

“Um, where are you going?” I stare up at him.

“You said now. And, well, I’m not doing more with you now, on this rock, with an audience.” He gestures out to the surf. “I thought we could go back to the house. Max will be out here surfing for hours, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”

A thrill runs through me. “Okay.” I shove my sketchpad and pencil in my bag.

Adam climbs down the rock. I follow, loving the feel of his hands on my waist as he helps me down the last part. His hand grazes my ass.

“Copping a feel?” I smile.

“Totally.” He grins at me.

Linking his fingers through mine, he leads me on the short walk to the beach house.

By the time we reach the house, my body is a riot of nerves.

We’ve just gotten through the door when Adam has me backed up against it, his mouth on mine.

My bag drops to the floor. My hands go to his hair.

God, he smells amazing, like the ocean. I can taste the salt on his lips, and it just fuels me, making me want him even more.

This kiss is so different, compared to our others. There’s a need and urgency that hasn’t been there before, and I love that he wants me so badly.

His hands find my ass, and he lifts me. I wrap my legs around his waist.

He carries me upstairs to his bedroom.

It’s not the first time I’ve been in here, but somehow, this feels different…because things will be different. We might not be about to have sex, but we’re going to reach a whole new level of intimacy.

He lays me down on the bed, coming down with me. Between my legs, his hips press to mine.

Holy hardness. I can feel how much he wants me, and from the feel of this thing, it’s a lot.

He’s still kissing me, less ragged but still needy. His fingers find the hem of my top.

“How far do you want to go with this?” he asks, sounding breathless. “What is more? Are we talking second or third base here? I need to know because I don’t want to make a mistake with you, and screw this up.”

I press my hand to his cheek. “You could never make a mistake. And, honestly…I’ve never…” I bite my lip, lowering my eyes. I slide my hand from his face. “I’ve never done anything but kiss before, so I don’t know. And I know how lame that makes me sound.”

His fingers go under my chin, bringing my gaze back to his. I stare into his eyes, and the look in his is intense.

“It doesn’t make you lame, babe. It makes you mine.”

He takes my mouth again, kissing me as intensely as the look was in his eyes.

His tongue seeks entrance, so I part my lips. He groans into my mouth, and I feel it low in my belly.

Taking my face in his hands, he starts to press soft kisses over my lips. “Evie…have you ever made yourself come?”

“Oh my God!” I blush. Pushing away, I turn my face from him.

“Hey…don’t be embarrassed.” His hand forces my face back to his, but I still can’t look at him. “It’s me, Evie. Just you and me here, and there isn’t anything you can’t tell me. Okay?”

“Okay,” I breathe out, face still flaming. I run my hand through my hair, feeling all kinds of awkward. “And, to answer your question…no, I haven’t ever done that…to myself.”

He’s silent for so long that I have to look at him, worried that he’s disgusted with me because I’m sure most girls would have done that by now.

But he doesn’t look disgusted. He looks…well, he looks like he wants to devour me. I take that to be a good thing.

“You’ve never come?” he asks, his voice sounding rough.

I shake my head.

He groans. Those intense eyes of his darken further.

He runs his thumb over my lower lip, which I’m apparently biting again, and frees it from my teeth.

“Do you want me to make you come?” His voice is husky, and as sexy as hell.

I squeak, and his lips lift into a heartbreaking smile, leaving me spinning.

My stomach is practically doing backflips.

“I guess…yes. I mean, only if you want to.”

He dips his head to mine. “Oh, I want to. I want nothing more.”

He brushes his lips over mine, and I feel his fingertips run along the sliver of exposed skin between my top and shorts.

“But you have to tell me to stop if you don’t feel comfortable.”

“I will,” I breathe.

His hand slips under my tank top. Moving up my stomach, he reaches my breast. Then, he’s cupping it over my bikini top.