Taking risks. That’s what being a teenager is all about, I remind myself. “Okay.”
An hour later, we arrive at Noccalula Falls. I haven’t been here since I was a kid. I don’t really wonder why he brought me here, because once I see the water, I’m eager to get out of the car. The falls are at the start of the park. We get out of the car and walk across the wooden bridge over the falls. There’s an iron statue of Noccalula attempting to fall.
As we round the fence, we find a spot and with him holding me from behind, we gaze at the beautiful, flowing water as it cascades down into the creek. A little rainbow forms at the bottom.
“You know the story, right?” he asks.
“I vaguely remember. It’s been a while.”
“Legend has it, she was a Cherokee princess. Her father arranged a marriage between her and another man from a neighboring tribe. But she was in love with someone else. Her lover was driven away, and her father demanded she marry the other man. Distraught, she jumped into the falls, killing herself. Her father, remorseful, named the falls after her.”
“I remember that. It’s so sad.”
“Mm-hmm.” He holds me tight, and I feel like something’s wrong. “Please don’t leave me,” he whispers in my ear.
I twist around to face him. “Why would I leave you?”
His eyes are serious yet sad. I lean back against the fence, loving the sound of the waterfall.
“It’s just…” He tilts his head back and closes his eyes.
“What? What is it?”
He opens his eyes and looks at me as if he’s afraid to tell me. “I feel very strongly toward you. And I’ve got demons from my past that I’m afraid will come back to haunt me.”
“Demons like what?” I ask slowly.
He watches me as he speaks, I guess watching my reaction. “Megan, I used to do cocaine. And heroin.”
“I know a lot of people who have tried drugs.” I shrug.
Vincent hesitates. “I used to be addicted.”
I’m not sure what my face looks like, but inside I’m shocked. He’s only sixteen. How can someone so young have already been addicted? “D-do you still do them?”
“No. I was in rehab for a while. Which is probably why you don’t know me. I started at this school in ninth grade, but I hardly went and in tenth grade I was even more messed up and my dad forced me into rehab. I’ve been clean since June. I don’t want you to worry that I would involve myself in that again. I’ve got a new addiction.” He meets my eyes.
I’m not sure that’s healthy either, but I don’t think about it too much.
“Sorry. That was bad. I was trying to lighten the mood.” He lets out a short laugh.
“Vincent, I’m not here to judge you. You’ve decided to make your life better. You’re a good person,” I tell him. His eyes are fixed on me for a moment and he crushes his mouth to mine. I love the feel of his lips and I love that when he kisses me, it’s always so passionate.
“Thank you,” he whispers. “You’re so amazing, mon trésor. I got you something for Christmas.” He hands me a black, velvet box.
I open it and gasp. It’s a silver necklace with a snowflake pendant made of crystals. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I kiss him.
“Merry Christmas.” He clasps it around my neck, and I smile.
By the time we get back to my car, lonely in the parking lot at school, it’s almost time for my shift at work.
“Are you sure you have to work?” he asks.
I smile. “Yes.”
“Can’t you call in?”
“I wish.”
“What time do you get off?”
“Midnight.”
He groans. “What am I going to do?”
I give a wicked grin. “I’ll give you something to think about.” I unhook my seatbelt and climb over the console and into his lap, straddling him. I press my mouth to his, hard, and find his tongue. He softly moans and I smile on the inside. His hands are all over me and I move to his neck and nibble on his ear. He grips my thighs and tenses up. His breathing picks up and inches his hand up my skirt.
I stop his hand and kiss his forehead.
“I’m definitely going to need to take a cold shower tonight.”
“Vincent.” I playfully slap him on the shoulder.
He brushes his lips against mine and wraps his arms around me tight and lets out a relaxing sigh. “Thank you for today. I needed it.”
“Of course.”
His lips travel down my jawline to my neck and my heart responds quickly. “You’re mine.” His hand moves up my sweater and traces beneath my bra sending heat to spread throughout me.
When his mouth is on mine, a vision hits me and I see Vincent above me, naked and panting, as we make love in the glow of the candlelight. He lowers his mouth to my ear. “I love you, Megan. Don’t leave me.”
“I will never leave you. My love is only yours.”
I pull away from Vincent, breaking the vision, and we’re both out of breath. I’m so hot and worked up from the vision of us actually…making love. These visions are too much. If I’m not careful, I’ll let it consume me and I won’t have any control over my actions.
But they’re so addicting.
I press my lips to his and he responds with the same urgency as me. I have never thought about wanting to lose my virginity, but I do now. I want Vincent. I slip my hands under his shirt and feel his smooth stomach. Hands are everywhere. Our kisses turn messy. We both moan at each other’s touch and things are starting to escalate. I want him, but
