High school sweethearts, Ryder Thompson and Becky Duncan, are preparing to embark on separate paths when Becky utters one sentence graduation night that changes everything.

“Maybe we should see other people when we’re at school.”

They go from exclusive to friends-with-benefits in the blink of an eye as Ryder heads to the basketball courts at the College of Charleston, and Becky moves to the bright lights of Georgia Tech. While Ryder scores points with his play, Becky plays at scoring. When she pushes Ryder away one too many times, Natalie Macey is ready to catch him, except Ryder isn’t sure he’s capable of giving Natalie what she needs.

“Guys like him don’t date girls like me.”

With Ryder’s encouragement, Natalie decides to see another guy, but a new feeling emerges for Ryder…

Jealousy.

You never forget your first, but the second time around, you play for keeps.

A knock sounds on our door. I run and throw it open, finding the man I’ve been thinking about looking as if he’s feeling the same way. He doesn’t wait as he steps forward and hugs me to him, spinning me around just inside the door. “Nat…” He buries his face against my neck. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too.”

Kim clears her throat as she walks toward her bedroom. “Welcome back, Ryder.”

He lifts his head. “Thanks, Kim.” He buries his face again, breathing deeply.

“Come on, let’s sit.”

“Let’s go to your room.”

I raise my eyebrows. We haven’t discussed sex. “Um, Ryder?”

“Yeah?”

“Um, nothing.” Maybe I’m assuming that’s what he wants.

He closes the door to my bedroom behind us and cups my face, kissing me like he’s never kissed me before. His tongue licks my lips and I open for him. He deepens the kiss as I surrender myself to him. I moan as he lowers his hands to pull me closer. His hands roam over my butt, and I tense, causing him to pull away immediately. “Nat?”

I blink. “Ryder, I…” I step back. “I haven’t…you know.”

He shoves his hands into the pockets of his team travel sweats. “Never?”

I shake my head, and he grins. “It’s okay, Nat, but thanks for telling me.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“No, because with our agreement, you won’t be with anyone else either. And knowing that will keep me in check with you. I won’t push you for more, okay?”

I bow my head and roll my lips inward. I can feel the heat rising in my ears. “Maybe push for a little more.” I hold up my fingers with a tiny gap between my thumb and index finger.

He slowly steps toward me. “Like how much more?”

I feel as if he’s stalking me in my own room, which isn’t very big. “Second base?” It comes out more of a question than a statement.

A playful grin curls his lips. “Is this a negotiation?”

I shrug.

“Third. In fact, I’d like to round third.”

My mouth falls open. “What does that consist of?”

“I want my mouth on you and yours on me. We’ll both get a release, and your virginity stays intact.”

“Deal?”

“Are you asking, Nat. You’re the one who needs to agree.”

I nod. “I agree, but I’m nervous.”

He runs his hands under my shirt. “We’ll stop any time you need to.” His hands rub up and down my sides. “Your skin is so soft.”

He pulls me close, and I feel the hard ridge in his pants against my stomach. The heat coming from him elicits a feeling I haven’t felt from a guy before. Ryder is doing things to me that I want to explore. I look at him, and his eyelids seem just as heavy as mine. He lays his lips over mine again, and I snake my arms up and around his neck, pressing my breasts against his chest.

“Ryder…” I can hear the nerves in my voice.

He cups my face and strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I’ve got you, Nat. We can slow down.”

“I feel how hard you are. Is this all right?”

He moves my hand to cup him. “Feel me, Nat. This is what you do to me.”

I squeeze my legs together. “You’re throbbing, and I feel like butterflies are flying inside me.”

“You’re turned on, baby. I bet you’re wet too.”

“Yes.”

“Let me love you with my mouth, Nat.” He pushes my T-shirt over my head then rips his off too. His hands squeeze my breasts, and a whimper leaves me. “You’re a perfect handful.”

My hands skate down his abs as my breathing quickens. “Ry…you’re magnificent.”

He chuckles. “Let’s get your bra off so I can touch you.” I reach behind me, but he turns my back to him. “Let me.” My bra loosens as his hands slide down my arms, pushing my bra straps down with them. It hits the floor at the same time his lips find my neck. “Second base, Nat. Are you okay?”

I nod and bite my lip as his hands wrap around my waist, keeping me flush against him. His head dips, and he kisses my shoulder as his hands massage my breasts. He pinches my nipples, causing me to gasp and hold my breath as he rolls them between his fingers, and my ass rubs against him. He hisses in my ear before he turns me to him.

I tentatively stroke him through his pants, and his eyes close before he focuses on me, with a purposeful stare. “I want to touch you, Ry.”

He shakes his head. “Girls come first.”

“Just so you know, the way I feel it’s going to happen as soon as you touch me.”

He smiles and whispers beside my ear. “Do you want to touch yourself?”

My eyes widen with surprise. “I’ve never done that in front of anyone.”

He nips my bottom lip. “I’m down with mutual masturbation.” He waggles his eyebrows. “In fact, the thought of watching you just made me harder. We can build up to oral sex, Nat. No rush.”



“How do we do this?”

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