Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
I should probably be undressing too, but suddenly I’m worried. What if we’re not good together and having sex ruins what we have? What if Landon is good, but I suck?
“Hey,” Landon says, walking over and pulling me into his arms. “You look kind of nervous. We don’t have to go all the way, Harper. We’ve done everything but, and if that’s all you want to do tonight, I’m okay with that. Hell, if you want to just lie in bed and watch a cheesy rom-com, I’m okay with that too.”
“I want to,” I tell him. “I’m just kind of nervous I might not be good,” I admit honestly.
“Are you crazy, Harp? I’m not even sure how long I’ll last.” He groans through a laugh. “But I’m glad my first time is going to be with you, and because it’s with you, I believe it’ll be perfect.”
With his words, my entire body relaxes. He’s right. This is Landon. The guy I love. My best friend. Everything we’ve done so far has been amazing because it’s with him.
Landon takes my face in his hands and kisses me soft and gentle for several seconds. His hands move from my face, and he reaches behind me, unzipping my dress. Lifting each of the straps off my shoulders, I shrug it off and let it fall to the floor, leaving me in only my bra and panties.
Wanting to undress him the same way he did me, I unbutton each of the buttons on his shirt then push it over his shoulders. Landon helps by shrugging his arms out before he reaches down and unbuttons and unzips his pants. He pushes them down his legs, leaving him in only his boxers.
Taking my hand in his, he leads us over to the bed. “Don’t be nervous,” Landon murmurs once we’re lying in the center of the bed, facing each other. “It’s us. No matter how it goes, it will be perfect.”
Landon was right. It was perfect.
Yes, it hurt.
No, I didn’t orgasm—but he did make sure I was taken care of beforehand.
He came just as quickly as he feared he would—but the next time he lasted longer.
He kissed and held me afterward, and eventually we fell asleep in each other’s arms.
It’s a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Seven
Harper
“With the twenty-fourth selection in the MLB draft, the Boston Reds selects Landon Maxwell, a right-handed pitcher from Franklin High School.”
We’re watching the draft at the local Ale House—my mom, Landon, his family, which consists of his dad and brother, and his team and friends—including his coach—are all here to support him. When the announcer says his name, followed by who’s drafting him, I think it takes a second for the words to sink in, because he doesn’t move right away. But once they do, Landon jumps from his seat and lifts me into the air, spinning me around in a circle. “Holy shit, Harp! I did it.” He was told by his agent he would be drafted, but he didn’t know when or by who.
“You did!” I hug him tightly, so excited for him. “Congratulations!” I give him a quick kiss on his lips. “I love you,” I whisper so only he can hear me. “And I’m so proud of you.” This is everything he’s ever wanted, everything he’s worked for, and it’s finally happening.
“I love you too,” he says before he kisses me harder for several seconds before releasing me.
“Hell yeah, man!” Cohen high fives him just before Landon’s dad, Bill, pulls him in for a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, Son,” he says with tears in his eyes.
Landon’s brother, Brian, who came up from Providence, where he’s going to school, hugs him next. “How does it feel to be living out your dream?”
“It’s unbelievable.”
We spend the night celebrating, and since it’s the summer, my mom lets me spend the night at Landon’s place, after she tells me not to make it a habit.
“I can’t believe my dreams are actually coming true,” Landon says, lying next to me in bed. We’ve just got done making love, and we’re both tangled up in the sheets with our bodies wrapped around each other.
“You deserve this,” I tell him, leaning over and kissing the corner of his mouth. “And the Boston stadium is so close, you won’t even have to move, right?”
Landon’s body stiffens, and he rolls over to face me. “It’s my first year, which means, while Boston drafted me, I won’t be playing for the Reds.”
“Who will you be playing for?” I ask, confused.
“The Salem Reds.”
When I give him what I’m sure is a perplexed look because I have no clue about baseball, he explains. “I was drafted into class A. It’s one of the Minor League teams for the Reds. My hope is that they’ll see I’m good enough and bring me up to the Majors in the next couple years, but some players never make it up. Until that happens, I’ll be playing at their field in Salem.”