Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
I ran my palm over the top of her messy hair. “That’s love, Nora. And just so you don’t think I’m some magical genie, what you just described is exactly how I feel with you.”
“I’m learning that.”
I kissed her nose. “Good.”
“I'm not quite there yet though. I’m working hard, Cam. Healing my soul and my heart. But I still think it’s my head that needs it the most. I can’t stop thinking that I’ll never be enough for you. But I’m so selfish I can’t convince myself to let you off the hook, either.”
I squeezed her hip. “I like your hook, thank you very much. I will never ask you to let me off it. You sit there and talk about not being enough for me, but you have no idea how much I look up to you. To see everything you’ve risen above, and the fact that you’re still fighting for yourself. Fuck, that’s inspiring. It’s safe to say I have my own mountains to climb. For fuck’s sake, my dad is dead and I haven’t shed a single tear. We have different depths of problems, but your well has been deeper than most. And like a badass beast, you’re still clawing your way out. There is a solid possibility you’re going to get out of there and see that I’m not enough for you.”
“Cam,” she whispered reverently.
“Please hear me when I say this. You were enough for me when you were eleven, barefoot and saving my life from frogs. You were enough for me at twelve, yelling at me for not choosing you, because whether you understand it or not, just knowing that someone cared if I chose them changed my entire outlook on life. You were enough for me at thirteen and fourteen and fifteen and sixteen, and fuck, Nora, you have been enough for me every single day of my life. Timing is everything and we’re not there yet. But don’t you ever fucking let me go. Do you hear me? Never.”
Her shoulders shook with a cry. “I don’t deserve you.”
“I know. You deserve better. But you aren’t the only selfish one in this bed.”
She half laughed, half cried, and I hugged her tight, smoothing a hand up and down her back, hoping she knew I’d always be there for her even when I wasn’t.
“So much for leaving the heavy stuff behind tonight, huh?” she said.
“Hey, the night isn’t over yet. I still owe you thirty more almost orgasms.”
Finally, she smiled bright and white, and I hooked a leg over her hips. “Then I highly suggest you get to work, Camden Cole. The clock’s ticking.”
And wasn’t that the truth. The clock was always ticking with me and Nora. I just prayed that, after that night, it was finally counting down to a time when we could be together for more than just a night.
Between kisses and laughs, I stripped her out of her clothes while making proclamations about banning sweatpants for all of eternity. With brazen hands, I cataloged her every curve and dip, submitting them to memory as I explored her in ways that would make a porn star blush.
Or at least two virgins like us.
I found at least a handful of ways to show her my love with my fingers and my mouth, and Nora whispered countless I-love-yous I’d spend years revisiting on cold and lonely nights without her.
We didn’t make it to thirty that night, but when we both passed out, sweaty and sated, the pure erotic beauty of Nora Stewart mid-release had been ingrained in my brain three times over.
When I woke up the next morning, my perfect fantasy mirage had vanished. The loss was staggering, but I couldn’t help but smile when I saw our ten-dollar bill on the nightstand, a handwritten note tucked beneath it.
Cam,
I couldn’t bring myself to wake you up. You looked so peaceful and happy, like a weirdo smiling in your sleep. I’ll take that memory with me instead of a long, drawn-out goodbye. I would have cried, and then you would have said all the right things, making it even harder for me to go. But know this: There aren’t enough words to adequately express the gift you gave me last night. The hope. The unconditional love. The understanding that, while now is not our time, there might a future where one day the two of us find ourselves on the banks of our creek again, this time with free minds, whole hearts, and a lifetime to share.
Until then, wherever you go and whatever you do, I love you.
Always,
Nora
P.S. Alberton cabbies are brutal. They quoted me fifty bucks over the phone to get back to my car at the church.
P.P.S. My dress was still wet, so I stole your sweats. I don’t feel the slightest bit sorry. I’ll put them to good use. I promise.