When Forever Changes Read online

  I lucked out the day I met Dylan Woods.

  There is absolutely no denying that.

  It’s no wonder so many girls are lusting after my guy, but most don’t know him, and all they see are dollar signs in their eyes. If girls knew the truth about how amazing he is, there would be stampedes to my door.

  That’s not to say he’s perfect. Because he isn’t. No one is. He can be moody, cranky, and obsessive when he’s working on some new tech project. He has the worst taste in clothing, stays up way too late playing video games, and we’d live in a pigsty if I didn’t clean up his mess, but his strengths far outweigh his shortcomings.

  Case in point.

  He pecks me on the lips before lifting the fork and placing it in my hand. “Eat, babe. I’m gonna grab a quick shower, and then I’ll be back.” He winks, and I can’t help swatting his butt as he saunters away. He shoots me a sexy look over his shoulder before disappearing into our en suite bath. The water turns on as I’m shoveling forkfuls of fluffy scrambled egg into my mouth. The bacon is crispy and well-done. The coffee strong and black. Just how I like it.

  I’ve only just finished eating when he strolls back into the bedroom, wearing a skimpy towel around his hips. Beads of water slide down his chest, trickling into the promised land below. His hair is damp and slicked back, highlighting the exquisite bone structure of his face. Placing the tray on the bedside table, I kneel up, beckoning him with my fingers. “Come here, stud. I want to show you my appreciation.”

  He crawls over the bed toward me, grinning. “What did you have in mind?” He props up on his side, facing me.

  “Let me show you.” I flash him a cheeky wink as I tug at the towel, freeing his impressively hard cock. Wrapping my hand around the base of his dick, I start stroking him slowly. His eyes darken as he watches me, and warmth pools low in my belly.

  “I need to touch you.” He taps on my legs, and I readjust my position, placing my head at his cock and my feet against the headrest of the bed. He parts my folds with both hands and leans in, swiping his hot tongue up and down my slit. I moan loudly before bringing my face in line with his cock, taking him deep into my mouth.

  We pleasure one another, and he comes first, spilling his salty load down the back of my throat. Then he lies down flat on his back, pulling me on top of him so my thighs are straddling his face. Keeping a tight grip on my hips, he devours my pussy with his tongue, alternating between dipping inside me and swirling his wicked tongue around my clit.

  His fingers move from my hips to my ass, exploring and probing. When his thumb presses into my puckered hole, I gasp, writhing on top of him like a woman possessed. He’s never touched me there before although we have discussed it in the recent past. He pushes his thumb in farther while his tongue works overtime on my clit. I detonate on his face as a powerful orgasm rocks through me, and he stays with me, through wave after wave, until I roll off him, collapsing face-first onto the bed.

  He curls into my side, pressing delicate kisses all over my naked back. “How was that for you, baby?”

  I can scarcely lift my head up, and he chuckles, running his fingers up and down my spine, brushing the cheeks of my ass.

  “So good,” I mumble into the pillow. “I’m still seeing stars.”

  He chuckles again, focusing his attention on my ass as he fondles me. “I want to take you here,” he whispers, running his fingers through the crack of my ass. “I’m so hard thinking about it.”

  I flip around to face him, eyeing him carefully. There isn’t much I would deny him, but I’m not sure about that. He already knows this. I cup his face. “You know I’m not ready for that yet.”

  He lies down beside me, tweaking my nose. “I would never force you, Gabby, but I could tell you liked that.”

  My pussy and ass tighten at his words. “I did but having your cock in there is a whole other ballgame, pun intended.”

  He grins. “How about some gentle exploration? We can take our time, and if you still don’t want to go there, then that’s completely fine.”

  And that’s something else I love about Dylan. He’s always willing to find some middle ground. Open to compromise. “I can live with that.”

  “Awesome.” He kisses me sweetly. “I’m heading to the library to meet Chase and a couple of the others to work on our robotics project, but I thought we could grab a movie later, if you like?”

  I snuggle into him, pressing my cheek to his chest. “I’d love that.” We hug for a few minutes before Dylan slides out of the bed to get dressed.

  I watch him, inwardly chuckling at the garish red-and-green-patterned shirt he pulls on over a yellow T-shirt. It’s like he got dressed in the dark, or he’s colorblind, which I know he isn’t. I’ve long since given up trying to influence his style, and it’s part of what makes him so unique. And such a dork. But he’s my dork, and I wouldn’t change him for the world.

  Shoving his feet into his battered Chucks, he threads his fingers through his hair, grabs his keys and wallet, and dips down to kiss me.

  Oh, to be ready in thirty seconds flat. Boys have no idea how easy they have it.

  “See you later, beautiful. Have a good day. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” I say, mid-yawn, stretching languorously in the bed. Deciding to take a quick nap before I head out to meet Myndi for lunch, I close my eyes and thank God again for bringing Dylan into my life.

  The following afternoon, we set out early for the ninety-minute drive back home. I want to get to my house before everyone arrives so I can help Mom with the food prep. We drive with the truck windows half down, and a balmy breeze blows strands of hair all over my face.

  Dylan fiddles with the radio, finally settling on a station playing back-to-back songs from the last decade, and we shoot the breeze as we listen.

  My eyes automatically lock on his when our song starts playing. Reaching over the console, he takes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. My heart swells with an outpouring of emotion as I let my mind wander back in time.

  The front door slams, and I jump up, racing down the stairs, desperate to hear the news. Dad grins at me, hanging up his jacket and placing his briefcase on the hall table. “Where’s Dylan?” I ask in a breathless voice.

  “I dropped him home on the way. He’s expecting you, and, given the circumstances, I think we can let you stay out past your normal curfew.”

  I squeal. “So, it went well?”

  “Better than well,” Dad says as Mom ventures into the hall, hearing his words.

  “You struck a deal?” she says, smiling.

  “Yep.” Dad looks pleased as punch. “We ended up fielding several offers from all the top tech firms.” Mom snuggles under Dad’s arm, and he presses a kiss to the top of her head. “Dylan chose to sell to Microsoft because he believed that was a better fit even though their offer wasn’t the top one.”

  Pride laces Dad’s tone, and it makes me unbelievably happy. Dad has been like a surrogate dad to Dylan since he came into my life, and my family has welcomed my bestie with open arms, in the same way they welcomed Slater Evans into the fold. When Dylan asked Dad to act as his attorney on this deal, he didn’t hesitate to accept.

  Dad reaches out, cupping my face. “That boy is whip smart, and he has a good heart. You chose well, baby girl, and your mother and I want you to know that we approve.”

  “Wow, steady on, Dad. We’re just friends.” Although I really wish it was more, but Dylan doesn’t look at me like that. I think I’ve always been in love with him, but it wasn’t till I turned thirteen, got my period, grew boobs, and experienced a surge of hormones that I started really looking at my bestie with different eyes.

  “If you say so,” he teases, and he and Mom share a knowing look.

  I roll my eyes. “So, what time can I stay out until?”

  “Ten thirty, and not a minute later, you
ng lady,” Mom replies.

  I have my hand on the door handle when Daddy calls out. “Be careful riding your bike, and stick to the sidewalk.”

  I roll my eyes again. “Dad, it’s only four blocks away, and I know how to stay safe.”

  “No harm in reminding you, Buttercup.” He grabs me into a hug. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to my little girl.”

  I wonder what he’d think if he knew his little girl is having regular dirty dreams about her best friend and waking up in a pool of sweat, aching and throbbing down below.

  Throwing my bike down on the grass, I bound up the steps to Dylan’s quaint two-bedroom house. I yank the door open and call out as I step foot inside. Heather, Dylan’s mom, pops her head through the kitchen door. “He’s in the living room, sweetie.”

  “Thanks, Heather.”

  “I’ve just ordered pizza and ice cream. Hope you’re hungry.”

  “Ravenous,” I lie. I’m stuffed to the gills after dinner, but I’ll happily force down some pizza and ice cream in celebration of Dylan’s big achievement.

  I open the door to the living room, and Dylan is standing with his back to me, facing the fireplace.

  MTV is on, and the haunting melody of Rihanna’s “Stay” sends shivers up my spine. It’s currently my absolute favorite song in the whole wide world, having knocked Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” off the top spot, and that’s no mean feat.

  Softly, I close the door and walk toward him. “Dad told me the good news.” I come up to his side. “I’m so proud of you.” I tug on his arm, and he looks down on me. Dylan has shot up to over six feet these past few months, and I feel like a midget beside him with my five feet six inches.

  He doesn’t speak. He just stares at me strangely, and butterflies scatter in my chest when his gaze drops to my lips. Something indecipherable electrifies the tiny gap between us, and my mouth is suddenly dry. He reaches up, winding his fingers through my hair and arching my head back. His darkened eyes probe mine, and my heart is careening around my chest like a Formula One car. I gulp nervously as he leans in, and then his mouth is on mine and he’s kissing me like I’m the air he needs to breathe.

  I can hardly believe it.

  I’ve dreamed of this moment for years.

  In all my imaginations, it never felt as amazing as this. His lips glide across mine like they were meant to fit perfectly with my mouth. When his tongue prods at the seam of my lips, I open willingly for him, moaning when his tongue meets mine and his arms clasp firmly around my back. He holds me flush to his body as he kisses me relentlessly, and I wonder how we’re both still able to breathe.

  We only break apart when the doorbell rings, announcing the pizza has arrived.

  We stare at one another. His cheeks are flushed, his eyes alive and bright, his lips swollen from my kisses.

  “I love you, Dimples,” he says, holding my gaze confidently. “I love you so very much, and I know I could never live without you.”

  “You love me?” I whisper, and I know I’m rocking the whole “deer in the headlights” look. “Like really love me?”

  He chuckles, brushing his thumb against my lower lip. “What other way is there to love someone?” he teases.

  “There are lots of different ways to experience love, Dylan.” I purse my lips and send him a chastising look. “You know what I’m asking, but I’ll spell it out. Do you love me just as a friend or as something more?”

  “Do friends kiss other friends like that?” He winks.

  “I don’t really know. You’re the only true friend I have.”

  He wraps his arms around me as Heather hollers for us to come to the kitchen. “I’ve been in love with you from the minute I first laid eyes on you, Dimples.” My heart feels like it’s going to erupt from my chest. “I love you like I will never love any other girl. There has only ever been you for me. I would literally lie down and die for you, beautiful.”

  I glare at him, slapping his chest, and he stares incredulously at me. I’m guessing that’s not the reaction he was hoping for when he declared undying love. “Why the hell didn’t you say something sooner?!” I demand, thinking of all the years of frustration I’ve endured believing my love was unrequited.

  His expression turns serious. “Because I wanted to have something concrete to offer you. And I wanted to make sure the timing was right for both of us. Today’s deal has secured our future, and it means I can make all our dreams come true.” He swipes his nose against mine, and his breath is warm on my cheek. “I love you, Gabrielle Eloise James. I loved you yesterday. I love you right now. I’ll love you tomorrow and every single day after until the day I die.”

  Tears pool in my eyes. “I love you too, Dylan. So very much. And I’ve wanted to tell you for ages, but I was afraid of ruining our friendship.”

  He brushes his lips softly against mine. “That could never happen. We are one and the same, Gabby, and nothing or no one will ever come between us.”

  “You really mean that?”

  He nods. “I believe in us one hundred percent. It’s you and me, babe. We’re meant to be together.”

  I smile over my tears, and my heart is throwing the party of all parties in my chest. I feel like pinching myself to ensure this moment is real.

  He gently cups my face, as the last lines of Rihanna’s song play in the background. He brushes his lips against mine again. “So, what do you say, Dimples? Will you stay forever mine?”

  Chapter Four

  “I still remember that day as clearly as if it was yesterday,” Dylan says, dragging me back to the present. Every time that song plays, we are both transported back to that day. “I can still feel our first kiss.” He touches his lips, and the look of adoration on his face as he too reminisces melts me into a puddle of goo. Stretching across the console, I kiss him softly, my heart consumed with love for this boy.

  “Me too, babe, and my lips tingle every time I think of it.” My heart is fit to burst. “You made me the happiest girl alive that day.”

  “Ditto, beautiful. I still can’t believe I got this lucky. You’re more than any guy could ever hope for.”

  Tears glisten in my eyes, and I squeeze his hand. I’m too choked up to respond, but he gets it, and we don’t talk as we listen to the rest of the words. They get me, right in the feels, like every other time I’ve heard this song. With a dreamy smile on my face, I stare at Dylan while he drives, and I can tell he’s equally as moved as me.

  “You still want it for our first dance?” he asks, when the song ends.

  “Without a shadow of doubt.”

  From that moment on, we’ve had everything mapped out. Once we crossed that point, and admitted our feelings, we’ve enjoyed planning our lives together. We’re getting engaged as soon as we graduate, and we’ve already decided we only want a short engagement. I’m definitely one of those girls who has her wedding day all organized, down to the song we’ll dance our first dance to and the type of cake we’re going to have—red velvet with cream cheese frosting, if you’d like to know.

  I don’t care that it’s not considered cool to get married young anymore.

  When you’ve found your soul mate, there’s no reason to wait.

  We love each other, and there will never be anyone else for either of us.

  There has never been any truth more assured.

  And I’ve blossomed these last four years with the knowledge that Dylan loves me as completely and irrevocably as I love him.

  His love has given me the confidence to surge forward in my life, and I’m blessed that I’ve never had to face any difficulties or deal with any obstacles. I know I’m very fortunate. That I have amazing parents, brothers I love, a career I’m looking forward to pursuing, and the love of my life by my side. We’re especially fortunate that we have the funds to make our dreams come true. The Microsoft payout secured o
ur future, and Dylan’s exceptional genius means it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

  I don’t think life gets much better than this. And I never take it for granted, offering up thanks regularly to God for giving me this amazing life.

  Little did I realize how everything would soon shatter, tearing my world apart.

  “Let me look at you,” Mom says as we enter the kitchen, holding me at arm’s length as she casts her eyes over me. “You look thinner.” She narrows her eyes to slits.

  “I haven’t lost weight since you saw me last week.” I roll my eyes. “And you say this every time I come home.” My fast metabolism combined with my love of running and yoga and good genes means I maintain a slim figure even if I eat like a horse most of the time. I’m sure one of these days it’ll catch up with me, and I’ll wake up the size of an elephant, but, for now, I’m happy to continue in denial.

  “Is she eating enough?” Mom asks Dylan, ignoring me.

  “She eats more than I do, Lucy. Stop worrying. I’m taking care of our girl.” He gives her a quick hug as Dad opens the back door.

  “Well, if it isn’t love’s young dream.” His booming voice echoes around the large kitchen. “Hey, Buttercup.” He reaches for me, enveloping me in his strong arms. “How’s my little girl?”

  “I’m good, Daddy. Crazy busy with coursework already, but it’s all good.”

  “Wow,” Mom says, finally noticing the new adornment around my neck. “That is a beautiful necklace.”

  I sling my arm around Dylan’s waist, and he pulls me in close to his side, kissing the top of my head. “Dylan got it for me for our anniversary,” I confirm.

  Dad squeezes Dylan’s shoulder. “Make sure you add that to your homeowner’s insurance policy, son.” Always so practical, just like my beau.

  “Already taken care of, Paul.”

  “Good man.” Dad beams at him like a proud father.

  The front door slams with a loud bang and footsteps approach. Ryan steps into the room with a customary smirk on his face. He’s wearing low-hanging jeans, a faded Linkin Park shirt, and Old Skool Vans. His blond hair is a little on the long side at the moment, falling over his forehead, and his blue eyes twinkle with mischief. It’s no wonder the girls on campus drop their panties for him without hesitation. “Don’t all rush me at once,” he quips, holding out his arms.