Page 35 of Forgotten Prejudice

“You’re so hot,” I groaned, looking up from his spent cock to his hooded eyes, still unable to believe what we had just done.

Using his other hand, Soren grabbed my neck and clashed our mouths together, taking my breath away with a kiss so passionate my toes curled.

“Not nearly as much as you, little Sparrow.”

That damn nickname again. Just like the first time he called me that, my skin erupted with fucking goose bumps.

Soren let go of me, then looked between us. “Let’s shower.”

Somehow, after crying from guilt and fear of being dumped, I found myself exhausted in his warm embrace after he made me come like never before. It was the most peaceful moment I had ever known, one I’d cherish forever.

Ash

“Ash, make sure you put the clean laundry back in your closet before you go,” Mom said, snapping my attention away from the chocolate pudding I had my eyes on.

Popping my head out from behind the open fridge door, I looked at her.

“Will do,” I said, then kicked the door closed after deciding to give up on the pudding. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, actually, there is.” Mom stood at the entrance to the kitchen, her shoulder leaning against the doorway. “How about introducing me to your boyfriend?”

Soren and I had been dating for several months now, and ever since I’d foolishly mentioned to Mom I was seeing someone, she’d been nagging me nonstop about wanting to meet him.

“It’s too early for that,” I said while taking the laundry basket away from her, ready to sneak back to my room and avoid the topic.

“Too early? You’ve been spending more time with him than with me lately. We’re way past the too-early stage.” She leaned her arm over her waist while giving me a raised eyebrow. She was half-joking, but I knew she was dying to meet Soren.

“I’m not spending all my time with him. It’s just that senior year is keeping me busy.” That’s a lie. Ever since Soren had found out about my age and agreed to give me a second chance, we had been inseparable. It started with spending the whole summer vacation together, and now that I was halfway through my senior year, I spent every free hour with him. I did my homework at his place and canceled plans just to see him. Even when he was busy with work, as he was done with law school and had started his internship at a big law firm, I’d stay at his condo and watch him work. I was absolutely desperate to be around him, to the point it made me feel obsessed.

“You’re sleeping there half the week.” Mom gave me a knowing look.

“So?” My cheeks had already taken on a deeper shade of pink.

“At least tell me you’re being careful?”

Grabbing the basket handle a bit tighter, I cleared my throat. “Mom.”

“What? I just want to make sure you’re having safe sex. There’s nothing to be ashamed about getting it on, baby. If you want, I can give Soren a call and ask him myself—”

“No need.” I quickly cut into her ongoing monologue. “I’m safe. We’re safe. You’ll meet Soren when I’m ready.”

If I put aside the awkwardness of this conversation, she really had no reason to be worried about us having sex because even though we did plenty of things, Soren and I still hadn’t gone all the way. And despite wanting more, I didn’t complain because other than penetration, we did pretty much everything else. From teaching me how to give a blowjob that didn’t involve scraping him with my teeth to training me to take four of his fingers in my hole, Soren made sure I was ready. My impatience for losing my virginity was replaced with gratitude because taking it step by step lowered the pressure. A few weeks ago, we almost did it, but it hurt too much, so Soren stopped, promised me we’d get there, and cuddled me through the night.

He was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Snapping out of my Soren-daydreaming, I offered Mom a kind smile and quickly went up to my room and began putting back my clothes. While hanging some of my T-shirts in the closet, a flash of bright lilac caught my eye, and I fumbled with the hangers until pulling out my hoodie. As I ran my fingers along the cotton, I paused when I reached the sleeve. Despite washing it several times, the blood didn’t come off, and now the sleeve had a few brownish stains, a cruel reminder of what had occurred almost nine months ago.

So much had changed since then. Since the day I turned eighteen and lost my best friend.

A few weeks after telling me about their wedding, Zoe and Kai got married. Despite promising her I’d come, I didn’t. From what I heard, it went bad, really bad, with Kai getting shit-faced at the reception and ruining the party. After that, his folks realized he had a problem, and Kai spent his summer vacation in rehab. I tried visiting him there, but he refused to meet me the three times I came. Understanding the message, I decided to wait until we were both back at school, only to find that he’d dropped out.

My heart ached for him and for the friendship we used to have, but with Soren’s help, I came to realize that whatever Kai was doing to himself wasn’t my fault. Everything he did was his decision, so I shouldn’t feel guilty or obligated to a friendship Kai himself had ended.

Now, halfway through my senior year, I had big plans for my future. Not only was I doing great with surfing, and even won a few competitions lately, but I’d also checked some college options.

My plans were to go pro after graduation, and Mom supported me, claiming I should chase my dreams. School wasn’t always easy for me, and sitting in class was hard, so I was thankful for her support. Yet, Soren thought I should apply to some colleges just in case a career in surfing would not go as planned, and he had a point. Besides, becoming a professional surfer meant traveling the world, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to be away from Soren. Especially after he’d said he didn’t believe long-distance relationships could work.

Putting my hoodie back inside the closet, I took out the sweatshirt and slacks Soren had bought me the last time we were out. After putting them on, I checked myself in the mirror. Until Soren, I’d dressed terribly, but thanks to him, I now looked elegant. Satisfied with my clothes, I left the room and grabbed the keys to my truck. We had a date tonight, and knowing how punctual Soren was, I always made sure not to be late.