Finding You

Chapter Seven

Sarah

I shake the memory from my head and the scar starts to throb on my foot. I lean down to splash some water on my face before I step out of it and sit on a rock at the edge of the waterfall, taking my foot in hand and trace the scar.

It’s just another reminder of Daniel.

“What is it?” D.J. asks.

I shake my head slowly, “You reminded me of something.”

“Is that good or bad?”

He looks as if he’s holding his breath while waiting for my answer.

I shrug my shoulders, “I’m not sure.”

I close my eyes.

“I’ve been trying to let go of something for a long time now but I seem to have a hard time doing that.”

I put my shoes on, “So, what happened today?”

He stays silent.

I know that he understands what I’m asking so I wait until he speaks.

“I was protecting you. Just like I said I would” he finally answers.

“D.J., one thing I hate is being kept in the dark about things. So please, tell me.”

His face is a mask. One that I can’t read so I walk to him and put my hand on his cheek.

“Please,” I say softly.

His jaw gets hard.

“Mike was telling some guys on the team that..” he hesitates.

“That what?” I ask.

“That he was gonna get in your pants no matter what it took.”

He turns and hits a tree in his anger.

I stare at his back trying to show no emotion, “And what did you guys do when I left?”

“Threatened him. I told him that he would be put in the hospital if he even looked at what’s mine.”

As he turns around his eyes meet mine.

“I told you I will protect you, no matter what it takes. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

There is determination on his face with another emotion that I’ve never seen towards me before.

How could it be there? I don’t even know him but it makes my heart race.

I surprise both of us as I push up on my toes, fusing our lips together. He holds still as if waiting for me to realize what I’m doing and pull away, but I don’t.

Deepening the kiss, he puts a hand on the back of my head and the other at my waist. His tongue glides into my mouth, dancing with mine. He brings his hand from my waist and sets it on my cheek, sliding it to my neck.

My neck ignites.

My whole body feels as if it’s floating on air. It wants more but he starts to slow down.

His lips break from mine as our foreheads come together, trying to catch our breath.

“We should head back.”

I startle.

That’s not exactly what I wanted to hear. Did he not feel any of that?

D.J. looks at me and laughs to himself, “Quit overthinking.”

I give him a weak smile.

“I figured we better stop before I push you up against a tree and do something that I know we both aren’t ready for yet.”

I suck in a breath at his admission and instantly wonder what it would be like.

I can see the bulge in his pants as he tries to hide it.

“Sorry but you can’t expect a guy to not be turned on when you kiss him like that.”

I laugh as he reaches for my hand and we start to head back down the trail.

We end up getting takeout on the way home and eating it on the floor next to my bed. I haven’t laughed this much in a long time.

My phone pings with a text.

Jake: seeing where u r at. Party at the house.

Sarah: at the dorm. Too tired for a party but will let D.J. know.

Jake: *Thumbs up emoji*

“Jake says they’re celebrating at the house if you want to go.”

D.J. looks at me, “Do you want to go?”

“Not really, I’m pretty tired. But don’t let me stop you from going.”

I let out a yawn as he sighs.

“What is it?” I ask.

“That’s one of the reasons I don’t like living in the house.”

“Why?” I ask confused.

“All I want to do is shower and relax but if the team is partying, I know I won’t be able to do that.”

“I didn’t even think about you being tired from the game,” I say sheepishly.

“I’m sure Rebecca will be with Jake all night so you’re more than welcome to hang out here.”

He’s silent so I continue, “I have a pair of Jake’s shorts and a t-shirt if you want.”

He looks at me wearily, “Are you sure?”

I start to question myself. I turn my head away from him, “You don’t have to. It was just an offer.”

A few moments of awkward silence pass before I hear a strangled, “Alright.”

I catch a glimpse of him in my vanity, our eyes locking onto each other.

After a few heartbeats, I look away and grab Jake’s clothes out of my drawer and practically throwing them at him as soon as I find them. He looks at me amused before he heads to the bathroom.

He shuts the door and I grip the edge of my dresser. Closing my eyes while trying to steady my heartbeat. It’s hard to steady though, knowing he will be here with me for a while has me nervous.

Before I can start to question everything, I feel hands on my arms. It startles me because I never heard the door open.

Didn’t he just go in there?

But my heart is immediately calm. I don’t know how he does it.

“You okay, Sarah?”

I can feel his breath teasing my ear giving me goosebumps. I hear his sharp inhale when he realizes the affect he has on me.

“I am now.”

I turn my head slightly so I can see him out of the corner of my eye. He moves the collar of my t-shirt over and lightly kisses my shoulder. My skin is warm from his lips as he slowly backs away from me. I’m not sure what is supposed to happen next so I grab some clothes out of my dresser and head for the bathroom.

The cool water from the shower feels good on my skin after being in the heat all day. But I don’t want to waste time so I wash and get dressed in record time.

I walk out of the bathroom to find D.J. laying on my bed. Thinking he’s asleep, I stand there and watch him.

He looks so peaceful.

“I can get off your bed if you want but my body is dead so you’re probably gonna have to roll me off.”

His eyes are still closed but a smile plays on his lips. He looks too tempting on my bed. When I don’t respond he opens one eye.

“Sorry, I was just too comfortable. I will lay on the floor.”

He starts to get up as I hurriedly yell, “No.”

He looks startled.

Great going Sarah.

“I mean, it’s ok. You can stay there.”

I clamp my mouth shut so I don’t say something stupid.

I can feel him watching me as I grab an extra blanket and my bean bag chair, trying to get comfortable.

He startles me by getting out of the bed, picking me up off the floor and throwing me on the bed. He trips as he throws me and lands on top of me in the process.

We both end up busting out laughing.

“What was that for?”

He looks confused then nods his head as he realizes what I mean.

“Sarah, I’m not letting you sleep on the floor. I was raised better than that.”

I release my breath as he carefully gets up and settles on my bean bag.

Snuggling under my covers, I try to forget about who is on my floor.

A few minutes go by and I’m wide awake feeling guilty that he’s on the floor. I imagine his arms holding me as we fall asleep together and that’s exactly what I want.

I finally work up the courage to speak and I’m hoping he’s still awake.

“I don’t want you sleeping down there.”

I hear him let out a breath. “I will just go back to the house.”

My heart sinks as he starts to stand up.

“Oh, well, if that’s what you want.”

I could hear the disappointment in my voice so I know he can too.

He comes over and kisses my head.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable with me being here.”

That’s when it clicks.

He thinks I don’t want him here at all, but I need to let him know that it’s the exact opposite.

“I’m not uncomfortable. I’ll admit, it’s a bit awkward but I’ve never had a guy sleep in my room before that wasn’t my brother. I umm, don’t have a lot of experience with boys.”

He’s silent.

The longer it takes for him to respond, the redder I can feel my face get. He c***s his head to the side, “What do you want, Sarah?”

My god, he’s beautiful.

It takes me a few seconds to gather myself.

“I’m trying to tell you that it’s ok if, No. I’m trying to tell you that I want you to sleep with me in the bed.” I stammer through it, but I finally get it out.

I have no idea what he’s thinking or if he understood what I said.

“Are you sure?”

I look at him, “Yes, that’s what I want.”

He hesitates but he climbs onto the bed with me.

“Just sleep. I meant it when I said I don’t have a lot of experience. This would be a first for me.”

He wraps his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him, “Is this okay?”

“Mmm hmm.”

He puts his mouth by my ear, “We will go as slow as you want. I’m honored that you would give me this first.”

I smile even though I know he can’t see it.

This boy already has my heart and he doesn’t even know it.

I’m woken up by something poking me in the back.

I reach my hand around to move it but when I touch it, I freeze and he gasps.

I’m such an i***t.

I ease my hand to my side as he turns to lay on his back.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just need a minute.”

He gets up carefully and walks a bit awkwardly to the bathroom.

The shower turns on and I shove my face into my pillow.

How embarrassing.

Ten minutes later, I hear the shower turn off. D.J. walks out of the bathroom in shorts with his hair still damp and I can’t stop my eyes from roaming over his defined torso.

I hear him groan as I lick my lips.

My eyes lift to his.

His eyes mirror exactly what I’m feeling.

Desire.

I stand up off the bed, slowly walking towards him.

He stands still as stone.

I can hear my heart pounding as I put a hand on either side of his face, looking at his lips.

He instantly licks them.

My eyes dart to his to make sure that this is ok. I see hunger and it makes me want more.

If I wait too much longer, I know that I won’t do it.

So I take a deep breath and go in for the kiss. I feel him holding back so I give him more, trying to get the passion that I felt on the hike.

He pulls away slightly and I whimper when he does.

“I told you that I would take this as slow as you want but when you do that, I’m not sure how slow I’m going to be able to go,” he gets out breathlessly.

I nod, “Thank you for that.”

I hope he understands how much that really means to me.

I pause trying to figure out how to tell him what I want. It’s a little awkward that he’s making me spell it out for him but I’m grateful that he’s letting me have a voice.

“I’m not ready to go all the way but I don’t want this to stop either.”

My hand rests on his bare chest. His eyes close as I slide it up to the back of his neck.

“As you wish.”

We both breathe heavy as our lips meet again. This time, it’s like we can’t get enough. His hands start on my back inching their way to my waist. Our lips stay fused together as he backs me up against the wall, pressing his body into mine.

I groan as his fingertips graze my skin under the hem of my t-shirt as he takes his lips from mine, moving them to my collarbone.

My chest is heaving, I can’t catch my breath.

I want to feel his lips everywhere.

He puts his mouth over the already hard pebble under my shirt, lapping it up.

“Oh my,” I pant.

I’ve never felt anything like this before.

I want more.

As if he can read my mind, he inches his hand down the waistband of my shorts. I hold my breath, waiting to see what he’s going to do next.

“Breathe Sarah. If it’s too much then I will stop but I need you to breathe, pretty girl.”

He brings his free hand under my chin, tipping it up so we are eye to eye.

I can tell he wants this and damn it, I want this too. Something about him makes me feel comfortable and safe.

Nodding my head slightly, I tell him that it’s okay.

His eyes stay locked on mine as he lowers his hand farther into my shorts and starts to rub. It wasn’t even skin to skin contact and it felt so good.

“Sarah, can I touch you?” he whispers breathlessly in my ear.

I know what he’s asking, he already has me on edge so I can only imagine what it would feel like. I moan just thinking about it.

As soon as I give him a nod, he’s moving my panties out of the way. We both moan at the slightest touch.

“Damn, you’re soaked.”

His fingers start working faster as my body jerks.

“Let go for me.”

What is he talking about?

He takes me higher and higher. My body feels like it’s gonna explode.

He yanks my shirt up in one swift move and starts suckling on my n****e. It’s only a few seconds before I feel a release.

I hear a low groan, I’m hoping it wasn’t me but I honestly don’t care because right now, I’m seeing stars.

It takes me a minute to come to. I’m pretty sure that I’m still upright, though I’m not sure how because my body feels like jello.

I peek out of one eye at a time to see D.J. pressed against me holding me up.

“Oh good,” he says when my eyes open. “You weren’t moving, I thought I might have to call a squad,” he jokes.

“Hmm.. death by o****m. Probably the best way to go,” I say sleepily.

He chuckles.

“Yeah well, I think watching you come undone is my new favorite thing.”

I should be embarrassed by his comment but I feel too good to care.

I yawn.

He laughs silently, “Nap time then?”

He picks me up, carries me to the bed and lays me down.

He climbs in behind me as I turn to face him. I lay my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around me.

Seeing contentment on his face, I snuggle closer and am asleep within minutes.

***

When I wake up, I’m disappointed that I am alone. I’m hoping that it wasn’t all a dream. That’s when I spy a note on my dresser.

“Didn’t want to wake you. I have some things to do today. Will get ahold of you later. -D

P.S. I’ve never slept so good in my life.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I got ready for the day.

Unplugging my phone from the charger, I notice that I have a text from Rebecca that she sent last night.

Ooops.

I call her and see where she’s at. She picks up on the third ring.

“Well good afternoon Sunshine.” She sounds oddly chipper.

“Hey Bec, I was just checking on you. You know, since you didn’t come home last night.”

She snorts, “Yeah well, from what I saw, I believe that my room was a bit occupied last night.”

My eyes go wide as I try to play it off.

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t have a sleepover last night. I know girl. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Rubbing my hand over my face, “what exactly did you see? And please keep your voice down if Jake is anywhere near you.”

Jake’s not stupid, he will know that we spent the night together since he didn’t come home. But I would rather him to not hear it from me.

Who knows how he will react.

‘I’m just kidding Sarah. I didn’t see anything other than you two looking mighty comfy in the bed. it was kind of disappointing to see that you both were still clothed,” she pauses, “Jake already knows you were together last night and it wasn’t because of me.”

I figured as much but if it wasn’t her then… “How does he know?”

D.J.

I didn’t want to leave Sarah this morning, but I knew that if I didn’t then I wouldn’t get anything done today.

Just the memory of her warm body against mine made me want to drop everything and go back. Also, I know that I would have to face Jake sooner or later and I just wanted to get it over with.

I park my car and head into the house. As soon as I’m in the door, I’m greeted by the sight of Jake and Rebecca on the couch talking to Chase, Brad and a couple of other people.

“Hey man,” Brad nods at me, “you missed a good party last night.”

I nod back, “I had other plans.”

I try to wipe the smile off my face but it’s permanent. Not wanting anyone to ask any more questions, I keep walking to my room.

I almost make it when I hear Brad, “Dude you finally got laid, didn’t you?”

I stop in my tracks and turn toward the group.

“Oh, you did.” I heard someone say.

“Well, who’s the lucky girl?” Brad asks.

My eyes slide to Jake.

Dumb move.

Brad must have seen my turmoil because his eyes go wide with humor and points at Jake, “You did his sister?”

Jake looks at Brad confused but once he sees Brad pointing at him, it clicks.

He turns to Rebecca, “Is that why you came back last night?”

Her eyes go wide, giving me an apologetic look, “Maybe.”

He looks livid.

Before I even realize that he’s standing, he tackles me to the ground, knocking the air out of me. He doesn’t hit me yet, we wrestle until he’s got me pinned.

“You stole her virtue. And now I’m going to put you in an early grave, best friend or not,” his voice was menacing.

“I didn’t...” I managed to choke out.

I hear Rebecca and a few other voices telling Jake to stop but he’s not listening.

I manage to get a breath, “We didn’t... I wouldn’t do that man.”

He lets up a little, “Are you sure? You didn’t do anything with my sister last night?”

“No. All we did was sleep together. Actually, sleep.”

Technically it was true, nothing happened until early morning.

He studies my face as if he’s trying to decide if I’m lying or not. After what seems like forever, he finally gets off me. Sticking a hand out to help me up.

“Sorry man, but if you ever do anything without her consent or hurt her, your face is my punching bag.”

I wouldn’t and he knows it, but I nod anyway.

“I know.”

Slapping me on the back, he grabs Rebecca’s hand and pulls her with him to the couch.

I notice that we have more of an audience than what we started with. They must have come running when they thought there was going to be a fight. I ignore all the stares as I go to my room and hop in the shower as I let the memory of Sarah wash over me.

As I’m getting dressed, my phone beeps.

My heart drops to my stomach when I see Sarah’s name. Did Jake get to her already?

Sarah: heard you had a run in w/Jake

D.J.: he didn’t want details and I wasn’t giving any. No biggie.

D.J.: he’s not giving you an earful, is he?

I wait anxiously for her reply, I don’t want him to scare her away from me.

Sarah: no, haven’t talked to him. Bec filled me in.

Sarah: we don’t have to do this, ya know.

Oh s**t.

D.J.: Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? You have no idea how much I want this and I’m think you do too.

I wait a few minutes but she doesn’t respond. I hope she’s not having second thoughts.

D.J.: I think we owe it to ourselves to give it a fair shot. Please don’t give up yet.

Sarah: I won’t

Those two words make me breathe easier.