“Nope. I was just older. I already did a lot of stuff eighteen-year-olds are allowed to do.”
“It doesn’t feel any different,” she said. “The view is breathtaking though.”
“The view always is.” He kissed her again. “I missed waking up beside you.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you and I wanted to see the sun rise.”
“I could have joined you.”
“You looked so peaceful, all asleep with nothing in the world to trouble you.” She turned in his arms. “I wasn’t excluding you. I just needed a short time to think.”
He stroked a curl out of the way. “I wish I could stop you from worrying.”
She chuckled. “What makes you think I was worrying?”
“I know you. I know you worry about everything and anything. I wish I could make it all stop for you.”
“You’re sweet.”
“I’m the best kind of guy.” He smiled. “I have a present for you back at the house.”
Her heart sped up at his words. She didn’t know what it was, just that it made her feel … alive when he talked like that.
She knew why he didn’t want to run away. The power his parents had. They scared him, not that he’d ever admit it.
“Can we just stay here a few more minutes?” she asked.
“It’s your birthday. We can stay here as long as you want.”
He didn’t let go of her, and she didn’t want him to. She wanted his arms wrapped around her so when they were apart, if they ever were because she still held hope, she would have these precious moments to remember.
Leaning back, she closed her eyes and just relaxed against his touch. Nothing could take this away from her. Not now.
“It’s your birthday and I have to wonder what you’d like to do on this magical day.”
She laughed. “Magical? How do you spend your birthdays?”
“I tend to get drunk. That’s how I do it.”
“Ah, drunk. Maybe we should do that?” she asked. “I’ve never been drunk before.”
“You haven’t?”
“Nope. Come on, my rebellious lover, show me how a real rebel parties.” She spun in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck.
“You want me to show you how to party?”
“Why not? It could be fun.”
“No, today you’re not getting drunk. You’re going to remember every single moment of your eighteenth.” He grabbed her ass and kissed her hard, taking her breath away.
She didn’t care about Sean forgetting a present.
Even though she had asked Drake if he’d gotten her anything, she didn’t actually expect anything from him. She didn’t need gifts to have a good day. Having him for her birthday was all she needed.
Last night, they had slept together in bed, and it had been … surreal. At first, she’d been a little uncomfortable as they had been together all night without any fears of their parents walking in. She didn’t realize how much of a strain it was trying to keep everything a secret. It was exhausting in more ways than she had ever realized.
Anyone who looked at them or watched them would see there was no hatred or animosity. She didn’t want to go back to what they were. More than anything, she loved who they had become.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she instead focused on the day. Looking to the future was too painful. They both wanted the same thing but had to go about it differently.