I spent the next day at school watching the clock. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again. I’d decided that I was going to throw caution to the wind and do whatever it took to be with Finn. I accepted the fact that I had to lie and sneak out. There was no way my dad was going to allow us to be alone together, and after the whole leaving the movies incident, I was put on restriction until I graduated practically.

I made sure Amanda brought me a set of clothes to school, and once I heard my parents snoring down the hallway, I shut my door, locked it, and changed. I giggled to myself as I looked down at my bare knees. I’d never worn a skirt that landed above the knee, but there was a first time for everything. The truth was I kind of liked it.

A few old welts remained, but nothing that was so noticeable that I couldn’t feel comfortable showing my legs. I hadn’t thought about it much, but it had been a while since dad pulled off his belt for me. Not since the incidence where he actually broke skin. I wasn’t complaining. Maybe seeing me bleed is what it took to make him stop.

The shirt that Amanda sent over for me could never really be called a shirt since it barely covered anything. Instead of wearing it, I threw it in the back of my closet and pulled out one of my sweaters. Doing one last check in the mirror, I decided to leave my hair down and put on a little lip gloss that I’d also borrowed from Amanda. By the time I heard Finn knock softly on my window, I was ready to go and full of excitement.

We held hands in his car as he drove us toward the coast. He didn’t think I noticed, but he kept peeking down at my legs, checking me out. I liked it. It made me feel attractive. I gasped when he slid his warm palm over my knee and rested it there.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

The truth was I didn’t care where we were going as long as we were together.

“To our spot.” He grinned over at me and shifted the gears when we hit the interstate.

He looked so good driving his car. It wasn’t in the best shape, but it purred loudly and vibrated beneath us, letting us know it was powerful. It fit him well since he was such a powerful guy. I felt safe with Finn, like nothing or no one could ever hurt me when I was with him.

When he turned onto the familiar wooded street, I smiled to myself. I remembered the first time I’d gone down that road and the beach that it led to. That night had been so perfect and it was romantic of him to bring me back there.

Once we parked and got out, we walked down the beach holding hands and stopping for tiny kisses along the way. I had no idea what time it was. I only knew the water was beautiful beneath the moonlight and Finn couldn’t keep his hands and lips off of me.

“So I think I got a job,” he said as he kicked at a seashell.

He leaned over and picked it up for inspection.

“That’s great. Doing what?” I asked.

He shrugged like it was no big deal when we both knew it was.

“Kevin’s dad owns a construction business. I’m supposed to go up there on Monday and talk to him, but Kevin said he’s positive his dad will hire me. It’s not big money, but it’s money.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued to walk.

“I think that’s great.” I slipped my hand through his elbow and pressed my cheek against his arm.

He smiled sweetly down at me before kissing me on the forehead.

“So how’s Sister Francis and everyone doing?” he asked.

I was shocked that he cared enough about my church family to ask about them.

When he finally took me back to his car, it was two in the morning. He opened the car door for me, but before I got in, I turned and kissed him.

For someone who once thought kissing was gross, I sure couldn’t get enough of it. He didn’t seem to mind as he kissed me back. His fingers mingled in my hair and I heard myself moan loudly. He pulled back and stared down at me—his heavy breaths landing against my lips and cheeks.

“What happened to sweet, innocent Faith?” he asked with a grin that showed his dimples.

“She had a taste of Finn.”

A tiny growl sounded against my mouth when he pressed his lips to mine. His kisses felt different—harder and desperate. I didn’t push him away. I was enjoying it too much.

I gasped in his mouth when I felt his fingers against my stomach. He worked his hand up and rested it on my ribs just below my bra. I was embarrassed that he could feel my hard breathing against his hand, but when he moved it down and gripped my bottom, pulling me closer, I no longer cared.

I moaned when his palm wrapped around my upper thigh. His lips left mine and worked their way down the side of my neck. I leaned my head to the side and gave him working room, and then without realizing I was doing it, I grabbed on to his shirt and pulled him closer.