Chapter 22: Chapter 22

The rest of the week goes by quickly and before I know it, I’m walking across the stage to receive my diploma. It’s weird—I spent four years of my life fo9r a piece of paper. That’s not the only depressing part, though. The only thing I can think of as I walk is the fact that my family isn’t here. All my classmates are smiling from ear to ear, but I can’t; all I can think about is how much I wish my family was sitting in those seats, watching me walk across the stage.

So much work for this diploma and I can’t even be truly happy about it.

When I take my seat, I see Evans in the crowd. He’s standing, smiling and waving at me. I smile, feeling a little better. I barely saw Evans all week and I honestly didn’t think he’d show. I sit through the ceremony, wanting it to be over already; after a thousand more speeches, it finally ends. Everyone around me is clapping, throwing their caps in the air and I just feel relieved. I’m done with school—now I can work for the rest of my life, yay.

“You see who’s here?”Flora says as she approaches me.

“Congratulations to you, too!” I say sarcastically, already knowing what she’ll say.

She hugs me, laughing. “Sorry, but seriously-Evans Leonard came to your graduation.” She leans in closer. “I think he likes you.”

We’re standing in the middle of a crowd, people hugging and crying and laughing and celebrating and Flora decided it’s a good time to talk about feelings. Ugh, I just want to get out of here.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We’re friends—he’s here as a friend.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Must be friends with benefits then, because last time I checked, friends don’t make out with each other.”

My face heats. “I knew I was going to regret telling you about the kiss.”

“Ciara, come on. You’re going to deny he’s more than a friend?”

“Yes, because he’s not. I was drunk and didn’t know what I was doing. Can we stop talking about this?”

She looks behind me and suddenly smiles. “Okay, but only because he’s walking toward you right now,” she whispers, winking at me.

I turn and watch as Evans makes his way toward me, wearing a black suit with a perfect red tie. Does he ever not look good? Roses and balloons are clenched in his hands and he smiles when he reaches me. “Congratulations, Ciara” he says, handing me the roses.

“Wow. Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to hug him?” Flora asks, pushing me.

Evans chuckles. I shake my head—embarrassed—but hug him anyway. “Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” he says, amused. “And if you don’t have any plans, I’d like to take you out to eat.”

“She doesn’t have any plans,”Flora answers.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I joke. Then I notice Williams making his way towards us. He’ll be more logical, so I speak to him instead. Please take her away.”

“Causing trouble, babe?” he says, pecking her cheek.

Flora giggles. “I’m trying to be helpful. Aren’t you going to introduce my husband-to-be?” she teases, wiggling her eyebrows.

I’m going to kill her—she’s being such a pain in the ass. Then again, she wouldn’t be my best friend if she weren’t.

“Right. This is Williams,Flora’s fiancé.Williams, this is Evans A…friend.”

Flora rolls her eyes at the word friend, but for the sake of our friendship, I ignore her. Williams shakes Evans’s hand. “How are you doing, mate?”

Evans nods. “Good.”

“Our wedding is in October—you’re invited,” Flora says, smiling.

“Thank you…”Evans says.

“That’s enough. We’re going now,” I say walking away. Evans laughs and follows me. Once we’re out of the crowd, I speak to Evans again. “I’m sorry about her. She can be pushy.”

“It’s alright.” He smiles. “How long have you known her for?”

“Four years now—she’s like my sister.”

“I’m guessing you’re the maid of honor?”

“Just by name,” I say as we walk out of the building. “I don’t help her with the planning. I warned her, but she insisted.”

“Not into weddings?”

“It’s mostly that I didn’t have time to help her. I used to work and I’d be very busy.”

“Do you like weddings?” he asks again.

I shrug. “Sure, I like going to them. I’m not sure I want one, though—I don’t really like being the center of attention.” I take off my graduation gown before getting in the car, exposing my black pencil skirt and blue silk button-down blouse.

“Are you excited to be a graduate?”Evans asks as he drives. “You didn’t exactly seem happy on stage.”

“Was it that noticeable?” I grimace, looking out the window. “I miss my family is all.”

“They must be proud.”

“Yeah.” I say, feeling down again.

Evans takes me to some fancy restaurant, of course. He reserved a table in a private room, so it’s just us, which makes me a little nervous. Which is stupid because I think about having sex with him, yet I can’t handle being alone with him? Why am I even thinking about this?

The waiter serves us champagne and leaves after we order.

Evans grabs his cup and raises it. “To you.”

I smile. “Thank you.”

He takes a sip and I surprise both of us when I drink it all in one go. I meet his gaze, embarrassed. “I was thirsty.”

“It’s your graduation day—you can do anything you want today.” Was there a glint in his eye?

I smile, looking down at the table. Lunch runs smooth—we talk about things going on around the world, but nothing personal, and I’m glad. I have too much to drink, but like Evans said, it’s my graduation day. I can drink all I want.

When we get to the condo, we both hop out of the car and I’m surprised. I guess I expected him to leave for work or something.

“Evan?” I ask him after we walk inside. He stops, turning to look at me. I don’t know if I’m a special kind of stupid or if it’s the one too many drinks I had, but the question is out before I realize it. “Why did you kiss me?”

“You do remember,” he says, sounding pleased.

“Yes.”

“I don’t know,Ciara” he says after a moment. “It felt right at the time.”

“At the time?” I repeat. This is not going where I expected. But what did I expect…for him to confess his sudden love for me? I really am delusional, and I shouldn’t touch alcohol ever again—it makes me stupid.

He takes a step toward me. “You were drunk, you were being honest with me, and you looked very sexy in that black dress. I couldn’t resist.”

I stare at him without blinking. Shut up, Ciara shut up, shut up, shut up. “I want to have sex with you,” I blurt out.

“What?” Shock is evident on his face.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I do. I don’t want to go through the insemination process again and sex is the only other way. It’s faster and safer, and I want to do it,” I say, looking at him.

“No,” he says immediately.

My dignity cracks, splintering down the middle. Evans Leonard rejected me. World’s hottest bachelor. This is great. Rejection is the worst feeling ever.

“Why not?” I whisper, obviously hurt.

He clenches his jaw. “You’re a virgin,Ciara

“It’s not like I’m waiting for marriage—I might never even get married.”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Don’t you want a baby? This is the best way to do it. I want to do it—you helped me save my dad.”

“I didn’t pay you for your virginity. No, Ciara,You’d regret it the moment it happens.”

“No, I won’t. If I do, it’ll be my problem—not yours. This is my decision and I want to do it. I’m an adult,Evan. I’m capable of choosing what I want to do with my virginity.”

He shakes his head again. “No.”

“Am I really that bad?” God, I’m a complete idiot.

He runs a hand through his hair, sighing before he walks closer to me and places his hands on my shoulders. His touch makes goosebumps run all over my body. Ciara, you are not bad. At all.”

I take it as a compliment. “Then what?”

He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before running his fingers down my temple, across my jawline, to my chin. He pushes it up, forcing me to look at him. “What happens after? Will you hide from me? Stop talking to me because you’re embarrassed?”

“Probably,” I admit.

He chuckles softly. “You are beautiful,Ciara…God, do you know how hard it is to turn down your offer right now?”

“Then don’t.” I tell him. “I’m not a girl who treasures virginity—sex just never happened, but not because I was saving myself. You are not taking anything of value from me.” I place my palm against his strong chest. “I want to do this.”

His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer. He kisses me and it has to be the sexiest thing in the world. My arms loop around his neck and I’m walking until my back hits the wall. When we run out of breath, he kisses my jaw, then moves down to my neck. I tilt my head back, giving him easier access. He is so sexy, so caring at the same time. When he moves back to my lips, he’s breathing hard, but he pulls away just enough to look at me. His bright eyes are dark with desire.

“Are you sure about this?” he whispers. “One hundred percent?”

I smile. “Yes.”

He crashes his lips to mine, untucking my blouse, unbuttoning it fast like he was running out of time. Evans pushes it off my body, then unzips my skirt. Then I’m standing in front of him, wearing only my bra and panties—which are not matching—and I curse myself for it.

Evans undoes his tie and takes off his shirt, all while kissing me. He’s taken control and for once, I’m thankful for it because I wouldn’t know what to do otherwise. He unbuckles his belt and takes off his pants; I pull away enough to look at him.

God, he’s so damn sexy. Perfect broad shoulders, six pack, the toned V meeting his boxer briefs. Is he even real? I didn’t think men that looked like this existed. He is beyond expectations—beyond everything.

“Done ogling me, Miss Damien” he teases.

No, actually I’m not done, but he kisses me again before picking me up bridal style. Then we’re moving. Soon, the bed is underneath me and he’s on top of me, supporting himself above me so I don’t feel his weight at all. He peels off my bra and kisses my chest, taking his time, making me moan. I want to explode.

“You are so beautiful Ciara,” he whispers against my skin. “So damn beautiful.”

Is this what I’ve been missing all this time? But I doubt it’s like this with any other man. It’s Evans—it’s all him.

I let out a small cry when he pushes inside slowly, teasing me for a moment until our bodies are moving together, discovering each other…marking me.

Marking me as his.