h o n e y  k i s s e s
COVEY'S POV:

Sometimes I look at Conrad and wonder how in the world he's real. Like, I can reach my hand out and physically touch him, and he's real, but it doesn't always add up. His perfect jawline, high cheekbones, dazzling smile, stormy glare. I mean, how in the flipping dino chicken nuggets is he human?

And sometimes I look at Conrad and I'm mystified with how mature he is for his age. Some say guys mature later in life, but when he's teaching in front of the classroom he stands for his own. And then I wonder how he wants me of all girls in the world — me, Covey Jensen, one of the most childish human beings to ever walk the planet.

And sometimes, sometimes I look at Conrad and I smile to myself because he's just a boy. The way he has had to grow up so fast in such a small amount of time shows the slightest, but only to me. I see the wheels spinning in his head constantly, even when he's sure of a decision, and sometimes his gray eyes look lost in a sea of unknowns. Like right now.

As I gaze up at him, I see his eyes adrift in that lurky grayness he possesses. My head on his chest and left leg hooked over his waist, I feel the way his lungs fill with air and deflate in defeat. His attention is on the ceiling and there's a pout on his lips, that plump cupid's bow of his the only thing smiling. Now, right now, he looks lost. Right now, he's just a boy.

"You know," I start out, running my hand along the bareness of his torso, "I knew you had to have lost it someone else before me. I'm not dumb. I don't care about who or what or how that happened, I just need to know if you still care. That's what this is about."

He sighs. "Covey, we said we'd drop the subject for now."

"I know, I know." I roll over so I'm fully on top of him. Resting my head an inch from his, I look down into his eyes. "But why is it so hard to just work it out... with me?"

He contemplates his answer for a minute, all before saying, "Because as a guy, firsts are special."

I glare at him. "Sexist much? Firsts are special for girls too."

Waving me off, he explains further, "I meant like as a guy it's like we're supposed to be these big shots who are never vulnerable, but something as — I don't know... precious — as your virginity is different. Girls are used to being sentimental, guys aren't. Most of them at least. I just, I hate her for what she did after I gave that to her, and I hate myself for becoming a fucking manwhore after that."

He finally looks back at me.

"It didn't hit me until now, until I realized what my actions did for myself. How they'd hurt me in the long run. I've realized I really didn't want to be intimate with anyone after meeting you, and—shit, Covey—I hate the fact that I've seen more naked women than I've seen years in my life."

Conrad runs his index finger over my eyebrow. "I wanted you to be my first. God, I want that so much."

I smile, nodding. Okay, I can drop the subject now.

"I love you," I whisper, leaning down half an inch to wait for him so he can say it back.

And he does. "I love you too, amore."

I press my lips to his and kiss him softly, my hands barely brushing his cheek. It's a slow, moving, touching, butterfly erupting, firework, kind of kiss. One that, if I was standing, would make my knees weak.

Conrad's arms circle around my waist and I run my fingertips through the sideburns of his hair, caressing his jaw in my hands with more urgency as he picks up the pace. His tongue delves into my mouth and tangles with my own.

Honey kisses. That's what these are. Sweet, pure, savory, divine.

Our noses brushing each other's, I smile against his mouth and pull Conrad's lower lip between my teeth as we part. 

"Mhmm," he hums, giving me that lopsided grin I oh-so live for. "That was a good reminder."

"Oh, reminder? Of what?" I touch my fingertips to my lips.

He grabs ahold of my waist and flips us around so he's on top and crushing me. Very romantic. "Of what it's like actually having someone. Someone you can know and trust."

"Yep, and you're suffocating me." I try to push against his chest and he moves a little so that his face is in my neck.

"That's pretty kinky, love." And then he grinds into me as if innocent as a dove. "Don't give me ideas."

"I wasn't trying to," I mumble, rolling my eyes to myself. "At least I know you're back to your usual ways now. Glad you're better, Coco Puff. I missed you for a minute."

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbles, peppering my neck with kisses. "What do you wanna do? We can go to the gym?"

I sigh. "Just because you're a gym rat doesn't mean I have to be one. I am so frickin' exhausted. Crying takes a lot out of you, you know. You'd understand if you showed your emotions more."

He chuckles but doesn't let go of me. "Okay, we can be a couch potato couple tonight. I think we owe it to ourselves to have dino chicken—"

"Nuggets!" I exclaim, wrapping my arms and legs around him like a koala would to a tree. Sue me.

"And ice cream?" he adds, nuzzling his face into my neck.

I hum, nodding. "And chocolate."

"Yes, and anything else your sweet little heart desires," he whispers, inhaling the scent of my hair. "Just because I love you."

"You're the best," I mumble, closing my eyes in satisfaction.

He laughs again. "Only when I'm on your good side."

******
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I know this chapter is really short, but the next one will be a lot longer. I guess I felt this one needed to be separate than the rest — anyways, it's pretty poetic, I think, and I got inspired for no apparent reason.

LOL, ON A SEPARATE NOTE: Who's ready for Stefan to show up next chapter?

Please vote, comment, and enjoy! LOVE YOUUUU <3