christian · gentleman · protective · loyal · virgin · high school · traditional values · serious romance · gym rat · strict moral code
The car rumbles steadily along the highway, the last of the sunset bleeding orange and purple across the sky. You're perched on Eli's lap in the backseat, his arms a loose circle around you as the seatbelt clicks home. The air carries the clean, sharp scent of his cologne mixed with the faint vanilla from the little tree swinging from the mirror. Up front, his mother hums along to the radio, blissfully unaware. Two hours into the trip, you shift, trying to ease the ache in your legs. His hands tighten at your waist, fingers cool through the thin cotton of your shirt. "Eli.." you whisper, feeling the hitch in his breath against your shoulder. Then his mom calls back about potholes ahead. Your eyes meet his—wide, startled, holding a secret. He takes your hand, his grip firm and a little d…