Much to my fear and disappointment, Tim and Billy brought Guy's money to him. Tim told me he wanted to beat the shit out of him for what he did to me, but he knew it wouldn't have ended well. I was just happy to see Tim come up my driveway later that night.

I spent the rest of the school year working on my mental health, keeping my grades up, and being there for Tim. He was actually doing a better job at being there for me, but I still tried. I just wanted to be myself again, which got easier as the days went by. It also helped that Tim didn't treat me like I would break at every turn and he kept me from pushing myself too far. People didn't give him enough credit...

Before I knew it, summer was coming to an end and I felt better, happier. I was more like myself again with an added need to cling to Tim. I was more touchy-feeling than before and he noticed. I don't think he minded.

I walked into Tim and Billy's house one day in August. It was one of the few times he actually was over there instead of my house. Since my family had a really great pool, he and I spent several afternoons in the water there. It was great not having to share with the rest of Dillon.

Tim was sitting on the couch watching TV with a beer bottle in his hand and another one at his feet. He wore one of his Dillon shirts he cut the sleeves off of and some ripped up blue jeans. I sighed at the sight. He was so handsome.

He smiled like I was the first sun he'd seen after a month of rain. "Hey, Barton."

I leaned over to kiss him, one hand on the side of his face. "Still doin' nothin' for the rest of summer break?"

"It's something if you're here."

I sat on his lap and put my head on his shoulder. His arms surrounded me after he tucked his beer between my thighs. I laughed as he pulled me into a proper kiss.

"Wanna go somewhere?" he asked against my lips.

"Mmm." I didn't pull away from him. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to come over for a swim, but I like this better."

"We can still go once we're done here." He kissed me again while sitting up straighter.

His beer spilled all over me. I groaned and stood up, setting the bottle on the counter. There was a big wet spot on my pants and some beer on my shirt. Tim got up to get me a wet rag.

"I'm gonna smell like beer all day," I sighed, rubbing the wet spots with the rag. "Can I just wear somethin' of yours?"

"I don't know." Tim put his hands on my waist. "You might look too hot for me to keep my hands to myself."

I blushed. "I'd rather that than smellin' like stale beer."

"Wear anything you want. You know where my room is." Tim pressed his lips to mine and let me go.

I came back out in a pair of his shorts, the waist tied as tight as it could go, and I wore one of his Panthers football t-shirts that swallowed me. I had the front tucked into the shorts so it didn't look quite like a dress.

Tim's whole face lit up. "Damn, Barton. I'm gonna start a petition against your old wardrobe."

"Oh, shut up, Riggins." I smiled and climbed back onto his lap.

"Where were we again?" He leaned forward to kiss me again, but I put my fingers to his lips.

I checked around for anymore opened bottles. "I just gotta make sure I'm not gonna get soaked by another drink."

Tim eagerly took my mouth, holding me close. I framed his face with my hands and tilted my head to one side to bring the kiss to a deeper level. His tongue passed through my lips, making me sigh.

With our lips still together, I straddled his lap. It made me taller, so Tim had to reach up to my mouth. I loved feeling like I held all the power in our kisses.

Tim gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him. I inhaled sharply when he grabbed my butt. He froze. His hands lifted away from my body.

I laughed and reassured him with a few short kisses. "It's okay, Tim. I'm fine. I trust you." Another kiss. "I was just surprised." My hands tangled in his hair. "I-I liked it."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "I'll tell you if I'm uncomfortable. I'm not afraid to say somethin' to ya." My lips neared his. "You... You can do it again."

"Okay." He connected our lips quickly.

Tim's hand came back to my body, resting at my waist. I bit my lip, staring at Tim while he cautiously followed the curve of my butt. I released my breath when he tested the waters with a gentle squeeze. I laughed when his other hand got involved.

"You're like a kid who just got a new toy," I said, kissing his cheek.

"I've spent a lot of time wonderin' how your cute ass would feel."

I chuckled. "What a romantic thing to say, Riggins."

"You like it." A smirk and his hands moved up to play with my hair.

"Yeah, I do." I took his mouth again. "I like it a lot. I might even love it."

"I didn't know my girl was into dirty talk."

"I wouldn't say that." I brushed his hair from his face. "I like to hear you talk. I'd say I'm into your voice."

"I don't think I've had a girl tell me that before."

"Yeah, because they only wanted one thing from you." My eyes glanced down. "I actually like you for you."

"How did this go from a sexy make-out session to you showerin' me with compliments." Tim's face was relaxed and happy.

"We can go back to the makin' out if you want."

Tim brushed his lips against mine. "Wanna kiss me somewhere else?"

"Maybe. Where ya thinkin'?"

"There's a room over there that's real cozy with a door we can shut."

I knew what he was suggesting. My stomach flipped at the thought although I wasn't nervous. The thought of being with Tim in that way made me blush.

I kissed him. "How about we go to my house, play around in the pool, and see where the rest of the day takes us?"

He smiled and lovingly brushed my hair behind my ears. "We can still make out there, yeah?"

"Absolutely."

"And you're gonna stay in my clothes for a while?"

"Until I get in the pool."

Tim stood up, keeping me firm against him as he carried me out to his truck. "What are we waitin' for?"

It was hard to just play around in the pool when both of us had our minds on something very different. Wearing our swimsuits didn't help the matter. We spent more time kissing each other than enjoying the pool.

Tim made me lie back on the stairs in the pool and hovered over me. His lips touched the sensitive flesh of my throat. My fingers trailed along his stomach and chest, making him nibble on my skin. If he kept that up, I'd melt into the water.

"M-Maybe we should get out of the water." I was surprised I could make a sentence when his lips meandered down along my collarbone.

"Got another place in mind?" He kissed my lips and then my shoulder. Goosebumps rose on my skin when the strap of my top slid down my arm.

I tilted my head back to look around the area. "I'm leanin' toward somewhere inside." His thumb followed along the bottom of my top. "Somewhere more comfortable."

"Tell me where and I'll get us there." Tim paused his kisses to look down at me.

My fingers combed through his wet hair. "My room?"

His eyes filled with excitement. "Really? You sure?"

I nodded, pulling my lower lip between my teeth. "Yes, I'm sure. I really can't think of anything else right now."

Tim gathered me up into his arms and started up to my room. He nearly slipped on the hardwood floor, but he saved himself, laughing and pressing a kiss to my head.

I laughed when he dropped me on my bed before closing the door. I wrapped my arms around his neck when he crawled on top of me, pulling him into a heated kiss. I forced him closer when he settled between my legs. Tim shifted up and I fought back a moan when he rubbed against me. I felt him smile against my lips at the small sound I couldn't keep in.

"You're absolutely sure?" Tim spoke against my lips grinding against me again.

"As long I don't find myself pregnant a month from now, I'm sure, Tim," I said breathlessly, my back arching slightly.

"Yes, ma'am."

In a bold move, I ran the tip of my tongue along his jaw. Tim's eyes were wide when I met his stare. He knew I never slept with anyone before, so that threw him for a loop.

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry?"

"Don't be." Tim took my lips once again with a grin.

I stared at Tim lying next to me. His eyes scanned over my face, a smile growing the longer he stared. I gave him a chaste kiss and snuggled closer to him. One of his arms rested over my waist to bring me even closer.

"I love you," he whispered, kissing my forehead.

"Not just because I slept with you?"

"Nah."

I closed my eyes, feeling sleep tug at my conscious. "Good, 'cause I love you, too."

Tim sighed. "Thanks."

Laughter bubbled out of my throat and I woke up a little. "Did you just thank me for havin' sex with you?"

"No." I raised an eyebrow. "I'm not, I swear." Tim touched my face. "Unless you want me to thank you."

I laughed again. "You're welcome, Riggins. I'd gladly do it all over again."

"All right."

I squealed as Tim kissed my neck playfully, rolling me onto my back.