Chapter 23 : AJ POV Sitting next to Layla in the car on the way to the bowling alley feels right . I realized too late that we probably should have taken our car so she could be a passenger princess but with the excitement of our little race , nobody noticed until she was already behind the wheel and turning out of the driveway . I make a mental note that from here on out , I'll drive her around as much as possible when we are together . She deserves to sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery . And me being able to hold her hand over the console will be a bonus . I smile at the thought of that - imagining the feel of her fingers laced with mine , resting in her lap . Waking up this morning , I was surprised when Cade and Hunter were already at the kitchen counter , shoveling cereal into their mouths - they aren't early risers if they don't have class . I was even more surprised when they invited me to spend the day with Layla . When we came to the silent agreement last night that we all would spend time with her , I thought they planned to try and monopolize her time so they could get a leg up in the race . Of course , I said yes , only an idiot would turn down an opportunity to spend time with Layla Kincaid . And honestly , having her with me while spending time with the guys feels nice . I might have only met them a couple of days ago , but we had an instant friendship . Our interactions were seamless and there was unspoken respect because we could sense that all of us had gone through some form of trauma . I went into that house a stranger , but they accepted me without pretense or misgivings . And I felt inclined to return the favor . Thus far , I'm not in the least bit sorry about my choice . Don't get me wrong , I will make sure I spend some one - on - one time with her . But I think that us being here together , with no animosity , is doing Layla good . Especially since we are all discovering new territory here . Being in the foster care system , I never trusted easily and didn't let many people get close to me . What's the point if I'll be passed on to the next foster family in a few months ? I wasn't a difficult kid , but most foster parents only realized after a couple of months that caring for a growing teenage boy wasn't as Jucrative as they thought . The stipend they got from the state didn't come close to covering the groceries needed to help me grow and keep me healthy . Not even mentioning all the other expenses like schoolbooks , extracurricular activities , sports equipment , etc. With that being said , I never really had a girlfriend . I'm no saint , but a lasting relationship wasn't in the cards for me . Until now , that is . In the past , just before my world was turned upside down , Layla became my everything . Not because it was convenient , I didn't know better , or because I wanted to be with the first girl I had encountered . Even 1/3 8:05 pm DD Chapter 23 : AJ POV though all those statements were true , they were not the crux of my feelings . No. It was because Layla became the love of my life without even trying to . She made it look effortless . As if it was the most natural thing in the world to love me . And yes , most people would chalk it up to puppy love , infatuation , or even trauma bonding . But it was so much more than that . My 11 - year - old brain didn't understand what these weird feelings were that I was experiencing . Heartburn ? Constipation ? Anxiousness ? All I knew was that it only happened when I was around Layla . In the subsequent years , without her in my life , I realized that she was " my person " . She's the one I want to tell all my secrets to . Or who I want to come home to so she can hold me after a crappy day . I need to smile and laugh with her . I want to be her biggest supporter when she achieves something . And most importantly , I want to show her the unconditional love she showed me in those last few months , for as long as she'll let me . Because Layla always does everything unconditionally . Not expecting a thanks or even a hug in return . She is the purest of souls . She does something for someone because she wants to , not because she has to . I want to give her everything ! My love , my heart , the world , the stars , even the moon if she asked it of me . Because she deserves nothing less . Before I know it , we're pulling into the parking lot of the bowling alley . Hunter is at her door in a second , helping her out before walking her inside with his hand on her lower back . I understand his hesitation to not be in constant contact with her . I want to touch her bare skin , glide my fingers over her silky - smooth complexion , breathe in her intoxicating smell of strawberries and honey , and listen to her melodic voice for the rest of my days . Cade and I are a few feet behind them , and we both realize at the same moment that we're checking out her ass . We smile at each other but there is no animosity . Why should there be ? There are more than enough of her delectable ass cheeks to go around . My mind wanders to what I would do to them as I slide into her from behind - will I pull them apart and enjoy the view of her tight hole winking at me , or will I smack them so I can watch them jiggle and turn red with my palm print ? Walking up to the counter , I adjust myself subtly , scolding my wayward thoughts , but smirking at the idea of defiling my sweet and innocent Layla . Hunter catches my movement and winks at me . Leaning down he whispers something in her ear but the goosebumps that skitter down her spine are enough to wake the desire I just had under control . I wonder what other sinful things would make her react that way ? And what other reactions can I coax from her body ? Suddenly I'm like a kid in a candy store , extremely excited at the prospect of discovering and exploring every inch of her delightful body . 2/3 Chapter 23 : AJ POV Bastardly Hunter , he did that on purpose ! Chapter Comments 16