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back of the cave. When we rounded the corner, I discovered lit candles of all shapes and sizes everywhere, illuminating the mineral-rich walls and making the air warm and balmy.
    “When? … How?” My words came stumbling out of my mouth.
    Quinn smiled. “I guess you could say I’ve had some time on my hands to prepare for your arrival.”
    “It’s amazing,” I said in awe. In the center of the large, cavernous room was Quinn’s bed from his apartment in Bloomington. “How did you get that up here?”
    “Dylan. He suggested I bring it up here … for when you came back.” Quinn smirked.
    “That was rather optimistic of him.”
    “He didn’t seem to think so.” Quinn shrugged. “Dylan told me things were happening pretty quickly up there.”
    “He did, huh? And just how did he know that?” If Dylan had some inside information, he never told me.
    “He didn’t say, and I knew better than to ask.”
    I nodded once to let him know I understood and then explored the rock-enclosed haven, running my fingers along the traces of quartz and other minerals embedded in the cavern walls, which sparkled in the candlelight. There were a few well-read paperbacks, some magazines, and a couple of folded-up maps stacked next to the bed along with a spelunking headlamp. Quinn’s trusty old duffel bag, which was crammed with balled-up clothes, was on the ground nearby.
    “So, this is where you’ve been coming while I’ve been away?”
    “Sometimes.” He shrugged again. “I like to come up here whenever I want to get away for a couple of days. Dylan’s taken me to a few other places, too.”
    “Yeah, I bet.” My mind instantly pictured the Manhattan penthouse. Ugh.
    “Some new places,” Quinn quickly added, realizing where my thoughts had wandered, “which I will tell you all about later .” He led me to the side of the bed and then cupped my face with both of his hands and stared into my eyes. Even though I’d kissed him a thousand times before, even though I’d just kissed him moments ago, the nervous, exhilarating anticipation of a first kiss welled up inside me.
    “I missed you,” Quinn said softly.
    “I missed you, too.” I wanted to tell him that his eyes were unwittingly revealing the depth of his feelings for me, but I wanted him so badly I couldn’t find the words.
    “I never doubted you would come back to me,” he whispered, caressing my hair. “Not for a second.”
    “All I wanted was to be with you.” Before I could utter another word, he kissed me. I closed my eyes and reveled in the tingling sensation that swept through me, drinking in every moment. I opened my eyes and looked back into his. “I love you.”
    “And I love you.” Quinn kissed my cheek, my jaw, making his way down to the nape of my neck.
    My soul radiated with joy and pleasure just being in his arms. My mind buzzed happily, knowing he never gave up on us. And my body was being consumed by my need for him as his lips grazed my skin. I could no longer contain what I was feeling—of what I so desperately wantedto feel. I wanted to feel his skin against mine, his hands on my body, his mouth on mine. I couldn’t deny myself for another second. I pulled my t-shirt up over my head and dropped it, knowing it would disappear before ever reaching the ground. I pressed my bare chest up against his and kissed him even more urgently. I could feel his heart beating through his chest, I could feel its rhythm inside my own, but we still weren’t close enough. It was like my body yearned for his touch, craved it. I needed more of him— all of him.
    I worked feverishly to remove Quinn’s shorts while his fingers raced to remove my jeans. As soon as I felt his entire body against mine, I wanted to surrender to him right then and there. I showered him with all of the kisses I’d wanted to give him while we were separated. I kissed his lips, his neck, his ears, and his chest as I reacquainted my hands with every inch of his body. He