Apple Picking

In the days before the break, Logan was much less cold towards Lily. Still cold yes, but he’d actually exchange a hello in the hall. Despite Lily’s best flirty smile or ‘fuck me’ eyes, Logan would still respond with tight lips and a quick redirection of his eyes. Lily knew that his demeanor went against everything that his body was telling him. She remembered his hands reaching for her in that office, the lust in his eyes. She knew all he needed was a little push.

Lily pulls her clothes off, understanding she needs to turn up the volume.

Lily watched the typing bubbles appear then disappear, appearing again for a substantial amount of time only to disappear again. Repeat. And again.

Megan had asked her the night before why she was so intent on swaying Logan back, assuming there may be some feelings there. Lily explained it wasn’t so much feelings as it was connection. Cody was fun and the situation was naughty and exciting as hell, but it left something to be desired. She had come to know Logan, and him her, there was a bond there that made the sex even better on that fateful night. Not a romantic bond, but definitely something more than platonic. She didn’t need the connection to enjoy the sex, but it certainly elevates it to a level that can’t be dismissed.

She knew it wasn’t about romance, or love, or anything of that sort because through everything, Jake was the only one she ever thought of in that light. Her excitement had been building for the last week or so in anticipation for reuniting with him, and today was finally the day.

The orchard stretched before them, a sea of apple trees heavy with fruit, their branches sagging under the weight of deep reds and golden yellows. The air was crisp, carrying the sweet, earthy scent of ripe apples and the faintest hint of woodsmoke from a nearby bonfire. Lily’s duck boots crunched over the fallen leaves as she reached up, her fingers brushing against the rough skin of an apple before plucking it from the branch. She turned to Jake, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she held the fruit between them.

“Think this one’s sweet enough for you?” she asked, her voice laced with innuendo.

Jake grinned, stepping closer until their bodies were nearly touching. “Only one way to find out,” he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek. He took the apple from her hand, his fingers lingering against hers, and brought it to his lips. The crunch was loud in the quiet orchard as he took a bite, his gaze never leaving hers. “Mmm. Perfect,” he said, his voice low. “But not half as sweet as you.”

Lily laughed at the cheesy joke, the sound light and unguarded, as she swatted his arm playfully. “Smooth, Jake. Real smooth.” But her smile betrayed her amusement, and the way her body leaned into his told him she loved every second of it.

They moved deeper into the orchard, their baskets swinging gently at their sides. The sun filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground with golden light, and Lily tilted her face up to catch the warmth. Jake watched her, his heart swelling with something so fierce it almost hurt. She was radiant—more so now than ever. There was a confidence in her stride, a spark in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. She carried herself like a woman who knew her worth, who revelled in the desire of others but never lost sight of her own power. And God, was she beautiful. Not just in the way that made his breath catch when she walked into a room, but in the way that made his chest tighten with pride. She was his, even as she explored, even as she teased and tempted. And that, more than anything, was intoxicating.

“What are you starring at,” Lily said, catching his gaze playfully as she reached for another apple. She didn’t sound annoyed, just amused, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

Jake shrugged, unapologetic. “Can you blame me?” He plucked an apple from a nearby branch and handed it to her. “You look like you belong in a painting. All rosy cheeks and wild hair, like some kind of autumn goddess.”

Lily rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her pleasure. She took the apple and bit into it, the juice running down her chin. Jake’s thumb was there in an instant, wiping it away, his touch lingering just a second too long. “You’re ridiculous,” she said, but her voice was soft, her eyes warm.

“And yet, here you are, still with me,” he teased.

“Here I am,” she agreed, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Still with you.”

Her words seemed to awaken a realization in her. Something about the gravity of their love. A stranger may see their relationship and think of Lily as wayward, but there was nothing wayward about her actions. It was almost a testament of their appreciation for one another, the strength of their love, their trust. Trust.

“You can go to the fundraising gala with Cassie.” The words spilled out of Lily without warning or thought.

“What? Really?” Jake was obviously confused given her reaction when it was first brought up and how out of place it felt at the moment.

Jake had placed more trust in Lily than most people could ever fathom, with the things he let her do. Of course she trusted him too. If he says this all isn’t some scheme to sleep with other women, why shouldn’t she believe him.

“Yeah,” she whispers slightly embarrassed by her own actions “I’m sorry for what I said before.”

Jake didn’t respond with words, he just gave her an understanding smile and wrapped her in a tight hug. Sometimes in a relationship, you just need to give the other some grace.

“Remember when we came here sophomore year?” she asked, her voice nostalgic. “You spent the whole time trying to convince me to sneak into the hayride with you.”

Jake chuckled. “And you spent the whole time pretending you didn’t want to.”

“Because I didn’t,” she lied, her eyes twinkling.

“Liar,” he said, bumping her shoulder with his. “You were just as curious as I was.”

Lily laughed, the sound bright and unguarded. “Maybe. But I was also terrified of getting caught.”

“And now?” Jake asked, his voice light but his eyes serious. “Still terrified?”

Lily considered the question, her fingers tracing the curve of the apple. “Not so much,” she admitted. “I mean, I still have my limits. But I’ve learned that fear isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it’s just… excitement in disguise.”

Jake’s chest swelled with pride. This was the Lily he loved. The one who had embraced her desires, who had found her voice, her confidence. She was still his. Lily, the one who laughed at his jokes and rolled her eyes at his antics, but she was also so much more. And the fact that she had chosen to share this journey with him, to trust him with her heart even as she explored her body, was a gift he didn’t take for granted.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Lily looked up at him, her eyes soft. “I know,” she said, but there was no arrogance in her voice, only gratitude. “And it’s because of you. Because you’ve always made me feel like I could be.”

Jake’s heart clenched. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms, and she came willingly, her body fitting against his like a missing piece. He pressed his lips to her forehead, breathing her in. “You’ve always been incredible, Lily. I just got lucky enough to be the one who got to see it first.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes shining. “And I got lucky enough to be the one who gets to keep you.”

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world around them fading into the background. The orchard, the apples, the other pickers, none of it mattered. There was only this: the two of them, together, as they had always been.

Lily sighed, her breath warm against his chest. “We should probably get back. My basket’s almost full, and I’m starting to get cold.”

Jake nodded, but he didn’t let her go just yet. “One more apple,” he said, his voice a whisper. “For the road.”

Lily laughed, but she didn’t argue. She turned back to the tree, reaching for the highest apple she could find. Jake watched as she stretched, her body arching gracefully, and felt that familiar pull of desire. But it wasn’t just lust, it was a profound appreciation, deep and abiding. It was the knowledge that, no matter where this journey took them, they would always find their way back to each other.

As they walked back toward the orchard’s entrance, Lily’s hand found his, their fingers intertwining. “So,” she said, her voice casual but her eyes serious. “Logan still doesn’t believe me.”

Jake’s grip tightened slightly, but his voice remained light. “He will.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “You sound awfully sure.”

Jake smiled, a slow, knowing curl of his lips. “Because I am.” There was a plan forming in his mind, something that might just tip the scales in their favor. But for now, he kept it to himself. Some surprises were best served fresh.