Lilly stood in front of the bathroom mirror. The pink streak in her otherwise brunette hair perfectly represented the person she wanted to be. It was bold and adventurous in her otherwise put-together life.

“Lil! Come on, you’re missing everything!” her roommate Sarah shouted, pounding on the door, competing with the thunderous bass that pumped through the downstairs party.

Lilly grinned, giving herself one last look in the mirror before discarding the box of dye and rejoining the party.

As Lilly descended the stairs, her eyes scanned the party. There were hundreds of people there, most of whom Lilly had never seen. Despite her normally outgoing personality, she suddenly felt self-conscious. Then she saw Jake sprawled on a worn leather couch. His fingers lazily strummed an acoustic guitar, barely audible through the hum of the party. A small group had gathered around him, hanging on his every note. Jake had always had that effect on people, even back in freshman year when they’d shared that English class.

Their eyes met across the room, and Jake’s face lit up with recognition. He set his guitar aside and stood up, weaving through the crowd towards her.

“Lilly! I didn’t know you’d be here,” Jake said, pulling her into a quick hug. The scent of his cologne mixed with the faint smell of beer on his breath.

“Hey, Jake,” Lilly replied, stepping back slightly. “I see you’re still the life of the party.”

Jake grinned, running a hand through his tousled hair. “You know me. Our band actually just got tagged to play one of the sets at next month’s garden festival. Some of our fans just happened to want a preview,” Jake said teasingly.

“I see, so just a bunch of groupies then?” Lilly shot back in mock disdain. Jake put his hand to his heart as if her words had just delivered a devastating blow.

“Hey, we’re about to start a game of Kings. Want in?”

Lilly glanced over at Sarah, who was waving frantically from the makeshift dance floor. “Thanks, but I promised Sarah I’d dance. Maybe later?”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Jake said with a wink before melting back into the crowd.

Lilly made her way to the makeshift dance floor where Sarah was waiting. As they moved to the music, her gaze drifted across the room, landing on a familiar figure. There was Ethan, standing awkwardly by the snack table, nursing a solo cup and looking as out of place as a penguin in a desert. She couldn’t help but love how much he was trying to come out of his shell, all for her.

They first met at a college party two years ago where Ethan reluctantly accompanied his roommate despite being shy. She’d been in her element then too, all smiles and energy, when she’d spotted him - a shy, reluctant tagalong to his more outgoing roommate. Something about his quiet presence had drawn her in, a calm eye in the storm of college shenanigans.

Now, watching him fidget with his cup, Lilly felt a familiar tug. For a moment, she hesitated, caught between the pulsing rhythm urging her to dance and the desire to go to Ethan, to pull him into her world of excitement and energy. The music called to her wild side, but Ethan’s presence reminded her of the comfort in quieter moments.

Lilly blew Ethan a quick kiss, earning a bashful grin in return. Then, with a silent promise to check on him soon, she pushed away the nagging feeling and turned back to Sarah, letting the music sweep her away.

Jake appeared suddenly, sliding an arm around Lilly’s waist. “Come on, just one dance,” he murmured in her ear, his breath hot and smelling faintly of whiskey.

Lilly gently but firmly removed his arm. “Not tonight, Jake. I’m here with Ethan, remember?”

Jake’s face fell slightly, but he nodded. “Right, of course ... Ethan.” He shot a disapproving look at Ethan, still standing awkwardly alone in the corner. Lilly saw the look and felt a sudden wave of embarrassment as Jake disappeared back into his crowd of groupies.

As the night wore on, Lilly found herself constantly checking back in on Ethan to make sure he was alright. She knew he wanted to leave, but she had hoped the longer they stayed, the more likely he would be to let his walls down and have fun. Around midnight, he approached her, looking exhausted.

“Hey,” he said, having to raise his voice over the music. “I’m really not feeling great. Would you mind if we headed out?”

Lilly glanced longingly at her friends, still in full party mode. The night felt young, full of possibilities. But the pleading look in Ethan’s eyes tugged at her heart.

“Of course,” she said, forcing a smile. “Let me just grab my jacket.”

As they left the party, Lilly couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. She loved Ethan, she really did. But sometimes she wondered if she was missing out on the full college experience. Her phone buzzed as they walked home - a text from Jake:

“Missed you on the dance floor tonight. But hey, I’ve got an extra backstage pass for the garden festival. If you want to see what the life of a rockstar is like ;)”

Lilly stared at the message, a mix of excitement and guilt swirling in her stomach. She glanced at Ethan, who was walking slightly ahead, oblivious to her internal struggle. The thought of being backstage at a real festival was thrilling, even if she knew Jake’s intentions weren’t entirely innocent. With a deep breath, she typed out a reply:

“Sounds fun! I’ll think about it and let you know.”

Lilly and Ethan walked hand in hand through the quiet campus streets, the sounds of the party fading behind them. Lilly found herself a step or two ahead, gently pulling Ethan along as they made their way to his apartment.

“So,” Lilly said, breaking the silence, “what should we do when we get back? Movie night?”

Ethan shrugged, his voice soft. “Whatever you’d like. I’m just glad to be away from all that noise.”

Lilly squeezed his hand, trying to infuse some enthusiasm into him. “Come on, there must be something you want to do. How about we bake those cookies you like?”

A small smile tugged at Ethan’s lips. “That could be nice.”

As they reached his apartment building, Lilly bounded up the steps, fishing out the spare key he’d given her months ago. Ethan followed at a more measured pace, hands in his pockets.

Inside, Lilly immediately set about gathering ingredients for the cookies, while Ethan settled onto the couch, looking relieved to be home.

“Aren’t you going to help?” Lilly asked, a teasing tone in her voice.

Ethan looked up, seeming startled. “Oh, right. Sorry.” He joined her in the kitchen, following her lead as she measured and mixed.

As they waited for the cookies to bake, Lilly leaned against the counter, studying Ethan’s profile. He seemed lost in thought.

“Hey,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “You okay?”

Ethan nodded, offering a small smile. “Yeah, just tired I guess.”

Lilly moved closer, sliding her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry if the party was too much,” she said softly. “I just wanted you to have fun.”

“I know,” Ethan said, his arms coming up to hold her loosely. “I’m trying, Lil. It’s just ... not really my scene.”

Lilly looked up at him, a mix of affection and frustration swirling in her chest. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. What started as a gentle kiss quickly intensified as Lilly leaned into him, her hands sliding up his chest and into his hair. She pressed her body against his, eager to deepen the connection.

Ethan responded for a moment, his arms tightening around her waist. However, as Lilly’s kisses grew more insistent, he pulled away with flushed cheeks.

“Lil,” he said softly, his breath a bit uneven. “The oven’s still on. We should wait until we’re in the bedroom to ... you know.”

Lilly let out a frustrated sigh, a pout forming on her lips. “Seriously?” she asked. “We’re alone, Ethan. Who cares about the oven?”

“I just ... I don’t want to rush,” Ethan explained, his eyes darting away from her gaze. “And it’s not safe to leave the oven unattended.”

Lilly stepped back, crossing her arms. She could feel annoyance bubbling up inside her, but she took a deep breath, trying to temper her reaction. “Fine,” she said, her tone a little sharper than she intended. “You’re right. Safety first, I guess.”

The oven timer beeped, punctuating the awkward moment. Ethan moved to retrieve the cookies, relief evident on his face at the distraction.

While helping Ethan arrange the cookies on a plate, Lilly’s mind wandered back to Jake’s text message. The promise of backstage passes and a glimpse into the “rockstar life” tugged at her imagination. She could almost picture herself there - the pulsing music, the electric atmosphere, Jake’s easy charm...

Lilly shook her head slightly, trying to dispel the thoughts. She glanced at Ethan, meticulously spacing out the cookies, oblivious to her internal struggle. The contrast between Jake’s bold invitation and Ethan’s careful movements felt exaggerated in her head.

“What does it mean?” she wondered, the question nagging at her. Was Jake just being friendly, or was there more behind his offer? And why didn’t she shut it down immediately?

Guilt crept in as she realized she was thinking about another man while standing next to her boyfriend. Lilly took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the present moment - the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked cookies, the quiet comfort of Ethan’s apartment.

As Ethan placed the last cookie on the plate, Lilly noticed him reaching to turn off the oven. A small smile played on her lips as she remembered his earlier caution.

With the oven safely off, Lilly decided to seize the moment. She stepped closer to Ethan, sliding her arms around his waist. “So,” she murmured, looking up at him. “The oven’s off now...”

Before Ethan could respond, Lilly pressed her lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss. She poured her conflicted emotions into it - her love for Ethan, her frustration with his reserve, and the lingering excitement from Jake’s message.

After a brief hesitation, Ethan surrendered to the kiss. His arms encircled Lilly’s waist, pulling her closer as the heat between them intensified. Lilly felt the tension melting away from her body.

Breaking the kiss, Lilly looked into Ethan’s eyes, her gaze intense and filled with desire. She reached for the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head in one swift motion. Ethan’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of her bare skin, and Lilly could see the hunger in his gaze.

“Lilly, we should go to the bedroom,” Ethan protested weakly. He hated the thought of their private areas touching the same surface as food. In response to Ethan’s request, Lilly dropped to her knees in front of him her fingers reaching for the button of his jeans.

Ethan opened his mouth to protest again, but as he felt Lilly’s soft fingers circle his erection the words caught in his throat. Instead, he let out a low moan, his head falling back as she began to stroke him through the fabric of his boxers.

Lilly’s own desire was building rapidly, and she could feel the wetness between her legs. She wanted Ethan more than she ever had before, and she was determined to take control and make this night unforgettable.

With a firm grip on Ethan’s hip, she pushed him backward gently, until he was leaning against the counter. Her fingers only then left his cock just long enough to slide down his boxers. His cock springing into view. She licked her lips instinctively as she slowly pumped his shaft. Lilly loved the feeling of control she had when giving head and her mouth practically watered as she watched Ethan’s inhibitions melt away.

Sitting back on her heels, Lilly moved her head forward, engulfing Ethan’s cock into her warm mouth. She took more than half of his member in her throat, causing a low moan to escape Ethan’s mouth as he closed his eyes all reservations and objections gone. Lilly moaned softly with him in her mouth. Then, releasing is from her mouth, she tilted her head and began to lick sideways along his length.

She mopped under the head with the top of her tongue while gently stroking his length with her hand. She ran her tongue slowly along the underside of his shaft until she reached his balls and then sucked those in, one at a time.

Ethan was a writhing mess as he felt his knees buckle more than once. He wasn’t sure what suddenly got into Lilly, but he wasn’t about to complain now. His hands rested on her hair. Not so much to guide her head, but to feel closer to her.

Lilly slowly worked her way back up his shaft and over his head. Her lips then began their downward journey, gliding lower on his shaft toward his trimmed pubic hair. Ethan was pretty average in the downstairs department, and she had no trouble taking all of him into her mouth.

“Oh God, that feels amazing, baby,” Ethan moaned his fingers tangling in her hair. Lilly used her free hand to wrap it around the one he had in her hair. She wanted him to be more forceful, to push her head down. But Ethan didn’t want to hurt her. Instead, he held her there for just a moment before allowing her to come up for air.

Lilly drove her face down several more times, smiling to herself as she felt the pulsing response. She knew Ethan wouldn’t last much longer if she continued. She normally wouldn’t find letting him finish in her mouth, but right now she needed him inside her.

Rising to her feet, Lilly pressed her lips against Ethan’s in a deep kiss, allowing him to taste himself. With swift movements, she undid her jeans and let them drop to the floor alongside her panties. After stepping out of the discarded clothing, she kicked it aside. Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on her, drinking in the sight of her nearly bare form.

Lilly reached behind her and unclasped her bra, her eyes never leaving Ethan’s. She stood before Ethan completely naked, her body on full display. She could feel her arousal building, her nipples hardening and her pulse quickening.

“I need you to fuck me, baby,” she whisper seductively before mashing her lips to his. She wrapped her hand around Ethan’s neck, pulling him into the kiss. At the same time, she maneuvered their bodies so she was the one now leaning against the counter.

Lilly reached down and guided Ethan’s hand to her wet center, letting out a gasp as he began to stroke her. She was already so wet and ready for him. She pulled away from the kiss and whispered in his ear, “I need to feel you deep inside me.”

No further encouragement was needed. In one fluid motion, Ethan lifted Lilly onto the counter and gently spread her legs. He aligned himself and, with a single, swift movement, joined their bodies. A loud moan escaped Lilly’s lips as she felt the fullness of their connection.

With a grunt, Ethan began a slow, steady rhythm. His hands gripped her waist as he gazed down, watching his cock disappear into her folds then reappear, wet and shiny.

“Yes, right there, baby,” Lilly moaned locking her ankles around Ethan. He hit a rhythm, pumping into her with a slow in and out motion, the pleasure so intense his face looked agonized. He had never seen Lilly so worked up before. She was like a woman possessed, but he knew if he tried to match her enthusiasm he would finish early.

“Faster, baby. Harder,” Lilly instructed. Driving her hips down onto his shaft with abandon. She threw her head back and tossing her hair wildly, her orgasm fast approaching.

Lilly reached down and began to rub her clit, her movements matching Ethan’s. She could feel her orgasm building, her entire body tensing up as she got closer and closer.

“I’m going to cum, baby,” Lilly moaned, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan picked up the pace, his own orgasm building as he felt Lilly’s muscles contract around him. With a final thrust, they both reached their peak, crying out in pleasure as they came together.

Lilly unhooked her feet as Ethan slid out of her, feeling the cold counter against her skin. Her breath coming in short ragged gasps.

Finally, Ethan pulled away and looked at Lilly, a soft smile on his face. “That was amazing, baby,” he said, his voice filled with love and adoration.

Lilly smiled back, her thoughts earlier all but forgotten. “It was,” she agreed, leaning in to give him a soft kiss. “I love you, Ethan.”

“I love you too, Lilly,” he replied, his arms tightening around her. They stood there for a few more moments, lost in their own little world, before finally breaking apart and getting dressed.

Lilly hurried towards the entrance of the festival her hair bouncing with each stride. A wide grin illuminated her face mirroring the excitement of the crowd. The lively music and crowd of people provided the escape she needed. Walking a few steps behind her Ethan kept his hands snug in his hoodie pockets. Lilly’s carefree demeanor perfectly complemented the festival’s atmosphere while Ethan, being more reserved by nature felt a sense of unease as the crowd closed in around them.

As they walked the festival grounds passing food trucks and long bathroom lines, Lilly ran ahead, encouraging Ethan to catch up. She knew he only came because she asked, but she hoped this festival could be the setting for him to finally let loose like the fun, wonderful person she knew he could be when he got out of his own head. As different as they were, Lilly and Ethan complemented each other perfectly.

The crowd erupted as the first band took the stage. A familiar opening chord filled the air, and Lilly let out an ear-piercing squeal. It was Jake’s band. She grabbed Ethan’s hand, practically yanking his arm out of its socket as she pulled him closer to the stage and deeper into the mass of bodies.