(authors' notes: From the beginning, this has been an M rated story. If you don't like M rated material or are too young to be reading such things…DO NOT READ this chapter.)
Cody and London stood on the deck a few more minutes listening to the sounds of their heart beats. For so long London had resigned herself to believing that this could only be a dream, something unattainable.
As she gazed into Cody's deep blue eyes she found herself blinking a few times to make sure she was indeed awake.
Cody sensing her hesitation pulled her deeper into his embrace and nuzzled his nose against her earlobe. "I love you so much," he whispered, leaving a tender kiss just behind it.
London sighed and smiled instantly melting her body into his, as she gazed up into his eyes, her wall began to crumble and the feelings she hid for so long, finally had a chance to breath.
"I love you too," London said as she leaned up on her tippy toes and felt him lift her off the floor, their lips met in another passionate kiss and she felt herself grow weak.
"London we should take this inside," Cody said as he studied the dazed look in her eyes, and knew her expression mirrored his own. "This probably isn't the best place to have an intimate…talk."
They both smiled as London slid down to the floor pressing herself against him as she did so. He gently kissed the top of her forehead and wrapped his arms around her waist as they walked toward his cabin.
Zack and Max could have kept kissing all night…well, except for two things. Their minds and their hormones. Their heads told them they needed to stop making out so that they could talk. Their hormones told them they should be doing something entirely different from talking.
Unbelievably, their minds came out as the winners of their fierce internal debate. They stopped kissing and just stared at one another for a time. Both of them wore matching grins. Here they were…together…holding each other…gazing into each others' eyes.
They'd never been happier.
The conversation started simply enough. Zack questioned Max about how London had brought her to the ship. The girl explained how the heiress had refused to take no for an answer. At first Max didn't want to take such charity from anyone. But London had pointed out that her paying for Max's enrollment in the semester at sea program was equivalent to a 'normal' person giving a friend a handful of loose change.
In any case, Max and Zack no longer had to contend with vast distances separating them. And with that obstacle removed, they could finally have a real relationship.
They just had to decide how that relationship was going to start off.
Which led to another argument between their minds and their hormones. And this time, the hormones were in a much stronger position.
"We can take things slow," Zack forced himself to say. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to."
Max looked into his eyes. "I've two things to say to that. First…thank you." She reached over and brushed her hand across the side of his face. "Second...if you and I aren't naked in the next 30 seconds I'm going to be royally ticked. " Her smile turned wicked as she grabbed a handful of Zack's hair and pulled him to her.
Cody found himself saying a silent prayer of thanks knowing they would have the room to themselves, as Woody was visiting relatives in the nearby port.
As they walked inside he closed the door behind him and pulled London into his arms once again. She was so easy to hold, and it felt so good. Almost as if she was made to fit him.
He smiled at that thought and leaned down pressing his lips to hers, and in the next moment felt her return it with so much urgency he had to take a step back to keep his control in check.
"London…?" Cody whispered, only to have her place two fingers on his lips to quiet him.
He surprised her when he took a hold of her hand and began to lightly kiss each finger tip as his thumb caressed her palm. London felt herself growing lightheaded and she welcomed the feeling.
"Cody, let's not talk tonight," she managed to say as he trailed a row of light kisses up the length of her arm. "Let's make love."
Cody looked into her eyes and searched for any form of hesitation, and was amazed when he found none. But he knew this would be her first time and wanted to make sure this was something she truly wanted.
"London listen to me," he told her and before she could say anything, stopped her with a lingering kiss. London buried her hand in his hair and eyed him adoringly as he continued his sentence. "I want you to be sure. If you don't want to do this I'll walk you to your cabin and we'll take this relationship a little slower."
London took a step back and looked at the boy she had been in love with for so many years. Then she looked over toward the door and in one split second her decision was made. To Cody's surprise, she slowly strolled over to the doorway, placed her hand on the door knob and locked it.
Zack and Max kissed, began ripping each other's clothes off and then kissed some more, stopping only when Max was completely topless. Zack had to take a moment gaze appreciatively at his girl's perky assets.
"Nice," he commented.
"They feel as good as they look," Max responded as she grabbed Zack's hands and guided them to her breasts. Despite her confidence and boldness, Zack noticed the way she gasped when he took hold of them. She was excited…and that only increased his own excitement.
But Zack's excitement was more than just physical. This wasn't just some hot girl he was going to score with…this was Max. This was the girl he loved. And despite her assurances….and obvious enthusiasm…he wanted everything to go just right.
"Max," he asked somewhat hesitantly. "How much…I mean…how many…I mean…"
The girls face was momentarily annoyed, but then amused. "What are you trying to ask Zack?"
"Um…how experienced are you?"
"Don't worry," she said with a smirk. "Nothing you're going to do will shock me. Though I hope you'll try."
On the one hand, Zack felt a little awkward at her brazenness. But it was also somewhat comforting to see the challenging look in her eyes. The same sort of look she used to give him on the basketball court when they faced off, one on one.
But this wasn't supposed to be a competition, was it?
London slowly walked up Cody and, not really sure what to do next, waited for him to take the lead. He took her hand and kissed it, as he tenderly pulled her to the center of the room.
"Care to dance?" he asked as he a went to retrieve a few of Woody's classic CD's. Deciding on their perfect love theme he removed the round disc from its case and popped it into the player.
Soon a familiar old song began to play and she found herself smiling. "This is perfect."
Cody offered his hand and she instantly took it in hers as they began to sway back and forth as the voice of Vanessa Williams filled the air.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June, Sometimes the sun goes round the moon. I see the passion in your eyes, sometimes it's all a big surprise.
London wrapped herself deeper within the comfort of his arms and let the music take her away.
'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish you'd tell me this was love. It's not the way I hoped or how I planned, but somehow it's enough.
She smiled as she felt herself drifting in his arms, and never in her many years on this earth had she felt so loved and cherished as when Cody Martin held her.
All the past hurts and worries vanished in that moment. The rest of the world no longer existed, and all that mattered to her now was the other person in this room.
And now we're standing face to face, isn't this world a crazy place? Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last.
All the close calls, all the long talks and walks in the park or out on the deck, suddenly seemed so magical, and she knew that love had finally arrived.
Sensing Zack's hesitation, Max's expression softened. A slight look of concern appeared in her eyes.
"Am I going overboard here?" she asked. "I don't mean to. It's just that I've wanted this for a long time Zack...and I never thought it would happen. Not with you." She stepped closer and put her arms around him. He responded in kind.
"I'm not trying to screw things up," Zack responded as he held her. "It's just…this is different for me. This is you. I've never…I've never been with a girl that…I love."
"And I've never been with…anyone," Max replied.
Zack's eyebrows shot up. "You're not exactly acting like a virgin."
Max laughed. "I'm not your average girl."
She and Zack sat down on the edge of his bed and she explained herself more clearly.
"My Mom did a good job explaining the facts of life to me," she said. "Sex isn't some big, mysterious secret. It is what it is. It's something everyone feels the urge to do. It's natural." She smiled. "And it's a lot of fun, I'm pretty sure of that. But I think I have the right perspective on it. It's not the most important thing in the world."
She turned her head away and looked downward. "If I'd wanted to, there were plenty of guys I could have been with. There were times I almost considered it. But I decided I only wanted to be with someone I loved." She blushed. "And the damned annoying thing about that was…the only guy I've ever been in love with is you."
Zack let the significance of her words sink in. He was overwhelmed…and a little angry at himself. How could he have gone so long playing around like an idiot when he'd had the perfect girl so close to him all that time?
"I never thought you'd be ready for a relationship," Max went on. "I figured the best I could hope for was that someday I'd meet some other guy…and it would feel right. But now…this is our chance."
Zack held her even more tightly. "I love you, Max." His voice was thick with emotion.
"I love you too."
All of the nights you came to me, when some silly girl had set you free, you wondered how you'd make it through, I wondered what was wrong with you, cause how could you give your love to someone else and share your dreams with me? Sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see.
Cody had turned her around and she gently leaned her back against him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head on her shoulder. She closed her eyes as she laid her head against him and let their bodies dance in rhythm with the music.
And now we're standing face to face, isn't this world a crazy place? Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last.
As London lay blissfully against him, he let his lips trail down from the tip of her earlobe to the tip of her shoulder, as his hand slowly unzipped the back of her dress and a moment later it slipped to the floor, leaving her standing in her bra and panties.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June, Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon. Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last. You went and saved the best for last.
As Cody caressed her stomach and shoulders he began to nibble and suck on her neck causing her to release a soft whimper, and pressing her hand behind his head, she silently demanded more as she felt her knees grow weak.
Cody knew she was a virgin and therefore new at this, so he vowed to go slowly and let her enjoy each sensation. But he also wanted her to know how much she affected him, and he waited for her reaction as he pressed himself against the small of her back, so she could feel his hard member through the rough fabric of his jeans.
To his surprise she turned in his arms and pressed herself harder against him wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him with all the pent up desire and passion she had been repressing all those years.
In the next moment he picked her up bridal style and gently placed her onto his bed. Her eyes were filled with so much love and trust that Cody breathes hitched. She looked so beautiful pressed against the pillows and he wanted to savor the moment.
"Cody what's wrong?" London asked with just a hint of worry. "I…"
Cody leaned in and softly pressed his lips to London's as he began to tenderly make love to them. Nibbling and suckling while he begged for entrance.
Cody slid his tongue into her mouth as he heard her sigh his name, making him smile. He tenderly caressed her tongue with his own, and then massaged the roof of her mouth and teeth.
Pulling away for a brief moment she whimpered at the lost contact. Sitting up he raised his arms and pulled his shirt up and over his head, discarding it onto the rug beside the bed. He then unbuckled his jeans before he stretched out over her.
She gasped a bit when he rubbed up against her, but enjoyed the feeling enough to let him continue. The soft mound between her legs came to life as his repeated the movement and she found herself wanting more, as she pressed herself deeper into his touch.
"Easy baby," Cody whispered biting his lip. "We have all night, and I want you to enjoy this."
Max and Zack held each other a while longer, taking comfort in the closeness...in the warmth of their bodies pressed together. Then they looked into one another's eyes again. Max's sly smile slowly returned.
"Take me…" she said in a lusty whisper. "Now!"
It was not a request. It was an order.
"You are the perfect girlfriend," Zack commented briefly before pushing her back so that she was lying beneath him.
Zack's mouth found the curve of her neck and he began to whirl his lips and tongue over the sensitive piece of flesh. Smiling as he felt her tremble beneath him, he continued to suck and nibble until he had forced a rather sexy looking love bite on the skin.
"Oh, right there…I like that," Max said as his lips followed his hand down her shoulder and up and over to that delicious looking mouth.
Max separated her legs so that his thigh rested in between them. And the weight of it felt good pressing against that most sensitive part of her. He trailed his fingers down her stomach and into the curve of her belly button.
She smiled not realizing how sensitive that particular part of her could be. As he looked up toward her his hand slowly made its way in between the waist band of her panties and her warm skin.
She lay back against the pillow and waited for what was to come. He slid his fingers into her and began his magic, watching Max's reaction to his touch. A smile played across his face.
In the next few minutes he had her practically purring as she placed her hand over his and forced it deeper into her. Zack felt the juices flow within and ached to taste them, but was too fascinated by her reaction to him. She was now using her other hand to kneed and play with the tip of her left breast.
He was becoming fully aroused from the sounds she was making and licked his lips as she whimpered his name. Turning her heated eyes to his she licked her own lips and pulled him down toward her roughly, but before he kissed her he stopped himself.
"Zack kiss me," Max demanded. "I want a kiss," she added almost in a whimper.
"Me too, your lips look so tempting," Zack groaned while she waited. "But these aren't the lips I want."
Before Max could react Zack had slid down and buried himself between her legs. Up to now, Max had only wondered what it would be like to have Zack pleasure her like this. Her imagination never came close.
Zack suckled and licked the sensitive folds of her sex as her breath came in spurts. She arched her back giving him better access, gasping when he heightened the pressure. The pleasure that tore throw her body was exhilarating and she didn't want it to end.
Cody raised himself up on his elbows and gazed down at London hungrily. His eyes swept over her body and his staff pulsated as thoughts of being inside her captivated his mind.
London raised a hand and tenderly caressed his cheek. Unsure of what to do, she looked to him for the answers. She took a deep breath as he slowly caressed her stomach and then trailed his hand up to the exposed skin just above her bra line, never breaking eye contact. He slid the lacy fabric over and exposed the hardened nipple waiting for his attention.
She closed her eyes in wonder as his thumb slowly encircled the sensitive point. She looked so beautiful and the pink blush across her cheeks suited her well. Tenderly he kissed her forehead as a whispered moan left her lips. A moment later he replaced his hand with his mouth and she found herself burying her hands in his hair begging for more.
As he continued his sweet assault his hand began to work its magic with her other breast and London found herself swept up in the emotions this act was causing. As he trailed his lips over her skin her body involuntarily shuttered with a need she'd never experienced before.
"Cooody," London cried out as Cody reclaimed her mouth in a mind bending kiss, his hands never leaving her body as they explored every inch. London wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and she passionately returned the kiss, pressing her lips against his.
When Cody released her mouth now swollen and pink from the contact he turned his attention to her body once more.
A sheer layer of perspiration covered the two occupants in the room, and their skin glistened in the glow of the illuminated lamp light. Cody continued his assault as London's mind turned to mush leaving her with only thoughts of what he was currently doing to her body.
Cody had just caressed her legs with his tongue and lips leaving her withering and weak with want. As he sat up he tenderly removed her lace panties and placed one of her legs on each of his shoulders, smiling when she looked up at him in question.
Before she could completely understand his intentions, he buried his face in between her legs. She cried out as the most erotic sensations flowed through her body, emotions and feelings she never knew existed imbedded themselves within her and she thought she might die from the sheer pleasure.
London grabbed a hold of the sheets underneath her as her feet gripped the skin on Cody's back. She never knew she could feel such agony and bliss at the same time; her whimpers and moans were getting increasingly louder as Cody continued to drive her beyond the heights of ecstasy.
His name echoed into the room as every inch of her body came alive with the feel of his mouth on such an intimate part of her. She'd never felt so good, and yet craved more, although unsure of what that could be.
"Cooody…please?" she whimpered as she felt him leave her long enough to remove his pants and boxers.
London took in the sight of him and felt both nervous and afraid of what would happen next. Cody sensing this, stretched out beside her once more, and kissed her cheek.
"Damn baby, I want you so bad it hurts," he whispered into her ear as he buried his face in curve of her shoulder. "But I won't do anything you don't want to. If you're not completely ready for me, I'll understand."
London turned toward him and wrapped a leg over his side as they lay facing one another. Their foreheads met while she encircled him in her arms. "I love you so much Cody Martin," she told him as she kissed his lips tenderly. "Cody?" she whispered softly.
"What Baby?" Cody responded meeting her gaze and trying not to think of his throbbing member.
"I'm ready," she said. "I need to be with you, in every way."
"Are you one hundred percent sure?" Cody asked. "I don't want this to be a regret for either one of us. I don't want you to feel like you have too."
"Cody please I need you, I need this," London said as she captured his mouth in a soft undemanding kiss. "I want you to make love to me."
Zack pulled away for a minute as he watched Max cry out to him and repeat his name. She grabbed onto the covers and sighed in sweet agony at the sensations she was feeling.
Max was not shy about reacting to Zack's touch. He was thrilled to see the look of ecstasy in her eyes and watched as she gasped out short excited breaths. He was driving her absolutely wild.
He smiled devilishly as he returned to his ministrations and she buried her hands in his hair. He inserted his fingers as he continued; doubling her pleasure. Max was going crazy grinding herself into his face, keeping up with the rhythm of his movements.
Max's body vibrated with the strength of her first orgasms, and Zack listened to her cries of passion as the bed shook beneath them.
When she had finally climaxed, she lay spent and satisfied beside him. He waited, trying to ignore his throbbing member long enough for her to regain some control.
So it was somewhat of a shock when she suddenly looked up at him soberly and spoke very clearly.
"You do have condoms, right?"
"Uh, yeah," Zack answered. "Don't worry." Inwardly though, he was kicking himself. He'd always made it a point to be safe…yet if Max hadn't spoken up, he might have totally forgotten this time.
As he got off the bed to go retrieve some protection, he leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.
"You really are the greatest girl ever," he said.
"Damn straight," she laughed, before urging him to hurry up.
Zack returned to the bed and slipped on the condom in front of her, he again lay down beside her, as she eyed his staff with hunger and lust.
A moment later she both surprised and excited him when she mounted him straddling his hips while grinding herself into him.
"Damn baby, that feels good," Zack growled and placed a hand on each of her hips to guide her movements. "Just like that nice and easy," he added while biting his bottom lip.
Max loved the control she had over him. As she continued to rub up against him, she wondered what it would feel like to have him inside of her. She gave a devilish grin as she leaned up a bit and braced herself, in the next moment she had come down engulfing his manhood into her opening, and she gasped at the pain it caused her.
"Max, baby you okay?" Zack asked concerned, he didn't dare move in case it would hurt her.
She took a deep breath and waited, the books she had read all said that it would take a little while for the pain to subside, but she was beginning to wonder if they were telling the truth, as she gripped his hands with hers.
"Max let me pull out," Zack told her, worried at the pained expression on her face. "We'll take this a little more slowly."
"No, it just takes time, just give a minute," she told him and as if by magic the pain began to lessen and she slowly becoming accustomed to the feel of him within her.
She hadn't realized she'd begun to cry until Zack slowly turned, gently placing her underneath him. Still embedded inside her he held her for a few minutes while she continued to softly cry on his shoulder.
"Baby, I'm so sorry this is all my fault," he cooed as he caressed her back. "We shouldn't have taken this so fast. The last thing I wanted to do was too hurt you."
In spite of her tears, Max smiled and snuggled deeper into his embrace. She loved him so much and she knew that there was no other man in the world she wanted more.
"It's not your fault, I think I was a little too…anxious," she stated into his chest. "I didn't think it would feel like that, they said the throbbing and burning sensation would go away. I guess I may have been a bit surprised. Apparently research can't tell you everything."
"No, not everything," he smiled. "Experience is a great teacher."
Max smiled up at him and softly ran her hand down his cheek. Leaning in she gave him a very heartfelt kiss. "Well then teach me," she said as she gazed at him lovingly.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked her and she nodded. "I don't want to rush you."
"Zack, it's been five years," Max stated making Zack chuckle. "If we go any slower we'll be heading off to college."
Zack kissed her longingly and proceeded to take the lead, showing her how much he truly loved her. As gently as he could he pulled out and pushed his way back in, so afraid she might break. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her more pain. He knew how sore and tender she must be, and when he began to pull out a bit he could see the blood that came with him.
Max could see the indecision in his eyes, eyes so warm and loving that she almost melted with a glance. Desire and passion coursed through her and she wanted nothing more than to make him feel the same. So ever so lightly she moved and felt her walls contract around him gripping his member until he hissed.
Zack looked into her eyes and saw no fear and no hesitation for what was to come. The heat and need were visible and he licked his lips seductively as he took her mouth in a scorching hot kiss.
Max moaned underneath him and wrapped her legs around his waist, as her arms gripped his shoulders. In an instant their bodies came alive with an ache they needed to quench.
Zack began to move in a slow rhythm, as her mind focused on every sensation. Gone was the throbbing pain, replaced by a dull ache and her body reached up to meet his in sweet surrender.
Their breathing became rugged and shallow as Zack took her to new heights of ecstasy. Their bodies hot and sweaty pulsating with the heat of passion, as she whimpered his name. Soon the slow aching movements were too much, they both needed more.
Zack deepened the thrusts and Max thought she would break in two. Calling out his name once more she gripped her tiny hands against the headboard, her eyes glazed over with desire.
He'd never been so lost in the heat of passion before and he groaned as she reached up to meet him head on. He needed this, he needed her. Zack moved her legs from around his waist and placed one on each of his shoulder's giving him better access to the deepest part of her.
"Ahh, fuh…more!" Max cried out with a groan, making him grin in satisfaction.
"Oh, yah!" Zack growled intensifying his thrusts and taking them both over the edge.
Soon the air around them was alive with moaning and whimpering, incoherent words and names being exchanged. Their bodies came together in a wave of heated bliss, as the first signs of an orgasm hit them.
Max cried out as her muscle movements griped him tighter, and both their bodies filled with the need for release. As she came close to hitting her final climax she let her head fall back against the pillows and closed her eyes as a scream threatened to escape, in an instant Zack covered her mouth with his muffling the sound before it escaped.
And a moment later he pulled out just as he filled his condom with his seed. Stripping it off, he ran the tip of his staff around her opening and collapsed on top of her. Both waited for their breathing to return to normal as they held on to one another.
Cody kissed London once more before leaning down and retrieving his pants. Grabbing his wallet from the back pocket he pulled out a small packaged item and unwrapped it in front of her. As he slowly slid it on he again looked into her eyes searching for any sign of uncertainty but none was there, and so he again laid his full frame above hers.
Cody guided her legs over his shoulders once again and situated himself in front of her entrance. Cody leaned down and gave her another deep undemanding kiss as his fingers slipped inside her impossibly tight opening.
London winced at the slight pain, but as his fingers continued their movement she became accustomed to the feel and her body once again reacted to his touch. She closed her eyes as his fingers danced within her and gripped the mattress as he began to palm the soft dark curls guarding her entrance.
Cody watched his precious heart as she lay gripped within the throes of passion, and he found he couldn't wait any longer. Her cries were going straight to his groin, making anything but the thought of embedding himself within her impossible.
Once again he took her mouth in a scorching kiss and pushed himself inside her feeling her walls surround him. An intense feeling of pleasure overtook him, as her narrow passage gripped his staff in all the right places. When the kiss finally ended and he was able to look into her eyes, he found tears in them and immediately tensed.
"Did I hurt you?" Cody's heart raced as he prepared to pull himself out, but before he could she stopped him.
"No don't, I'm okay," she softly whispered through her tears. "It just hurt for a minute, that's all."
He still wasn't completely sure, but all thoughts of stopping faded as London pulled Cody down for a demanding kiss, and he felt her walls grip him once more.
London whimpered and as he slowly began to move within her sensitive passage. Cody wanted to make sure that this experience would be a good one for her. So he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her soaked brow.
Cody kept up the steady pace while he waited for her to adjust to him, biting his lip while his body screamed for more. The tender vibrations of the mattress guided them in their movements and soon London met his thrusts with determined ease.
"Co..oh..deee?" London moaned digging her nails into his shoulders and wanting more. Cody deepened his thrusts and soon felt his tip hit the very core of her. He had to bite his lip to keep from releasing his seed in that moment.
The bed creaked in protest as Cody drove himself harder into her. Moans and whimpers could be heard throughout the small cabin as a force she'd never felt before overtook her.
"Cody…God…yes!" London cried as her body felt like it would tear apart at the extreme force and pleasure she was feeling. Her head fell back against the pillow and her eyes rolled back in her head as she bit her lip trying not to cry out.
"London…you feel so gooood!" Cody whispered exchanging a kiss with her. Little cries escaped her lips and her eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably. A few minutes passed and London felt as if her entire body were on fire and an overwhelming feeling crowded her senses.
London's body rocked with the first signs of an orgasm, and she looked up at him in surprise and fear. Cody slightly smiled and took her lips in a fierce kiss as her body adjusted to the convulsions she was experiencing, and rocked with need.
As her body contracted around him, Cody knew he wouldn't be able to take much more. She fit him like a glove and he moaned her name as he felt the first signs of his own climax began to stir.
Finally with a strangled scream London cried out his name as she climaxed around him, bringing him with her. Cody pulled himself out just as his seed filled the latex and he collapsed on top of her.
Their breathing was shallow and rugged, and their bodies felt like jello, but they smiled as they lay spent in one another's embrace.
As Cody lay on top of her he snuggled his head onto her chest and she ran a hand through his damp beautiful blond hair. When there breathing returned to normal and they were finally able to speak once more, he leaned up on one elbow. London gazed up at him in wonderment.
"Cody, tonight, this was…amazing. I never knew it could feel so incredible." She placed a hand behind his head and brought him down for a slow lingering kiss.
He moaned and turned slightly so he could deepen the kiss, feeling her tremble underneath him. Separating and touching foreheads they stayed silent content with the quiet in the room.
"Well, that was some education," Max managed to whisper, Zack would have laughed if he had the energy, but instead opted to just smile.
A few minutes went by as Max lay in Zack's arms, snuggling as close to him as she could. She felt one of Zack's hands gently playing with her hair and giggled girlishly.
"So…I'm the only guy you ever wanted?" he said with clear pride.
"Well, I did have a slight Jake Ryan infatuation once," she admitted. "I got over it."
"Fair enough," Zack laughed. "So I'm the only real guy you ever wanted?"
"Jake Ryan's not a real guy? What is he, a robot?"
"I think most people in Hollywood are," Zack replied in a deadpan tone, causing Max to giggle some more.
"Well, at the risk of letting your ego get even bigger," she said. "Yeah. You're the only…" She paused.
"What?" Zack asked curiously.
"Okay…once for about five minutes…I was sort of into Cody."
"WHAT?!" Zack shifted his body and turned Max around so that he could see her face. "Tell me you're joking!"
Max gave him a cocky grin. "My lips are sealed. Unless…you think you can get me to talk."
Zack's shocked expression faded and he matched his girl's grin.
Their fun resumed.
"I love you Cody," London said. She laughed and then repeated the words. "I love you."
Cody smiled at her giddy tone and the expression on her face. He understood how she felt. Right now it was like he was in a waking dream. Was it truly possible to be this happy? It seemed almost unreal…yet there they were.
"I love you too," he responded.
"And we'll always be together?" she went on. "The two of us…forever and ever?"
The question was almost childish. There was no way any rational person could predict what the future would bring. But that didn't stop Cody from answering with the upmost conviction.
"Forever and ever…and ever," he stated frimly.
London squealed in delight and wrapped her arms around him once more.
The End.
authors' notes: Woundedhearts and I so enjoyed working together on this and we hope you all like the final chapter. We'd like to thank all our readers for your support. Please review. And also check out: The More The Merrier Suite Life Holiday Collection.