Tonight proved our love is stronger than anything—the feelings and emotions all real.

The only light in the room is the burning fireplace, crackling across the way from the bed. I watch the orange and yellow flames mesh, regaining my bearings. Shay’s warmth on top of my chest is welcoming, helping me relax. I notice she’s been silent for a few minutes, and when I look down I’m met by her sleeping form.

Everything that has happened in the past twenty-four hours wore my girl out. But I’m more than happy just sitting here listening to her light breathing as she sleeps. She looks beautiful, like nothing in this world could disturb her. I want this moment to last forever. I want my time with her to last far past the time we are given here on earth. I don’t know if I believe in eternity, but she sure makes me hopeful that there will be one. She makes me feel like the day I was born only half of me entered the world while the other half of me waited with her and the day we met was the day I became complete again.

Lightly, I move the backside of my fingers down her cheek, and when my thumb makes it to her lips I graze the round edges. Remembering the way she kissed me back when I took away her virginity. Looking at her now, I feel a sense of completion. I’m not only falling, but in essence, also surrendering my heart, soul, and body for the chance to love someone.

This is the moment that changes a boy into a man. The moment one falls in love. Not only am I responsible for loving this woman, but I’m also now in charge of protecting her heart and honoring any promise I give her from here on out.

For women, virginity is the one thing that they give to someone that they’ve fallen in love with. Well, most women. The one thing they give away as a symbol of their love and commitment to their partner. But what virginity is to women, is what a heart is to a man. We save that shit with us until the right woman comes along to claim it. That’s when we then give it away, without a second thought or regret. Shayla took my heart, and I will never be able to get it back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Her voice is soft and laced in a sleepy rasp.

“You look beautiful when you sleep.”

She searches my eyes, seeing if I’m lying or hiding anything from her. Letting her gaze falter for a second she moves on, accepting my answer. She stretches before placing her head back on her spot above my heart.

Teasers