Note from Author: Hey friends! While waiting for some of my other stories to get approved I started working on a new series. The chapters in this one, at least for now, are meant to be a bit shorter and easier to read. That said, it's a bit of a slow start in terms of "the good stuff" but it will pick up in future chapters. As always, thanks for all the love, support, and constructive feedback. Hope you enjoy the journey!
***
Jacob drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel as he navigated his beat-up Honda Civic through the winding roads of the Oregon countryside. In the passenger seat, Emily stared out the window, her eyes following the gentle rolls of the hills and farmland scenery. She'd never been this far away from home before, and she wondered if she would even miss her parents.
An uneasy knot twisted in Jacob's stomach as he glanced over at his girlfriend of four years. Her face was pensive, lips pursed slightly. He recognized that look - the one she got when her mind was consumed by the expectations of her rigidly religious parents.
"Hey," Jacob said softly, reaching over to give Emily's thigh a reassuring squeeze, causing small goosebumps to form on her leg. "Talk to me. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Emily startled slightly at his touch, snapping out of her trance. Her green eyes found his and she forced a warm smile that didn't quite chase away the crease of worry that had appeared on her forehead.
"Just...anxious, I guess," she admitted. "This retreat is so important. My parents have never approved of us, of you. If we can't convince the church elders we're ready for marriage..." She trailed off with a sigh.
Jacob's jaw tightened at the mention of Emily's sanctimonious parents and their condemnation of him as an unworthy suitor. A drifter whose freewheeling ways would only derail their precious daughter's potential. As if he didn't know the endless sleepless nights Emily endured, fending off their verbal assaults and pleas to break things off with "that boy." They didn't just disapprove of Jacob, they flatout forbid her from seeing him. Her father threatened to kick her out of the house the second she turned 18, but luckily Emily's mother stepped in and convinced him to pray on it. That prayer led them to Pastor Wilson, who led them to this retreat.
"Forget what those jerks think," Jacob snapped, unable to hide his bitterness. "It's our lives, our choice who we want to spend them with."
"Jacob..." Emily put a hand on his arm, her tone tinged with resignation. "You know I don't agree with their judgments of you. But denying their demands has only brought more conflict. This retreat is a chance to get their blessing by proving our commitment to the church's teachings on the sacred vows of marriage."
Jacob felt a flicker of anger, ready to argue the injustice of having to jump through hoops for anyone's approval, let alone that of Emily's perpetually dissatisfied parents. But the longing in her eyes disarmed him. After all that they'd endured, all she wanted was her family's acceptance of their love.
Swallowing his pride, Jacob forced a smile and playfully tousled Emily's long blonde hair. "Alright, alright. For you, I'll be a spiritual warrior this week. No wisecracks about whatever initiation rituals they put us through. Just..."
His voice softened as he studied her delicate features. "Just don't let them pull you away from the real reason we're doing this, okay? Our future together."
Emily's eyes beamed with gratitude and she leaned over to kiss him deeply. "Have I told you lately how incredible you are? I couldn't have found a more caring, supportive partner to spend my life with."
As their lips broke apart, Jacob couldn't resist a roguish grin. "Well, I am told I have a way with more than just my words." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively as his hand slid up her exposed thigh.
"Jacob!" Emily gasped in mock outrage, but her bright laughter filled the car's interior, banishing any lingering tension.
As they pulled into the ferry terminal parking lot, Jacob killed the engine and turned to Emily.
"You ready for this?"
Emily faced him and gave him a warm smile that still made his heart skip a beat even after all these years. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. Just promise me again you'll at least try to take it seriously?"
He returned the grin and reached his hand over to give her thigh a playful squeeze. "Oh, I'll be serious. Dead serious about finally being able to get you alone for a week with nobody to cock-block us."
"Jacob!" Emily tried to stifle a laugh as she swatted his hand away. "That's not at all what this trip is about and you know it."
"I'm kidding, babe. Mostly." He winked at her. "You know I'm going to have a real hard time keeping my hands off you though when we're stuck on that island together."
Emily rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile at his antics. "Which is precisely why we're doing this retreat, Mr. Grab-Hands. To make sure we stay on the path of purity until our wedding night."
"I'm not sure how you expect me to go a whole week keeping my hands to myself." Jacob's tone was playful, but his actions were more urgent. He continued his upward path on Emily's leg. She gave another laugh, shaking her head as she bit her lip.
"And what should we do about that?" She asked playfully looking over her shoulder at the near empty parking lot as she spread her legs slightly.
Jacob needed no further permission as he dipped his hand under her dress and leaned across the car kissing her exposed neck.
"You make me do such naughty things. I'm going to have to say an extra prayer tonight." Emily sighed as she closed her eyes and allowed the electricity of Jacob's fingers to work their magic.
Jacob knew they didn't have long. He always knew Emily wouldn't allow him to do any more than hand stuff. He learned a long time ago not to complain and take what he could get. Only once in their relationship did Emily ever entertain the idea of doing anything more sexual than that. The summer after she graduated high school, they were celebrating her 18th birthday. He had convinced her to drink a couple of wine coolers and in her tipsy state she actually took his dick into her mouth. Despite the fact that it was only her first time, she was a natural and quickly had him cumming in her mouth. After that night Emily made him promise to never push her to do stuff like that again when she was drunk. He could see that he had really hurt her, and so he promised. He even went to church with her 3 times that week as an act of apology.
A low moan brought Jacob back to the present as his tongue wrestled with Emily's and his fingers danced around the front of her wet panties.
"I can't wait until we are married." Emily moaned into his mouth as she pressed her hips into his fingers.
