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His eyes slide over me, and a shiver of anticipation shoots from my toes all the way to the follicles on my head. He rubs his thumb over his bottom lip as his gaze continues to peruse my exposed flesh, the same thumb that traced my lip but moments ago. My thighs press together, and my hand rests over my lower abdomen at the thought.

My slight reaction makes him smile. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know. It’s only our second date.” I drop my head, hoping he knows I’m only joking. I don’t know if I can tell himmy worries. A knot forms in my throat at the very thought. “But … but I’m clean, and I’m on birth control.” Oh god, this is so awkward.

He takes a step toward me. The heat and scent of his body wraps itself around me like a warm hug, but he doesn’t physically touch me.

“Lexie, there’s no pressure to do this now. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Maybe this internal debating is normal, and what I’ve experienced with others wasn’t. Of course it wasn’t. I’m assuming normal people think things like this through.

Ash feels right … good.

I lift my chin and square my shoulders. He deserves to know what I’m thinking. I’m an adult now. I can have adult conversations. “I feel something with you. More than I’ve ever felt with any other person on this planet. I want to know you in every way possible, but I don’t want you to think …”

His mouth crashes against mine before I can even speak the words. Our wet skin slides against one another, and I think I’m going to melt into a puddle where I stand.

Ash pulls away slowly, his eyes never leave mine as he reaches out and flips the deadbolt on the door. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”

“You’ve thought about us?”

“Yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m going to give you something you’ve never been given.”

He sweeps me off my feet, but this time he cradles me in his arms like something he wants to keep forever.

My heartbeat picks up with each step he takes. I don’t think my nervous system will be able to withstand being with Ash. I’m so incredibly excited and terrified at the same time that I’m afraid we might combust.

As he sets me on the bed, my bra falls loose. How the …? Maybe Ash isn’t as innocent as I believed. He has a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. I can’t predict this side of him. He’s never shown it to me.

What if I disappoint him?Maybe he’s built me up to be a much better partner than I really am because of my “experience.” He’s already admitted he’s let his mind roll around the possibilities. This is a trial run for me. I’ve never pictured us together …

My thought process evaporates when Ash climbs between my legs, and his fingers slide under each side of my panties. His eyes meet mine, and he hesitates.What is he waiting for?

He’s changing his mind. I knew it.

“Yes or no?” he asks patiently while I reconcile with my inner turmoil.

His fingertips at my hips is so electrifying that I can hardly stand it. I’ve never wanted a man to touch me as badly as I want him to.

“Yes,” I whisper, struggling to regulate my breath for fear of passing out.

“I’ll never lead you down a road of regret,” he promises. His brown eyes, although heated, are kind … true.

“I know you won’t.”

This pleases him, and that’s all it takes for him to remove the last of the barriers between us.

My chest squeezes almost painfully when he begins to remove his clothes. For the love of everything holy, Ash looks as if he was chiseled by the very Gods themselves.

His hands and eyes move over me with sweet admiration. He bats my hands away when I try to touch him. “I’m only naked to make you feel more comfortable. This encounter is for you.”

I sit up abruptly, because what? I don’t understand.

He chuckles, pushing me back against the mattress as his mouth softly meets mine.

“Let me worship you, Lex. I’ve dreamed about this for so long. Please,” he begs while teasingly nipping at my bottom lip.

His words contain a spell, one that not only silences me but my thoughts. My muscles relax, and I release myself to him.