Gage touched her chin and gently urged her to look at him. “Tell me.”
“I wanted my first time to be wit' you. But I was so hurt, and so angry, I let da alcohol go to my head and I had sex wit' someone I wasn't even interested in. And I don't even know if he used a condom.”
Gage knew what she was saying. If he didn't use a condom there was a very real chance she could end up pregnant. Shifters couldn't use hormonal birth control the way humans could because their bodies metabolized it too fast for it to be effective. “It doesn't matter. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. I'm not gonna blame you or berate you for it, Mia. For one ting, I don't have a right to. For another, dere's no'ting to blame you for to begin wit'. You were hurtin' and you found a way to forget about it for a little while. Dere's no shame in dat.” Considering the number of girls he'd had sex with, he had no room to point fingers.
“I still feel dirty.”
“Dat's because you're not da kind of girl to go around havin' casual sex. You need to let it go. Beatin' yourself up over it is just gonna make you feel worse. Consider it a learnin' experience and move on.”
“Maybe you're right.” She leaned into him and breathed in his scent. “I'm really glad you came tonight.”
“Me too, Princess.”
Mia blinked. “Princess? I kinda like dat.”
Gage chuckled. “Dat's what you are. My Princess.” He winked at her. “Show me around some more.”
They spent the rest of the evening together with Mia talking about each piece she had on display. She ended up selling three of her paintings and had two special orders for original works not yet seen by others. She was blown away by how well her work was received.
At the after party, she danced the night away in Gage's arms. When the party finally ended she didn't want the night to end so they ended up watching the sun come up together before she reluctantly let him take her home.
“Thank you, Princess, for givin' me one last chance.” Gage kept his voice soft so they wouldn't disturb her parents who were still asleep.
“You're welcome. Just don't blow it, Mister,” she whispered.
“I won't.” He caressed her cheek. “Can I kiss you?”
“I've been waitin' for you to do dat all night.”
With those words Gage lowered his mouth to hers with a groan.
Mia's fingers curled into his shirt when their lips met for the first time. The kiss started out gentle but soon it was filled with pent up desire. Heat coursed through her and a soft moan escaped her as she leaned into him. She'd never felt anything like it in her life. True, she didn't have much experience to compare it to, but she instinctively knew no one else would ever move her the way he did.
Gage's arms tightened around her as their kiss deepened. It wasn't until he felt her quaking in his arms that he made himself slow down. He wanted her so much but he needed to go slow. Slowly the kiss gentled before he finally ended it.
Mia's breathing was ragged when the kiss finally ended. “Wow.” She had no idea a kiss could make her feel so good.
“I've wanted to do dat for so long, Princess.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “You should go on inside and get some sleep.”
“I suppose.” She leaned up and brushed her lips across his. “Goodnight, Gage.”
“Goodnight, Mia.”
She had to force herself to step away before she turned to the door and headed inside. Just before she closed it she shared one last smile with him. Her footsteps were silent as she made her way down the hall to the bedroom she still shared with her younger sisters. The door opposite hers opened and she blushed at the look Julius gave her.
“Just gettin' in?” He kept his voice to a whisper.
“Yeah. We watched da sunrise together. No'ting happened except a really good kiss.” she still felt warm from it.
“Just be careful, Mia. I don't want to see you hurt again.”
“I know, Jules. I don't tink dat'll happen again. I really tink he means it. He's done messin' around. Still, he knows he's gonna have to prove it to me. He knows he's gonna have to work to earn my trust again.”
“As long as he doesn't hurt you again, I'm happy for you. I know you've loved him a long time.”
“Yeah. I have. I'm gonna go to bed. Goodnight.”
He snorted quietly. “It's mornin' already,” he teased.
