"Do you not like mechanical?"
"I meant," she shook her head. "I meant that there was no enjoyment. The experience was more about the physical act than any intimacy between him and me. In, out, and done."
He nodded. "So he did not make sure you reached your peak of enjoyment?"
She couldn't quite look into his eyes. Instead, she seemed focused on his shoulder. "I don't know that I would understand what that was."
He processed the information. Whether she physically was or was not a virgin, she was virginal when it came to coupling. So this would be more. He would need to take his time, no matter what the Craving wanted him to do.
Because he wanted to grab her, to ravage her on this bed. The Craving boiled in his skin, but no matter what, he couldn't give into that. He had to be careful with her. Take it slowly for her so she could adapt to the experience.
Show her what she was missing.
He stroked her cheek again, bringing her gaze back to his. "I have learned it can be difficult when one is inexperienced. I want these moments, whatever happens, to be as pleasurable for you as possible."
"Did you learn these things from the pleasure women?" She looked away from him. She looked around like she didn't want to see him naked anymore.
"The most important thing I learned from them was to make sure whomever I was with enjoyed herself."
Eleanor looked back at him, her eyebrow arched inquisitively. "Really?"
He nodded. "Female humanoids are a conundrum of sensations. I must make sure you enjoy as many of those sensations as possible."
"Why did they tell you that?"
"Because if you are enjoying yourself, then I will enjoy myself that much more."
"So it's a selfish thing, you needing to please a woman?"
"No. It only magnifies my enjoyment to see--"
She put her hand on his chest and smiled. "Jedriek, I'm teasing you."
"Good. Because I look forward to pleasing you."
"Well, kissing is a great way to start."
He leaned down, and they started to kiss again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands sliding into his hair as they continued to kiss. Every bit felt unique to him. They remained wrapped around each other, and he pressed closer to her and felt how wonderful she seemed against him.
It was better than anything he'd ever known.
She felt so tiny but so strong next to him. He twisted them around so they were lying side by side. Mostly. He covered part of her, just from his size.
She ran her hand over his chest.
He stroked her arm and shoulder and used the edge of his little finger to barely graze her breast. She sighed and arched into him, allowing him to touch her more.
"You touch very well," she said.
He stroked her cheek. "I am good at touching."
"Please. Touch me more."
She twisted, so she was flat on her back. He caressed her side and hip, bringing his hand up her body and feeling her side and the curve of her breast under the fabric she wore. He didn't like the barrier the material made between him. He started to stroke her side, trying to find an access point in the gown she wore so he could feel those breasts he'd only just glimpsed.
She pulled at the fabric and wiggled around. He helped her pull the final layers off until she was down to her bare skin.
"It seems like it's only fair." She laid back down.
