“A virgin. Yes. I know it’s weird at twenty-eight, and you probably think I’m repressed or something, but—”
A laugh found its way to the surface. “No, baby. Not repressed. You just hadn’t found me.” I glanced at the top of the dresser. “Or apparently, the right toy.”
“Thorne.” She giggled and slapped my chest playfully.
I let out a low, dark chuckle. “So, why would you being a virgin, untouched by another man, be a problem?”
“Because I don’t know what I’m doing? Because I might be terrible at this? Because you just found me with a—” She gestured at the dresser. “And I’ve never actually been with a real person?”
“Maddie.” I waited until her gaze was locked on me. “The fact that you trust me enough to tell me that? To want this withme? I’m honored. And frankly, maybe a little terrified I’m going to mess this up for you.”
“You’re terrified?”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I said, dead serious. “I don’t want to make this anything less than what you deserve.”
She studied my face. “So you don’t think it’s weird?”
“I think it’s you. And nothing about you is weird. Just honest and brave and—” I kissed her softly. “Are you sure? We can wait. We don’t have to do this tonight.”
“I’m sure. Honestly, I’ve been sure since the courthouse and you handed me wildflowers. And the kiss.” She smiled at me and I lost myself in her again. “The kiss sealed the deal. I want this. I want you. I’m just nervous.”
“Me too.”
“You? You’ve obviously done this before,” she noted, a bit of that sassy spark returning. “You probably have a manual.”
There was still that hint of shyness. I hoped it stayed with her forever.
“Not with you. Not with someone who—” I stopped. Regrouped because I wasn’t sure she was ready to hear what I really wanted to say. “You’re important. This is important.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Then she pulled me down and kissed me. Deep and slow and full of promise.
I took my time after that. I had to. Because I’d told her the truth. I wanted to make this perfect for her. I kissed every inch of skin I could reach, learning what made her gasp, what made her arch into my touch, what made her say my name in that soft hushed whisper.
When I finally stripped her of clothing, I took a moment to just look.
“Stop staring,” she said, trying to cover herself with her arms.
I caught her wrists, pinning them gently above her head. “I’ll stare if I want to. You’re gorgeous, Maddie.
“I’m—”
“Gorgeous. Perfect. Mine.”
The last word slipped out before I could stop it, but I didn’t take it back.
Because she was. An absolute truth that I’d been refusing to acknowledge since the moment she’d stepped into Kate’s office.
I kissed my way down her body, taking my time, until I settled between her thighs.
“Thorne, you don’t have to—”
“I need to taste you. I want to make you come on my tongue before I do anything else.”
I spread her legs apart, easing them back so she was spread out in front of me, pink, glistening and perfect. I run my tongue lightly up her center, giving her a chance to get used to my touch. When she bucked, I anchor her down with my hands, holding her open.
“Easy, baby,” I whispered, my breath fanning over and making her shiver. I did it again. Blew a soft whisper across her wet flesh.
I greedily lapped up her juices, thinking she was sweeter than anything I’d ever tasted. My nose brushed against her clit as I savored her.
