That smile of his always did things to her but now it did more than just speed her heart rate. It burned her up. Boy, was she ready.

CHAPTER 24

Sal had to regain control here. He’d nearly finished in the shower when he’d gone just a little further than he’d ever gone before with her. He stopped for the same reason he he’d stopped the first time, before going there in the Jacuzzi. How in the world would he get through this without disappointing her? He was too damn old to be feeling like a sixteen-year-old ready to explode just because he’d gotten past second base. But he knew this wasn’t just any girl. This was Gracie. He should’ve anticipated this, prepared himself more mentally.

After drying off, he took her by the hand back into his room. He headed for the bed. “I thought we were sleeping in the tent tonight.”

“We are,” he said, pulling her towel away and taking a very deep breath. “But we’re making our first stop here.”

She shivered and he realized even though she’d squeezed a lot of water out of her thick hair in the bathroom, it was still wet and draped down her naked back. He lifted the plush down blanket. “After you.”

Once she slid in, his heart could barely take the sight of Gracie naked in his bed. How many times, since she’d started working at the restaurant, had he dreamt of this? He’d lost count.

He undid his own towel, let it drop and slid in next to her. The moment he got in she wrapped her entire body against his and kissed him with a hunger like she had the day she’d asked him to make love to her. He had to slow this down but he couldn’t. His own hands roamed all over her warm body. He loved the feel of her leg wrapped around him. His hand slid up it until it reached her behind as he kissed her frantically. This was madness. He’d been in bed with a woman plenty of times, but he’d never felt this urgency.

He had to take it slow with her. He’d never forgive himself if he hurt her. With her leg over his, there was more than enough access to try what he’d tried in the shower again. It was important he prepared her for what would come next. His fingers caressed her and immediately the soft pants that drove him crazy in the shower began.

He slipped a finger in easily enough and concentrated on her face. That was one way to keep from going over the edge. Concentrating on her facial expressions, making sure he stopped the moment he detected any discomfort would help keep him under control. As he went in deeper he took the crease between her eyebrows and her closing her eyes as a sign and stopped. “Don’t stop,” she begged.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded and licked her lips. “I like it.”

He groaned, burying his face in her neck but continued. When he was ready to try for another, he brought his face up again to watch her as he did it. Normally he took pleasure in watching the facial expressions as his fingers worked their magic, but this time it was different. His concern outweighed the pleasure. He was actually thankful for it or he might’ve been a goner by now.

“Still okay?”

Once she accepted three, without any complaint, and instead seemed to be enjoying it he concentrated on getting her there. He knew he had to now, because the way he was feeling already, it was going to be over embarrassingly fast. As annoying as that was—her first time being over so fast, he was confident that after the first time, his performance would greatly improve. They were in for a long night.

He used his thumb to rub the spot that made her arch her back and moan while his fingers continued to do their job of prepping her. Continuing to be very gentle, he was determined to make this as pleasurable for her as possible. He felt her begin to tremble and she moaned a little louder. He kissed her softy, as her trembling heightened to a level that he knew was almost there. His kisses grew deeper at the feel of her accelerated heartbeat against his own pounding chest. She moaned in his mouth and squeezed her leg around him. He pulled away to watch her and slowed his fingers.

Her beautiful br**sts rose up and down as she tried to catch her breath but he could see in her face, feel it in his fingers she was still enjoying it. He kissed her forehead. “I love you, Grace.”

She smiled, closing her eyes with a look of complete satisfaction—exactly what he was striving for. He watched her for a little longer before leaning over to his nightstand and pulled out a condom. Glancing at Grace, he saw that she watched him. “You’re sure about this, right babe? Because I’d totally understand if—”

Grace touched his arm. “I’m sure—completely. And I couldn’t have planned today more perfectly than you did. Thank you.”

Feeling an ache in his heart and an overwhelming fear about the possibility of ever losing her, he leaned in and kissed her. “I’d do anything for you, Gracie. Anything.”

With the condom on, he lay over her again. Nothing fancy the first time. He just wanted her to get through it as painlessly as possible. Spreading her legs gently, he positioned himself between them. He held both her hands on either side of her face and leaned in to kiss her as he entered her slowly… carefully. He continued to kiss her softly, feeling her breathing accelerate, the deeper he went. “How you doing?”

“Good,” She nodded. “I love you so much, Sal.”

“I love you more.” He saw her wince and he stopped.

“No,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”

“You sure?”

“We’re almost there aren’t we?”