“I don’t want it to be like that, baby. But I won’t play games with you. I’ll wait, and it will fucking kill me, but I’ll do it for you.”

She runs her hand up to my neck, and I lean into her touch. I close my eyes and take a breath, wanting so desperately to have her.

“I’m here because I want it all. You, me, and whatever this could become.”

I open my eyes and see the truth in hers.

“I’ve never felt this before, and I’m scared.”

The raw vulnerability she’s showing me right now makes my chest ache. It’s exactly what I’ve been wanting her to say since the day I laid eyes on her. But I want her to be as sure as I am. Once I’ve had her, there’s no going back.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Pandora.” I wrap my arms around her and look into her dark blue eyes. “I’ll never hurt you, and I’ll never leave you. So make sure when you tell me that you want this, that you damn well mean it. Because when you’re mine, that’s forever, baby.”

“I’m trusting you with my heart,” she says, and I smile.

“You’ve already got both hands wrapped around mine. Be careful with my precious cargo.” I pull her away from the wall, and she laughs as I walk us back to my bedroom.

When I carry her in, I lay her down on the bed and lie on top of her. I’m not ready to kiss her yet, because I just want to look at her in my bed. I’ve pictured her more times than I can count, and none of the images did it justice.

“I’ve never done this before,” she whispers, and I see her cheeks turn pink.

I could make a joke and lighten the mood, but I don’t want to. This is important to me, and I want it to be important to her.

“Then I’ll be gentle.” I rub my nose against hers.

“I’m on the pill.” She shrugs, and then opens her mouth to say something else, and I place my fingers on her lips.

“I’m clean, you’re clean. No condoms.” I wait a beat, and she nods.

When I take my finger away, I replace it with my lips. The kiss is soft at first, but when her hands get on my skin, I’m like an animal that’s found its mate.

Reaching for the hem of her tank top, I pull it up and over her head, throwing it to the ground. Her breasts are bared to me, her pink nipples tight with desire. I suck one into my mouth as I slip my hand down the front of her jean shorts and into her panties.