Her body so different than his, requiring more finesse, requiring him to listen, to respond, make small adjustments.

There was nothing else to do, nowhere else to be, but between her thighs. Loving her with his tongue, his lips and, now, one of his fingers because he had to feel her heat, had to feel her clench around some part of him.

Two fingers now, moving back and upward in a fluttering motion, searching for the place that made her sighs more urgent.

His tongue stroking in concert with the little rolling movements she made with her hips, urging him on. Her fingers clutched his hair, digging into his scalp, none too gently, and he knew she was close. Her stomach muscles tightened, she tensed, she was so silent . . . holding her breath.

He focused entirely on her pleasure, he would never stop, not until she came.

He stroked with his tongue, moving his fingers inside her, and finally . . . finally she shuddered, tensed, and came undone. Her hips bucked beneath him and she cried his name.

“West! My goodness. That’s . . . oh. My.”

The most beautiful music in the world, her little moans and the stuttered rhythm of her breathing.

He withdrew his fingers and licked them, watching her, watching him. “You taste so good.”

She lowered her head but continued to watch.

“Was that enough, my wicked wallflower?”

“Mmm.” She stretched like a cat, her eyes closed, hair tumbling in waves around her shoulders, over her breasts. “Not nearly enough.”

Her eyes opened and the new-fern green pierced his heart.

Life begins with a woman with green eyes that see into my soul and a smile that makes me want to be a better man.

She tugged at his shirt and attempted, inexpertly, to open his trousers.

He helped her along, removing everything until he was uncovered for her.

Her gaze flicked to his cock and he sucked in a ragged breath. He gripped himself with his fist. Offering himself to her. “Is this what you want?”

“Y-yes.” Her voice faltered slightly.

“If you’re scared, if you don’t want this, we can stop. All you have to do is say the word.”

“I know. And I want this. I want to feel you deep inside me. I want to know what it’s like to join with you, our bodies, our minds.” She placed a hand on his chest. “Our hearts.”

He was in so much trouble. “I want to know that, too.” He’d never felt this way about anyone before and her hand over his heart felt like a benediction. He was forgiven.

He could reinvent himself. Become something better. Something worthy of this beautiful woman and her sweet, gentle smile.

“Kiss me.” She held out her arms and he nestled home, into her embrace. Their kiss was an urgent coupling, a tangling of tongues, and it told him everything he needed to know. She was here with him in this moment. Unafraid. Magnificently uninhibited.