At first Laura was unnerved by the sensations he created with his mouth, his fingers, his breath. But his honeyed reassurances made her relax and she allowed herself to feel and respond. His skin felt like silk too, but she didn’t mention it, just brushed her lips over the curve of his arm, feeling the shape of his muscles.

Later, when he paid intimate attention to her with his lips and tongue, she thought the sensation might overwhelm her and she resisted. And then it overcame her resistance and she almost lost consciousness. This time with pleasure.

Much later she said, ‘Goodness me. Is it always like that?’

He laughed, still slightly breathless. ‘No, it is not always like that. Chemistry is something you can’t fake. We’ve set a very high standard for your first time.’ He sighed deeply. ‘I was absolutely determined to give you the very best experience I possibly could but if you hadn’t responded as you did, it wouldn’t have been anything like so wonderful.’ He pulled her a little closer to him. ‘You’re a natural.’

‘Am I? That’s nice. I always thought I’d be rubbish at lovemaking.’ A memory floated into her mind. ‘Monica said you weren’t a “novice ride”.’

She heard the rumble in his chest as he laughed. ‘Well, I don’t suppose I am, usually, but you and I do seem to have a special something.’ He chuckled again. ‘When you tell her all about it, don’t forget to tell Monica that I did use a condom.’

‘Perhaps I won’t tell her all about it.’ Just then Laura didn’t like the thought of sharing their special secret.

‘She’ll get it out of you. You don’t have to tell her the details.’

‘Certainly not!’ Recalling some of the details made her blush and go gooey all over again. Had he really done those things? And had she really liked them so much?

‘But you haven’t forgotten any of the details?’

‘No . . .’

‘Well, just to make sure you don’t, I think we’ll repeat the exercise . . .’

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

They ‘repeated the exercise’ on and off all night. Laura woke early. She hadn’t eaten much the day before and was now absolutely ravenous. Although she didn’t think she’d moved, she must have because Dermot stirred.

‘All right?’ he muttered into her neck.

‘Mm, but absolutely starving!’ She sighed happily as she thought about why.

‘Mm, me too.’ Dermot stretched. ‘Is there any food left?’

‘I don’t think so. I think you ate everything.’

‘In which case, my darling, I’d better get up and buy some breakfast. I have this peculiar urge for kedgeree.’ He slid out of bed and started finding his clothes.