“Me neither,” I quip with a coy smile. I’m rewarded with his mischievous grin. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m a new woman. One who takes what she wants. And right now, I want Austin Jacobs.

“Touché.” I watch the playfulness fade from his face, replaced by a gentle sincerity. “We’ll go slow. We can stop any time you want.”

I bite my lip and nod, not trusting my voice.

This is actually happening.

His firm grip on my hips relaxes, letting me slowly lower myself onto him, inch by inch. He’s bigger than any toy I’ve ever used, but there’s no pain. Only a sense of fullness and connection when he’s finally seated deep inside me.

I close my eyes and take a breath.

So long, virginity.

I try to focus on my body, on this feeling.

Don’t freak out.

Why did I think I could do this? Ride Austin, like it’s nothing new. Like I’ve done this a million times before. I haven’t. I’m not a new woman. I’m not a sexual goddess. I’m just me. And this is a big deal.

It’s sex.

With Austin. I’m petrified. Frozen. Fossilized.

Am I doing this right?

Should I be making more noise?

Less noise?

Should he be on top?

Should we have waited?

“I need you here with me, Goose.” Austin’s voice rings in my ears as he sits up, pulling my chest to his with one of his muscular arms. “Just be here, now.” He caresses my cheek and I lean into it while he peppers my neck with the softest kisses. “I’ve got you.” The sound of his voice anchors me to this moment, to him.

I’m on top, but Austin has taken control. He lifts me by the waist, sliding out of me slowly. I rest my hands on his strong shoulders and follow the leisurely rhythm his hips set. With every stroke, pleasure builds in my core, coiling tighter and tighter like a spring under tension. “You’re so beautiful.” His breath is hot against my neck.

His words are velvet caressing my worried mind, soothing my anxiety and stoking my lust. “I’ve wanted you since that first night.”

I focus on his words as he plunges into me faster, driving me to the edge.

“Since I saw you in nothing but my shirt. Do you know what you do to me?”

I shake my head, unable to form actual words.

“You drive me crazy,” he grunts. He sounds desperate, consumed. I dig my fingers into his solid shoulders, reveling in the sensation of him. He captures my lips with his in a flood of devotion. He kisses me with everything he has, everything he is.

I’ve never felt so close to someone, so connected. We’re moving together, breathing together, our hearts beating together.