“You don’t need to be sorry. About anything. Just relax.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know.” She lets out a labored sigh. She sounds defeated.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I demand as I suck her nipple into my mouth, causing her to gasp.

“I can’t.”

“You can.” I trace my hand down her arm and slip my fingers in between hers, giving them a light squeeze. I lift my head and peer into her eyes. More than pleasure, this is about her feeling safe, confident and in control.

“A million things,” she answers weakly.

“Such as?” I stare up at her, riveted.

“Like, was I supposed to shave down there? I mean, I’m trimmed, but are you expecting shaved? Is there such a thing as being too shaved? Why should I have to shave if you don’t? That’s a sexist double standard. What other primping was I supposed to do? I know I need to trim my fingernails. I bite my nails. Is that something guys care about? Should I get a haircut? Did I use enough deodorant this morning? What if I smell once we get sweaty? I wish I changed the sheets. What am I supposed to do with my hands? Am I supposed to touch you?” She only stops rambling when she runs out of breath.

“Wow. Okay. So, a lot going on up there.” I smile and give her hand another light squeeze. “How about you try to focus on how this feels?” I dip my head and take her nipple into my mouth again, swirling my tongue around it firmly. She lets out a soft moan, but her body doesn’t relax.

“I can’t… I can’t stop the thoughts.”

Unwilling to give up, I rack my brain for how to get her out of her head.

“Are you willing to try something?” I ask tentatively.

She bites her lip, stares deep into my eyes and gives a gentle nod. I roll over and sit up against the headboard. I slip the lingerie off her shoulders and pull her into my lap. With her hips nestled between my thighs, her back against my chest, and my arms wrapped around her, we are intimately connected.

“Close your eyes.”

She does so without question, dropping her head back against my shoulder. Now I can see her sweet face contorted with insecurity. My chest tightens at the sight.

“I want you to ignore the thoughts. The doubts. Focus only on my voice and my touch. Understand?”

She nods.

“Take off your panties,” I command.

She doesn’t move.

“Don’t think. Just do it.”

She furrows her forehead and pinches her eyes shut tighter but doesn’t argue. She hooks her thumbs into the sides of her panties and slides them off, keeping her thighs closed tight the whole time.

She’s completely naked and exquisitely beautiful.