Mack lifted Flora’s hand and kissed. “Having you here, with my friends, my cousin, it’s made me so happy. Happier than I can ever remember. I want us to be together. I want you to be my girlfriend. If that’s too fast for you, I can wait. I just want you to know—you are a part of me already, and because of that you aren’t alone any more. You have me and all my family.”

“Thank you so much for saying that. I’d love you to be my girlfriend. Dr. Carrson was talking to me about intimacy, and building it up, because I want everything with you.”

“How about a massage? It’s my specialty.”

“I’d love it.”

“Okay,” Mack said. “Lie on your front, and I’ll be just a second.”

Flora was nervous and excited. This was what she wanted, needed from Mack. She’d thought a lot about what it would feel like for Mack to touch her and couldn’t wait to feel it for real. Just like Dr. Carrson had suggested, a massage was a great way to build intimacy with Mack.

She didn’t feel frightened of sex with Mack, but she was scared of not knowing what to do and making a fool of herself. How could she ever hope to make an experienced woman like Mack feel good?

She heard Mack come back and then say to Dexter, “In your dog bed tonight, wee man. Flo and I need some space tonight.”

Flora’s heart started to thud in anticipation of Mack’s touch. As she was on her front, Mack knelt by the side of the bed to speak to her.

She held up a bottle and said, “I got some cream. Do you still want to do this?”

Flora smiled. “Yes, I want to be close to you.”

Mack kissed her. “So do I. Thank you for trusting me.”

“You’re the only one I could trust.”

Mack got up on the bed, then straddled Flora’s hips. “Could you pull up your nightie, please.”

Much to Mack’s surprise, Flora pulled the nightie up and over her shoulders, then pulled it off, throwing it onto the floor.

Mack was not expecting that—she wasn’t expecting anything like this—but she was going to make sure she savoured every moment. As she squeezed some cream onto her palm, she said, “You can stop at any time. Just say.”

“I will.”

Mack spread the cream over Flora’s back and she shivered. “Cold?”

“Just a bit.” Flora giggled.

“I’ll warm you up, wee mouse.”

Mack started rubbing the cream all over her back and shoulders, making sure every bit was covered. Then she proceeded to lightly trail her fingers over Flora’s skin, so that she would get used to Mack’s touch.

“That’s so nice,” Flora said.

“It’s only going to get better.”