“I want you in bed.” But I also need to slow this down before it’s over too quickly. I kick the bedroom door open, set her down by the bed, and instruct her to turn around. She slowly pivots, giving me her back. I reach forward, my hands shaking terribly, and start to unfasten the buttons on the back of her dress. “Please tell me you have lace on. I need you in lace.” She doesn’t have a chance to confirm. Her dress hits the floor, and my heart joins it. Jesus. I can only stare, mesmerized, as she returns to face me. My eyes fixed on her boobs, I extend a hand and pull one cup down, stroking across her nipple with the back of my hand. Her body concaves, like she’s trying to escape my touch. Or more, struggling to deal with the contact. I remove my T-shirt and toss it aside, and her eyes fall onto my chest, her wonder obvious. It’s somewhere close to mine.

“Have you had a nice day?” I dip and remove my shoes.

“I’ve had a lovely day.” Her voice is pure hunger, her eyes pure awe.

“Me too.” I swallow, kicking aside my conscience, which is currently reminding me of the vows I made. “Shall we make it even better?”

“Yes,” she whispers, not moving, waiting for me to claim her.

“Come here,” I order gently. She’s pushed up against me in a heartbeat, her hands stroking my chest, looking at me with so much fucking love. It’s love. Can’t be anything else. She loves me.

I lift her, and her legs coil around my body, her touch moving to my head. My mouth finds hers again, except this time we both seem content to take it slowly, our moves, our kiss, matching the dull, slow beats of the music. I lower her to the bed and crowd her, settling her arms on the pillow before rising to my knees. And I watch her watching me, her eyes heavy, her gaze concentrated. Say it. Tell her. But what if she doesn’t say it back? What if I’m completely mistaken? What if my instinct is playing tricks on me? What if it really was the alcohol talking for her that night? This uncertainty, the second-guessing, is driving me to distraction.

I extend a hand and roll my fingertip around her nipple, making her back bow subtly. “I could sit and watch you writhe under my touch all day.” Watch her body respond so willingly. So naturally. “Stay where you are.” I move down the bed, peeling her knickers off as I do, and her legs shift, exposing her entrance, her flesh glistening with her desire. I stand, swallow repeatedly, my eyes nailed just there as I remove my jeans and boxers. I bend, resting my weight on my fists, and crawl up her body, dragging my tongue across her pussy.