“What would you like me to do now?”

I whisper.

His eyes focus on mine, just a bit glassy like he’s intoxicated, but I know it’s not from the wine we’ve consumed all evening. He closes his eyes briefly, and then starts shedding his clothes, letting them fall unheeded to the floor around him.

Suddenly, he’s standing before me naked. “I’m almost afraid to touch you,”

he whispers.

“Why?” I cock my head to the side, confused. Touch me! Please, for the love of all that’s holy, touch me!

“I’m afraid you’re not real.” And just like that I see the vulnerability in his eyes and I walk to him, raising my hands up his chest, over his shoulders and into his hair. His blue gaze is on mine and I smile tenderly.

“I’m real, and I’m yours.” I push up on my toes and run my lips across his and he shudders, exhaling deeply.

He reaches down and cups my bottom in his hands and lifts me, wrapping my legs around his waist, and walks us back to the bed. But he doesn’t drop me; he wraps his impossibly strong arms around me and lowers me gently, without lifting his lips from mine.

He kisses me madly, voraciously, cupping my face in his hands while he lays over me, bracing himself on his elbows. My hands drift down his back to his butt and back up to his shoulders, over and over. His erection presses against my now wet panties and he rocks his hips back and forth, sending zings of electricity through me.

“God, I’ve been fantasizing about this since the day I met you,” He mutters as he moves his mouth from mine to my neck.

“About what?”

“You, in pearls and these shoes, wrapped around me.”

“How’s it working out for you?” I gasp as he rocks against me again and I tighten my legs around his hips.

He smiles against my neck. “Better than I ever dreamed possible.”

He rubs his nose along my pearls.

“You look so magnificent in these.”

“I love them. Thank you.”

He leans up on his elbows and pins me with those shining blue eyes, gazing intently into mine. He brushes his thumbs down my cheeks and I run my fingers through his hair.

“What is it?” I ask, reveling in the intense way he’s looking down at me.

“I love you.”

The words are strong, firm, with no hesitation, his intense gaze never falters, and I know, undoubtedly, that he means it. My heart stops, tears fall from the corners of my eyes and I clasp his precious face in my hands as I gaze up at my incredible man.

“I love you too.” He brushes my tears away with his fingertips, and then leans down and kisses my eyelids.

“Don’t cry, baby.” His lips graze my cheek and settle back on my lips again, and I’m completely bewildered and lost to him.

“Make love to me, please.” I want him more than anything. I want to feel him move through me, I want to see the passion on his face as he erupts inside me.

He smiles tenderly, sits back and hitches my panties in his thumbs. I raise my hips so he can slide them down my legs. He moves back on top of me and smoothes one hand up my leg, over the stockings, and lightly rubs his fingertips over the skin just above where the stockings end.

It’s delicious.

That talented hand moves between my legs and he slips two fingers inside me, his thumb wreaking havoc on my clitoris and I bow up off the bed.

Oh god, it’s just so good.

“Feel it, baby.”

Oh, I do. My hips circle and his fingers push in and out of me in a sensual rhythm. He leans down and kisses me, his tongue invading my mouth with the same rhythm of his fingers. Just as I feel my body quicken, and the shudders start, he pulls them out of me.

“No!”

He grins down at me and swiftly fills me, burying himself inside me.

“Oh, yes.”

“Better?” His eyes burn down into mine and he starts to move, and I’m overcome with sensation. My body is on fire; my heart is so full of love for this beautiful man. I can’t find my voice, so I simply nod and hold onto him, gripping his tight rear, pulling him to me.

“Oh baby, you’re so tight.” He clenches his jaw and I grip him with my most intimate muscles, knowing that he’s so close to his own violent explosion, and that I’m going with him.

“Come with me, my love.” His eyes fly open and then shut again as he shudders inside me and my body follows, clenching around him, pulsing with need.

“Oh Natalie, yes!”

***

Luke is in his favorite spot, his head resting between my breasts, arms hugging my hips, and our breathing is starting to slow.

I can’t believe that I had to wait twenty-five years for a man to truly make sweet, tender love to me.

Well, almost twenty-six years as of Saturday.

I also can’t believe that we just let the L word slip. I hope it wasn’t just because it was in the heat of the moment, because of this impossibly romantic night. But as I think back on the look in his eyes as he said those three words, I know that he meant it. Even though we’ve only known each other for such a short time, and there’s still so much to learn.

I also know that my heart has never been so full, and I have never met a man as kind, intelligent and as sweet as he is. I feel safe with him, and I feel beautiful and cherished.

Yes, he has a jealous streak, but don’t we all?

“Don’t over think this, baby.”

I look down and frown.

“Over think what?”