Page 39 of Love Shots

She swallowed down the lump in her throat. Thank God her face was hidden, and Teddy couldn’t see her now-burning cheeks. “It’s embarrassing ...” She paused and let the soothing motion of his fingers give her strength. “I haven’t ... I don’t have much experience when it comes to guys.”

She felt Teddy’s body tense. She was once again glad that he couldn’t see her face. If she wanted to get through this, she needed to keep her attention as far from those green flames as possible.

“We never really talked about what happened when we ... when we were younger. But, um, you, uh ... you weren’t the only one who was a virgin when you left for the Navy.” She could feel his heart thumping against her bare chest. She could swear that it had grown faster. “I guess I ... I, uh, I always thought you’d be my first.”

A tortured groan echoed around the quiet room, followed by a string of expletives. She waited for him to stop, burying her head farther into his neck.

When he’d finally finished cursing a blue streak, she steeled herself. She’d come this far. No point turning back now.

“Before you, I’d only ever been in two relationships. Colt ... and Ben.”

“Jesus Christ, Summer. I-I ... that’s ...”

“Pathetic,” she finished his sentence for him. “I know. I’m a thirty-four-year-old woman for God’s sake, trust me I know that I’m—”

Before she could finish, she was flipped onto her back. Her hands pinned on either side of her head as Teddy loomed over her. Even in the darkness she could see that his eyes were blazing.

“Call yourself pathetic one more time, Summer, and I’ll spank that pretty little butt of yours until you’re walking around with my handprints on it.”

“Uh ...” She stopped. She had no idea what to say. Yes, please?

“Let me get this straight, doll. You’ve only ever been with two men?”

“Um ... and you ... so, uh, three, technically.”

More curses trickled out. Each one more creative than the last. “If I didn’t already hate that motherfucker Colt, I sure as shit do now. And that asshole Ben. Fuck. It’s my fault. All of it.”

“What?”

“It’s my fault, baby. If I’d have just manned up all those years ago and told you how I felt ...”

She jiggled her hands until they were free from his grasp and cradled his face. She could clearly see the regret swimming in the creases around his temple. She wanted to kiss it away.

“Don’t. Don’t do that. We’re here now, aren’t we? We found each other again. That’s all that matters.” She lifted until her lips brushed his forehead and continued her assault until his whole face had been covered in kisses. “I just needed you to know. I needed you to understand why I might be bad at this. Why I’m probably gonna fuck up.” This time she pressed a kiss to his lips and inhaled his musky scent.

He lowered his forehead to hers. The move pushed her back onto the pillow. “I want to give you everything, doll. You know that, right?” He didn’t wait for her to reply. “I wanna show you what a relationship is supposed to be like. How you’re meant to be treated. How you’re supposed to be loved. Everything you’ve never had. And I swear to God, that’s what I’m gonna strive to do. Every. Single. Day.”

Holy shit. Did he just say loved? No. He can’t have meant it like that. Not yet. It’s too soon. See? This just proves how much I suck at this!

She was still trying to think of a reply that wasn’t “okay” when he continued to blow her mind. “But, baby, there’s something you should know too. Your two relationships ... well, that’s two more than me. I’m flying fucking blind here. Literally. You’re scared you’re gonna fuck this up? Well, I’m fucking terrified.”

Oh my God. Seriously?

How was it possible that this beautiful man had never been in a relationship before? As if reading her mind, she didn’t need to wait too long for an answer.

“Don’t get me wrong, doll, I’ve had my fair share of encounters. Casual ones. But relationships? I’ve got zero experience. Seeing as we’re laying all our cards on the table tonight ...” He drew up slightly so he could capture her eyes, her pulse immediately quickened when she got a glimpse of the intensity in his expression. “No one was you, Summer. Not one single person came close.”

Her chest tightened. It was suddenly hard to breathe. Hard to think. And evidently too hard to speak as well because all she managed to say in reply was, “Teddy”.

“What was the point in dating when I knew I wouldn’t ... couldn’t ever feel for anyone what I felt for you?”

She hadn’t even noticed she’d sprung a leak until tears spilled over her cheeks, dampening her ears. Overwhelmed didn’t even begin to cover how she was feeling. The last thing she wanted was to dwell on the past, but now all she could think about was what if. They’d wasted so much time.

“Kiss me,” she whispered, “make me yours.”

A growl erupted before his mouth claimed hers. If she thought his kisses had felt possessive before, she’d had no damn clue. As he devoured and tasted every inch of her, contentment settled over her. She felt owned. Worshipped. Loved. She was his and he was hers. Fucking finally.

***

---