Page 66 of Body Shot

Except I can’t just throw her down and shove it in.

I need to make sure she’s ready. Aroused. Focused on me and not thinking about the past.

“Anders?” There’s a hint of insecurity in her voice and I realize I’ve been so caught up in my own thoughts, I haven’t answered her.

“I just don’t want to hurt you,” I say, grateful I’ve just pulled into my parking spot and can turn off the car. I turn to face her. “You know how much I want to be with you, make love to you, show you everything you’ve been missing. But the idea of possibly hurting you makes it hard to get it up.”

To my surprise, she smiles and reaches out to put one hand on the side of my face. “My doctor assures me that’s not going to happen. The only obstacle here is my overactive brain. Which is why I need you to take the lead and just do it. If you let me keep mulling it over, I’ll never do it. And I have to. I have to get past this, Anders.”

“I know, baby.” I reach out and brush her hair away from her face.

She’s so pretty.

I love staring into her beautiful eyes.

Right now, those eyes are a little haunted, and there’s no doubt she’s battling an inner demon that I need to help her conquer.

“Are you scared too?” she whispers, pressing her forehead to mine.

“A little.”

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to do it. I just thought?—”

“Shh.” I take her hand and bring it to my lips, pressing soft kisses to the back and her fingers. “I want you so bad I can’t even think straight when we’re together. But I want it to be good for you.”

“I’ll just be happy if everything works the way it’s supposed to.”

“Let’s go inside,” I suggest.

“Okay.”

We head to the elevator hand-in-hand, and she leans against my chest on the ride up to the eighth floor. I’d been hoping for flirty and playful, but clingy and needy works for me. I don’t mind taking on the role of protector, even though it’s new to me. My girlfriends over the years have been strong, independent, and sexually adventurous. Claudia has independence in spades, but she needs a bit of support in the other areas, and I realize that I want to be there for her, even if it’s a bit out of my comfort zone.

In some ways, it’s like she’s a virgin, and I’ve never been with one before. My own first time was with someone older and more experienced, so this is a first of sorts for me as well.

Neither of us talk as we head up to my condo, and there’s only one light on in the kitchen as I open the door.

“Felix is out, right?” she asks quietly.

“He promised, but I’ll doublecheck.” I call out to him. “Felix—you home?” I head down the hall and knock on his door before opening it. His bed is made, and everything is dark and quiet, so I close the door again.

“I, uh, bought something for you,” Claudia says, her voice a little shaky.

“For me?” I ask in surprise.

She nods, and then gives me a shy smile before pulling her dress over her head.

Holy shit.

She’s wearing a black lace bra that makes her boobs look even more amazing, and matching lace thong panties, which I know because she does a little twirl to give me the full view.

“Damn,” I breathe, slowly approaching her. “You’re fucking beautiful.”

“Th-thank you.”

“I love lingerie.”

“I wasn’t sure if you would,” she whispers, gazing up at me. “I’ve heard some guys don’t.”

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