Page 18 of Never Let Me Go

Marisa wrung her hands, her expression agitated. “I told you my virginity wasn’t a big deal. That it happened for a lot of reasons. That I hadn’t been waiting for Mr. Right.”

“I remember.”

“What if that’s not true?” she said. “What if—unconsciously—I was waiting all along for someone like you?”

The bottom fell out of his stomach. His heart pounded. Jubilation and relief flooded his chest followed by a wave of panic. Could he be the man she wanted and needed? What if he bobbled things again?

But then he looked at her brave sweet face and saw the uncertainty, the vulnerability. “If that’s true,” he said quietly, “then I’m the luckiest man alive. No other woman has ever made me feel the way you do. I’ve spent a year and a half feeling lost and unhappy and stupid, all because I let you get away. It won’t happen again, my love. I swear.”

A smile bloomed on her face. Her luminous beauty took his breath away.

“That’s a pretty great promise,” she said, the words soft.

“One question,” he muttered, feeling himself lose his grip on common sense. “Are you wearing anything at all under that robe?”

Marisa ducked her head and grinned ruefully. “No.”

He shuddered hard. His sex throbbed. “Is it too soon to kiss you?”

“Not at all.” Her whisper was quiet, but he saw on her face that she was overwhelmed with the same feelings he was experiencing.

Instead of waiting for her to walk around the sofa, he took her in his arms and dragged her across the back. They tumbled onto the cushions, laughing. Touching. Feeling the moment of awe.

Against all odds, they had found each other.

He peeled back the lapels of her robe and sucked in a breath. She was naked as the day she was born. Her skin was soft and pale and smooth.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, stroking from her throat to her breasts to the slightly curved plane of her stomach.

“Make love to me, Jeff.”

How could a man ever refuse such a request?

“I’m almost afraid to touch you,” he joked. “I’ve been dreaming about this for months.”

She cupped his face with her hand. “That makes two of us.”

Her eyes sparkled up at him. His breathing got all jacked up, and he felt clumsy and uncoordinated.

“Should we take this to the bedroom?” he asked.

“What doyouwant?” she asked, her small grin mischievous.

“I’ll show you,” he whispered raggedly.

Having Marisa watch him as he undressed only made his erection harder and more painful. He felt like he’d been in a semipermanent state of arousal since the moment he met her at the gazebo.

When he was bare-ass naked, he put his hands on his hips, staring at her. While he was occupied, Marisa had sat up and was now clutching a light, furry throw blanket to her chest.

“Do you trust me?” he asked soberly.

“Yes.”

Her instant answer soothed a few of his doubts. “Lie down and put your heel on the back of the sofa,” he said.

Marisa’s eyes widened, but she scooted down on her back and raised her leg.

Holy hell.The visual almost did him in. Perhaps he might last longer with the lights out. He tried to swallow, but a lump of emotion in his throat threatened to choke him.

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