His smile is sweet. “Don’t be embarrassed, Bellissima.” He pulls me close, his body pressed against mine. I can feel his hard length against my belly. “See what you do to me? Should I be embarrassed by what is natural?”

“No. But even feeling that, you said we should stop.”

“You deserve better.”

“Better than what? As far as I can tell, you are better than my other option.”

His jaw tightens, and I swear I see a tug-of-war going on in his eyes. “I tell you what. I’ll give you pleasure… your first orgasm.”

My entire body lights up. He pulls me away from the door and leads me to the bedroom.

His eyes study me as we stand next to the bed. “You’re sure?”

I nod like a bobble head.

He kisses me, and I quickly sink into the wonders of it. Then his hands are on me, caressing and undressing me. I feel like I need to do something, touch him back, but I’m lost in the sensations of his kiss and touch.

He pulls away for a moment, his gaze raking over my body. It’s only then that I realize I’m naked. I start to cover myself with my arms.

“Don’t. Don’t ever hide your beautiful body.” His gaze returns to my face. “Do you understand?”

I give a nod.

“Good. Lie down.”

Lying down on the bed, I feel nervous but excited. He crawls on the bed next to me.

“What about you?” I ask, noting he’s still dressed. I might be a virgin, but I know how this is all supposed to work. He needs to be naked too. And oh, how much I want to see him naked.

He shakes his head. “This is about you.” He lies on his right side next to me, wincing slightly, reminding me of his injury.

“Your wound… I forgot?—”

“It’s not a problem. Close your eyes and relax.”

I bite my lip as nerves threaten to make me chicken out. But I want this. I want all these lovely sensations I’m feeling right now to continue. So I close my eyes and take a breath.

“Now just feel.”

What I feel first are lips along my jaw and neck. Then a large hand covers my breast. I arch into it. Next… oh, my God… his lips are sucking my nipple, and I feel it straight to my core. I gasp, my hands going to his head, holding him to me.

He makes an “mmm” sound that reverberates through me. “You like this?”

“Yes,” I say on another gasp. His hands move down my body, never leaving my skin. I squirm with pent up need. It’s growing, hotter, tighter. It’s torture.

His hand moves between my legs. A rush of heat pools there as his finger brushes over me.

“Oh!” I cry out at the zap of pleasure.

“You like that too?”

“Yes.” My hips rock, wanting more.

“Open for me, Bellissima.”

I like this new nickname.

His fingers explore between my thighs, and it’s beyond anything I’ve ever imagined. He slides a finger inside me, and I feel like I’ve stuck my finger in a light socket. The energy ratchets up.