“Ready for me?” He squirted lube on his hand and jacked himself…When had he gotten that? Was I so out of it I’d missed it?

“I wanted to blow you.”

“Another time. This is about you tonight, Em.” He lowered my legs and lay on top of me. “This good?”

“Yeah.”

So slowly, Saros pressed inside of me. The pressure was a lot but I bore down; I knew the basics. Inch by inch he filled me, and I breathed through the burn, through the pain, until he was all the way in, and I shivered.

“Damn you’re so tight, Em.”

“And you’re huge.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, but…”But what?I needed something.

“I got you.”

Then he started moving, and a rush of immense pleasure washed through me, over me, in me.

“Holy shit.”

Everything in the world ceased to exist. All there was in this moment was me and Saros. His scent surrounded me, his touch anchored me, but with each thrust I was becoming undone. Sensations overwhelmed me, and I came with a sob.

Saros’s arms encircled me, and he wrapped himself around me as his orgasm exploded. I was surrounded by him, every facetof his being encompassing me, scent, touch, taste, sight, sound, all of it…it was perfect.

“Are you okay?” he whispered into my ear, and I melted.

“I’ve never…” My throat closed up as tears flowed freely down my cheeks. “That was the greatest…”

“Speechless, huh?” He chuckled and lifted his head so I could completely see his face. “Why are you crying?” He pulled an arm out from under me and wiped my cheek.

“Because I’ve never felt this way.”

“What way is that?”

“Cherished. You make me feel cherished, Saros.”

He smiled and tenderly pressed his lips to mine. “You are, Em.”

We kissed some more before Saros slipped free. I tried to get up, but he told me to relax. A few seconds later I heard the water running, and then he came out holding a washcloth.

“Let me clean you up.” He parted my legs as if I were fragile and wiped over my skin tenderly. When he deemed me done, he tossed the washcloth beside the bed and wrapped me close.

“Thank you,” I said as I kissed his forearm that was conveniently near my face.

“And what are you thanking me for?”

I shifted so I could look at his beautiful face. “My whole life—well, at least until I knew what sex was—I dreamed of what it would feel like to be with someone. I’ve seen sex used as a tool and a manipulation. I had no real reference, so I watched movies. After that, I wanted to find someone who would want to be with me without pain, just bliss, and you gave that to me.”

He kissed my forehead, and even that was intense. “You are worth all the good things in life, Em. Thank you for giving me this part of yourself.”

We’d been quiet for a beat when I asked something that had been niggling at the back of my brain.

“Was it…did you…was I good?”

He tilted my chin up, his blue eyes surprisingly bright in the darkened room. “You were amazing, and I can’t wait to do that with you a hell of a lot more.”