Page 81 of Lime Tree Hill

She nodded. Held his gaze. Rocked into his rhythm. “Amazing.”

They kissed again—the smile in her eyes his cue to proceed as she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on tight.

Mitch smoothed her hair away from her face with a gentle touch. “That flush on your cheeks…so damn beautiful.”

“You make me feel so desired, watching me the way you do.”

“I never want to look away. Haven’t for weeks.” His lips found her earlobe, neck, collarbone. “But I can’t hold on much longer.”

To his surprise, her release was as vocal and intense as his, and as they lay back on the bed, both panting for breath, all he could think wasfuck.He turned his head to look at her, her hand resting at the base of her throat where his lips had been moments before.

“What’s going on in that busy mind of yours?” he asked, unsure if he wanted a truthful answer. What if she hadn’t enjoyed it? Although, she hadn’t faked it. Of that, he was sure.

Tayla reached for his hand, her fingers warm as she traced back and forth across his knuckles, her touch featherlike against his skin. She sighed, closed her eyes, and whispered, “That was the most intensely beautiful moment in my entire life. Thank you for being so patient.”

Rolling onto his side, Mitch propped himself up on one elbow, smiling down at her as he relaxed. He brushed a lock of hair from her face then kissed her—not passionately like before, but with appreciation, admiration. “Thank you for trusting me to be your first. I’m honored.”

Her hand cupped his cheek, her face still flushed and her eyes wide. “So…was it okay? For you, I mean?”

He leaned in again, his lips soft against hers, then pulled back. “You were amazing. Was it what you expected?”

“Kind of. I didn’t think it would be so intense…so all-consuming. Ned could have been banging on the door for ages, and there’s no way I would have noticed.”

Mitch laughed. He loved her playful side. Loved the look and smell of her, the delicate feel of her body under his, her enquiring mind. “Me neither.”

“How does it feel for a man, you know, when you come?”

“Well…”

As the moon traveled across the sky, Tayla had stayed awake for a while longer, her thoughts in overdrive as she listened to Mitch breathing beside her. How had it come to pass that this man, Norman’s grandson, was her husband—her lover? Was it fate or circumstance that brought them together? She’d imagined this night many times, but never in her wildest dreams had the fantasy matched the reality.

Making love to Mitch brought with it a new level of understanding. The intensity of losing yourself in the touch of another—the euphoria, and afterward, that feeling of pure contentment—was akin to a spiritual experience. The memory of his energy and power over her, and how she’d given herself to him without restraint, would stay with her always.

She’d expected it to hurt, and at first it had a little. But as they’d synced in beat and rhythm, the pain vanished. She’d also thought it would be over quickly, but there had been no haste as she released herself into his giving hands. Afterward, she’d wondered if Mitch would roll over and fall asleep straight away. But they coiled around one another as if bound together by an invisible cord, and talked until he drifted off.

And now, as the dawn chorus made a racket beyond their open window, she recalled the details—every kiss, every whispered command—and she wanted to reach over, take him in her hands and beg for more.

“Hey.” He stirred, his breath puffing across her neck. “How come you’re awake so early?”

Tayla looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. “Just thinking.”

“And what’s the verdict?”

“What do you mean?” She turned in his arms to face him.

He kissed her on the forehead. “In there. Do I still pass the test?”

She cupped his face. Kissed him. “I’m not sure. I might need you to repeat it before I award an A-plus.”

Mitch chuckled. “So, you’re giving me the opportunity to up my performance?”

“No. Just to match it.”

He pulled her closer and whispered, “I like you, wife. A whole lot.”

“I like you too, husband.”

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