“Maybe when you and Uncle Matthew get married, I can marry you. I’ll do the ’dained stuff like Pops did on the computer.”
“Maybe,” I agreed—because what the hell else was I supposed to say?
“Okay,” she said before walking away and leaving me standing in the room by myself.
The family had finally cleared out, and suddenly, this large house felt way too small. Matthew and I were the only two people left, and the anticipation of what would most likely come was almost suffocating. It wasn’t like I could put off sleeping with him forever. I could put it off for much longer if I chose to, but the truth was that I was ready to take this step.
I wanted to have sex, and I wanted to have it with Matthew. I used to worry about him being my first, but now, it felt like it was always supposed to be this way. Like giving myself to him wasthe only thing that made sense. My body knew that it could trust him. Matthew would never hurt me or use my virginity against me in any way.
“Are you nervous?” Matthew asked as I sat on top of the kitchen counter, watching him toss the dirty paper plates into a large trash bag.
“For what?” I asked coyly.
A grin appeared. “You know what for.”
He licked his lips before pulling his bottom lip into his mouth, and my body tingled in response.
“We’re spending the night together for the first time, Bells. It’s a big deal.”
I must have made some sort of face because Matthew stopped what he was doing, his blue eyes growing wide.
“Bells, we don’t have to do anything other than sleep. You know I’m only messing around. I mean, I want to make love to you, of course. But if you’re not ready, I’ll wait. I didn’t mean to pressure you or anything.”
This man was a hundred times sweeter and more sensitive than I’d ever realized he was. He had always been so confident, but underneath that tough exterior was a soft heart.
“I don’t feel pressured. And honestly, I kind of want to get it over with already,” I blurted out.
He pressed his lips together in a tight line as he closed the space between us.
“Really? Get it over with? Is that all I’m good for?”
He spread my legs apart and stepped in between them, his body so much larger than mine. My arms instinctively reached out to wrap around his lower back.
“I don’t even know if you’re good at the sex part yet,” I teased, and he leaned down, his mouth on my neck.
“Oh, I’m very good at the sex part,” he whispered in my ear before he started kissing me softly.
My body instantly reacted. Chills spread down my legs, and my head leaned to the side in response to where his lips pressed against me.
“We’ll only do whatever you’re comfortable with. I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll wait as long as you want,” he informed, letting me know that I was in complete control of our pacing.
I appreciated it, but didn’t need it.
“Thank you,” was all I could think to say.
And even though I was suddenly nervous, I still wanted to do this. I tried to shut off the part of my brain that was overthinking, but it was hard. Matthew had so much experience. I had very little.
“Okay. I’m ready,” I offered like this was no big deal.
“Let’s go then, little pixie.”
He grinned before lifting me off the counter and into his arms. I was tossed over his shoulder, and I could have kicked and created a ruckus, but I flopped onto his back instead and propped my head up with my hands.
He walked us into his bedroom, which I hadn’t even seen yet. There was a bed that was fully made, a dresser, and a TV already mounted on the wall, and that was it. But it was the candles on top of the dresser that got my attention. They were lit, creating a romantic glow, and I knew he’d done that for me.
Matthew maneuvered my body easily as he placed me on top of the comforter, which was a little cold to the touch. I breathed in, noticing the way it smelled freshly washed as Matthew stood at the end of the bed, staring at me.
“You look damn good on my bed.” He licked his lips as his eyes scanned the length of my body.