Page 103 of Modern Romance March 2025 (5-8)

I can’t help but laugh as I gather her close and kiss her as I bring one hand up to cup her breast again. I drink in her moan as I run a thumb lightly over her nipple and savor the shudder that racks her body at my touch. She’s so responsive I could spend hours just exploring her body and see how she responds to every little touch.

“From where I’m sitting, you’re doing absolutely everything right.”

“My doctor did say…”

Her voice trails off and I can feel her slight withdrawal. My hands slide down to her waist and I lean back so I can see her face. She glances down. I slide one finger under her chin and slowly lift her face so she can see me.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed, Tessa.”

“It’s not even embarrassment,” she says quietly. “She said there may not be as much sensation, or I may not…”

She swallows hard.

“May not what?” I prompt as I graze my fingers over her cheek in a gesture I hope soothes some of the tension gripping her.

“May not get…you know,” she says, gesturing to her thighs. “It might be hard for you to…push in.”

“Do you remember when we were in the gym?”

She gives me a look that has me biting back a smile. “Yes.”

“You were so wet for me, Tessa.” My voice grows husky as I remember how her body clenched around me. Just the thought of sliding into that incredible heat sends a shudder through me. “I don’t know what this first time will be like. But we’ll go slow. Enjoy. You tell me if it hurts. I have no doubt that we’re both going to sleep very well tonight.”

She sucks in a deep breath and nods. “Okay.”

I reach out, grab one of her hands and guide it to my groin. Her eyes grow wide. Her hand wraps around me and I shudder again.

“Careful. I don’t want this to end too soon.”

Her slow smile is full of wonder. “Really?”

“This is how much I want you, Tessa. You. All of you.”

Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears. “Make love to me.”

I grab hold of her thighs and anchor her against me. “Hold on.” I stand, sealing my mouth over hers as I carry her from the terrace into my room. We don’t even come up for air as I walk over to my bed. I sit down on the edge with her wrapped around me, scooting back until I’m sitting against the headboard. I can’t remember the last time I kissed anyone like this, the motions hot and heavy one moment, then tender and lingering the next.

Never. I’ve never enjoyed a woman like this. And I know, deep in my bones, I never will again.

Finally, I tear my mouth away.

“Lay down.”

She obliges, stretching out so that her incredible body is on display against the silk sheets, her blond hair glowing like a beacon in the dim light. I move between her legs, the act of nudging her knees apart winding my body so tight it’s all I can do not to strip her and take her right there.

Slowly, I hook my fingers in the waistband of her pants. She watches me, eyes fixed on my face as I ease the material over her hips, down her legs, and then toss it onto the floor.

All she’s wearing is lace. Red lace that reminds me of that damned nightie I ripped out of the hands of the young man I wanted to toss out onto the street for even daring to look at my wife.

“Beautiful.”

I lower myself, kiss her most sensitive skin through the material. Her breath catches, her hips arching up to meet my touch. I tease her, soft kisses and licks until her breathing is ragged and color is high in her cheeks.

“God, Rafe, please.”

I grabbed the waistband of her panties and pull them down, tossing them onto the floor before settling between her legs once more. I inhale the scent of her, intoxicated.

“Beautiful,” I repeat.

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