Page 8 of Burly Lumberjack

She nods, her voice small. “Yes. I want to.”

I carry her to the couch, my hands never leaving her body. She clings to me, and I lay her down like the precious woman she is. I look at her, taking in the rise of her chest, the flushed pink in her cheeks, the way her eyes flick up to mine—uncertain but full of want.

I kneel beside her and slip my hand along her waist. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”

“I won’t,” she whispers. “I want you. I just...I’ve never done this before.”

My breath catches. I stare at her, heart pounding. What?

“You’re a virgin?”

She nods, nervous but steady. “Yeah. Is that okay?”

I stroke her cheek and stare into her pretty blue eyes. “Baby. That’s more than okay. I’m going to make this perfect for you.”

I have a wild ache to show her the kind of pleasure only I can—or will—give her. Because after this, she’s mine. Forever.

CHAPTER 5

OPHELIA

I’ve never felt more exposed in my life.

Rowan hasn’t even undressed me yet, but the way he’s looking at me makes my skin prickle. He’s crouched beside the couch, one of his big hands resting on my thigh, his other sliding slowly up over my ribs. His touch is gentle but firm, his palms hot against my skin. My body hums with desire.

My heart pounds so hard I’m sure he can hear it. I’m breathless, and I feel so shaky. I don’t know what to do with my hands. I don’t know how to act. I’ve never done this. Yet… I don’t want to stop. I want to experience everything with Rowan.

Because he’s looking at me like I’m precious and the most desirable woman in the world. For the first time, I finally understand why my girlfriends rave about men and sex. It just took me this long to meet a man who makes me want to share myself with him. More than ever, I want to give myself to Rowan.

Deep inside me, a wild desire is raging. I didn’t know I was capable of this kind of desperate need, but it’s making me crazy.

His hands roam slowly—over my stomach, my waist, and the undersides of my breasts through my tank top. It’s not even skin on skin yet, and still, my whole body tightens. My nipples are hard, and there’s a deep ache blooming between my legs that makes me squirm. I’m aching with anticipation.

“I’m going to take my time with you.” Rowan’s voice is thick and rough as he strokes my body. “You deserve more than a quick fuck on the couch. But right now? I need to taste you.”

My breath catches in my throat. My legs shift involuntarily, thighs brushing, and I realize just how wet I already am.

“I… I’ve never…” I swallow. “No one’s ever…”

Rowan leans in and kisses me gently. “I know, baby. I’ve got you.” His hand finds mine and squeezes. “You don’t have to do anything but feel. Let me show you.”

I nod, unable to talk. My need for Rowan is so urgent and blinding, nothing else exists.

He kisses me again—this time with more pressure. His mouth is hot and searching, his tongue sliding over mine and commanding our kiss. I gasp into him, my arms winding around his neck because I don’t know what else to do with this heat burning through me. My hips move instinctively, grinding against him.

When he pulls away, I whimper. I want more.

“God, baby,” he murmurs, brushing his mouth along my jaw, “you don’t even know what you do to me.”

He stands and strips off his shirt. My breath catches. His body is carved—broad chest, strong arms, those deep lines cutting downhis hips. He’s beautiful in a way that almost hurts to look at. And when his hands go to the button of my shorts, he pauses.

“May I?”

I nod, barely able to find my voice. “Yes. Please.” There is something unspeakably hot about how he keeps asking if I’m okay. One of my friends has told me stories of men who just rush through sex like all they care about is their own pleasure. That’s not Rowan.

He unbuttons them slowly, dragging my shorts and panties down over my hips and thighs, inch by inch, his eyes glued to me like I’m a gift. I lift my hips, letting him pull them off, and when the cool air hits the heat between my thighs, I suck in a sharp breath.

Rowan groans as he stares at the most private part of me. He looks like the happiest man in the world.

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