Page 75 of The Lady Has a Past

“What?” he said, aggrieved. “You’ve never seen a naked man with a briefcase?”

“Nope. This is a first.”

He set the briefcase on the floor beside the bed and unlatched it. “I like to keep it close at hand.”

“Right. Your gun is inside.”

“That is not the only reason I want it handy tonight.”

He reached into the briefcase and took out a small tin.

“You brought prophylactics?” she said. “I’m impressed. But you and I didn’t exactly get off to a warm start. What on earth made you think that we would wind up in bed together? Oh, wait. You were hoping to meet up with a reckless divorcée in Burning Cove. That’s why you happen to have that tin in your briefcase.”

“The original plan was derailed, but I like to think I’m adaptable.”

He sheathed himself, got into bed, and came down on top of her, caging her between his arms. He took her mouth in another scorching kiss. She sank her nails into his muscled back and abandoned herself to the demands of the urgent hunger that was building inside her.

He moved his lips to her throat and then he was using his tongue on her nipples. She was so sensitive now she gave a tiny, muffled yelp. She reached down between them and wrapped her fingers around his erection.

He sucked in a harsh breath. “Better not do that. I won’t be able to last.”

“I don’t want you to last,” she whispered. “I need you to finish this soon or I’ll scream.”

“Wouldn’t want that. It would scare the other guests on this floor.”

“Exactly.” She tightened her fingers around him and tugged gently.

In response, he drew his palm down over her belly and lower still. The tension deep inside her ratcheted up several more notches. Her breath tightened in her chest. The small muscles at her core began to clench and unclench. She tightened her grip on him.

When he began to stroke the aching bud between her thighs, she levitated partway off the bed.

“You are so hot,” he rasped. “So wet. I can’t take any more of this.”

“Good. Neither can I. Finish it.”

He settled himself between her legs and thrust into her, going deep and hard.

Pain ripped through her. The thrilling tension dissolved in an instant, leaving her gasping, outraged.

Simon froze. “What the hell?”

“It’s not supposed to hurt this much the first time, damn it. Vivian lied to me.A mere pinch,she said.You’ll hardly notice,she said.”

Simon’s eyes were blazing, but she could not tell if he was stunned or furious or both.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he grated. “You should have warned me.”

“What business was it of yours? Did you tell your partner the first time you had sex?”

“That was different.”

“I don’t see why.”

“You let me think you were experienced.”

“Iamexperienced. I’ve been out on more dates than I can count, and I was engaged for a while. I’ve kissed a lot of men and I’ve seen a fair number of nude males because occasionally I help my sister with her art photography. I just never went all the way.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why? Saving yourself for marriage?”

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