She did what he said. Inhaled and exhaled. The whole time he was slowly sliding in and out of her.
 
 When her body relaxed, it felt different. Better.
 
 She did it again. Then again.
 
 She arched her back and moved with him, telling her brain to continue to look into his eyes. That he was the one bringing her there. He told her what to do.
 
 His body trapped her, him holding her down, yet every part of her felt safe.
 
 There was sweat on his brow, his fingers gripping hers tighter now, but not enough to hurt, just to know he was in pain as he held back.
 
 “Kiss me,” she said. “I need your mouth on mine.”
 
 He did as she said, his tongue matching his movements like he’d done before and it was as if it was the last thing she needed before those flood gates opened, she started to screech and feel a pressure releasing between her legs.
 
 Ford continued to thrust into her at the same speed as the spasms went on and on, then he was grunting and holding still while she felt him coming with her.
 
 He dropped and rolled, putting her on his chest, his hand caressing her back.
 
 Amazing what she’d been missing in life and the one person to give it to her was the one who she’d dreamed of finding for so long.
 
 “Sorry I’m so much work,” she whispered.
 
 “Reenie, you’ve never been work. You’ve just been my heart.”
 
 20
 
 TO WATCH OUT FOR
 
 “Morning,” Ford said the next day.
 
 He hadn’t wanted to leave Reenie last night.
 
 She’d passed out on him after she’d come. He wasn’t even sure if she’d heard his words and it was probably for the best.
 
 He’d held her and caressed her for a few minutes, then rolled out of bed to take care of the condom. Rather than leave, he crawled back in bed to hold her some more.
 
 He must have dozed off because sometime after midnight he woke sweating and realized that they hadn’t killed the fire.
 
 After he’d taken care of that, he went back to her room and woke her. He didn’t want her to think he’d just cut tail, but she moaned and asked him to come back to bed.
 
 There was no way he’d say no, so he slid in and held her.
 
 At five, he got up and left to go home and shower and said he’d be back in a few hours.
 
 “Morning,” she said when he returned. “Did you eat anything yet?”
 
 “No. Just grabbed a cup of coffee, then worked out, showered and here I am.”
 
 “Can I tell you that whatever you do in terms of exercise looks damn good on you?”
 
 “Thanks,” he said. “Nothing fancy, but I noticed your eyes on me.”
 
 “They always are.”
 
 “You’re blushing. Why?” He moved the few feet into the kitchen. Pulling her into his arms, he gave her a kiss and didn’t let go. She looked as if she needed that reassurance that he was more than willing to supply.
 
 “I acted so out of character last night. But you were my first.”