Page 173 of Champagne Fizz

“Always,” he whispers and we wrap around one another until our thighs and stomachs and chests are pressed. My hands trace over his back, and I find rose petals stuck to his skin.

We lie there like that, holding and breathing for a long while, and then we’re kissing again, and then I ask Simon to roll on top of me. He does it slowly, moving a hand between us to position his cock so it’s pressed against my stomach.

“Is that okay?” he asks, and I wrap my legs around his hips. The proximity of my empty core to his thickness makes me moan. I’ve never wanted him inside me more than I do at this moment.

“Simon, I need you lower.”

Simon’s eyes dilate. “Are—are you sure?”

I nod. “I’m ready.”

He doesn’t move. Instead, he strokes my cheek and looks at me lovingly.

“Simon?”

He just smiles. “Sorry, let me get a condom.”

He rolls off my body and I miss the weight of him immediately. I close my eyes and breathe, smelling rose petals and skin and the sulfur of candles flickering. The bed shifts again, and a moment later Simon’s between my legs, crawling slowly over my body.

He looks down and he repositions himself at my entrance, my breath shallowing when I feel his wide tip against my slickness.

“Wow,” I whisper, because he’s rightthere, making Lady Lada ache. His mouth has been there before. His hands have been there too. But it’s different when we’re about to—

My chest heaves as I stare up at him, my whole body awake.

I’ve never been more present for anything in my life, and Lady Lada knows it’s about to be showtime.

Only, he doesn’t move.

He doesn’t push in.

Instead, his eyes look down at me, searching.

“Hi,” I say softly, and he gives me a soft smile.

“Hi,” he says back.

I laugh nervously. “The anticipation is killing me here.”

“You’ve waited twenty-five years, a few more moments are nothing,” he says, brushing curls out of my face.

“And I thought you were the impatient one?” I joke.

“Yes well, it’s different when—” His face blushes, and he buries his face in my neck.

“I love you too, Simon,” I whisper against his ear, running my hands up his back as he still holds himself poised and ready. “I know this is supposed to hurt, so be gentle. Okay?”

“Always.”

I cup his sides with my hands, widening my legs, and Simon lifts his head as he feels my adjustment.

“Kiss me when you do it,” I request, and Simon lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me so softly I think I’m going to drown. His mouth opens mine and breathing together he lowers his hips and pushes inside me.

It’s an intrusion that feels like a joy and a sin.

Heat spreads everywhere as all my nerve endings are waking. There’s tightness and pressure, and a fullness I can’t explain. His hips and mouth are in sync, and as he pushes deeper there’s a prick of pain—which he swallows with all of his body.

I grip his sides, my mouth open and my eyes wide, staring up at him in awe. He cups my head and his gaze is nothing but love.

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