“Look, I’ll understand if you want–” Turning to Naiva I cut off her words with a passionate kiss.
In this space, I caught glimpses of the woman I was getting to know and I knew she was the type of woman I could fall in love with.
As I deepened the kiss, my mind raced. Earlier I’d almost asked her to marry me. It was ridiculous after only one kiss. But I didn’t want to lose her. I wanted Naiva Aisley locked to me so tightly that she’d never escape. However, even at that moment, I couldn’t say I loved her. Then we walked and talked, we kissed on the beach, walked and talked as she led me back to her room – stopping every few feet to experience another kiss as if we were afraid one of us would disappear – and now I saw so much of her in the few items she had thought enough of to place in her room.
Naiva wasn’t a stuck-up rich girl seeking someone to continue fueling her need to shop. She wasn’t a gold-digger searching for someone to elevate her to a lofty position. Naiva was a hardworking woman who would be a true partner for any man who earned her love and devotion.
I wanted to be that man.
Would us continuing what we had started be the right thing to do to accomplish what I wanted? Or, would it scare her away?
A scream wanted to escape when I felt Jack begin to pull away. Between the two of us, we’d found a reason to stop every time we’d taken a step toward finally getting what I’d always wanted. My body couldn’t take much more of this hot and cold treatment – even if I was to blame for most of it up to now.
“Jack, please,” I pleaded and reached out and gripped tightly onto his shirt. “I need this.”
“But do you really want it?” he whispered so softly I almost missed his words.
“Yes,” I replied instantly and pulled him into me. “And, if we got naked, you’d soon be able to tell how much.”
Jack groaned and let his head drop so that we rested forehead to forehead.
“You promise to still respect me in the morning?” he asked and lifted his head to give me a small smile.
“Depends on how good you are,” I joked and his smile fell.
“About that…” Jack ran his hand through his hair and looked past me. “I have no idea how good or bad I am. I’ve never done this before. I mean… at least not with another person. I mean…” Jack groaned and stared at me in horror while he clamped his lips together.
“Are you saying you’re a virgin?” I asked in awe.
He nodded. One simple, but firm, nod was his only reply. And, it was the most amazing answer I’d ever received.
“You’re giving me your virginity?” I rasped as I leaned into him and wrapped my arms around his waist. I rubbed my face against his chest as emotion welled up inside of me. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that I’m giving you mine, too.”
Jack silently took my face between his palms and pressed the softest, sweetest kiss to my lips. He then reached for the hem of my work shirt and pulled it slowly up and over my head. He dropped it to the floor and looked heatedly at my lacy black bra.
“Gorgeous.” The word broke the silence and I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Jack quickly made short work of his own shirt and tossed it to land on top of my own. He wasn’t much like I expected when I’d first realized it was him sitting on the cafe’s patio. And, I was more than okay with that fact. The man in front of me was lean muscle and pure perfection. Lightly tanned skin, defined six-pack abs, and just the right touch of hair leading beneath the waistband of his pants.
“Last chance to change your mind, Naiva. Well, not really,” he smiled at me. “You say stop and I stop. No matter what.”
This time, I was the speechless one. I gave him a nod of acknowledgment and reached to undo the button and zipper of my calf-length khakis. Allowing them to drop, I forced myself to keep my hands at my sides.
“I’ve read romance novels and saw some videos… so I have a basic idea of what to do,” I said shyly.
“We’ll figure it out together,” Jack replied and brushed his knuckles over my cheek.
“Together,” I whispered.
Jack took my hand and led me to my bed, my body was tense and I wasn’t sure if I should climb in or wait for him. Looking up into his face, I caught the uncertainty in his own eyes.
“Does it bother you that I have no experience?” Jack asked as he ran his hands up and down my arms. The movement was soothing and I felt my muscles begin to relax.
“No, it actually takes some of the pressure off,” I joked lamely.
Jack groaned and then chuckled.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment… with you.” Jack moved one hand up to wrap around the back of my neck. His hand rested there gently and he began running his fingertips in circles against my skin. “You’ve been my fantasy since I first saw you, Naiva.”
“Really?” I gasped.
“Really. You were so young then… we both were. I kept my distance at first because of your age, and then because I was nervous, and then because I didn’t think you’d give me the time of day.” Jack chuckled weakly as he pressed a kiss to my lips.
“I’ve watched for you every summer since I could remember,” I admitted. “I always figured I was too poor and too plain
