been called worse.”
He bent down and kissed her. She’d thought he might protest taking things further and was pleased when he moved close and she felt his arousal against her thigh.
As she kissed him and rubbed her hands up and down his back, he tugged off his boxers, then knelt between her thighs. She felt him pressing against her. Instinctively she braced herself for the painful stretching, but it never came. She felt a slight pressure as he filled her, which actually felt kind of nice.
He filled her completely, moving slowly in and out of her. His weight felt comfortable, safe and a little sexy. She was aware of being female and the power contained in that. This was her husband, she thought as a little tingle shot through her. They were making love.
He began to move faster. Her body clenched around him and she felt the beginning of the same pressure she remembered from before. Was it possible she could climax again? Like this?
But before she could decide, he stiffened and groaned. She felt him go still.
Five minutes later, they were under the covers. Neither of them had pulled on clothes, which meant they were naked. She’d never slept naked before. Not that she felt sleepy.
“I have some questions,” she said as she snuggled close, feeling at one with the universe.
“Ask anything.”
“Are you sure? Some of them are personal.”
He looked at her and smiled. “More personal than what we just did?” he asked, his voice teasing.
“They’re on the same subject.”
“I guessed as much. What do you want to know?”
“How come it didn’t hurt?” she asked. “Last time it was so painful. This time I felt pressure and stretching, but it wasn’t close to the same.”
Dev stroked her hair. “You weren’t a virgin, which helped. Plus, you were aroused. When you get turned on, your body changes. You get swollen and wet.”
She’d thought things felt different “down there” but hadn’t had much frame of reference. Knowing the mechanics and having them happen were not the same.
“It didn’t last much longer,” she said. “But I felt some tingling when you were inside. Could I, um, you know, that way?”
Dev groaned. “Next time it’ll last longer. It’s been a while for me, okay? Plus, I’ve been fantasizing about this for weeks.”
She turned toward him, which meant her bare breasts brushed against his arm. The contact was so unexpected, she nearly lost her train of thought. “What are you talking about?”
“I didn’t last long enough. Guys don’t like to hear that.”
How stupid. As if he could control those feelings. “Whatever. Could I?”
“Maybe. With practice.”
Practice? That sounded yummy.
His words replayed in her mind. “You’ve been fantasizing about me? Really? Like what?”
“Like everything.” His dark gaze brightened with fire. “I’ve been thinking about touching you, tasting you. Being together everywhere. The kitchen counter, this bed, the pool.”
The pool? People did that? She felt both shocked and excited by his words. Who would ever have thought that calm, responsible, mature Devlin Hunter was so sexy?
“I’m not sure I could get naked in the pool during the day,” she said, ignoring the blush on her cheeks. “But I’m willing to try it at night.”
He claimed her with a kiss that made her wish he would touch her again. Instead he pulled back.
“You’re one surprise after the other,” he told her.
“But in a good way.”
He rubbed his thumb across her mouth. “In the best way. We’ll do it all, I promise. But not tonight. I don’t want you sore tomorrow.”
He drew her close again. She put her head on his shoulder and rested her hand on his chest. Sleep was impossible, but she liked being close to him. She liked knowing what they’d done and that he’d wanted her for a long time.
“I wanted you, too,” she whispered.
“I’m glad.”
Crissy nudged Rachel. “Is it just me or is that one glowing?”
Rachel narrowed her gaze as she looked at Noelle. “She is. Worse, she can’t seem to stop smiling. Think she won the lotto?”
Noelle tried for a serious expression, but she was just too happy. This morning, at her calculus class, several people had commented on her extraordinary mood. She hadn’t told them the cause, but she was happy to share the news with her friends.
“It’s Dev,” she said, then sighed. “We’re together.”
Rachel nodded knowingly. “That’s code-speak for getting some.”
“I haven’t had some in a while,” Crissy said. “I could use some.”
Noelle grinned. “I would highly recommend it.”
“Better than the first time?” Rachel asked.
“Totally different. Dev was fabulous. Patient and sexy and the things he can do.”
Crissy fanned herself with her hand. “Is it me, or is it getting hot in here?”
“It’s not you,” Rachel said, sounding grumpy.
Noelle ignored their teasing. “I’m so happy. I can’t believe this has happened to me. I married Dev because it seemed the only way to deal with the baby and now…it’s just amazing. I feel so connected to him. Is that natural.”
Rachel nodded. “Women bond after sex.”
“I feel it,” Noelle said dreamily. “I can’t stop thinking about him or wanting to be with him. I thought our marriage would be nothing but a duty. Now it’s so much more.”
Rachel and Crissy looked at each other. “Be careful, honey,” Crissy told her. “You’re new to all this. Dev, making love…Don’t go getting your heart all soft and open until you know what his intentions are.”
Noelle laughed. “He married me.”
“For two years,” Rachel reminded her.
Noelle dismissed them with a wave. “You don’t understand. We shared something special. The more I’ve gotten to know him, the more I’ve liked him. Now…” She sighed again. “I don’t know how I got so lucky. And you know the best part? We’re already married.”
Dev walked into the kitchen, still not sure what he was going to say
