Part 27 (1/2)

We were two people who'd worked so hard for that moment. To reach the point where we were not only comfortable with each other but with ourselves.

After all, you can't love someone else if you don't even love yourself.

He ducked his head and pressed his lips to my neck. I grabbed the back of his neck and urged him toward my lips. He was more than happy to oblige.

I felt like my body and soul was on fire-I was burning for him.

I'd never felt that way before-so completely and utterly consumed, in control and out of control all at the same time.

I wanted more. So much more.

”Liam,” I pleaded against his mouth, ”I need-”

”What do you need? Tell me,” he panted, struggling for breath as much as I was.

”You. Just you.”

He kissed me again. ”You have me.”

”No,” I took his face in my hands so he had to look into my eyes. ”I...I...” I didn't know how to say it. I had no experience in the s.e.x department. How could I? But he didn't know that. Heat flooded my cheeks, and I forgot how to breathe for a moment.

”Ari?” he prompted.

”I-want-you-to-make-love-to-me.” I slurred the words together like that would somehow make them easier to say. I squished my eyes closed, embarra.s.sment flooding me. I couldn't believe I had said those words out loud. I'd sounded completely ridiculous and cheesy. But how was I supposed to go about that sort of thing? Was I not supposed to say anything? Did I just start taking off my clothes? Or his clothes? Or- ”Ari, look at me,” he pleaded, but I wouldn't open my eyes.

I felt his hands come to rest on either side of my head in the sand, and his weight was eased slightly from my body. I missed the warm coc.o.o.n he provided, but I still wouldn't look at him. I didn't want to see him laugh at me, or worse, look at me with pity.

I felt him lift one hand, and he brushed his fingers against the curve of my cheek.

”Ari,” he whispered my name, trying to coax me out of the sh.e.l.l I'd crawled into.

My whole body burned with the flames of embarra.s.sment. I couldn't believe I'd said that. His fingers disappeared, replaced by his lips and his teeth making their way down my neck and over my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. I gasped and my eyes flew open.

”Ah, there you are.” He grinned, moving back up into my line of sight. ”Don't be nervous.” He cupped my cheek. ”It's okay.”

I swallowed thickly. I didn't know what to do, or say. I'd become frozen.

Liam rolled off of me and helped me up.

”W-What are we doing?” I stuttered, suddenly finding my voice, although it came out timid sounding.

”Going back to the room.” He winked.

My stomach flip-flopped and my heart sped up. I was an excited and nervous mess. Maybe that was how it was supposed to feel before the first time you had s.e.x. I wouldn't know, and it wasn't like I'd had anyone to ask.

All of it was new to me, but I wasn't scared. I wanted it. I was ready.

Liam led me all the way back to our room, not once letting go of my hand, and stopped along the way to kiss me or whisper in my ear.

By the time we reached our room, I felt lightheaded and needy.

Liam opened the door into the suite and pushed me against it when it closed. His mouth claimed mine, and he lifted my legs to wrap around his waist. My hands fisted into the hair on the back of his head, and my chest pressed into his in a desperate need to get impossibly closer to him.

His fingers tightened on my legs as he carried me to the bedroom and reached down to yank the sheets back on the made-up bed. He laid me down gently and my hair fanned around me. I swallowed thickly as I stared up at him.

I didn't know you could feel so scared but so safe all at the same time.

He spread my legs, his fingers lingering on the bare skin of my thighs.

”Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded. ”I am.”

He covered my body once more.

My heart thundered in my ears, louder than the roar of the ocean, blocking out all of my racing thoughts.

My mouth parted in a gasp when I felt my bikini top give way. Liam pulled the small piece of fabric away from my body and tossed it over his shoulder. Almost immediately his mouth was on my breast and my back arched off the bed, my nails digging into his back.

I'd never experienced such an intense pleasure and it was only beginning.

”Liam,” I panted his name, my voice soft and broken sounding.

He looked up at me with those icy-blue eyes-that had once been filled with such hatred-with love s.h.i.+ning brightly. A tiny smirk cast over his lips and then disappeared as he kissed his way down my stomach. His fingers hooked into my bikini bottoms and then they too disappeared. I was laid completely bare for him, and while I still felt nervous, I'd also never felt more beautiful.

With my pulse racing, I reached out, skimming my fingers over the hard lines of his chest and abs.

We were both quiet-it was like each of us was trying to remember every tiny detail of the moment. I'd hoped it was as special to him as it was me.

”Breathe, Ari,” he coaxed, and I hadn't even realized I'd stopped.

I inhaled a lungful of air and let it out slowly. His lips twitched into a smile as he backed off the bed. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I watched him tug down his board shorts.

And then I stared, and stared some more, before my eyes jumped to the ceiling and my whole body flushed with heat.

His low chuckle filled the room and after a moment, his weight lingered above me once more. His thumb and forefinger grasped my chin, and he tugged my head down so I was forced to look at him.

”Don't get shy on me.” His fingers ghosted over my lips, tracing the shape of them.

I inhaled a shaky breath. ”I-I'm a virgin.”

Oh G.o.d. I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth. I hadn't meant to tell him. I mean, he would've figured it out, but- ”Are you serious?” He looked at me wide-eyed, holding his weight above me with his hands on either side of my head.

I nodded, unable to read his facial expressions.

He licked his lips, looking at me with a newfound desire. When his eyes locked on mine again, he said, ”I haven't had s.e.x since...well, since...”