‘That’s good then,’ smiled Edward, and reached into his inside pocket, bringing out a ring. The stone was plump and clear, surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. It was beautiful, perfect, but all Georgia could think was: A ring! He has a ring! That meant he’d planned this: he really, really meant it.
He slipped it on to her finger.
‘Oh, it’s a little loose,’ he said, disappointed.
‘I don’t care,’ said Georgia, kissing him again, harder this time, her longing, her desire washing over her like a wave.
His kisses trailed down her neck and his hand pushed her dress off one shoulder so his lips could brush the soft strip of skin. She tipped her head away from him and groaned. One of his hands curled around her waist to pull her closer, and she could feel her own heart thumping against his chest.
Her breathing was getting ragged and she could see the longing in his expression too.
‘I want you,’ he said softly. ‘I want to make love to you.’
She just nodded and turned away from him, leaning back against him and then closing her eyes as she felt him unzip her dress and unclip her bra, which both fell to the floor.
Still standing behind her, he slipped his hand into the front of her cotton pants as he kissed her neck. She shivered, partly with desire, partly with the thrill and spike of fear of the unknown. She had never been touched there, and the sensation of his skin against hers made her hot. But she pressed her palm on top of his hand, urging it deeper, until his fingertips touched the dark triangle between her thighs.
They moved to the bed and Edward took off his own clothes. For a split second it seemed strange to look at his strong, naked body, so alien and exotic.
He lay down next to her and started to kiss her breasts. She flushed with embarrassment as her nipples hardened. She touched one, and it felt so big and hard against her fingertip.
‘Is this okay?’ he asked softly.
‘It’s very okay,’ she whispered as he positioned himself on top of her, moving her thighs gently apart and pushing himself inside her.
She gasped a little, and froze. She really wasn’t sure what to do next, but within moments they were moving together, slowly at first. Her hands pressed down the curve of his back and she thought perhaps that they were locked together. Lifting her knees a little, she felt him even deeper inside her.
Faintly she registered a cool breeze coming in through the window and it seemed to lift her into a dream-like state. And then she felt nothing except a sweet pulse that seemed to build inside her, stronger and wilder, until a wave crashed over and Edward moaned and seemed to collapse on top of her.
After a few seconds, he moved and she could hear his breath regulate.
‘You’re alive,’ she managed with a small laugh.
‘What did you think had happened?’ He smiled and stroked her hip.
They lay like that, entangled on the blanket, for a long time, just gently kissing and listening to the revelry that floated into the room from the party below. Georgia felt beautiful. She felt like a woman. An engaged woman, she thought, twisting the ring around her finger. It was a little large, but they could get it adjusted. They could fix anything. Anything at all.
‘Married,’ she said finally.
He smiled at her.
‘Now we’ve just got to decide when, where.’
‘You know I’ve never even thought about it before.’
‘I thought all girls spent years dreaming of their wedding.’
‘Not this girl,’ she grinned.
‘So think about it now.’
‘Well, I can picture us on honeymoon,’ she said, closing her eyes dreamily.
‘Where are we?’ he asked, stroking her nipple.
‘Somewhere like Capri? We’re stuffing ourselves on delicious food, swimming in the clear waters, riding around on those little motorbikes. Although I’m not sure about having all those sultry Italian beauties competing for my husband’s attention.’
‘This man will have eyes only for his new bride,’ said Edward. ‘Now and for ever.’