“Please, Victoria. I don’t like secrets, remember? You have far too many as it is.”
She holds her breath for a few moments, lost in thought.
“Tell me,” I coax.
She sighs. “It’s just that… well… you’re the only man who has ever… you know.”
I look down into her amber eyes, searching. “No, I don’t know. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to be a bit more specific than that.”
“You are the only man….” Her voice cracks. “Who has ever done that.”
I try to stifle a smile as her cheeks flame bright red. “Victoria, you don’t need to be embarrassed with me. You can tell me anything. But I still don’t really understand. I know you’ve been with other men before…”
She clasps her hands to her face in frustration.
“For fuck’s sake, Gabriel, I was NOT a virgin when I met you. I don’t know how to say this without sounding pathetic. You’re the only man who has ever given me an orgasm.” She bows her head to her knees, mortified.
“Are you serious?” I sigh in disbelief. “But you’re so responsive. I don’t see how that’s even possible.”
“I am serious. And I’m responsive to you because you showed me things I didn’t even know could be so gratifying. I don’t know what it is about you, but it’s like you know exactly what I need. Even better than I do.”
I close my eyes and revel in her admission. How can I tell her that I feel the same way?
“Victoria…” I hesitate uncertainly.
“I know. It’s pathetic, right?” she laughs half-jokingly.
“Not pathetic,” I say. “Don’t talk about yourself like that, ever. I don’t like it.”
I pick her up and turn her so that she’s straddling my lap. Her eyes are once again searching mine, desperate for my approval and comfort.
“Victoria, I feel exactly the same way.”
“What do you mean?” she asks softly.
“I mean that you anticipate my needs and desires better than anyone else. You give me everything I want, in every way.”
She lets out a sigh of relief as she wraps her arms around my neck and nuzzles into me.
“I know it’s still early,” I continue, “but I’m completely captivated by you. You are the most fiery and stubborn woman I’ve ever met, and it turns me on to no end. You’re also a natural submissive when I want you to be, and I’m constantly surprised by you.”
She leans forward and pulls me into a passionate kiss, mounting my growing erection again. I sit back and watch her in awe as she rides me with everything she has, milking my cock until I explode inside of her again.
When we finally climb into bed an hour later, her fingers are pruned and I can tell she is exhausted. I pull her into my arms and fall asleep to the sounds of the water sloshing softly against the bank below.
Chapter Ten
Victoria
I wake early the next morning to the sounds of birds chirping outside the window. Nature. It sounds so unnerving after years of living in the city. I can sleep through trains, planes, and automobiles… but not a little bird chirping.
Gabriel’s beautiful naked body is against me, his leg draped over me protectively. Pure bliss. A warm feeling spreads through my chest as I recall his sweet words to me last night. In his own way, he kind of admitted that he’s crazy about me.
I want to be happy. I want to shout it from the rooftops. But I can’t help the sense of dread that lingers deep in the pit of my stomach. I can want it with every ounce of my being, but it makes no difference. Ultimately, if I stay I’ll be putting him in danger. The thought of Eleanore hurting Gabriel makes me nauseous, and it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.
I gently slide out from beneath him, and he rolls over and mumbles something incoherent in his sleep. I sit up wearily, trying not to let the looming feelings of defeat overcome me. Our relationship might be doomed, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the here and now.
I head to the bathroom and pick up his crumpled tee shirt from last night. As I tug it over my head, I close my eyes and inhale his delicious scent. After splashing some water on my face, I twist my hair into a loose bun on the top of my head and head downstairs.