Her whisper was a plea. He lifted his head. Saw a wildness in her eyes.
“Kaz,” she said, “Kaz, please—”
“Please, what?” he said, but he knew the answer by the way she was reaching for him, by the way she was gasping for air.
Her hands swept over his shoulders. His arms. She touched his chest, ran her fingers over muscle and bone.
He groaned her name. Stripped off her panties. Tore off his briefs. Saw her eyes widen with shock at the size of him. He wanted to tell her it would be all right, it would be fine, but he was losing control, losing himself, losing the fight to make this last.
His fingers shook as he grabbed the condom, tore the packet open.
/> He started to sheathe himself, but her hand closed around him, soft and cool and trembling.
He looked down. Watched her holding him.
A sound tore from his throat.
He lifted his head. Looked into her eyes. Said her name.
She let go of him, but she watched as he rolled the condom on. It was as if she were doing it with him, her hands on his hot, hard length, her imagined touch bringing him closer and closer to the edge.
She reached for him again.
He caught her wrists. Brought her hands to her sides.
“Katie,” he said, and he entered her.
She flung her head back. Hissed softly as he went deeper. Deeper. Deeper…
God.
It was true. He was her first. Her first! He went rigid, fought for control. She sobbed his name.
“Don’t stop,” she said, “oh don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop—”
She lifted her hips. He drove forward. She cried out; he felt her muscles contract around him and he held still, trembling, the sweat beading on his forehead.
She lifted up. Reached for him. Dragged his head down to hers and as she opened her mouth to his, he surged forward.
“Yes,” she said, “yes yes yes…”
Kaz slipped his hands under her. Together, they found the rhythm of the most ancient of dances.
The room spun.
And then Katie gave a high, keening cry.
Kaz thrust deep one last time.
And the world dropped away.
* * * *
Sometime during the night, he woke and drew the covers up.
They lay facing each other, Katie in the curve of his arm, her head on his shoulder, her leg thrown over his. Her breathing was deep and even. She felt warm and absolutely right, just where she was.
Kaz stroked his hand down her side. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer. He smiled. Then, still holding her, he rolled onto his back, folded his arm under his head and stared up at the chandelier.