“Was,” she corrected. “No one had ever been inside me, and you’re… Shew.” She shook her head.
“I’m what?” he asked, running a hand along the hair over her ear.
She laughed softly. “I admit I don’t know much about men, but I suspect you’re a little more blessed than the average guy. Plus, you’re amazing. I’ve always heard the first time is uncomfortable.” She smiled. “That was great.”
“I think if I’d known, I would have moved away. Left town for good.”
“I’m really glad you didn’t. It was perfect.”
“It was pretty perfect. But damn, girl. I’ve never done that before.”
“What?”
“I’m thirty-eight. You’re the first virgin I’ve ever been with. Why did you cry?”
She dropped her lids. “It’s a little embarrassing, being this old and…”
“Aw, baby,” he said, kissing her closed eyes. “It was sweet. Sweeter than anything I’ve ever experienced.”
He rolled onto his back, looking at the ceiling. Crazy thoughts began filling his head, chief among them was that he couldn’t imagine there ever being another man in her life, in her body. He’d never had such possessive, proprietary feelings. He wasn’t sure if this was because it was Shelby, or because she’d never been touched inside until he claimed her. “I’ll be honest with you,” he said. “It shakes me up.”
“I noticed,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m serious, Shelby. I’m wanting you again. I don’t want you to leave this bed.”
She rolled over onto her stomach and raised herself up on her elbows. “I’m going to have to go home eventually. Before there’s a search party.”
“I will shoot anyone who touches that door,” he said. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” He slipped off the bed and headed for the bathroom to get rid of the condom.
As he walked back into the room, she got her first sight of a naked man in full form. She smiled. He was so beautiful. It was so awesome to have a gorgeous, lusty man walk toward her. He stretched out beside her, pulling her against him again, placing a gentle palm over her soft mound. “How does it feel? Down here?”
“Lush,” she said, snuggling closer.
“There’s a little blood.”
“Yeah. No surprise. Nothing to worry about,” she said.
“Are you sore?”
She shook her head. She felt him against her thigh. Growing. “Am I going to be able to walk out of here?” she asked, humor in her voice.
He covered her lips with his. “Not soon,” he whispered. “But don’t worry. I’m going to be good to you.”
Luke took her home in the truck. The motorcycle would have been too hard on her tender parts. When he pulled up in front of the general’s house, she leaned toward him. He cradled her jaw in his big hand and pulled her lips to his. They were all going to know. Her face was branded with his love. Her cheeks were aglow, chafed from his beard. Her lips were bruised bright pink from hours of kissing and the look in her eyes reflected a whole afternoon of the finest love he’d ever made. “You should hide all the guns and sharp objects,” he whispered against her mouth.
“You worry too much,” she said. “I’m an adult.”
“When am I going to see you again?” he asked her.
“Soon.”
“I just want to keep you flat on your back for a month.”
She laughed at him. “Luke, don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re not romantic.” She gave him a peck on the lips and got out of the truck to go inside.
No one seemed to be around, which suited her. She really didn’t feel like walking into dinner in progress with Vanni, Paul and Uncle Walt. In fact, there was no activity in the kitchen and she wondered if everyone had gone to Jack’s. She went to her room, pulled off her jacket and boots and flopped on the bed. She stared at the ceiling dreamily. After about ten minutes, she heard a door open down the hall. Vanessa, looking sleepy, peeked into Shelby’s room. “I thought I heard someone come home.”
“I didn’t think anyone was here,” Shelby said.
“Oh,” Vanni said through a yawn. “Matt’s having an extra-long nap and I kind of shared it with him.” She rubbed her eyes, then looked at Shelby. “Oooohh,” she said. “It happened.”
“And happened and happened and happened,” Shelby said and laughed as she kicked her legs on the bed.