I arch into him and sigh. “They’re so sensitive.”
“I’ve noticed,” he says. “It’s really fucking hot, Penny. Everything. Especially your newfound confidence. You were so shy on my birthday, but I could see what you wanted that night. Now I don’t have to dig for it. You just tell me.” He’s not wrong. I’m still amazed Eli chose me, I’m not going to lie, but he’s given me so much . . . sexual confidence. Like I told him all those months ago, I hadn’t believed I was “good” at sex. But Eli has proven me wrong. It’s all about the chemistry between the couple that determines how good sex is. And we are explosive.
His fingers play with my nipples, pleasure tearing through me with each pass. “You’re not as intimidating to me anymore. I feel comfortable with you.” I turn and loop my arms around his neck. He slides his hands down my back to my ass, which he holds tightly. “I feel like I can talk to you about anything now. We’ve built that trust.”
With a look of utter contentment, he places a kiss on my forehead. “You’re the first person I’ve trusted outside of hockey. I don’t ever trust anyone, but you’ve been able to slowly change that perspective.”
“That means a lot to me,” I say as I stand on my toes and kiss him on the lips. Still holding me close to him, he returns the kiss, deepening it by opening his mouth and swiping his tongue over mine.
I groan into him and slip my hand down between us to his pants, where I feel his hardness through the fabric.
“I really want to take a bath,” I say as I move my hand past the waistband of his jeans.
“Then let’s take a bath,” he says right before pulling his shirt over his head. God, he’s so freaking ripped. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more perfect body. He’s sculpted and chiseled in all the right spots. His arms are strong and thick, while his waist is narrow and defined. He has the pinnacle V that I’m sure isn’t easy to accomplish.
He strips out of his pants and briefs, and I watch as his cock strains forward, searching out a release.
I reach for it, but he steps away. “You need the relaxation, and we’re going to do that in the tub first.”
“But you’re hard.”
“I’ll survive.”
He turns off the water. He then steps in and leans against the back of the large soaking tub. When he’s settled, he holds his hand out to me and helps me climb in. The water is warm, the perfect temperature for relaxation, and as I sink down between his legs, I can feel my body start to melt into him.
“Are you comfortable?” I ask him, his hard-on pressing against my back.
“Very,” he answers as he gently rests my head on his chest. “Are you?”
“Mmm, yes, I could fall asleep like this.”
“Then do it. I’ll take care of you.” He wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck.
It’s been a journey to get here, where Eli is openly affectionate, not holding back or chastising himself for having feelings, where we can simply enjoy each other with nothing hanging over our heads. I know this pivotal moment is a big step for us.
This is intimacy.
This isn’t just us tearing each other’s clothes off. This is more than that. This is us becoming one, and as he slowly laps water against me, I know this is a moment I’ll remember.
“Are you awake?”
“Yes,” I say as I place my hands on his.
“Your stomach is really starting to grow. I hope this doesn’t sound weird, but it’s exciting.”
“That’s not weird at all.”
“Have you felt the baby kick?”
“I have,” I answer. “It feels like a flutter, but I’ve felt him in there. And like Dr. Big Pecs said, he’s measuring quite big already, bigger than the average baby, so I think he’s going to have your height. Which, of course, makes me think about my apartment situation. I really need to find a bigger place, especially since Blakely and Winnie are already talking about having a baby shower for us. I won’t have any space for everything.”
His fingers trace up and down my arm as he quietly says, “I have space.”
“Which is so great, you won’t have to worry about having any issues with fitting things in your place. My landlord got back to me, and there are no current two-bedrooms up for rent. There’s a three-bedroom, but that’s way out of my price range. So I’ll have to find a new building, which is sad.”