An Ocean Between Us

by Serenity Woods

  “I want to drive you crazy,” she whispered, “as crazy as you’re driving me. I don’t want to wait any longer, Danny. Come to bed with me.”

  He looked into her eyes, and something passed between them, a look, a feeling—she wasn’t sure what it was, but it made her breath hitch and her heart race even faster. It was as if they’d taken the final hurdle and moved onto the home straight, both accepting it was finally going to happen.

  “Come on.” He picked up his wine glass.

  She did the same, waiting while he topped both glasses up again, and then she led him down the corridor to the other wing of the house where the bedrooms were.

  She was staying in the best and biggest guest room. Situated on the northern side of the house, it faced the deck and the rolling lawns, and during the day she could see the ocean, although tonight it was dark, the sea just a shimmer of silver in the distance. With relief, she noticed that she’d left the heat pump on in here, too. Leaving Danny’s side for a moment, she switched on the lamp on the bedside table, and he walked over to the curtains and drew them, enclosing them in a warm, amber world.

  She picked up her wine glass and swallowed a large mouthful. She was nervous, but excited too. As the years had gone by, she’d tried not to keep thinking about what she was missing, but since she’d met Danny it felt as if she’d thought of nothing but sex. Every night she’d dreamed about his hands and mouth on her, and during the day she’d imagined what it would feel like to go all the way, to be naked with him, to have him inside her.

  Was it likely to hurt considering she was twenty-five? It wasn’t as if she’d been able to ask for advice from anyone. She’d never had that kind of relationship with her mother, and the few friends she had didn’t talk about that sort of thing.

  If she’d lost her virginity when she was in her mid-to-late teens like most people seemed to, her partner would probably either have been a virgin as well or reasonably inexperienced, and it wouldn’t have been such a big issue. But she knew that Danny must have had a fair number of partners. Although she was touched that he’d told her he’d go slow and be gentle, she wanted him to enjoy it. She didn’t want to do or say anything stupid and make a fool of herself.

  She watched him turn from the curtains and finish off his glass of wine, then place the glass on the dressing table. He seemed so big, even in her reasonably-sized bedroom, and he looked out of place, like a large wild cat brought indoors.

  As he walked toward her, she gripped her glass tightly and tried to smile, tried to relax, but the nerves had gotten to her, and it was as if her face was made of concrete.

  “Hey.” He levered the glass from her fingers and put in on the bedside table, then pulled her into his arms. “You’ve gone even paler, if that was possible. Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “Sorry.”

  He chuckled. “You have to stop apologizing.” He cupped her face. “What’s the matter? Are you nervous?”

  There was no point in denying it. “Yes. I’m sorry—and I apologize for apologizing—I’m trying not to be, but I don’t think it’s possible not to be, you know? After so long.” She knew she was waffling, and she bit her lip, embarrassed.

  “I understand. And you know what? It’s okay.”

  She swallowed, fighting against a sudden surge of emotion. “Danny—”

  “Sweetheart, of course you’re going to be nervous. Everywhere you look—TV, movies, books, people are talking about sex. It’s made up to be this momentous thing, but it’s really not. It’s the most natural thing in the world, and you know what? It’s really easy.” He smiled. “It’s not complicated, and there’s really nothing to worry about. You can’t do it wrong.”

  “Are you sure about that? Because if something can be done wrong, you can rest assured I’ll do it.”

  He laughed and slid his hands onto her bottom, pulling her against him. “That’s what I’m here for! Look, I’m not going to keep asking you because that’s only going to get annoying, but I will ask one last time. Are you sure you want to do this? With me? If you want to stop now, I won’t be annoyed, and it’s not a problem. I want you to be sure.”

  She looked up into his eyes. The guy was gorgeous. If he wore a tux and bow tie, he’d look like a movie star. He was kind, intelligent, and he made her laugh. He’d even forgiven the fact that she’d insulted him. She wanted to share herself with this man, to give him pleasure, as well as to finally rid herself of the burden of virginity she’d carried for so long.

  “I’m sure. Are you sure?”

  He touched his lips to hers. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. I desperately want to get you naked. Just so you know.”

  Her face warmed, and she played with the buttons on his shirt. “I hope you’re not disappointed. I like you, and I want you to enjoy it.”

  He snorted. “You’re young, you’re hot, and you’re willing. That’s pretty much all it takes for a guy to have fun.”

  She laughed. “You’re easily pleased.”

  “Most dudes are. That’s a good thing for you ladies.” He kissed her cheek, up to her hairline, and nuzzled her ear. “Don’t be nervous. We’ll make sure you’re relaxed. It won’t hurt—it’ll just be sexy. Intimate. You want to get intimate with me, don’t you?”

  Intimate. Just the one word sent a frisson through her. “I do.”

  “You want to kiss me? Touch me?” He brushed his tongue over her earlobe. “Have me inside you?”

  “God, Danny, don’t. I’ll melt into a puddle.” She splayed her hands on his chest. His muscles were firm beneath her fingers. “Can I take off your shirt?”

  “You are welcome to do whatever you want to me. Tonight, I am completely yours.”

  “Ooh.” She shivered at the thought.

  He kissed her, gentle and soft, teasing her lips with his. “That idea turns you on?”

  “Mmm.” She pushed the top button of his shirt through the buttonhole. “I can’t believe I’m so lucky.”

  “You can’t believe it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He gave her a puzzled look. “I don’t think you realize how beautiful and sexy you are, Lady Hermione. Not only are you offering me the chance to get you naked, but I get to be the first guy in the world to make love to you. I’m sure I’m going to wake up at any moment.”

  She popped another button, thinking about his words. She’d seen her virginity as a burden, something a guy would find tiresome because it meant she was inexperienced and boring. She hadn’t considered that a man might find it appealing.

  “You like the idea of being my first?” She was about halfway down the buttons now, and she could see tanned skin beneath, covered with an attractive scattering of manly chest hair.

  He took the end of her braid, pulled the elastic off, and began to unravel the strands. “I do. It’s like seeing a field of fresh, white snow.”

  “And you want to write your name in it?”

  He grinned, loosening more of the braid until he reached the nape of her neck. “That’s not quite what I meant, but yeah, I guess. There’s something beautiful about that virgin field. Or desert dunes, stretching away into the distance, smooth and untouched. I feel like Neil Armstrong.”

  She laughed, but his wry smile told her he’d spoken the truth. The notion of being her first intrigued him.

  He parted the sections of her braid up the back of her head until it fell loose about her shoulders in brown waves.

  She reached the bottom of his shirt and pushed the two sides apart. He lowered his hands, allowing her to move the shirt over his shoulders, and it fell to the floor.

  He returned his hands to her hips and tipped his head, watching her as she smoothed her hands up his chest, over his pecs and shoulders, and down the impressive bulges of his biceps.

  “Wow.” She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “You’re amazing.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I mean it, Danny. You have the most gorgeous body. Do
you work out?”

  “No, this is what being a groundskeeper does for you.”

  She flicked him an amused look, then returned to studying his body. He didn’t look as if he spent every hour lifting weights in front of the mirror, but his abs were nicely defined, the hard muscles of his shoulders and arms covered with smooth skin that felt like marble to the touch, only warm.

  “Do you mind me admiring you?” She continued to stroke him, loving being able to touch his skin.

  “No. It’s nice to be admired. I don’t get it that often.”

  “Rubbish,” she scoffed. “You must have women worship you on at least a weekly basis.”

  “I really don’t.”

  She remembered the ties he had to his father. Maybe he found it more difficult than she’d imagined to meet girls. He’d been hurt, too—in his past, he’d loved someone, and they’d let him down. She rested a hand over his heart. She couldn’t see it, but she knew it bore scars. He looked tough and he acted confident, but he was only a man, after all.

  His chest hairs were brown and slightly curly, and she ran her fingers through them, then brushed the pads of her thumbs across his small, flat nipples. He inhaled, and she looked up at him again. “Are they sensitive?”

  “Yes. Not as sensitive as yours. But it feels nice.” He took hold of the arms of the jumper she’d tied around her neck, loosened them, and removed it. Then he held the hem of her top. “May I?”

  She nodded and raised her arms, and he lifted it up over her head and dropped it to the floor.

  “Wow. Fuck.”

  She looked down at herself. “What?” She wore a white satin and lace teddy that laced up at the sides. It was fairly new and one of her favorite pieces of lingerie, but although it was pretty, she wouldn’t have said it deserved such an expletive.

  He rested his hands on her waist. His eyes had widened, and when they met hers, they held a level of heat that told her he was seriously turned on.

  “How often do you wear this kind of thing?” He ran his hands up her ribs, then down again, stroking the silky material.

  “Every day. Why?” She laughed as he gave her a helpless look. “It’s just a teddy.”

  “It’s fucking sexy, is what it is. Jesus, Hermione, look at you. I’m glad I didn’t know you were wearing this all day or I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate.” He stroked back up her ribs, continued his fingers up to her collarbone, and finally down over the swell of her breasts.

  She shivered. “I love the way you touch me.”

  “What do you mean?” He brushed her sides again, then repeated the process, up to her shoulders, down over her breasts.

  “As if I’m something beautiful. Something special.”

  He stopped stroking her and cupped her face. “You are beautiful and special. You can’t doubt that, seriously?”

  “I...” She didn’t know what to say. How could she explain that no other man—not even her husband-to-be—acted as if she was anything other than ordinary?

  Danny’s smile faded, and she knew he understood. A dangerous glint appeared in his eye. “Right,” he said, sliding his hands down to her waist, where he began to unzip her trousers. “It’s about time someone showed you what a goddess you are.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Danny pushed her trousers over her hips and held her as she stepped out of them, then admired her at arm’s length.

  “You’ve got more of these things?” He gestured to the silky teddy that clung to her curves.

  “Of course. Lots more.” She spoke as if it was the most natural thing in the world to wear sexy lingerie on a daily basis.

  “I’m going to need a fashion show later on,” he told her. “I want to see them all.” How could he tell her that none of the girlfriends he’d been with had worn anything like this? Some of them had worn pretty matching bras and panties, and one or two might have donned something sexy for a special occasion. But Lynda had favored sports bras and thongs which, while he understood they didn’t give a VPL, he didn’t find particularly sexy, and none of them would have considered this kind of lingerie a daily necessity.

  The scrap of satin and lace alternately revealed and highlighted Hermione’s beautiful curves. Strips of white ribbon passed over her shoulders, and her breasts were wonderfully outlined in the half cups of stretchy lace. The ties at the side looked as if they’d fall apart if he clicked his fingers. She had a trim waist and a natural swell to her hips without being pear-shaped. Her thighs were tight and toned, probably from horse-riding, he suspected. Even in her underwear, she was total class.

  She chuckled, adopting a jaunty pose as if his obvious desire was giving her confidence. “That’s no problem. I have a wide range for the discerning customer, from virginal white to sexy black satin to slutty red lace.” The chuckle turned into a laugh as his eyes widened. “Gosh, you really are easy to please.”

  He pulled her back into his arms and slid his hands around her. “Men are very visual, and you’re extremely pleasing to the eye.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” She tugged the belt of his jeans. “Do I get to see what lies beneath as well?”

  After removing his wallet and tossing it onto the bedside table, he dropped his hands to the denim, undid the button, and slid the zipper down. He stepped out of them and flicked off his socks, then returned to stand before her in his black boxer-briefs.

  She stared at the erection that jutted proudly through the stretch cotton. “Gosh. Genie didn’t lie.”

  He looked down at himself, wondering if he should be embarrassed at the way his dick was straining toward her as if trying to catch her attention. “Genie?”

  “Apparently there’s a rumor.”

  “Is there now? I don’t know how, because I’ve never slept with any of my friends.”

  Her lips curved up. Had she thought he and Genie had been an item? They’d never even been close to that. Genie was lovely, but she’d only ever had eyes for Niall—Danny had known that even before Niall had broken up with his ex. There’d never been anything between him and Billie either. The girls he’d dated had been like comets passing through his solar system, blazing briefly before fading off into the night. Lynda had been the only other planet, and they’d got caught up in each other’s gravity before she’d eventually been sucked off into the black hole that accompanied serious break ups.

  But he didn’t want to think about his ex now, not when he had Lady Chatterley to hand to entertain him.

  At any other time he’d have asked her to keep the teddy on while they had sex, and he made a mental note to suggest she put it back on later, if things went as well as he was hoping. But for now he needed her to be at ease with him. She had to get used to being naked with someone else, to feeling bare skin against bare skin.

  He ran his fingers up her sides to the ties at the top of the teddy. “As beautiful as this is, I think it’s time to divest you of it.”

  She watched him loosen the ties and then push the teddy down over her hips to the floor.

  He fought against another swear word as he saw her naked for the first time. He’d seen a variety of breasts over the years, and hers were by far the best—a little above average size, high and round, the nipples a light pinky-brown, girlishly soft, begging for his mouth to cover them.

  Her hands twitched as if she wanted to cover herself, although she didn’t, but he noted her pale face and an unmistakable shiver that was probably half due to having bare skin, half due to nerves.

  No other man had ever laid eyes on her body. His heart went out to her as he remembered the way she’d blushed at some of his comments. Jeez, no wonder she’d blanched when he’d said about her sitting on his dick! The poor girl.

  He turned and pulled back the duvet. “Get in,” he said softly, and walked around the bed to the other side.

  As he removed his underwear, she slid beneath the covers. He noted her casting him brief glimpses, but he moved quickly beneath the duvet, pulled it over them, tucki
ng it around her, and then stretched out on his side facing her, propping his head on a hand.

  She did the same, inches away. “Is something wrong?” she whispered, nibbling her bottom lip. She’d expected him to jump her straight away.

  He smiled. “What’s the matter, Lady Hermione? Are you in a hurry? Got somewhere else you need to be?”

  “No.” Her face warmed. “I just thought...”

  He slid an arm around her and slowly pulled her toward him, until her body was flush with his, from their chests to their thighs. His erection pressed against her abdomen, and the hair on his chest brushed her nipples. Moving his hand over her hips and butt, he stroked down her thigh to her knee and then lifted it over his, so she was practically wrapped around him.

  “Did you really think once I got you into bed that I’d want to get it all over in minutes?” He traced light fingers up her hip and across to her back. “I’m going to take my time to love you, Hermione. And when we’re done, I’m going to start all over again. I plan to make the most of my night with you. So I hope you weren’t planning on getting any sleep.”

  She swallowed. “You should be careful making promises like that. For a start, I might be so dull in bed that you’ll only want to do it once.”

  “I can safely say that is not going to be an issue. Trust me.” He stroked up to her shoulder, down her arm, interlinked their fingers, and kissed her knuckles.

  “Maybe I’ll wear you out and you’ll be too knackered to do it again.” Her cheeky words couldn’t hide the shyness she was obviously feeling.

  “I doubt it. I have a feeling I’m going to be insatiable where you’re concerned.” He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers.

  She shivered, and he raised his head. “Are you cold?”

  “No. It’s that word. Insatiable...” She moistened her lips. “It gives me goosebumps.”

  “Why?”

  “The thought of you taking me again, and again...” Her eyes took on a lazy, sexy look of lust. “Of being wanted in that way...”