“Wha—what?”
“That it was your first time.” He choked out the words between clenched teeth.
She blinked away tears. Was it something she should’ve discussed earlier? It had never occurred to her, but then what did she know about relationships anyway? She’d never had time to even look at boys while growing up. “Sorry. I didn’t think it was important.”
“Don’t ever apologize,” he said, his forehead resting against hers. “Especially when you did nothing wrong.”
“But—”
“I would’ve been able to make it better for you if I’d known.” He brushed his thumbs over her tears. “You’re killing me here, do you know that?”
He kissed her, his mouth gentle and sweet. She kissed him back, loving the texture and taste of him, the way he changed the angle of his head for a deeper connection.
The kiss seemed to last forever. All of her senses were drenched in him—his scent, his taste, his heat and solid presence. His callused fingers caressed her sensitive skin with a delicacy she hadn’t expected from a man so large and physical.
He seemed to know exactly where to touch and just the right amount of pressure to exert. She was already so sensitive from the previous orgasm, it didn’t take long before a knot of pleasure throbbed to the fast beating of her heart. She cried out, her whole body arching with the need to reach for more.
Only then did he move, slow and steady. His gaze focused on her, making sure she was all right. The delicious friction sent shivers along her spine, and she gripped his shoulders.
It was too much—the steady, hard strokes of his cock and the hot intensity of his eyes. She’d never experienced anything like it, not even when she was competing for a world title.
Her heart thundered, and she couldn’t draw in air. The bitter disappointment that had been her constant companion for the past four years was gone, replaced by Dane and the searing pleasure he was giving her.
When the second wave of climax crashed into her, she let go, drowning in electric feeling. His arms wrapped around her, and he groaned, biting out a harsh word, before he joined her in the sea of mind-obliterating sensation.
Chapter Six
When Sophia could breathe normally again, she looked at Dane through her lashes. He was absolutely gorgeous naked, his shoulders wide, muscles lean and beautifully defined all along his tall body. She reached over to run her hand along his ribcage, then stopped. It was ridiculous for her to feel shy now, but…
“I don’t bite.” Amusement lightened his voice.
She flushed.
“I don’t know how you can blush now.” He propped his head on a hand and looked at her. His finger grazed her cheek. “You weren’t shy when I had your legs spread and was—”
She put a hand over his mouth. “Oh my god, stop.” Her face felt hot enough to fry eggs.
He fell back on the bed, laughing. He looked so carefree and happy that moment, she couldn’t muster even a bit of annoyance at his amusement.
Suddenly, he sobered. “Still, I meant what I said. You should’ve said something.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “Do you normally discuss your sexual history before you sleep with someone?”
“If it’s relevant, yes. And this being your first time, it was. By the way, you should also have asked me if I was clean before you told me I could forgo the condom, and yes, I am clean,” he said.
Oh jeez. That thought had never even crossed her mind. Crazy how little she knew about real life while knowing more than almost everyone on competition prep, jump technique and edge control.
Sophia couldn’t tell what Dane was thinking as he gazed at her. Was that also a side effect of her lack of experience or something else?
Finally, dark regret flitted through his eyes. “Not that I’m complaining, but you should’ve done it with somebody you’ve dated for a while, not some random stranger you picked up off the beach.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Suddenly she couldn’t face him anymore. She lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. “Didn’t think I needed one to, you know…do that.”
“No, you don’t.” He ran a finger down her shoulder. “I just…” He sighed. “Never mind.”
His lips brushed where his finger had been, and the tension drained from her muscles. “I don’t want to talk about ‘should’ve’. It is what it is.” The mantra she’d told herself over and over again to push aside disappointment. She curled toward him. “And I wanted to…experience something other than my troubles. Didn’t you?”