his shoulders to his chest, and he slowed, giving her the chance to stop. Instead, she curled her arms around him and tugged him closer.
Again, he explored. Her breast, hidden beneath her blouse, filled his hand, and he rolled her pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She tugged his shirt from his waistband, her warm hands seeking his skin.
This was exactly what he’d promised not to do. This morning while shaving, he’d lectured his reflection on taking his time with her. He wanted to show her Europe, to watch her eyes light up with each new city. That wouldn’t happen if she didn’t see anything but the ceilings of hotel rooms. He’d vowed not to fall on her like a sex-starved lunatic and here he was, doing just that.
He stopped and moved his hands to the mattress. They lay there, foreheads pressing together, sharing gulps of air.
“If I touch you again, we’ll never leave this room,” Ben groaned, then shuddered as she lightly raked her nails on his back, tickling instead of hurting and making him second-guess his commitment to sightseeing. “That’s not making it easier to let you go.”
She smoothed his shirt down, settling the light cotton between them. “I did say I wanted to see the Fortress.”
“You did. And we need to get moving if we’re going to catch the bus.”
Yet she remained still. So did Ben, taking in the sight of her flushed skin, her hair in disarray, the points of her breasts clearly visible under her disheveled shirt. Maybe we could see the Fortress on another trip.
Her body was ready, but worry lurked in her eyes. That stopped him more than any promise he’d made to himself.
“Aren’t you the least bit concerned about the speed of all this?” Her voice shook, as did her deep breath. “About me being okay with the speed of this?”
“No.” He sat and pulled her upright to face him. “I’ve learned to spot women who are casual about sex. You’re not one of them. Are you worried?”
Her head tilted as she frowned in thought. After a few seconds, her features smoothed into a smile. “No. You don’t strike me as the wanton orgy type.”
Relieved, Ben released a laughing breath. “Trust me, doll, if I’d wanted an orgy, I’d have booked a different tour.” He pulled her to her feet and kissed her quickly. “Chivvy on, then.”
They stood side-by-side at the bathroom mirror rearranging their clothes and combing their hair, as if they did it every day.
Hand in hand, Ben and Grace strolled from their room and started on their new adventure. And for the rest of the afternoon, they hung with the group and explored until neck cricks and foot blisters made them seek out a resting place.
Ben found his mother on a bench in the walled courtyard.
“Mozart’s home is open for tours this evening,” she said. “We’re getting up a group to go after dinner.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” The offer was half-hearted, but he had promised to have a vacation with her and he was responsible for her safety.
“Not if you’ve made other plans.” She eyed him with motherly keenness. “Is your room all right?”
He rubbed the skin under his collar. He’d never get used to talking about sex with his mother. “Everything is great, Mum. What about yours?”
“Perfect. Sunny’s going to be a wonderful roommate.” She looped her arm through his. “Don’t worry about me, Bennett. I know where you are.”
“Then I’ll skip Mozart and see if Grace wants to gander through the city.”
They reached the bus as Grace and her mother rejoined the group. Sunny patted his arm in greeting as she continued to address her daughter. “Are you two joining us for dinner?”
“I think so.” Grace somehow managed to respond to her mother and telegraph the question to him.
“Yes,” he said as he wound his arm around her waist. If he thought about the newness of her, it still shocked him. So he did his best to quit thinking about it.
“We’re going for coffee