Free Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts Page B

I mean—” He actually flushed, then laughed. “I mean, it’s not covered at the moment. But I have condoms.”
    It was easier than she’d thought it would be. The way they turned to each other, into each other. The lips, the hands, the thrill that leapfrogged over nerves.
    The kisses went deep and breath came quick as they sat on the bed. As they lay back. She had a moment to wish she’d thought to take her shoes off first—wouldn’t it be awkward?—then there was so much heat and movement.
    His mouth on her neck, his hands on her breast. Over her shirt, then under it. She’d been here before, but never with the knowledge that this was only the beginning.
    His skin was so warm, so smooth, his body so slight it brought on a flood of tenderness. She’d imagined this, the rising excitement, the sensation of her skin sliding along another’s, the sounds desire pushed out of her. Gasps and moans and hums of pleasure.
    His eyes were so vivid and blue, his hair so silky. She loved the way he kissed her, wished he would simply kiss her forever.
    When his hand moved between her legs, she tensed. This is where she’d always stopped in the past. This privacy she’d never allowed to be invaded. Then he stopped, this sweet boy, whose heart was hammering against hers, and pressed his lips to the side of her throat.
    â€œIt’s okay, we can just—”
    She took his hand, brought it back to her center, pressed. “Yes.” She said yes, then closed her eyes.
    The shudder ran through her. Oh, this was new! This was beyond what she’d known before, or felt before, or understood. The body was a miracle and hers was quickening with heat and aches. She clutched at him, tried to find her balance. Then again, let it go.
    He said her name, and she felt him shudder, too. Then his mouth was on her breast, all wet and hot, pulling racking sensations up from her belly. She reached for him, and he was so hard. Fascinated, she explored. When he sucked in his breath and reared up, she released him as if she’d been burned.
    â€œI’m sorry. Did I do something wrong?”
    â€œNo. No.” He gulped in another breath. “I, ah, I need to suit up.”
    â€œOh. Okay.” Everything in her was quivering, so she must be ready.
    He got a condom out of the drawer by the bed. Her first instinct wasto look away, but she shook it off. He was going inside her, that part of him would be inside her. It was better to see, to know, to understand.
    She braced, but when he’d put it on, he rolled back to her to kiss her once more. To kiss and stroke until the hard ball of nerves dissolved again.
    â€œIt’s going to hurt a little. I think it’s going to hurt for a minute. I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt’s all right.” It should hurt, a little, she thought. A change so big shouldn’t come without some pain. Or else it didn’t matter.
    She felt him pushing at her, into her and struggled not to fight against it. He kept kissing her.
    Soft on her lips, hard between her legs.
    There was pain, a shock of it that took the dreamy edge off the moment. Then it eased into a kind of ache, and the ache—as he began to move inside her—into a confusing mix of excitement and discomfort.
    Then he pressed his face into her hair, his slim, smooth body fused to hers. And it was only sweet.

5
    It was strange moving back home for the summer, hauling her things from the dorm, knowing for the next three months she wouldn’t have classes, or Gina moaning every morning when the alarm went off.
    Still, once it was done, and she was back in her old room, it was as natural as breathing.
    It wasn’t the same. She was different now. She had taken several deliberate steps away from childhood. Maybe the girl who’d packed her things the previous summer was still inside her, but the one who’d come back knew more, had experienced more. And was ready,