Free Courage in the Kiss by Elaine White

before she confessed.
    It was impossible. But there he was a firm, solid human being under her fingertips, as he backed her further into the room and eased her onto the bed.
    Hadley was speechless. All she could do was stare up at him, eagerly awaiting his touch as he hovered over her. He shouldered out of his shirt as he stared at her.
    Her breath caught in her throat as she ran her hands over his now bare chest and kissed the throbbing pulse on his throat. This was so much better; a bed, real emotion, and tenderness... this was how she’d imagined her first time.
    Maxx claimed her mouth with a fierce and urgent kiss as his hands ran over her body, removing her dress and discarding it.
    Hadley instinctively arched her body against his, as she felt his fingers peel away the last remains of the barrier that their clothes had become. She blinked at the ceiling, unaware of how many seconds or minutes had passed since they entered that room, but it must have been more than she thought because now they were together.
    Their clothes were gone and she had no clue how it happened. All she remembered was the touch of his lips on her skin, and Maxx’s nimble fingers undoing her dress. A minute later, he hovered above her, both now completely naked and unbelievably real to each other.
    She closed her eyes to his touch, as he led his hand shamelessly down the side of her body, her breath quickening in anticipation.
    “Do you really love me?” he asked breathlessly, trailing a finger down her neck as his eyes floated over her responsive body.
    Hadley hummed a speechless agreement. Words were an inappropriate way of explaining her feelings for him. They were so unnecessary now.
    “Say it! Please, Hadley,” Maxx begged.
    She opened her eyes and let a faint smile fall over her lips as she kissed him and whispered softly, “I’ve always loved you.” Somehow she knew she didn’t need to ask him if he felt the same.
    The look in his eyes as he stared down at her, a sardonic smile playing on his lips, was enough to let her know how much he cared. It was almost as if making her love him was something he’d planned on, rather than hoped for.
    “And you want me as I want you?” he pressed, returning a long finger to the throbbing ache between her thighs.
    Hadley put her head back, gasping breathlessly at the new sensation. She knew that she could have done this for herself, countless times over the years, as she fantasised about Maxx. But she’d held on to her needs, desperate for Maxx to be the one to feed them and help them grow.
    “Yes…Maxx, please…” They were only disjointed gasps by now, as Maxx ruthlessly teased her body into admitting defeat under his touch.
    Hadley thought she was going to lose her mind, as Maxx finally made his choice and eased himself inside of her. He was careful, toying with her, as he gently dipped the head of his cock into her and held himself still for a long moment. She bit her lip, not sure if she wanted to scream or cry at the sensation.
    Maybe she should have confessed to being a virgin, after all? It was a bit late now, so she reached up and grasped the corner of the pillow her head lay on.
    Maxx kissed down her neck, muttering obscene exclamations of pleasure and need. “God, you feel so good...so tight...” he gasped, slowly pushing in a little further.
    Hadley put her head back and tightened her grip on the pillow, while the other grasped at the back of Maxx’s head. His hair slid between her fingers, eliciting a heartfelt moan from him, as she gripped harder.
    The discomfort eased, as he began a steady stream of thrusts that sent fireworks exploding all over her body. She was on a high, from the adrenaline of the moment, from finally having Maxx to herself.
    “Fuck,” he groaned and sank deeper.
    He was so thick and big that Hadley was afraid she would genuinely scream. She hadn’t realised he could even go any deeper than before, but this was too much.
    “Maxx,” she said, trying