Educating Gina (15 page)

Was this real love she felt? A forever-after kind of love? In university her friend Maria had seemed to fall in love with every boy who took her out. The feeling only lasted until the next boy asked.

“Gina?” Michael had taken a seat on the couch and was staring at her with concern. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head and crossed the living room.

He patted the seat next to him and gave her a gentle smile. “Come sit.”

Coming from him, it was not a command as it would have been from her father or other men, and she gladly complied. She set her wine on the table next to his and then sat on the couch, her shoulder touching his. Her dress rode up high and she tugged the hem down.

She looked at Michael. His gaze lingered for a moment on her thigh, but then he looked away and took another sip of his wine.

Gina snuggled closer. She would never feel threatened by Michael. Only safe and treasured. Her thoughts strayed back to the club and Tony, and she shuddered.

Michael slid an arm around her. “Are you ready to tell me what happened?”

She shrugged. “Nothing.”

He touched her chin and forced her to look at him. “Gina, you sure you don’t want to tell me anything?”

Looking him in his eyes, seeing his concern and sincerity, it was much harder to lie. “I was foolish to go out alone. But nothing happened, really.”

“Why did you go out alone? Are you sick of me tagging along?”

“Oh, no.” She did not want him to think such a thing. “I was only…” She moved her chin away so that she did not have to look at him when she admitted how foolish she had been. “I was trying to get more experience.”

“What?”

“So that I would be more attractive to you.”

She felt his body tense beside her. He let a long moment of anxious silence pass. “Experienced at what?”

She gave a small shrug. “Kissing, flirting.”

He muttered something, a curse, probably. “Gina, what the hell were you thinking?”

“I already said I knew I had been foolish. You do not need to yell at me.”

He sighed and tightened his hold around her shoulders. “I didn’t mean to yell. You worried me, and I—I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m sorry.”

She placed her hand on his chest. His heartbeat strong and steady against her palm. “You were worried about me?”

“Of course I was. What the devil ever made you think you weren’t attractive enough to me?”

“You said you wished I had more experience.”

He shook his head and laid it on the back of the couch to stare at the ceiling. “That’s not what I said. Or at least that’s not what I meant.” His restless fingers stroked abstract patterns on her arm that gave her goose bumps. “I don’t wish you were more experienced. I like you just the way you are.”

She straightened to look at him. “Yes?”

He slid her a sideways glance and one side of his mouth lifted. “Yes.”

“But you said—”

“I meant that having sex, making love for the first time is an important step. Something that could stay with you forever—whether good or bad.”

“I understand.” She returned his solemn look. “This is why I have waited.”

“I admire your strength and good sense. And that’s why I’m trying like hell to stay away from you. Not because you’re not attractive or experienced enough. I respect your decision to wait for the right person.” He scrubbed at his eyes. “But dammit, Gina, that doesn’t make it any easier not to want you.”

Excitement bubbled like fine champagne in her chest. She smiled and snuggled closer. “You do?”

He grunted. “Don’t play dumb.”

She kissed the side of his neck. “I am not dumb.”

“That’s my point. Hey, knock it off.”

His skin felt warm under her lips and hands. The pulse at his neck beat fast. Her own pulse was speeding. She shifted and found a comfortable position on his lap.

“Hey.” He jumped. “Off.”

She shook her head and kissed him on the mouth.

He reared back. His eyes were hungry, fueling her excitement. His throat moved up and down as he swallowed. “What did I just explain to you?”

“I understand,” she said, looping her arms around his neck. “You do not. I have finally found the right person.”

“Gina, listen.” He took one of her hands and squeezed it. “I’m very honored that you think I’m the right person to—”

“Stop it.” She clamped her free hand over his mouth. “I do not like your tone or that you are about to tell me you know what is better for me than I do.”

He tried to talk, but her hand didn’t budge from his mouth. When he tried to pry it away, she held firm.

“I am not finished. I am tired of the men in my life telling me what is good for me. You are not like them, Michael. You tell me you think I am smart, yes?”

He nodded slowly, knowing damn well he was about to get backed into a corner.

“And I have business sense?”

He pulled her hand away. “Having business sense is different from making an emotional decision.”

She gave him an amused look, and then slowly moved her mouth closer until she could run the tip of her tongue across his lower lip.

His body immediately responded. “Gina.”

She drew his lip between her teeth and sucked on it.

His breath shuddered in his chest. “Gina, I mean it.” His words came out garbled as she intensified the assault on his mouth.

She twisted in his lap, and the hand he unwittingly had on her thigh slid up until his fingers met silk. Damp silk. She whimpered and parted her legs slightly.

His hand froze as he opened his mouth for her tongue. He knew he should withdraw his hand, but she was so wet, her mouth so eager and far more skillful than only a week ago. And damn, his cock was getting so hard it was a wonder she could stay on his lap.

He moved his hand so that his fingers edged beneath the elastic of her panties. She jumped a little and then thrust her hips forward so that he could feel the soft wet folds.

She stopped kissing him suddenly and threw her head back. He pushed harder with his finger and met her opening. It wasn’t too late. He could stop.

She groaned, and he went a little deeper.

He trailed his tongue down her exposed throat, nipping at her collarbone, and then biting the neckline of her dress and trying to drag it down. It wouldn’t give enough, so he found her budding nipple through the stretchy fabric.

He smiled when he felt the tape. Working it free with only his teeth through the dress wasn’t easy, but he met the challenge and managed to snare the prize. He drew on her breast hard, getting a rush when her nipple seemed to burst with ripeness into his mouth through the thin fabric.

“Oh, Michael.” Her voice, barely audible, came out a soft moan.

His finger. He’d gone in too deeply. He promptly pulled his hand away.

She gasped. “No.” Her gaze went to his slick finger, glistening with her juices, and then her dazed eyes met his.

“Gina, honey, I’m sorry. I’m…I’m so sorry.”

Her lips parted, and then her gaze lowered to his chest. She unfastened his top button, and then the next one.

“Gina, wait.” He stilled her hands.

She yanked free and lifted her hem. Wriggling off his lap, she pulled the dress over her head. She knelt beside him on the couch in nothing but the tiniest pair of black silk panties and undid the next two buttons of his shirt.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” he asked, vaguely aware he should stop her.

“Yes.” She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, and he obliged her by shrugging it off the rest of the way.

Sitting back on her heels, she stared with fascinated interest at his flat, unexciting nipples. With the tip of her red polished nail, she coaxed one to blossom, and then leaned forward and touched her tongue to it.

Mike closed his eyes and held his breath. An incredible sensation raced through him. He reached for her, but she evaded him. He opened his eyes and saw the smile tugging at her mouth as she leaned back. His gaze fell to her bare breasts. Tape still covered one nipple.

“Where is your bedroom?” she asked, and when he looked up to meet her eyes, she didn’t even blink.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

She reached for his belt, and he cupped her breasts. He had to touch her, feel her weight in his palms. Startled, her hands slackened on his buckle and he leaned forward to take her into his mouth. He suckled her until she started to go limp. Catching her off guard, he left the couch and scooped her up in his arms.

She let out a small surprised yelp, but then circled her arms around his neck and planted a few awkward but endearing kisses on his shoulder while he carried her to the bedroom.

He made his bed only two or three times a week. Luckily he’d made it this morning. Not that he really cared. Not at this point. Except that this was Gina’s first time and…shit, he wished this
was
the Ritz.

He managed to shoulder on the light switch and then he set Gina down on the navy-blue quilt. She gave him a shy smile and he swallowed.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, he spread her hair on the pillow. “It’s not too late.”

Unexpected defiance blazed in her eyes. “I want you to make love to me, Michael.” Her hand went to his belt, and he let her, curious to see how far she would go.

She loosened the buckle, and then her fingers faltered. She got up on one elbow and tried again, her gaze slowly lifting to his face while she finished pulling the belt free. Her hand shook a little and she bit her lower lip.

She looked so damn beautiful. He wanted a portrait of her just the way she looked right now, shy and sexy and determined all at the same time.

When she made a move to tackle his zipper, he picked up her hand and kissed the center of her palm. Her eyes widened in question.

“We have to go a little slower,” he said, and sucked the tip of her forefinger.

She sighed, a sweet impatient sigh that went straight to his heart. “I just want to see you with your clothes off.”

He smiled at her admission, and she blushed and looked away.

He lightly touched the tip of her nipple, which promptly recalled her attention. Her breasts were so perfect. Centerfold perfect. The rose-colored areolas nearly the size of half dollars and her extended nipples like small ripe cherries. He lowered his head to take one in his mouth and she went for his zipper again.

Laughing softly, he intercepted her hand. “Hey, you’re asking for trouble.”

She muttered something in Italian. Her impatient tone was international.

“Look.” He brought her hand to his rock-hard penis. “Feel this.”

She jerked back, and then spread her fingers and tentatively touched him. Her face filled with wonder and curiosity as she dragged her palm up his length.

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. “Okay, that’s enough.”

She retraced her journey, stroking her palm back down.

“I was trying to make a point.” He cupped his hand over hers, stilling it, but not without regret.

“What point?” Her gaze darted to his face and then immediately returned to his arousal.

Her obvious fascination and excitement sent his ego spiraling. “The point is…”

He stared into her expectant eyes.

Shit, he couldn’t remember.

She touched the base of his cock.

He grabbed her wrist, and then dropped to the pillows and rolled her on top of him. She laughed in surprise and then raised herself to look at him.

“You did not tell me your point.” Her nipples grazed his chest.

He looked down and pushed back the thick fall of hair blocking his view. She shifted and her nipples pressed to his skin, flattening her breasts slightly. His arousal arched up beneath her belly, throbbing under her welcome weight.

Reaching around her, he cupped his hands over her buttocks. She responded by closing her eyes and pressing harder against him, making a sexy purring sound in her throat.

He could hardly bear to watch her. The way her eyes opened to slits of glittering desire, the way her moist lips formed the pout that drove away the last of his good sense.

“Gina.” His fingers dug lightly into her soft bottom.

She opened her eyes wider.

“Kiss me.”

The tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip, and then she lowered her head, her breasts crushing against his chest as she took possession of his mouth. She played with his lips at first, nibbling and sucking and sending his heart into overdrive. The frenzied inexperienced kissing was gone. She took her time, tasting and taunting.

When he reached to wedge his fingers beneath the elastic of her panties, she tensed a little and he slowed down. But then she moved her hips in a way that begged him to continue, and he slid his finger into her as far as he could. He only managed to reach the barrier, but he felt her muscles clench.

She deepened the kiss, her entire body moving, causing a friction that nearly made him cry out. He rolled them both over so that he had her pinned on her back. Her chest heaved, and she gazed up at him with excitement, and a touch of fear.

He touched the tip of one breast with his finger and then kissed it. “I’m going to take off your panties.”

Her thighs moved together. A reflex, probably, because she relaxed them right away, but he slowed himself down and kissed her other breast.

He rubbed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

The trust in her eyes sent an avalanche of mixed emotions crashing through him, and then she whispered, “I want you to make love to me.”

He kissed her gently on the lips and then hooked his fingers on her panties and slid them down her legs. Even the dark triangle of hair was perfect. He covered the soft curls with his palm, letting her get used to the feel of him.

Ludicrous, since he’d already partially entered her with his finger, but she wasn’t complaining. He liked the silkiness beneath his palm, liked the way her expression melted into bliss at a simple touch.

He moved his hand to the juncture of her thighs, about to slowly part them.

“Michael?” Her breathy voice made him swallow. “Your pants.”

Her curiosity was palpable and he smiled, in spite of the fact he was ready to burst every seam. The trouble was, he was so damned turned on he didn’t think he could last much longer. Maybe he should just go into the bathroom and take care of himself. Make sure he didn’t rush Gina. The way things were going he figured he could come at least five more times.

“Michael.”

The impatience in her voice snapped him out of his preoccupation. She reached for his zipper and pulled it down. He nearly sprang out of his boxers.

“Hey,” he laughed softly, “don’t damage the merchandise.” He slid his khakis down and then kicked them off. Ignoring the tented boxers, he started to play with her nipples.

She wouldn’t be distracted. She tugged at his elastic waistband, her gaze glued to what she hoped to uncover.

He couldn’t stand it. Not with the hungry way she looked at him. He pulled off his boxers and watched her reaction. As if she hadn’t already pumped up his ego to the size of New Jersey, her eyes widened and her lips parted.

She slowly lifted her hand as if to touch him, but then drew back. He wanted to reassure her it was all right. God, he wanted her touch. But he also wanted her first time to be unhurried. To be as good as it could possibly be. And allowing her to touch him at this point would be playing with fire.

“Honey, we need to take it slow.” He cupped her flushed cheek. “You understand?”

“Slow.” She sighed with frustration. “I am already twenty-three.”

Mike laughed. “You’re something else.”

“Is that good?” A bewitching smile curved her lips.

“Everything about you is very good.” His gaze ran down from her breasts to her flat belly to the V of her thighs. “Trust me.”

Her attention riveted to his erection. She moistened her lips, and he just about made a total fool of himself.

“Michael?”

Man, did he both love and hate that tone! “Yes?”

Her gaze rose haltingly to his. “I know what a blow job is.”

Words escaped him. He tried to swallow around the painfully large lump in his throat. “You didn’t ask your uncle, did you?”

She smiled and shook her head.

Mike stretched out beside her before he was tempted to ask for a demonstration of what she’d learned, and she immediately turned on her side, her eager gaze searching for his arousal. His ego would never be the same.

He placed a hand on her hip and slowly ran his palm over the dip at her waist. “How did you get your information?”

“The Internet.”

“Oh, man. In a chat room?”

She nodded, and then briefly closed her eyes when his palm reached her breast.

“You didn’t give out any information about yourself, did you?”

Sighing, she rolled her gaze to the ceiling. And then she looked at him with a glint of mischief. “Not much, anyway.”

He grunted, but then decided to play the game. “What did you say?” He toyed with her nipple, bowed his head and licked it. “That you like this?”