Chapter 49: At Last

When Red walked through the front door at eight o'clock Friday night, the first thing he noticed was the lighting of the suite. The reason why he observed it at all was because it was different than the typical.

Normally Lizzy kept the suite blazing in light, probably so she could see into all the darkened corners. Tonight, all the lights were off except for the dining room's crystal chandelier, which was set to dim. Soft rainbows sparkled through the crystals as the golden light seeped outward to touch the gleaming hardwood floor, leaving the area warm and inviting.

The second thing he noticed was that the long, antique dining room table was set for a romantic dinner for two.

This special occurrence had happened only once before since he and Elizabeth had become an item.

Red pursed his lips thoughtfully. It wasn't her birthday, and it wasn't his... And he certainly hadn't forgotten any special occasion that pertained to them and their relationship. But evidently they were celebrating something of significance tonight if the romantic setting meant anything.

Two dinner place settings of fine, ivory lace linens were laid out over the polished mahogany surface. On top of those rested cloth napkins, cutlery, and two silver chargers which cradled two large porcelain plates from a set of four he'd purchased in Venice years ago.

Around the squared edges of the plates was an intricate inlay of Venetian glass. The colors shone like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds in the flickering light of the candles that had been lit and set in a group of three between the two place settings.

A slow, delighted smile lit Red's eyes and spread across his face. No matter what they were celebrating tonight, he appreciated Elizabeth's impromptu dinner date.

"Lizzy?" he called, setting down his briefcase on the kitchen's bar before walking over to the dining room.

"Hi, Red."

At the sound of her soft voice, he turned around-and stared. "Lizzy?"

"Welcome home." She was smiling shyly at him, clasping her hands self-consciously in front of her as he hungrily took in every physical detail of beauty before him.

The sleep-deprived, haunted waif he'd become so accustomed to seeing every day was gone.

Before him stood a young woman whose emotional struggles still gleamed in her eyes, but who had made great strides over the last three and a half weeks in recovering her confidence and learning how to forgive and embrace herself again.

He was so used to observing her clothed in loose-fitting pajamas, shapeless sweats, or skinny jeans and that slouchy sweatshirt that he had almost forgotten what her feminine figure looked like in a dress.

Almost.

Though how he could nearly forget the way a dress could closely cling to her form in that sensual way? All her curves were clearly emphasized and the titillating sight made his dry tongue unconsciously roll around on the inside of his mouth.

The dress she wore tonight was new. It had to be. He had certainly never seen her wear it before. It looked like it was fairly expensive. Perhaps it was.

As his eyes traced admiringly down her slender body, he idly wondered if she had bought it on the Internet or if she had gathered her courage some afternoon recently to attempt an excursion to one of the nearby boutiques that lined the street.

The long-sleeved, black lace dress and its accompanying dark sheath underneath made Elizabeth's skin positively glow. The delicate weave lightly hugged her arms and chest only to flare out just below her natural waist, falling in gentle folds to her knees. The pointed neckline wasn't as daring as some of the other frocks she had worn before, but it wasn't entirely modest either.

Red allowed his gaze to linger appreciatively for just a moment on the slight shadow between her breasts. As his eyes made their way back up to her face again, understanding dawned on him...she had dressed this way for him.

Gone were the usual ponytails and messy buns.

Tonight, her long, dark hair was pulled back into a loose French braid that hung delicately down her back. A few tendrils had been pulled from it to drift in soft curls around her cheeks. A couple trailed artfully down her neck to rest just above the milky skin of her décolletage, making her appear very seductive.

In the past weeks, it had not been uncommon to see Elizabeth wearing the barest of cosmetics. She had tended to dust a light powder over her face, had smeared lipgloss on a few times, and had perhaps applied mascara once or twice.

But tonight she had highlighted her attractive features mostly in warm, natural hues. Her big eyes were startling under the dark shade of burgundy buffed smokily into her creases. The bold look aided in accentuating their lovely sapphire color. A slightly lighter shade had been applied to her lips, drawing emphasis...and his eyes...to her full mouth.

The pink of her cheeks wasn't all due to the blush she'd painted on, and Red's mouth slowly curved into a knowing smile as he met and held her eyes with his.

She shifted restively as he took a step closer, slowly reaching a cautious hand toward her.

Christ, he didn't know what he wanted to touch first. Her arm? To feel her smooth, naked skin beneath the lace... Or her hair? To tuck one of those curls affectionately behind her ear... Or perhaps her cheek, to prepare her for his kiss...

He chose the latter.

His caress was light as he leaned, lips brushing over hers in a soft kiss.

"Beautiful girl," he murmured before taking her mouth with his one more time. As he pulled back, he smiled down at her, fingering the wispy hair framing her face. "What's the occasion, honey?"

Returning his smile tentatively, she shrugged a shoulder. "I wanted to do something special. For you."

Touched, his expression gentled. "Thank you. I have to say, I'm enjoying it immensely so far."

She bashfully glanced down, shrugging again. Then suddenly her smile turned into an impish grin.

"I knew you'd come home dressed like that," she gestured to the charcoal-colored designer suit he wore, "so I wanted to look nice, too."

"Mission accomplished," he grinned back at her, taking in her attractive figure once more. "Room service?" He gestured questioningly at the table.

She nodded, grasping his hand in hers. Then she tugged gently, indicating that she wanted him to follow her.

Elizabeth flushed with pleasure as he graciously pulled out her chair, solicitously gesturing for her to take her seat.

"I would've cooked for you," her eyes followed him as he seated himself at the head of the table, "but you know I can't cook worth a damn," she grimaced playfully. "I should tell you, the food I ordered...it's not just your usual 'room service' fare," she made sure to clarify. "I ordered from the Chef's special menu."

He looked over the steaming platters of gourmet, French infusion cuisine in eager anticipation. "This will be the first time I've eaten this particular Chef's special." He unfurled his napkin and draped it over his lap. "They rotate, you know."

"When I called downstairs to order it, and explained when and where I wanted it delivered," a smile tugged at her lips, "the Chef himself got on the phone to speak to me," she tittered quietly. "He nearly had a heart attack when he realized it was going to the infamous penthouse suite," she told him, eyes glinting in amusement. "You have quite a reputation wherever you go, don't you?"

A smile ghosted at the corners of his mouth as he poured wine for the two of them.

"Perhaps," he conceded, raising his glass.

She quickly reached out, slipping the stem between her fingers before lifting hers as well.

Their eyes met, the feeling between them growing even more warmly intimate...and words for a toast completely failed him.

God, she was so beautiful. So dear to him.

He, who prided himself in knowing exactly what to say in any situation, couldn't find a single thing of significance to utter.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to find the words. It was that there were too many of them darting and whirling about in his mind, and he couldn't pinpoint the correct phrasing to fit this moment. Just as he thought he had found a perfect way to toast the evening...the words danced just out of reach.

This wasn't the first time he'd become unexpectedly tongue-tied in her presence. The effect she could have on him sometimes shocked and honestly astounded him.

But she relieved him of having to speak at all by giving him a soft, understanding smile that was surprisingly wise beyond her years.

Conceding, knowing nothing really needed to be said, Red smiled as Lizzy clinked the expensive stemware against his.

The wine was strong and as smooth as silk on his tongue. It would, without a doubt, be the perfect complement to this delicious meal.

However, as wonderful as this particular vintage was, he sincerely hoped Lizzy would limit herself to just one glass tonight.

Her system had been purged of alcohol for almost four straight weeks now. Her body wasn't used to it anymore. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel ill from its inebriating effects.

Perhaps if he lead by example... Setting his glass down, Red took a cool sip of water that was also offered, pleased to see her follow suit.

Before he could reach for the serving spoon, Elizabeth laid a stilling hand over his.

"Let me..." she offered quietly, gingerly plating the delicious assortment for him.

Murmuring his thanks, his eyes caressed up her lace-clad arm. The way the detail changed in intricacy as it wound its way up her forearm and her bicep, the way her bare skin peaked out through the sections, was rather mesmerizing.

Tantalizing.

"Your dress is stunning, Lizzy," he told her. His rather husky tone betrayed him despite his conscious efforts to conceal just how strongly seeing her like this was affecting him.

She bit her lower lip, and he thought she was pleased, if demure.

"I thought it was pretty," she agreed as she plated food for herself.

He couldn't help but notice the sudden, slight stiffness in her shoulders that hadn't been there a moment ago and the cool way in which she half-deflected his compliment.

Red understood now that this wasn't just modesty he was observing in her. This was a defense mechanism to hide her insecurities from him...perhaps even from herself.

While she may be comfortable enough in her own skin again to wear such an alluring, dazzling frock, she was still trying to come to terms with the fact that physical desire on the part of the admirer tended to accompany such sincere compliments.

That was why she switched the focus of his original intent to how she thought the dress was "pretty." The adjective downplayed how lovely she really looked in it, and her wording made it impossible for him to continue to flatter her-unless he wanted to push it and have her withdraw from him.

And he certainly didn't want that.

"Tell me what you did today," he requested gently, moving the conversation to a topic he knew she would be much more comfortable with.

He watched the tension immediately bleed from her posture as she willingly and enthusiastically described her morning session with Baz. She soon had him chuckling and shaking his head between bites of the delicious food as she repeated the things Baz had said, and the sharp, quick retorts she had returned in kind.

It was evident by her amusing accounts that Baz was growing fond of her.

That wasn't to say that the guard had been indifferent toward Lizzy, especially since he'd been watching over her for close to three years.

But now, due to Red's insistence, the bearded man was getting to know her on a more personal level. The guard's genuine regard for her was certainly stronger than it had been before. Red was very pleased that they seemed to be finding a camaraderie...a rapport.

He gazed at Lizzy, silently wondering if she reminded Baz of his youngest sister who had passed away almost a decade ago. Now that he thought of it, Red could certainly see the obvious similarities between the two young women. And if Red could see them, then the guard had to be quite aware of them as well.

Baz was most definitely good for Lizzy, but she was good for him too.

"You're smiling at me."

Her quiet voice brought him back to the here and now. His expression softened as his affectionately amused eyes met hers.

"Can't I smile at you?" he questioned.

He caught a glimpse of something peculiar and complex gleaming there just before she glanced shyly down at the spoon she held in her hand.

Red speared another tender morsel on his fork. He watched as the butter glistened in the candlelight and dripped from the meat onto the dark green vegetables while considering what to say to her...to attempt to understand her sudden, mercurial shift in mood.

"I want to make love."

Lizzy winced at the sharply discordant sound of his heavy silverware clattering loudly against the expensive porcelain.

A blush suffused her features as she felt his eyes focus intently on her. Gathering her courage, she nervously peeked at him.

His expression was one of open astonishment.

That was the very last sentence he had expected to come out of her mouth. But was it an unwelcome one?

Absolutely not.

Visions of kissing her, suckling her breasts, feeling her pulse threading beneath his teeth as his tongue laved her, flashed swiftly through his mind.

The thought of the sheets tangling around them as he rolled Elizabeth to her back before positioning himself between her soft thighs made his member throb and his blood heat.

Red took in a ragged breath as quietly as he could, forcing himself away from those highly sensual fantasies.

Swallowing thickly, he steadily regathered control over his body and mind as he casually looked away from her to pick up his fallen fork from the sauce pooled in the middle of the plate.

With deliberately slow and dignified movements, he wiped the handle and tines clean with his napkin before setting it down with care on the squared lip. Then he folded his napkin twice and laid it gently on the table.

Only once he was positive that he had his emotions under his strict control did he lift his eyes to her.

She was watching him warily and her cheeks were very pink indeed. Though in this case, he was uncertain if he observed a blush, or a flush due to embarrassment. It was very obvious that he had not reacted how she had expected him to. And he had yet to respond to her statement.

"Do you?" he asked softly, gaze intently searching hers.

Looking nervously down at her hands folded tightly in her lap, she nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry," she suddenly blurted out.

His brows knit together in confusion. "You're sorry?"

She bobbed her head. "I meant-I meant to wait," she winced openly. "Until after we finished dinner." A hand rose to flick impatiently at their half-eaten platters. "I wanted to be...sultry about it. Seduce you." She hunched her shoulders, acutely embarrassed. "But I...I was looking at you just now. And I..." She hesitated, glancing bravely over at him before confessing in a rush, "I felt this strong desire to be with you. And it just," she sighed heavily, "came out..."

Red was smiling warmly at her, eyes softening.

She probably wouldn't be very pleased to know that he found her stuttered explanation quite endearing, so he kept that thought to himself.

The fact that his sweet girl was beginning to acknowledge the abiding pull of the physical attraction between them was, in his opinion, a very good thing. And the fact that she wanted to not only acknowledge it, but to physically act on it...

"You want to make love...right now?" He needed her to clarify her comment. He had to be sure he knew what she really wanted.

Lizzy nodded miserably.

He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table so he could be closer to her.

"You certainly don't need to look so glum about this, sweetheart," he rumbled, his tone playful and hopefully easing her nerves.

He was careful not to appear like he was laughing at her, but he couldn't keep his eyes from glinting in affectionate mirth.

Christ, was she charming!

She slanted a tentatively entreating glance at him. "You don't think I'm...silly?"

"Silly?" He jerked his head once in denial. "Honey, that is the very last word I would even think to use to describe you."

"I had it all planned out," Lizzy pursed her lips, upset with her lack of finesse. "This isn't how I wanted it to happen," she mumbled in annoyance, hands fidgeting in her napkin before she balled it up and tossed it on the table in frustration.

"Maybe not." Red kept his voice even.

The rest of their meal now completely forgotten, his gaze settled unwaveringly on her. The anticipation he'd been keeping in check flared within his heart and then flooded his entire body as he slowly rose to his feet.

"But now I know your thoughts," he smiled. "There isn't any room for doubt in that regard, is there?"

Elizabeth unconsciously puffed out her cheeks slightly, darting a quick look at him. She swiftly shook her head, letting the air out in a diffident sigh.

Red was sure that she believed such a reaction to his equanimous question was undignified and immature. She was most likely hoping he hadn't noticed, since the very last thing she wanted to be considered tonight was inexperienced...ill-prepared.

His expression gentled as he gazed down at the top of her head. She had to know he'd be the last person to judge her so harshly.

Reaching out, he caressed the curve of her cheek with the tips of his fingers. As she turned her face up to his, he observed and acknowledged the apprehension gleaming in her eyes, understanding it for what it was.

Despite what she had confided to him, she was still...uneasy.

To make love tonight would be a huge leap toward accepting her sexuality rather than hiding from it.

In addition to the healing progress she'd made before her training had begun, it was obvious that her sessions with Baz had aided in giving her much of her self-confidence back.

She wouldn't even be entertaining the thought of engaging in physically intimate relations tonight otherwise.

However, he remembered how she had evaded his compliment earlier about how beautiful she had looked.

Red's fingers lightly followed her hairline, finding a loose curl. He idly rubbed the lock of hair between his thumb and index finger, lost in private musing.

Was she rushing herself?

As much as he desired to take her into his bed again, if she had discovered just now that she needed more time...

He could, and would, wait.

Tenderly tucking an errant strand of the dark back behind the delicate curve of her ear, his fingers trailed along her jaw line. Tilting the small chin upwards, her eyes hesitantly met his.

"Are you sure you want to do this tonight?" His eyes gravely searched hers. "Because it's okay if you're not ready, Lizzy." He offered her a small but genuine smile. "It's okay."

Red watched with keen eyes as she carefully considered his words. The fact that she had to think on them at all was yet another sign that she harbored a few misgivings. But instead of withdrawing into herself like he had almost half-expected her to, she surprised him by leaning into his touch, confident eyes piercing his.

"I'm sure that I want to try."

At last.

"With the understanding that I–"

"I know." Red inclined his head in understanding. And he did. Just to be close to her in an intimate way again would be wonderful.

And if they should make it, all the way...it would be fantastic.

If not, they could always try again tomorrow or the day after that...

At her declaration, the air between them seemed to change in temperature...and in feeling. Or perhaps he'd just become even more aware of the thrumming, sexual tension coursing between them.

The lover's passion in his soul that he had firmly quelled since she'd come home from the hospital began to slip from his mercilessly tight, mental grip. He was certain she could see it flashing in his eyes and feel it in his touch, for her nostrils flared as she inhaled his scent, her eyes suddenly glittering with her own, pent-up desire.

"Well," he murmured with a smile, leaning down to blow out the flickering candles. Then he stepped closer, running his large hands down her unresisting forearms. His heart skipped a beat as she curled her fingers willingly about his as he helped her to her feet. "Come with me then, darling girl."

As he led her down the hallway, their hands remained curled lightly around one another, in support and encouragement...and affection.

After ushering her across the threshold to the bedroom, Red closed the door quietly behind them. There really was no need, for they were the only two people there. But he did it anyway to offer her a secure sense of privacy.

Removing his jacket, Red slung it over a nearby chair as he kicked his shoes off. A small smile pulled at his mouth, feeling Lizzy's eyes following his every move. Slowly approaching her, he spread his hands in an open gesture, showing he had nothing to hide.

Dropping to his knee, he tapped her ankle. She startled somewhat at the touch but tentatively raised the small foot, allowing Red to remove her shoe, then the other.

Standing to his full height, Red looked down at her delicate upturned face, his expression desirous, yet gentle.

As their eyes met, Liz's teeth lightly caught her lower lip, pulling at it nervously. Inhaling shakily, she looked down at their feet, and then took another controlling breath.

Red took a breath of his own, reaching out to trace his fingers almost hesitantly down her sides, as if he couldn't quite believe what they were about to do.

"Lizzy." He rested his palms against her hips. "Please look at me?"

She lifted her eyes, clearly showing him the emotions, the turmoil, behind them.

"If you want to stop for any reason," Red assured her, "and I mean any reason," he soothed her trepidation, "I want you to tell me. And I will stop." Red squeezed her hips gently. "I promise."

Relief swept through her. To know that he cared this much and would be so patient... It was enough to make her throat tighten with emotions she couldn't quite readily name right now.

She nodded wordlessly, closing the small space between them to press her lips to his in loving appreciation.

It began as a slow, languorous kiss, comforting and familiar in its pace and depth. As her lips gently explored his, she discovered that he tasted like the wine they'd sampled during dinner. That, in combination with his scent and the warmth of his hands seeping through the thin material of her dress, was heady.

She knew this...she knew him.

This was Red.

It was something she could get lost in for a long time, this kiss and the feelings of tenderness his large hands moving soothingly up and down her sides stirred in her...

Because she was safe here with him.

She was vaguely aware of hearing a helicopter fly past, the lazy sound of the filtered air circulating the room, the slow ticking of the clock on the dresser...all telling of time passing, but nothing definitive as to how long they shared the simple embrace.

It was funny how time could suspend itself during moments like this. And how she willingly allowed herself to get lost in the time spent.

His palms began to inch higher up her waist while his tongue tentatively slipped just beyond her teeth. She welcomed him in, returning the same sensation of soft pleasure he was giving to her.

She was so focused on the feeling of Red's skillful mouth sliding against hers that she lost track of everything until his thumbs brushed over the firm tips of her breasts.

A sensual thrill jolted through her, tossing her jarringly out of the moment.

She inhaled sharply, eyes flying open.

Red immediately broke away and looked down at her. "What is it, sweetie?" His green eyes were hazy with lust, but his concern for her began to overtake that. "What happened?"

Liz bit the side of her cheek, shaking her head, thoroughly ashamed of herself for overreacting in such a way.

His forehead creased with uneasiness when she didn't answer him. "Did I do something wrong?"

"N-no. Red, I'm sorry," she breathed, visibly upset. "I don't know why-I mean, it felt good," she tried to reassure him. "It...I liked it. In the past, I've liked it. And I even liked it now, I think." She hitched an embarrassed shoulder. "I just..." her voice trailed off, uncertain of how to put her conflicting emotions into words.

"I moved too fast," he hypothesized.

"I'm sorry..." she apologized. "I mean, I know it's you, I just..." she sighed heavily. "I'm sorry."

"No, baby." Red shook his head, tenderly rubbing his hand along her back. "No. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," he admitted softly. "I should have known better than to..." He paused briefly, clearing his throat. "Would it be better if I...if I ask before I touch you?"

"I'm not broken," she protested, voice quavering.

"No," he agreed quietly, "you're not." He dipped his head, catching her eyes. "But we can't ignore what you've gone through these past few weeks," he stressed quietly. "There's no shame, none at all, in slowing down, in talking things through as we do them."

Liz looked down at her hand buried in his vest, the tension visible in the pale white fingers. "I feel like there's something wrong with me," she whispered dejectedly.

"There's nothing wrong with you," he countered firmly, pressing his lips reassuringly to her forehead. "You hear me, sweetheart? There's nothing wrong with you," he repeated in a slower, gentler tone before he kissed one of her eyebrows. "Be honest with me, Lizzy...do you want to stop?"

She shook her head emphatically. "But...I'm so nervous, Red," she confided quietly, flushing. "More nervous than I was when we did it the first time. At Terabithia."

"Then let's do what I suggested," he murmured against her cheek. "Okay?"

Her pride made her hesitate.

Elizabeth couldn't deny that a large part of her found comfort in the fact that by doing it his way, she wouldn't have to stress about what to prepare herself for-and when it would happen. How could she find pleasure and joy in this act if she was too harassed by her own worries to lose herself in it-in his attentions-like she wanted?

"All right," she agreed, voice muffled against his shoulder.

One of his hands moved to touch her beneath her chin, bringing her gaze to his.

"May I kiss you?" he asked, eyes serious as they searched hers.

A small smile hesitantly ghosted at the corners of her mouth and she leaned in a little closer, tilting her head to offer up her lips in answer.

Red was just as careful and as gentle in kissing her this time as he had been before. He kept his hands planted firmly around her hips while his lips nipped and slid against hers until her breath began to escape in quick, short bursts, until her heart began to pound loudly in her ears, its thrumming beat echoing throughout her body, until the bones in her legs began to feel like jelly and she had to tightly clench his vest in order to keep herself upright.

His mouth moved to nibble lightly on her earlobe. "May I kiss your neck?" His voice was a husky whisper in her ear.

Nodding wistfully, Liz squeezed her eyes shut as his lips trailed artfully down her slender throat to where it met the curve of her shoulder. A small gasp of pleasure escaped her parted mouth as his teeth and tongue sent a pleasant fire rushing through her.

Releasing his vest, she urgently grasped the back of his neck.

He growled very softly, the sound reverberating deeply in his chest, its erotic vibration making her bare toes curl in on themselves, nails scraping the luxurious carpet as they did so.

Their bodies were pressed quite close together now. She could feel the muscles bunching in his chest, in his arms, in his legs...and she could feel the hard length of his erection pulsating against her stomach.

This certainly wasn't the first time he'd been aroused in her presence since...well, since she had come to stay with him. But this time she couldn't just ignore it...she couldn't just pretend it didn't exist.

The provocative sensation of it pressing against her was an insistent reminder of what they were about to do tonight.

Apprehension and anticipation swirled intensely within her heart and abdomen, making her physically tremble with trepidation...with desire.

"Lizzy..."

Her eyes flickered open to look at him.

He flexed the fingers still tightly wrapped around her hips. "As much as I adore how you look in this bewitching dress..." His gaze wandered appreciatively down her body. "I'd like to take it off," he purred. "If you'll permit me?"

Releasing her shaking fingers from their tight hold on his body, she let them fall naturally to her sides.

Sliding his palms down her forearms, Red caught her clammy palms, threading his fingers between hers. Bringing their clasped hands to his mouth, he kissed her wrists, his eyes intently searching hers.

Could he feel her trembling?

A flicker of concern crossed his features as he felt the slight trembling of her body.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

She nodded mutely.

When his brows drew together, she squeezed his fingers in reassurance. "I'm fine, Red," she murmured, offering him a small smile. "It's okay. You can...you can take it off."

He studied her severely for a moment longer, as if assuring himself that she was telling him the truth...that she wanted this to continue.

Whatever he saw in her face seemed to satisfy him, for he inhaled deeply, an eager heat flaring in his eyes as he let go of her hands to bring his up behind her. One cupped the back of her neck while the other found the zipper. Deftly he pulled it down, following the line of her spine.

Liz shivered as the chilled air brushed against her heated skin. Goosebumps covered her flesh in a wave as more of her back was exposed.

When his hand reached the dip just above her ass, he took a half-step away from her so the dress would begin to naturally slip down her body.

As his eyes took in the rosy flesh shown to him in increments, he became unwilling to wait for gravity to have it's way. Smoothly moving the process along, Red carefully peeled the lace from her shoulders, from her breasts, from her arms before letting it fall to the floor...forgotten.

Standing before him wearing nothing but her skimpy, black lingerie, Liz blushed a bright red.

Observing her desire to instantly cover herself, Red pulled at the buttons on his own shirt in distraction. And it was only fair, after all.

She stared demurely at the grayish-blonde fuzz poking out of the V of his shirt, feeling much too vulnerable to look him in the eyes.

And he knew it.

Stepping close, he wrapped his strong arms around her, one large hand burying itself in her hair at the back of her head, fingers twining through the thick, woven strands.

"Beautiful girl," he told her with a tender smile, squeezing her lightly against him.

He felt her rub her cheek against his shoulder in response.

God, he loved the feel of her slender body melding against his. He dipped his nose to the hollow above her collarbone, inhaling her clean and unadulterated scent. His cock throbbed as these new, enticing sensations layered themselves over the many others he'd experienced with her tonight.

She must have felt it twitch because she tensed ever so slightly in his arms...but she didn't pull away.

He was so proud of her, his brave, sweet girl.

"You're probably tired of standing, hmm?" his deep voice caressed her as his lips moved soothingly over her brow.

She hadn't indicated that she wanted to sit down, but he couldn't brush aside the fact that despite the tension in her shoulders, her nervous trembling hadn't subsided.

"How about we move to the bed?" He'd briefly considered moving her to the fainting couch at the foot of the expansive mattress, but then had thought the better of it.

Once they were both sitting, he didn't want move again and break the mood they were both trying to create. And he would not make love to her on such a small and unyielding platform.

Tonight, they needed a bed.

"All right," she whispered.

By the look in Elizabeth's eyes, he knew that she understood the silent motives behind his slow and gentle guidance, and it gave him heart to see that she didn't want to resist him. She may be struggling internally with herself, but that beautifully spirited part of her soul, which had been revealing itself more and more as the weeks had progressed, truly wanted to express itself in the act of lovemaking.

She had to know that about herself, just like he did. But this physical expression of her sensual vivacity could only happen if he guided her through the worst of her lingering feelings of anxiety. Of shame.

And even as he thought that, they once again revealed themselves to him in her body language. Red noticed just how stiffly she perched on the edge of the mattress, arms folding over her breasts. He hoped to soothe much of that tension away, but that wouldn't happen if she stayed balanced precariously in agitated uncertainty.

And her next step to overcoming that? Well...she needed to become comfortable seeing her own body, and his, in a sexually intimate way again.

"Lizzy."

Her eyes lifted to his face.

His expression was understanding and very gentle. "You're beautiful."

A warm blush colored her cheeks, one of her dimples making a brief appearance.

"You are," he repeated with a smile, reaching out to run the backs of his fingers down her silken cheek.

He was pleased to note that as he did so, her arms began to slide from their uneasy posture to dangle at her sides, her hands rubbing along her lap, the slight movement comforting.

There was a soft light in her eyes that hadn't been there before, and, given her relaxed and almost languid body language, he made the decision to take the chance and ask his next question.

"I would like to take all of this off." He plucked gingerly at his clothes, regarding her closely. "Is that okay with you, sweetheart?"

Nodding slowly, she watched in rapt attention as he unbuttoned his vest and shirt. He stooped to snatch her dress up off the floor before he placed it with his crisp, white shirt and vest.

Red turned and held her eyes as he pulled the cotton undershirt slowly up his torso. He lost sight of her for a moment as he tugged it up and over his head. Tossing it to the growing pile, he reconnected with her as his dexterous fingers pulled at his belt, the button of his trousers...and finally the zipper.

Once he stood in front of her wearing only his boxer briefs, a small, pleased smile touched his lips.

She was staring.

Well, that was certainly a better reaction to seeing his obvious state of arousal than the other she could have shown...actually recoiling in disgust. The fact that she didn't shy away from looking at his penis was a good sign. However, it was still covered. The true test would come when he undressed completely, when they were lying down together...when he entered her.

His heartbeat quickened in anticipation at the captivating thought.

Don't get ahead of yourself, he chided himself sternly. One moment at a time.

Red eased down beside her, bracing one long arm behind her while his other hand reached for one of hers. She leaned against him and he brought her knuckles to his lips, bestowing a gentle kiss on them before settling the small palm on his leg.

His own briefly hovered over her toned thigh, in warning of his impending touch, before he trailed his fingers over the soft skin, touching her lingerie.

The way its matte, dark color contrasted sharply with the pale sheen of her skin mesmerized him.

"This is pretty," he smiled, fingering the thin, scalloped lace band that circled her hips. Then he lightly traced the closest strap of the matching bralette. "As is this." He nuzzled her temple, mouth lowering to kiss her shoulder. "But I think," he murmured, sliding the strap slowly away from her neck, "I'd like to remove it."

As he waited for her assent, he placed kiss after kiss along the bare curve between her shoulder and neck, but slowly...oh so slowly...all the while delighting in the smoothness and slightly salty taste of her skin. Her chest was rising and falling rather quickly now and he was very pleased to see that.

It meant that what he was doing was turning her on.

"Okay," she breathed.

Twisting the clasp in his fingers, Red felt the catch release. Then he smoothed the straps down her arms until the slip of black lace floated to the carpet.

He gazed hungrily at her, finally allowing himself to openly admire how her pale breasts naturally sloped down to end in pointed, darkened peaks. He itched to take them in his palms and gently squeeze them, or lightly rub her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers until she gasped her pleasure.

But for now, he contented himself with leaning down to find her mouth with his and kiss her deeply.

When he finally felt her begin to reciprocate and kiss him back with the same gentle yet fiery passion he gave to her, he lifted a hand. It hovered near her collarbones, fingertips barely brushing her skin.

"May I?" His voice was barely a breath above a whisper, lips just brushing against hers as he spoke.

Liz inclined her head, a sharp breath releasing from her parted mouth a second later as Red's large palm caressed one breast, then the other.

Cradling one mound in his warm hand, Red caught her mouth in a sensual embrace. His lips worked diligently as his thumb teased the tight little bud. After a moment, he gave the neglected nipple the same attention, drawing both into swollen peaks.

Knowing that this type of sensual touch had completely enthralled her in the past, he continued to squeeze and flick and stroke until she was boneless in his arms. Her head rolled limply back on his shoulder as the little, panting moans escaping her stirred the hair on his chest.

It was perhaps one of the most incredibly arousing sights he had ever seen.

His cock ached terribly. He longed to rid himself of the fucking trappings he wore. The thick erection pushed against the soft fabric of his boxers, threatening to break free of the front slit they contained. Until it finally did.

Dipping his head, Red captured her mouth as he hooked the thumb that had been teasing her into the elastic waistband, pushing them down. His erection sprang free as he worked the light fabric down his thighs and legs before gratefully kicking them away.

His sharp movements had brought her out of a haze of desire. Her lovely eyes slitted open, fell on his nakedness, and then widened considerably before darting up to his.

"Yes, darling girl," he told her, his own eyes glittering in tender amusement, "that's what you do to me."

And just as he had hoped, his playful words made her dimple, her white teeth flashing in a genuine grin as she glanced away. Her blushing expression was reserved, and he had expected that...but it wasn't fearful.

His gaze flicked thoughtfully to the nightstand across from them. He leaned over and opened the top drawer, silently considering the small, plastic black tube sitting there for a moment. Then he resolutely reached out and pumped some of the oily liquid into his palm.

Lizzy looked at the viscous stuff curiously as he shut the drawer. "What-"

"It's lubricant." As he slowly smeared it all over his erect penis, from base to tip, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

The hurt flooding her expression baffled him, and he immediately turned his full attention on her.

Before he could even form the words to ask her what was wrong, she whispered, "I never needed it before."

His eyes were gentle as they met hers.

"You hadn't been through the incident you recently experienced, either," he replied softly. Reaching for his undershirt, he wiped off the excess lubricant from his hand before tossing it back onto the pile of clothes.

"You're nervous, sweetheart, and your body...well, it knows."

She ducked her head, embarrassed.

"Don't do that," he murmured, expression fiercely entreating as he cupped her chin in his hand, gently lifting her face to his. "There's nothing wrong with you," he gravely repeated his words of reassurance from earlier. "Nothing. The lubricant is just a tool to make things easier and more...pleasurable."

Lizzy gazed up at him, wavering uncertainly between feeling ashamed and desperately wanting to believe that she wasn't somehow irreparably damaged.

His darling girl.

He would show her that she wasn't. Lizzy was once again being much too hard on herself by holding herself to an impossible standard-and finding herself lacking. But many victims of trauma had been known to do that as they were recovering. And she was already a perfectionist at heart, so the insecurities that were eating at her were especially ruthless.

She couldn't change any of that about herself in this moment. It wouldn't be fair of her to demand that of herself, and it certainly would be wrong of him to expect her to. He couldn't even fathom putting that kind of intense pressure on her...but she would continue to do it to herself if she wasn't checked.

Red couldn't manipulate her thoughts so that she would understand that she wasn't defective, or broken, and that it was natural for her body to show signs of sexual hesitancy when she was struggling with reconciling her insecurities with her desire.

But he could help her take the beginning steps toward that understanding by encouraging her to be patient with herself.

Lovingly he stroked his thumb against her cheek. "You want to feel good tonight, right?"

Flushing, she lowered her eyes and bobbed her head once.

"Trust me," he requested, voice soft. "This will make you feel good." He dropped a kiss to her brow. "And who knows," he smiled, allowing a mischievous lilt to color his tone, "you may like the sensation so much you'll want to keep using it."

Her mouth shyly dropped open in shock at his forward comment and he chuckled at the reaction, finally curling the arm that had been braced behind her tightly around her slim waist. His jaunty flirting had eased some of the tension in her. It was evident as her body pliantly folded against his.

Taking swift advantage of her current mood, he brushed the tip of his nose against the crown of her head. "Give me your lips," he murmured.

Lizzy turned her face up to his and he took her mouth-gently, at first. But as it had earlier, it didn't take too long for the kiss to blossom into something of a more ardent nature. Once he knew for certain that she was awash with her own passion, he allowed his free hand to caress and tease her breasts until she let loose a whimpering mewl of desire.

At the sound, the powerful urge to make love to her intensified. He could feel his flesh quickening in response, lengthening even more. The very tip of it bumped his abdomen as he carefully shifted his legs, turning more towards her.

"Honey..."

"Yeah?" she breathed.

"Let's lie down."

Her sapphire eyes flicked to his before she looked away to half-crawl, half-slide up the bed. The way her lithe body moved so sinuously against the lush sheets made his breath catch in his throat. And what made the vision even more tantalizing was that it was all unconscious on her part-moving that way. She wasn't doing it to tease him...it was just her.

Red pursued her up the huge bed and eased down on his right side. Following his example, she reclined on her left. Both their heads rested together on one of the many silken, feather pillows lining the antique headboard. Once she was settled comfortably, he laid a warm palm on her waist and edged closer, inch by careful inch, until their bodies were touching...and his hard cock was pressed gently between the two of them.

He watched as she anxiously caught her lower lip between her teeth. "I know you're nervous, sweetheart," he whispered compassionately, tracing her cheek with the tips of his fingers. "We will go slowly. As slow as you want. And if you want to stop, we'll stop."

"I don't want to stop," she replied softly.

Despite her apprehensively racing heart that betrayed her lingering feelings of discomfiture that were constantly drifting in and out of her consciousness, despite the dark memory that insistently kept attempting to rear up from her subconscious and soil this night with Red, she wanted to make love with him.

She wanted to not just physically embrace him as a lover again, but she desired to once more solidify that deeply emotional connection as well. Tonight, she wanted to reestablish their intimate bond, and she also hoped to reinforce it with something new...something that perhaps went even deeper than it had before.

Red had always been a significant presence in her life, his role changing as she'd moved through childhood and those difficult teenage years. And yet, in many ways, the core of who he was to her had remained unswervingly constant. His staunch and unquestionable constancy and loyalty over these last few weeks had proven to her just how much she really needed him in her life. After what he had seen her through, she couldn't imagine him not being there.

What she felt for him now in this moment, as he gazed patiently at her, seemed to go beyond the word love. That word...it was everything, and yet, it just wasn't enough. Saying she loved him was simply not enough. How could those four letters attempt to hold and express the powerful emotions thundering in her heart?

But she could show him.

Elizabeth propped herself up on her elbow and reached down to push the lace thong smoothly off of her shapely hips. Hooking her big toe under the band, she flipped it away and over the edge of the bed. Then she eased back down to the mattress, eyes lifting to his.

His gaze devoured her. "God, you're lovely," he murmured, reaching out to stroke a loose tendril of hair back behind her ear. The husky tone of his voice and his caress sent a wave of goosebumps rushing down her body. "May I hold you?"

Once she answered him by cuddling even closer, his arms slowly came around her. She'd forgotten how perfectly she could fit against his body.

Red stroked her back. "Are you cold?"

He probably felt all those goosebumps. "No," she sighed, rubbing the tip of her nose into the curling hairs on his chest.

Liz thought she felt him smile knowingly against her brow.

As her arms came up to clasp him, she could hear his heartbeat sounding in her ear. It wasn't a calm beat, for she was very much aware of how his length was still hot and hard. But his heart's rhythm was steady and strong.

Just like him.

She closed her eyes against the sudden tears that pricked like burning thorns at the corners. God, he was so good to her. Her breath hitched slightly in her attempt to control the exquisite emotions suffusing her. There wasn't a man alive who was better than Red.

"Lizzy?"

Perceptive as ever, he'd heard the difference in her breathing. "I'm fine," she whispered, nuzzling the base of his throat before placing a gentle kiss there.

As his hands continued to run over her back, she bravely moved her leg forward, rubbing her knee against his rough thigh experimentally. She felt his hands grow still, splaying across her shoulder blades, and she slanted a hesitant glance up at him.

A small, tender smile of encouragement was ghosting at the corners of his mouth as his eyes glinted down into hers with gentle patience.

Seeing such an expression on his face ignited a bit more of the confidence that resided within her, enough to where she found herself easing her smooth leg up and over his hip. Then she suddenly exhaled shakily, abruptly ceasing her movements when she felt his heavy shaft fall into the space she'd created.

One of his hands moved to trace her cheek. "Are you sure you want to keep going?" he asked, voice a husky rumble.

"I'm sure," she whispered.

Red nuzzled her before moving in to taste her lips. "My brave girl," he murmured. "My sweet girl." His left hand caressed lightly down her side. "Will you...will you let me help you?"

She knew what he meant and a pang of nervousness pierced her heart. But...she needed his help. She wanted it. Once her eyes flickered up to his, she slowly nodded.

He offered her a reassuring smile. "Can you move your leg just a little more for me, honey? Mmm...that's it." Once her thigh was settled higher up on his hip, he slid his hand down from her waist to caressingly pass by her abdomen to rest it on the neatly trimmed triangle of her sex.

Her eyes closed of their own volition as he very lightly palmed her there. Slowly her dark brows arched together as she began to accustom herself to the feel of him touching her in such a sensual way. Eventually, as his fingers grew a little bolder, the strange sensations began to metamorphose into those of pleasure.

He must have noticed the change in her breathing, or perhaps her facial expression revealed her enjoyment, for he propped himself up to give her a slow and rather heated kiss on her mouth before he trailed his lips down to her breasts.

Gently he took one nipple lightly between his lips and began to suckle. God, he had missed this. Blood rushed hotly through his veins as he felt the bud harden beneath the tip of his tongue, as he felt Lizzy tentatively, but willingly, open more to his exploring fingers.

It was all so intoxicating. Before he could swallow it back, a moan escaped from the depths of his chest.

"Red," she whimpered.

At the sound of her voice, he released her flesh immediately and looked up. Her eyes were closed. "Are you all right?" he rasped.

"Y-yeah," she breathed. "It feels..." She shivered. "It feels good."

"Good," he sighed, a smile curving his lips. "That's good, honey. Your body is telling me that too, you know. Down here." He stroked his middle finger just inside and a shuddering breath sighed out of her parted lips.

"I...I know." Her hazy eyes opened and lifted slowly to his. "Red..."

"Hmm?"

"I think... I think I want to try."

Red exhaled slowly, fingers sliding carefully out of her. He had yearned for this moment for a long time and had vividly imagined so many various ways for how it could possibly come about. But even all the sexual fantasies he had secretly harbored hadn't prepared him for the pressure he suddenly felt in knowing that much rested on his shoulders tonight. He was responsible for helping her leap successfully across an insidious hurdle of lingering insecurities and fears. What they did together tonight would have a lasting effect on her psyche.

"I trust you."

The look of complete confidence she bestowed on him took his breath away.

He searched her eyes, finding that once again, in this moment, she was wise beyond her twenty-one years, for the expression in her gaze was knowing. Compassionate. She understood the significant position he was in and had an idea of how he felt about it, for she actually shared many of those same thoughts and emotions that were intimately tied to them.

She reached out and pressed a small, reassuring hand tenderly to his cheek.

He closed his eyes, leaning into her caress. How like Elizabeth to comfort him when she was in the midst of wrestling with her own Goddamned demons!

"I trust you," she reiterated softly.

And what an incredible gift that was.

He opened his eyes to regard her in respectful admiration for a moment before he leaned closer. She withdrew her hand as he pressed a kiss to her brow. "Remember," he murmured, "if you want to stop for any reason-"

"I know," she whispered, curling her hand around his broad shoulder.

His heart began to hammer in his chest as he reached down to hold his swollen member still slick with lubrication. "I won't go all the way in, sweetheart. Just a little." He swiftly rubbed his hand up and down a couple times, readying himself. "I will make it feel good, I promise."

Her tight grip on his arm revealed her apprehension to him, but she didn't recoil as he gently prodded her opening with the head, making sure it touched her in the place where she would feel the most pleasure. When he heard her sharply inhale, her fingers suddenly flexing in the sheets beneath her and over his shoulder, he knew he had found the right spot.

Liz buried her face into the place just below his collarbone, trembling as waves of arousal began to lap over her body. He was right. It did feel good. And as he steadily continued to bump and lightly push her there, those lapping waves of pleasure began to roll, creating a feeling of building pressure centering between her legs and smoothly spreading outward.

Following instinct, she shifted, her leg moving higher as her body pressed closer. The slick tip eased just inside of her and she gasped.

"Slowly, Lizzy," he urged, stroking her back.

Nodding, she swallowed around the lump that had grown in her throat. Was it from the terrible fears that still seethed deep within? Or was it from the staggering feelings of love she had for him?

Was it from both?

He must have sensed the conflict within her. "We will go as slowly as you want, sweetheart," he reassured her softly. "There's no rush."

Her anxious eyes darted to his.

As a man, this must have been hard for him, for she noticed that he was breathing rather heavily. But as she searched his face, she saw nothing but patience.

Tenderly he squeezed her shoulder. "You're doing beautifully, Lizzy," he encouraged with a gentle smile. "My brave girl. My lovely girl."

The rich, low timbre of his voice began to soothe her apprehension away, just as his caressing hand soothed the tension from her quivering body. As her uneasiness washed away with every gentle compliment he murmured in her ear, with every pass his long fingers made over skin, she felt her shivering desire begin mount once more.

He must have sensed the change in her, for his voice faded and he shifted closer, lips drifting from her ear to kiss her at the sensitive place between her neck and shoulder. Then he began to suckle her gently there, and the sensations his teeth and lips brought about in her body were quite stimulating indeed. They contracted and then expanded, seeming to swirl and entwine themselves with the pleasure building between her legs.

Panting, now overcome by her own arousal, she shifted and willingly took his full glans inside of her.

Red released his hold on his cock to wrap both his arms around her. "Hang on to me as tightly as you need to, baby," he rasped as she pushed gently at his shoulder.

Complying to her entreaty, he rolled to his back, steadying her on top of him as she wrapped her hands as tightly as she could around his arms. In the next instant, he felt her take him fully into herself.

His shuddering gasp echoed hers. Red closed his eyes, arms squeezing her against him as they both went completely still for a moment, adjusting to feeling one another in such a sensually intimate way again. Then he began to very gently roll his hips. His eyes flicked open and he raised a hand to stroke her hair, fingers gently catching in the loosened pieces of her braid.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

"Yeah," she breathed. Then, after a few more seconds passed them by, she propped herself up on her forearms, raising her head from his chest to look down at him.

Her sincere wonderment, her aching desire, and her wavering hesitancy were all revealed to him in a single, piercing look. Then she blinked and quickly glanced away, tentatively beginning to thrust her hips in time with his.

Keeping one arm wrapped around her smooth back, he brought his other hand over to cup her chin, gently bringing her face back to his.

Just as he'd thought...there were tears in her eyes. She had tried to hide them. Tenderly he caressed her cheek. She should know by now that she didn't ever need to conceal anything from him.

"It's okay, sweetie," he reassured her in a gravelly murmur, touching the tip of his nose to hers. "It's okay."

Lizzy sniffed, nodding.

He smoothed his hand down her spine to rest it on the small of her back. As his fingers splayed out, he could feel her muscles clenching and releasing enticingly as she moved...in both places. The physical thrills bombarding his senses slyly attempted to completely ensnare him. But he could not lose himself in his own lust at any point tonight.

She was depending on him.

Mentally shoving away the alluring temptations to a corner of his consciousness, he gazed up at her. A tear had escaped her left eye and he reached out to wipe it compassionately away. "Do you want to stop?" he asked gently.

She shook her head with surety.

"Does it feel good?"

Lizzy hesitated, considering.

She couldn't fool him. Red immediately stilled his hips and the very moment he did so, he observed the crease between her brows smooth out.

Ah, so that was it.

"I want you to set our pace, Lizzy," he encouraged with a soft smile, making sure that his tone and expression would convey to her that he truly meant what he said.

Her glistening eyes met his uncertainly.

Before that horrible night nearly four weeks ago, she would have absolutely delighted in taking the lead, allowing her passionate and sensual nature to overwhelm her as she bounced and arched confidently on and against his body. He was certain she remembered that about herself as well, for her lower lip suddenly folded regretfully between her teeth.

Red caressed his fingers down her spine. All she needed was encouragement. And once she keenly felt pleasure in the act and observed with her own eyes that he did as well, she would regain more of her confidence.

His lips parted, more words of loving encouragement dancing just on the tip of his tongue. But before he could utter them, Lizzy began to move.

He closed his mouth, watching intently as her eyes veiled themselves behind her thick lashes, as her head bent down in concentration, as her long, dark braid slipped with each small thrust she made around her back until it hung down her right breast, the soft ends tickling his erect nipple. As his palms slid up her thighs to hold her hips, he became mesmerized by the sight of her breasts bobbing with her movements, those dark peaks just brushing his chest as she arched tentatively over him.

Christ, it felt wonderful. She felt wonderful.

"That's it, honey," he murmured, flexing his fingers over her flesh. "That feels good, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." Her voice was barely a breath.

"Mmm," he hummed, wanting to make certain she knew he was enjoying himself as well. "May I touch you here?" The index finger of his left hand brushed against her tight, rosy nipples.

She nodded quickly, pushing her breasts towards him in offer.

Red began to slowly roll and tug them between the fingers of both his hands. If she'd been seated a little higher, he would have taken them into his mouth, one at a time. But she wasn't, and he was not about to push her beyond what she was comfortable with.

So he continued to pleasure her where he knew she'd enjoy it most, keeping all his movements languid and gentle as she continued to thrust carefully, guiding his hips in her rhythm.

Elizabeth wasn't sure how long their bodies moved and clung together before she finally began to feel the building, shivering sensation within her-the one that preceded her climax.

She whined, her eyes slitting open in honest shock.

She hadn't believed she would feel that tonight. She'd hoped for it, but she had almost been convinced that it wouldn't happen.

But now... It was there. Within reach.

If she wanted to chase it.

She was aware of Red looking curiously up at her. No doubt he had heard the unusual noise escape her throat and was wondering at her.

"I'm okay," she said breathlessly before he could ask, experimentally increasing her pace as her hands tightened around his shoulders. "I'm okay."

He caught on fairly quickly. His green eyes gleamed knowingly up into hers as his white teeth flashed in the dark. "That's it, sweetheart... That's it." His fingers released her breasts and smoothed down her slender slides to grasp her ass-the only truly bold move he'd made on her tonight.

But in this moment in time, she found that she liked it.

As she hunched over him, face buried in the crook of his neck, she could hear him murmuring words of encouraging assurance and love to her amidst his own groans of pleasure. Her body and heart hurtled forward, soaring closer, ever closer, to that compelling sensation just out of reach. And then suddenly it whirled around while rising up to slam into her-and it happened all at once and so quickly that it took her by surprise.

A soft, startled cry escaped her as the waves of her release crashed over her, through her. Liz clenched his shoulders tightly, trembling and gasping as she allowed herself to be carried away by those staggering, rippling sensations of pleasure that belonged to him, too...for he had helped bring her here.

And he was still moving, thrusting gently against her. Shaking her mind from the languid haze that attempted to consume it, she braced her hands in the silken sheets beneath them and rose up on her arms, hips rocking in time with his.

"Red," she whispered shakily, dipping her mouth to his ear. "Red..."

His hands gripped her body as his own climax gained swiftly on the heels of hers, gently lifting her up and off of his throbbing member before he came a split-second later.

He groaned loudly, fingers spasming around her hips as she slowly slipped to his left side. While he rode out the turbulent waves of his own release, she curled an arm over his robust chest, nuzzling his neck as his harsh breathing slowly began to ease.

A few minutes of comfortable but awed silence passed as they laid there together in the velvet darkness of the room before he turned his head to press his lips tenderly against her brow.

"Well..." he smiled, voice a gravelly murmur, "I cannot wait to do that again. You?"

Liz's lips curved optimistically as she inched up onto her elbow, kissing him in reply.

"Are you silently implying that I can't keep up with you?" he playfully questioned the hopeful glow he had seen in her features.

A quiet giggle burst from her.

Very pleased to hear that silvery laugh, Red flashed a grin at her. "Well?" he teasingly pressed her for an answer.

Dimpling impishly at him, she leaned in to recapture his lips with her own.

Her kiss tasted of many things, but confidence was the aspect that was most prominent to him. And as she herself deepened the kiss, Red anticipated a full evening ahead where the growing confidence of the strong woman beside him would continue to reveal itself to them both.