~*~Chapter Five~*~

"Thank you," Kristina said as she accepted the shirt from Ethan. She gave him a small smile, then headed for the bathroom. She entered it, closing the door behind her. She washed her face in the sink, then changed into Ethan's t-shirt.

While Kristina was in the bathroom, Ethan got ready for bed. He took off his jeans and t-shirt, then crawled into bed. He couldn't wait to hold Kristina in his arms with hardly any clothing between them. He was really looking forward to their snuggling session. He lay back in the bed, waiting for her to emerge.

When she was finished in the bathroom, she looked at herself one last time in the mirror. She turned and walked into the stateroom hesitantly, making her way over to the bed. Ethan grinned as she crawled in next to him.

Ethan tucked the covers over both of them as he wrapped his arms around Kristina. He kissed the top of her head as he snuggled her close against his bare chest. "You look kind of cute in my t-shirt," he told her with a smirk. "It looks much better on you than it does on me."

Krissy giggled at his words. "Mhmm. I like it. It's really comfy."

As they were cuddling in his bed, Ethan ran his hands lightly up and down Kristina's arm. He leaned in close and kissed her softly on the lips. "Are you sleepy, Kristina? Do you need to get some sleep... or would you like to do... other things?" he asked with a sexy smirk. He was hoping to kiss her, caress her, and make out with her, but only if she was ready.

"I like the sound of 'other things'," Kristina whispered. She brought her lips toward Ethan's and began to kiss him as she lightly licked his lower lip.

Ethan's heart started to pound when he felt Kristina's sweet kiss. As her tongue traced his bottom lip, he glided a hand down her side. He loved touching her. He pulled her closer as his tongue snaked out in search of hers. With a heavy groan, he deepened the kiss.

Kristina's heart was beating wildly in her chest. She kissed Ethan back like there was nothing more that she wanted in the world. In all truth, there WAS nothing that she wanted more. She had been dying for this chance she now had. She was squealing happily on the inside. *He's mine!* she was thinking.

Ethan returned Krissy's feverish kiss. His tongue caressed hers as his fingertips traced up and down her arm. After a couple of minutes, he broke away from their sizzling kiss. "Kristina, would it be alright if I caress you under the t-shirt?" he asked her. He didn't want to move too quickly or scare Kristina after all the hell she had been through with Kieffer.

"Just slowly..." she responded in a whisper. She knew Ethan wouldn't hurt her, but part of her was still wounded deep down inside. Instinctively, she knew that he had the power to heal her.

"I will move very slowly," he promised as he slid a hand under the t-shirt. Very gently he caressed her smooth flesh.

"I just want to give you pleasure," he murmured as he was nibbling on her neck. "Tell me if anything scares you."

Kristina nodded her head. "Okay," she murmured. She felt his hands stroking her skin and she liked it. It wasn't horrible like Kieffer's touch ... or rough. She tilted her neck when he was nibbling it and let out a moan.

"You taste so sweet," Ethan said as he was kissing her neck. He brushed his tongue over her pulse point, lightly teasing it.

Ethan's hand made contact with the curve of her breast. Very gently, he cupped it in his hand and ran his fingertips over her nipple. He felt it hardening at his touch. "Do you like that, Kristina?" he asked as he lightly grasped it.

"Ohhh yes, Ethan," she breathed as she suddenly arched toward him. "That feels so amazing. Please don't stop."

"I won't stop unless you ask me to," he promised as he gently teased her nipple. Her skin was soft and silky, but her nipple was so hard. He lightly tweaked it, causing Kristina to cry out.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked as he pressed a soothing kiss against her lips.

"No, just the opposite," she whispered. "I'm so excited."

"What would you like me to do, Kristina? I need you to tell me," Ethan urged.

For several heartbeats, she didn't speak. "I want you to make love to me..." she finally admitted. "But I am afraid to go all the way."

"That's okay," Ethan soothed her. "I know ways of giving you pleasure... and we won't have to go all the way. Not till you are ready."

"Okay, Ethan," she said. "Can I... touch you, too?"

"Please do," he urged. "You can touch me anywhere."

She slid her hands under the covers, making contact with his warm flesh. She discovered he was almost naked. He was only wearing his boxers.

As she explored his chest with her tiny hand, he continued to play with her breasts. "I want to kiss them," he murmured, before he drew a pink peak into his mouth. Krissy cried out with pleasure as he suckled upon her nipple. He drew it deep within mouth as his hand kneaded her other breast.

"Ohhh God," Kristina moaned as the passion flamed between them.

Suddenly she was grasping his cock, feeling the hardened steel through the fabric of his boxers. "Do you want me to take it out?" Ethan asked her.

She nodded quietly as Ethan tugged down the waistband of his boxers. "Touch me, Kristina," Ethan urged. "I would never hurt you."

Feeling bold, she did as Ethan requested. He let out a throaty groan as her soft, little fingers grasped his erection. "Do you want me to help you cum?" she asked him.

"Only if I can help you, too."

"I would like that," she answered quietly.

"Then be my guest," he told her with a sexy grin.

TBC...