began to rub up and down. He pushed her hand away and took off the flimsy material. He was long and hard, and she loved the smooth feel of him. She also wondered what it would feel like inside her.
She didn't have to wait long. He lay on top of her pushed her legs open and guided himself inside her, as gently as he could.
''Ow,'' she said holding her hands up. ''Slowly.''
It hurt. Cara would love to have said that it felt perfect, but it hurt. She wanted to throw him off her, get him out of her, anything to relieve the pain. When he started to kiss her, though, she felt her body relax, and the pain gradually eased into a feeling of mild pleasure. He began to pushing in and out of her slowly, watching her face for the slightest sign of discomfort. But there were no more signs, the more they made love, the easier it got until it became unbearably pleasurable.
As the pace increased, so did the waves of desire emanating from her womanhood. She clung to him as he thrust into her, hard thrusts now, taking her breath away. She looked down and saw his shaft parting her, sending her to a place she'd never been.
When she came, he looked at her concerned something was wrong. She was gasping, fighting for breath uncontrollably. He stopped moving and was relieved to see her smiling back at him.
''Too much,'' she gasped. ''Too nice.'' His hair fell over his face. He kissed her again. His body was hard against hers and warm with the endeavor of pleasing her. She rubbed her hands over his back and down to his taught buttocks. She pulled him into her, urging him to make her come again. He did, this time, she wanted to scream. She put her mouth to his shoulder to stop herself. His gorgeous body wrapped around him, her legs across his back and her arms around his neck. He was hers now. She wanted to hold every piece of him. She dared to reach down and cup his balls. The feel of her hand on him brought him to ejaculation. She held him, planting kisses on his forehead as he grunted and slumped on top of her.
*****
During the next few days, Cara's feelings alternated between moments of intense sexual desire and moments of deep satisfaction as she and Shifty made love time after time. Eventually, she realized she ought to go to some lectures, and he decided he ought to do some practice. They parted for the first time after five days.
All the time she was in lectures she kept checking her cell for text messages, but none came. Maybe he just didn't text, she thought. Then a wave of anxiety spread over her. She'd told him she loved him, but he hadn't reciprocated. Why not? Maybe he was just using her to have sex.
When he called, she gave a huge sigh of relief. ''What do you mean you can't come round this evening?'' she asked.
''Someone is coming to hear me perform. Someone important.''
''Will you come round afterward?''
''No it'll be late.''
''Shifty I miss you.''
''It's only been about twelve hours,'' he said.
''Well if you don't miss me then fine. But I miss you.'' She was alarmed. He was already telling her excuses. She pictured him sitting in a bar with a string of young women hanging on his every word. She was his, they could piss off.
''Don't be like that Cara. You know I care for you. What were the last five days about? You're my babe, don't forget.''
''But you don't love me.''
''What? What do you mean?'' he asked a hint of impatience in his voice.
''Love. You haven't told me you love me.''
''Cara. I've only just gotten to know you. I have strong feelings for you. I want to let them develop in their own time.''
''There, I knew it. You don't love me.''
''Jesus Cara. I'll speak to you tomorrow.'' He hung up.
In the middle of the night, Cara woke to the sound of knocking.
''Who is it?'' she whispered.
''Me,'' Shifty said.
''She opened the door and pulled him inside.'' She'd already rehearsed what she wanted to say to him. ''Shifty I'm sorry. I was bitchy. It's just it's all so new, my feelings for you are so strong, I
Robert & Lustbader Ludlum