“I don't know. I just hate my body. My thighs and my stomach—”
“Are amazing. Curvy. Perfect. I want to show you how amazing I think you are. I want to see and kiss every curve. Treat you how you deserve.” I brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear. “But if you're not ready, we can stop.”
She had tears in her eyes and I immediately noticed. “Hey, did I say something wrong?” I reached up and wiped at the tear that fell.
While shaking her head, she put my hands on the hem of her shirt and kissed me deeply.
I didn't rush her. I moved her shirt up a couple inches at a time, tracing her spine with my fingers as I went. I could feel her shaking slightly, but she didn’t stop me.
When her shirt was off, she started to move her arms to cover her stomach, but I stopped her. I placed her arms over my shoulders again and looked into her eyes. I wanted her to have time to readjust, and she noticed the gesture.
“You are beautiful, Rae.”
She smiled at me, nervousness still behind her eyes.
“Hold on. I'm going to move you off this counter so you're more comfortable.”
She giggled as I picked her up and carried her to the couch. The sound of her laugh melted my heart. I laid her down, propping her head up with a pillow.
Just then, the timer on the stove went off. Dinner was done. “Don't move, Sunshine. I'll be right back.”
She lay there on the couch, and when I glanced over at her, I saw her watching me. I gave her a smile and finished up what I had to do.
When I returned, I joined her on the couch and stared at her for a few seconds. “Gosh, Rae, you're stunning.” She blushed.
I held her close, tracing my fingers along her shoulder and then around her back to her bra clasp, pausing for a few seconds.
“Can I?”
She swallowed and gave a soft “yeah.”
I unhooked it and dropped one strap from her shoulder, pausing between each movement, giving her time to breathe. I kissed her bare shoulder and paused when she tensed slightly. When she didn't say anything, I continued to kiss my way down her chest, stopping right above her heart. “Your heart is safe with me,” I whispered.
Slowly, I slid the straps down her arms and let the fabric fall.
My heart was already beating out of my chest, but now, it was beating so hard I was sure she could hear it.
I took a moment to look at her—not just her body, but really see her. The way her breathing quickened and her skin flushed. “Gosh, Rae, you're so damn beautiful.” I brushed my fingers along her arm.
A small smile curled her lips as she looked at me.
I kissed just above her heart again and my fingers skimmed her waist, just below her ribs. I watched how her body reacted to my touch.
I leaned down and my lips grazed the slope of her right breast. Slow. Gentle. Her cheeks were stained pink. My hands moved slowly to her sides, near her ribcage.
That's when it happened. Her whole body stiffened and she turned away from me, shutting her eyes.
“Rae? Hey...talk to me.”
“I'm so sorry. I need a minute.”
I quickly moved back onto the couch and passed her the blanket behind me. She grabbed it and pulled it around her.
“Here you go. There’s nothing to be...”
“I-I'm so—”
“There is nothing to be sorry for, Sunshine. You don’t owe me anything.” I reached out with an open hand but she pulled back and covered her face with her hands.
