up. She knew you weren’t supposed to take ibuprofen when you’d been drinking, but if she could find some, her liver would just have to cope. She looked first in the recessed medicine chest on the wall. Finding nothing there, she opened the cabinet below the sink. She rifled among the prescription bottles, most of which were expired antibiotics and flu remedies. No ibuprofen, but as she was about to close the cabinet, something pink and silky caught her eye. She retrieved a pair of bikini panties; no, make that a thong. She forgot about her headache. She replaced the thong and closed the cabinet door. Passing by an open door on the way back to the living room, she stopped to peek inside what appeared to be Eric’s home office. He hadn’t been kidding about his collection. An entire wall was chock full of framed riding crops and dressage whips, a few of which looked antique, like from a previous century, or perhaps from a museum of sex? Courtney pressed her fingers to her temples. Her head pounded. Was she scared or excited? How about both?
She returned to the living room where Eric waited, proffering a brandy snifter. She took it, swirled the thick amber liquid, and inhaled the warm aroma of the Drambuie. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she took a tentative sip of her drink. Would this be the night she lost her virginity? She couldn’t deny her attraction to Eric, but beyond the dastardly deed, was she ready to be that close to him? Her body tingled all over, so that was all systems go, but a little voice in her head urged caution. She thought about what advice Helen would offer at a time like this. No doubt, Helen would say it was time to put up or shut up.
Courtney started to take another sip of her drink, but Eric took the glass out of her hand and set it on the coffee table. Then he pulled her into his arms. When his lips met hers, they were oh, so soft as he traced a slow journey inside her bottom lip with his tongue. He was an expert, and she followed his lead. Nothing invasive about this kiss, just sensual and slow. She spread her fingers over his solid back, feeling his muscles flex. This was the best kiss of her life, and she wanted it to last. She eased her hands up to his neck where her fingers on the prickly little hairs above his sweater made them both shiver. They continued their slow kiss, nipping and tasting. While the feelings coursing through her body were insanely pleasurable, a wave of panic suddenly gripped her. She’d never been this close to surrender.
Abruptly, Courtney ended the kiss and looked deeply into Eric’s eyes. “I’ve never wanted to have sex this badly in my life.”
Helen would be proud of me.
Eric drew a deep breath, and then blew it out slowly. “Do you want to have sex with me, Courtney?”
“Honestly, I’m not really sure.” Courtney chewed on her bottom lip. “I just know my body is a jumble of nerve endings, and they’re all firing.”
“I want to make love to you, Courtney, but I’m not going to until you’re sure it’s what you want. What you’re sacrificing means more than that.”
Courtney took a few shallow breaths. She pressed a hand to her heart. He hadn’t said ‘sex,’ he’d said ‘love.’
Whoa.
She needed his touch, even if it was just a brush of his fingers across her cheek.
Eric took her hand, and they stared into each other’s eyes, both steadying their breathing.
“I’m afraid we’ll get carried away if I kiss you again.” One side of his mouth turned up in a grin.
“We would.” Courtney shivered, whether from disappointment or Eric’s save, she wasn’t sure. “I’m going to need to lose it sometime.”
“Yeah, but it needs to be with someone you really care about. The first time can be awkward, but if it’s with someone special, it can also be magical.” He touched her cheek gently. “The truth is, we barely know each other. There’s no rush.”
Courtney knew Eric was right. She’d been so ready to throw