Prologue

She didn't want to. She had never wanted to.

Too soon, she though. Too soon... Her body was frozen in fear as he stood, smiling, over her.

"Hey," he leaned down and touched her face, "it's alright. I love you."

He loves me! Her heart leaped as the fear left her. Those three little words seemed to hold magical powers. She smiled. "I love you too," she replied, quietly. He continued to smile at her.

"You look silly with the covers pulled up like that," he mused. For a moment, she had forgotten where she was exactly. A bed. His bed, or hers? His. Yes, his. The thick blankets were pulled up, almost to her chin, as she tried to hide her nakedness. She breathed in his scent, heavily present on the soft fabric. "At least let me join you." His words were laced with meaning.

The fear was back. It raced through her body and sent every sense screaming as he pulled back her covers. She felt revealed, her first instinct being to cover herself up. It took her a moment to remember that he was nude too.

Too, she thought. Also. No. Not also. Not the same. He was nude. Confident and comfortable in his lack of clothing. She was merely naked. Nervous and self conscious and cold. So very cold. She shivered.

"Here, let me warm you up." He slid between her and the blankets and wrapped his arms around her back. His body was warm, and she noticed that he was shaking. Could it be that he was as scared as she was? He kissed her neck. "Ready?" he whispered.

No, she wanted to say. No, I'm not ready. Not for this. Put it back to before. I don't want this!

"Babe?"

"Y-yea. I'm ready," was all she could muster up the nerve to say. She closed her eyes, and all of a sudden there was the pain. It hurts! She longed to scream. I lied! Please stop, I'm not ready. Not ready for...He took her face in his hands.

"I love you," he repeated. The fear and pain were gone. He loved her. He loved her, and she loved him. That, she decided, was enough.