Chapter 20
In the room, Tony set the bag down on the luggage rack, and turned to her, unsure what to do next. He shook his head and sighed. “We don’t have to do anything, if you don’t want to.”
“You don’t want to have sex with me?” she asked in shock.
“No, it’s not that. I do, I really, really do, but I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”
“Tony,” Staci said softly as she walked up to him and laid a hand on the side of his face.
“We have been sleeping together every night for the last few weeks. We’ve made it to third base on more than one occasion.
The only reason we haven’t hit it home yet is because neither one of us has any protection.
Last week when you purchased the condoms, I was able to get in to see a female doctor. That day, I started on birth control.”
“What kind?”
“The shot. I just have to set a reminder in my phone to go get it when it’s due again.”
“How often?”
“Every three months. The doctor recommended that we continue to use condoms until at least two shots are in my system. However, once I get the second one, she still recommended that we still use condoms for at least ten days after the second injection, then we should be good to go.”
“Well, to protect us both against pregnancies, I will wear a condom. I’m not saying I don’t want children, I do.
However, I don’t want them right now. This is just me, but I never thought I would ever find the love of my life after all the trials and tribulations I went through after my accident.
The surgeries, the recovery, the pain, the depression, the feeling of loneliness and desolation, it was hell.
I’m in a good place now, both physically and mentally, however, I know I can get stronger by continuing to work with Caleb, and do the physical labor over at New Double.
For me, right now, the icing on the cake of my life is you.
” He reached up and wiped the tear that leaked from the corner of her eye at his words, then he leaned down and gently took her face in his hands and kissed her.
When they came up for breath, they were lying in the center of the bed.
Without any words between them, they slowly undressed one another, loving each other during the entire time, by the time he was poised above her, he looked down into her eyes and gently kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry.”
“About?” she asked through her fog of desire for the man above her.
“This is going to hurt, I can’t prevent it. I will stop whenever you want me to, just tell me.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, then reached up and took his head in her hands and kissed him. Just before her lips took his, she said, “Please, I’ve been waiting a long time for someone like you.”
Tony closed his eyes and slowly slipped into her core.
He eased in so slowly he had to grit his teeth.
When he reached her maidenhead he paused, looked into her eyes, and kissed her as he slipped all the way in.
He didn’t know whether it shocked him or not when she didn’t scream, but she did tighten her inner muscles enough that he had to break the kiss to try to catch his breath.
He didn’t say anything, and within seconds she started to relax.
He moved her hair from her face, and stared into her eyes. “Okay?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “What’s next?”
Tony smiled as he began to move, and he only had to lift one leg before she wrapped both her legs and arms around him as she met him stroke for stroke.
By the time she had her first orgasm, Tony was ready to burst, but he wanted her to enjoy herself first. He pounded into her until she had her second one, then as he moved faster, he felt his own release begin and didn’t stop it.
“Holy hell,” he said when he could catch his breath, then realized he must be crushing her, so he moved to the side to give her air.
It was almost ten minutes before he had the strength to lift his head and look over at her.
The smile on her face made his heart hurt, and he moved so he could look down on her.
“Beautiful,” he said as he turned her head to kiss her. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you, I’m not saying we’re going to be doing it again in the next twenty minutes, but I’m looking forward to the next time.”
Tony laughed as he gathered her in his arms, climbed off the bed and carried her into the bathroom.
In minutes they were beneath the spray and soaped each other up.
They ended up having sex again in the shower, debunking her statement of not having sex again anytime soon, and by the time they made it back to the bed, they crashed for the next few hours, both catching up on their sleep, however, they were wrapped in each other’s arms.
During the night, they reached for each other several times, by the time they woke, they were both exhausted, but well-satisfied.
They took their time getting up and around, and after packing the few things they had, they made it down to the lobby, caught the complimentary breakfast, laughing and exchanging loving glances and touches the entire time.
On the way home, they held hands, as he drove, both relaxed.
“Can I ask you something?” Staci asked when they were halfway home.
“Sure, what’s that?”
“I don’t know how to ask, actually, but I would like to live with you.
” She held up their entwined hands to stop him.
“I’m not pushing for it, but we’re at each other’s cabins every night now, and oh, hell, I don’t know what I’m saying.
There’s the logistics of which cabin we would live in, who would travel to their job.
We might even have to talk to Erin about it.
” She sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead with her free hand.
“Forget I suggested it. We might as well continue what we’ve been doing. ”
“Stop,” Tony said and gave her hand a squeeze.
“No use in spiraling until we sit down and talk about your suggestions. Driving down the road isn’t the right time to decide, but I can tell you that I agree with you.
I too want to start living with you. We’ll have to decide if it’s better for me to commute, or you.
” They talked about the logistics of just that, and by the time they returned home, they had made their way to her cabin.
Staci took the bag to the washing machine and dumped their clothes in and started it while Tony started their supper. When she joined him, he stepped back, turned to her, took her hands in his, then dropped to one knee, fiddling with something in the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a ring.
“Staci, I never thought I would ever find a woman to date again, let alone someone to fall in love with. I love you, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she said, then leaned down and kissed him. As soon as he slipped the ring on her finger, he stood, hugged her, and kissed her again.
“I can’t wait to figure out where we’re going to live and start our life together. I love you Dr. Staci Hardt.”
“I love you Tony Jacobs.”