TAMED | FREENBECKY

9

Freen hadn't touched a woman's body in years, so when she pushed her hands under Becca's shirt and cupped the heavy weight of Becca's breasts in her palms, it took everything she had not to come. Being with Becca made her feel like a clumsy sixteen-year-old, and it was no wonder. Freen had been a teenager the last time she'd made love to someone, in what felt like another lifetime. She had only vague memories of being with her ex—mostly that the other girl had been just as young and innocent as she was, with a slim body that only hinted at the womanly fullness of Becca's curves. Everything about being with Becca was different.

Particularly because Freen knew the stakes this time around. By opening her heart to Becca, she risked the possibility of a loss so acute she didn't know how she would survive it. But Freen hardly had a choice. No matter how she tried to resist Becca, she couldn't. Their bond was too strong. Freen had moved past want to need, and not even the possibility of heartbreak would stop her from claiming what was hers.

Freen broke their kiss and gulped in much-needed air. Becca stared up at her from under heavy lids, running her hands over Freen's sides.

"You feel so good." Becca placed her hands on top of Freen's, encouraging her to gently squeeze her breasts. "I've never been so turned on."

Face heating, Freen pushed her thumbs under the edge of Becca's bra and stroked her erect nipples. "Me, too."

"We're not moving too fast, are we?" Becca frowned as though something unpleasant had just occurred to her. "I don't mean to push you."

Freen shook her head and moved her hands from beneath Becca's shirt, backing off so that Becca could prop herself up on her elbows. "I want this," Freen murmured. "Want you. Desperately. I just...I meant it when I said I don't usually do this."

Understanding softened Becca's gaze. "It's been a while."

"That's an understatement." Unable to stay away, Freen caressed the soft skin of Becca's belly. "You're only my second lover. And the first one...she was a long time ago."

Becca radiated a strange mixture of sympathy, concern, and impossibly ardent arousal. "We can take this at whatever pace you need."

Freen ducked her head and closed her eyes, wishing she could explain to Becca that her fear went so much deeper than being uncertain about her sexual prowess. Making herself vulnerable with a human being went against every rule Freen had adopted for survival. She had arrived at a crossroads between a lonely life of safety and the chance for something more, and though she honestly felt no choice in the matter, she wasn't sure how to proceed.

Warm hands covered her own, prompting Freen to open her eyes and meet Becca's kind smile. "Why don't you let me lead?"

Freen nodded silently.

Biting her lip, Becca pulled her shirt over her head, allowing Freen to see the white cotton bra she had felt under her hands only moments ago. Becca reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, watching Freen's eyes with a slow-spreading smirk.

"I'm used to being the shy one," Becca said. She slipped her bra off her shoulders, reveling milky white breasts topped with pebbled pink nipples. Freen couldn't stop staring, even though she sensed she was making Becca a little nervous.

"I'm sorry." Freen dragged her gaze to Becca's face.

"Don't be." Becca straightened, projecting a wave of confidence that splashed over Freen and emboldened her as well. "I kind of like not being shy."

Drawing strength from Becca, Freen danced her fingertips over the slope of one breast, then used her other hand to cup its twin. "You're the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen." Disbelief radiated from Becca, and Freen shook her head to put a stop to the doubt. "I mean it, Becca. You're stunning. Incredible."