He bent his head and kissed her, lightly at first, until her mouth opened and her tongue sought his. Shit. This wasn’t the time or place for a make out session, but he’d been dying to kiss her again. He pulled away reluctantly, his eyes trained on hers.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you all night,” he breathed against her mouth.

“Canonball!” Out of nowhere, one of the younger guys on the team, Logan Pelletier, jumped into the pool fully clothed.

“Here we go,” Jake chuckled, shaking his head.

“The water’s great!” Logan yelled, coming to the surface. “Come on in!”

“Woo-hoo! Skinny-dipping!” Veronika started shedding her clothes, Matt encouraging her.

“Oh shit,” Aaron whispered.

“Take it off, baby!” Matt held up his beer bottle in a lopsided salute.

Veronika jumped in the pool followed by Matt and someone Sergei didn’t recognize. Tugging Dani by the hand, he led her away from the pool and into the pool house. There were changing rooms, restrooms and cupboards filled with towels, sunscreen and every pool amenity imaginable. Hopefully, they could be alone for a few minutes before anyone came looking for towels.

“Now that everyone’s distracted, I can kiss you in private.” He found her mouth with purpose this time, hauling her against him and sliding one hand under her dress. Sweet Jesus, she was wearing a thong. He ran his hand along the soft swell of her ass, wondering what made her so special. Every time he reminded himself she was leaving soon, he was gripped by the strangest need to ask her to stay. It was entirely irrational, and he tried to brush it off, but now that he had her in his arms it was perfect. She was perfect.

His fingers drifted to the silky strip of fabric along her hip and he slid along the edge until he cupped the warm, damp V between her legs. “Damn, baby…are you wet for me?”

“Is there someone else kissing me and touching me and whispering in my ear?”

“There better not be.” He let out a grunt of disapproval. “You’re killin’ me, baby. Tell me what to do next.”

“Keep kissing me?” She cocked her head, her eyes burning with intensity.

He sighed, tracing her full lower lip with his finger. “I’m not afraid of your brother, per se, but I’m going to make damn sure I know what you want before I touch Zakk Cloutier’s little sister.”

“You’re already touching me, but if you want a formal proclamation, fine.” Her eyes twinkled with mirth. “I, Danielle Maryanne—”

“Maryanne?” he interrupted. “Did I know this?”

“I don’t know but shut up and let me finish.”

“Sorry.” He tried to keep a straight face.

“I, Danielle Maryanne Cloutier, do formally proclaim that I want you to make mad passionate love to me. Though maybe not here at your boss’s house.” Her smile was impish. “What about you?”

“Jesus.” He took a breath. “Well, then… I, Sergei Wayne Petrov—”

“Wayne? Your one-hundred-percent-Russian parents named you Sergei Wayne?” She was gaping at him.

He rolled his eyes. “My hockey-obsessed father was one of Gretzky’s biggest fans. May I continue?”

“Sorry.” She bit her lip in an obvious attempt to stop her laughter.

“I, Sergei Wayne Petrov, do formally proclaim that I will make you come at least four times tonight. Against my fingers, all over my face, and at least twice on my cock.”

A flicker of nervousness shadowed her face but then she dipped her head and pressed it against the hollow of his shoulder. “Did we just make sexual vows to each other?”

“Seems like we did.” He wrapped his arms around her. “And I’m going to make good on one of those vows right now.” He nudged her into the adjacent bathroom and locked the door behind them.

“Sergei, wait…” She swallowed nervously. “I really don’t think we should be having sex in the bathroom at your boss’s house…”

“Of course not.” He was kissing the side of her neck. “You’ll be making way too much noise when I fuck you to do that anywhere but at home. I have something else in mind right now. Think you can orgasm quietly?”

“Uhhh…” She grimaced. “Maybe?”

He laughed, leaning down to kiss her. This time his lips weren’t gentle or tentative. He slid his tongue into her mouth and kissed her hard, one hand sliding back to cup her ass again. She moved against him, their bodies fitting together easily. His mouth was soft but demanding, urging her to open wider and kiss him back. He backed her against the wall, lips traveling to the curve of her neck and nibbling the skin until she was covered in gooseflesh.

“Sergei…” Her voice was breathy, eyes closing as he licked her skin.

He rubbed his thumb along her nipple, feeling it harden at his touch. As he brushed his lips across the soft spot just behind her ear, her head fell back and she sighed lightly.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, cupping her breast with one hand. “I love the way you respond to the lightest touch.” He found her mouth again, seeking out her tongue and coaxing it into dueling with his until they were both breathing hard.

He pulled away, running his hands down the sides of her body before tugging her away from the wall and gently turning her away from him.

“Hands on the counter,” he said softly.

“Sergei?” She looked at him over her shoulder, a hint of apprehension on her face. “I’m not protected.”

“And I don’t have any condoms with me. Don’t worry, baby, just oral. Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

“Then spread your legs and keep your hands on the counter.” He slid to his knees and lifted her dress, bunching it up around her waist. He moved his mouth south, pressing kisses along the bumps of her spine, the backs of her hips, the curve of her ass. She was hard and soft at the same time, so lean and muscular beneath the silkiest skin he’d ever had the pleasure of exploring.

Lightly fingering the edge of her thong, she whimpered when he slid two fingers underneath the lace between her legs. He toyed with the fabric, inching the panties down her legs until she stepped out of them. He wasn’t in a hurry, taking in her beautiful ass, pale skin, and the glistening lips of her pussy. God, she was sexy bent over like this. Her thighs were trembling slightly and he suddenly remembered her saying she wasn’t very experienced—was it possible no one had ever gone down on her before? Just the thought got him so hard it was almost painful and he was gentle as he spread her open with his fingers. Oh, hell, this was going to be fantastic. Her pussy was as gorgeous as the rest of her, pink and so fucking wet. If she was any hotter, he might blow his load without even touching her and he couldn’t wait another second.

Instead of slow and gentle like he’d been planning, he just went for it. Doing it from behind like this was trickier than if she was on her back, but it was perfect for their current situation and a lot more sensual for her. He swiped his tongue right down the middle of her slit and chuckled as she let out a gasp, her ass rocking back against him.

He held her fast and used his tongue to collect some of the delicious nectar that was all but pouring out of her, licking it with long, firm strokes that had her making garbled sounds deep in her chest. She started breathing hard, her fingers white as she grasped the counter for all she was worth. When he found her clit and sucked it erect, he was gratified she started humping his mouth.

“Sergei…” Her heated whisper was full of need.

“I know, baby, just relax and enjoy.” He kept up a steady rhythm with his mouth and tongue, discovering she responded better to rough than gentle. When he started to fuck her with his tongue she began writhing and grinding against him urgently.

“Oh!”

“That’s right, honey.” He sucked on her clit again and slid a finger inside of her. She was fluttering against his mouth, her tight, heated flesh aroused and ready to fuck. It was killing him that he’d have to wait, but without a condom there was no way they could do it.

He continued to feast on her sweetness, finding all the places that made her throbbing nub come alive. She tasted like candlelight and romantic walks in the park, if there was such a thing, and he had no idea where that came from. He’d never wanted a woman like this before. Maybe it was her innocence, or some combination of her sassy attitude and shyness behind the scenes that turned him on, but whatever it was he would have died if he had to stop now.

He put two fingers inside of her and curved them up until he found the spot that made her moan. That was all it took; her pussy clenched and shuddered against his mouth and she hissed out his name, moaning as she struggled to stay quiet. She bucked so hard he had to use his hands to hold her in place while his tongue kept up the steady pace on her clit. Watching her come was un-fucking-believable.

---

Dani couldn’t stop whispering his name as the waves of her orgasm rocked her body back and forth, over and over. She was spinning out of control, sensations she’d never imagined shooting through her as she thrashed against him. The room momentarily faded to black, making her lose her breath and gasp for air. His tongue was still wrapped around her clit giving her more pleasure than she’d known was possible. Finally, he loosened his grip and softened his touch to a gentle flicking that made her mewl like a kitten. Her first experience with oral sex had been nothing like what she’d been expecting and now the beginnings of an uncomfortable aftermath had taken root, embarrassment at how she’d come undone in front of him washing over her. What had she just done?

He’d grabbed some toilet paper and was gently wiping her wet, sticky thighs. She nearly cringed, but then he was helping her slide her panties back up and had pulled her close.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered. “I could feast on you for days.”

She turned bright red and he cocked his head curiously. “Why are you blushing? Am I the first guy to go down on you?”

She nodded miserably, but he surprised her, yanking her against him so his erection was pressed against her belly. “That’s so fucking hot. You feel that? That’s what being the first guy to eat your pussy does to me—and now I have to wait until we get home to take care of it.”

“Sorry?” She wrinkled her nose but he was laughing.

“You’re not sorry and I’m not, either—that was fucking hot.” He bent his head and kissed her.

She tasted her own musty flavor on his lips and found it mildly pleasant, but not nearly as good as the feeling of his hands on her, gripping her possessively.

“I can’t wait to get you home,” he whispered against her mouth.

“Me too.”

“Let me wash my face and hands and we’ll get back to the party.” He paused, looking into her eyes. “You okay, honey? You’re looking awfully uncomfortable.”

“I’ve never done anything like this before… Where people might have heard us or whatever.” She worried her lower lip with her teeth. “I don’t want people to think I’m a bimbo or something.”

He gently lifted her chin. “I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who calls you a name like that.”

She nodded slowly. “I know. I’m okay. It’s just really intense between us, isn’t it?”

“Oh yeah, and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

---

They left soon after, and Dani stared out the window as Sergei drove home. He was holding her hand and she tried to wrap her head around where the evening had gone. Their casual date had turned into…so much more than a casual date. What they’d done in the bathroom had been amazing, but now she wasn’t sure how to explain she was a virgin. Did she just blurt it out or wait until they were home and getting ready to do it? She wanted to tell him but part of her was afraid he wouldn’t want to continue, that it would be disappointing for him. She didn’t know how it worked. Sara said it was still good for the guy even though it would probably suck for her, but Dani couldn’t bring herself to ask him. Maybe he’d never been with a virgin so he wouldn’t know either.

“Are you having regrets?” His deep voice in the darkness made her jump and she turned in surprise.

“No, of course not.”

“Then why are you sitting way over there all quiet and moody?”

“I’ve never done anything like what we did in the pool house, much less on what’s technically our first date.”

“I’ve discovered firsthand that life is short,” he said gently. “Live it to the fullest, because in a flash it can be gone. I’d hate to think you have regrets about anything we did.”

“Not regrets, just second thoughts, because I really like you.”

“I really like you, too.” He glanced at her. “I thought we agreed to try things out?”

“We did. And we did.”

“Didn’t you like it?”

“I did, but I don’t know what to do next.”

His voice was warm and a little bit raspy as he said, “You know exactly what we’re going to do next. I’m going to pay Marj, send her home, and then I’m going to make mad, passionate love to you. Isn’t that what you asked for in that sex vow you made?”

She smiled. “It is.”

“I have lots of condoms, so we can go all night…”

Tell him! She had the perfect opening, but the words wouldn’t come out and she stared at the big hand wrapped around hers instead. This was a mistake. She was too embarrassed to admit she was a virgin and he would undoubtedly run for the hills if she told him.

“By the way, I booked our flight to Vegas this morning.”

“You did?”

“We’re leaving on the second and coming back on the ninth.”

“Thank you. That means so much to me. You’re a really good guy, Sergei.”

“You’re pretty great yourself.”

They didn’t talk any more until they got home and Dani hurried up to her room while Sergei paid Marj and sent her on her way. Dani tugged the dress over her head and hung it in the closet, thinking she’d looked pretty tonight. Sergei had certainly thought so. No matter what else happened between them, he was attracted to her. The memory of the way he’d touched her made her squirm with an unfamiliar ache and she rested her forehead against the closet door. She needed to tell him but if she did, there was a chance he wouldn’t want to be responsible for such an important event in her life. Especially when this was all supposed to be casual. Being honest could result in missing out on the best chance she’d had at losing her virginity since high school.

“Babe.” Sergei’s voice, with his barely discernible accent, washed over her as if he’d touched her, and she lifted her head despite her embarrassment at him finding her in nothing but her thong.

“Hi.”

“You’re not okay.”

“I am. I’m just trying to find my inner vixen. If she even exists.”

“Why? You’re fine without her.”

“I’m actually kind of shy about my body, Sergei. I’m not ashamed of it—I’ve worked hard to be the athlete I am and I’m proud of that, but it’s been at the expense of my sexuality. I have none. Guys have said some really unkind things about my body.”

“That’s so wrong.” He drew her against him, hands at her waist, looking deep into her eyes. “You’re beautiful. I can’t speak for other men. I don’t know what they see, or what they like, but what I see is perfect.”

She swallowed hard, suddenly overwhelmed and insecure. She’d always felt more masculine than her friends. Her thighs were muscular and her boobs fairly small, both of which were big turn-offs to the guys she’d gone out with in the past.

“What’s going on in your head?” he asked softly, watching her face.

“You’re out of my league—”

He gaped at her. “Are you kidding?” He yanked off his shirt and shorts before turning her so she was facing away from him, her back pressed to his front.

“Sergei, what—”

“Look at us.” He’d turned them so they were facing the mirror, their naked bodies pressed together, with hers in the front.

She looked away and he leaned forward. “Look,” he said firmly. He looked down at her breasts and slowly ran his hands over them. “You have the most perfect fucking tits—and they’re real. When I touch you here—” He softly pinched her nipples between his fingers until she moaned. “You’re so sensitive your whole body comes alive and it’s fucking amazing.” He moved her hands to his shoulders. “Don’t move,” he instructed lightly. He used his fingers to trace lines around the muscles that rippled in her abdomen. “What percentage of body fat did you say you have?” he whispered.

“About eighteen or nineteen percent right now,” she said, trying to breathe as he touched her. “It was closer to fifteen in college.”

“Uh-huh.” He licked her neck as he used his thumbs to rub her hip bones. “You know how many women have that little body fat? Other than a serious athlete like you? None. And I think that’s hot as hell.” He splayed his hands over her incredibly flat stomach before inching them down until he could finger the silky curls between her legs. “You’re a natural blonde—do you see how hard that makes me?” He reached back to take his cock in his hand and gave it a slow stroke, his eyes meeting hers as he did it. “Do you see what your body does to me? You’re out of my league, baby.”

She nodded slowly, fascinated as he continued to stroke himself. His chest was rising and falling with long, heavy breaths as she watched, and he gradually nudged her until she was facing him again.

“Come to bed with me, Dani.”

“Yes.”