Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

During the weeks that followed, Nico tried to be as affectionate with Eden as possible and poured his feelings into his words and his kisses—even if they were generally delivered at the doorstep of her dormitory. He was delighted when Eden responded to him with enthusiasm. Sadly for both of them, however, he had cases and exams and all manner of distractions piled onto him as they neared the end of his term, so their available time to spend together was limited.

Over and over, Nico found himself apologizing to Eden for not being able to dine with her or take a walk and relax after a long day. But the fact that he missed her so much when he couldn’t be around her solidified his thinking that he truly did love her. He reasoned with himself that he needed her in his life, and he had to do a much better job of convincing her. She seemed to understand, but he still wanted to prove to her that she was a priority in his life. When they didn’t have the opportunity to see each other for a few days, he would dispatch notes to her, pouring his heart out on paper. When he could, he would bring her small bouquets of flowers, and one time he gave her a lovely copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass . She was quite touched by his thoughtfulness, so he counted that as progress.

Finally, when he had a weekend off coming up, he asked her if she would consider having a special night with him. “I have old family friends who own a wonderful hotel here in San Francisco that my fath… uh… family helped build. It’s called The Discovery. They’ve urged me to come up and visit them more often. We can have dinner with them and, if you would like, we can also get a room for the night.”

When Eden wasn’t rapidly forthcoming with her answer, Nico decided to make his point more clearly. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said, “I’m sorry, my dearest. I don’t mean to be putting the cart before the horse. I just want to show you in the best way possible how much you mean to me and how deeply I have fallen in love with you. If you think this is improper of me, I apologize, but I am dying to make love to you. Should you simply prefer to spend time together, I will understand, but I would love to at least be alone with you for a change. I don’t see how we are to accomplish this with our communal living arrangements, so that is why I’m suggesting a private room.”

Eden studied his expression to gauge his sincerity and could see no hesitation or uncertainty in his eyes this time. Because she had been bursting with desire for weeks, she answered, “It’s fine, Nico. I would love to go to The Discovery with you.” Her insides did a crazy flip as soon as she spoke the words, and she thought to herself, I hope I’m not making a huge mistake, but I truly love this man.

That Saturday night, they had a rollicking good time over dinner with Séamus and Timothy and their lovely Irish wives, children, and a couple of grandchildren. Although she greatly enjoyed the laughter and occasional snatches of song, Eden was puzzled by some of the conversation. She was never sure whom they were speaking about when they talked to Nico about someone named Isaac and someone named Walter. One of them was apparently his father, but she was never certain which man it was. No one noticed her confusion as the wine and whiskey flowed freely along with a delicious meal. She finally decided her mystification was because she couldn’t understand their Irish accents very well.

Eden answered plenty of questions about living on a cattle ranch and what nursing school was like. She tried to remain positive about both experiences as much as possible. Whenever she could, she deflected the questions and ended up getting a good education about emigrating from Ireland to California. Like Nico, Eden was a native Californian, and her family had settled there from Minnesota in search of a warmer climate. They changed their family business from lumber to cattle when they got to the west coast, and their lack of experience made a hard life even more challenging. At least by the time Eden was born, they were fairly well established. Eden was relieved she had three older brothers to carry on the ranching business. She was the only daughter.

Throughout the meal, she had a growing trepidation about the coming events of the evening, especially when Séamus announced, “It was only fitting that we’ve given you the suite Walter and Isaac lived in before they moved out and became gentlemen firefighters.” Then he laughed and smacked Nico on the back. “We have electricity and indoor plumbing now though, just as Walter always wanted. We’re a right modern hotel now, we are.”

The suite had obviously been updated in the last twenty or so years. It was a lovely room with a large bed and a sitting area featuring a fireplace that glowed with comforting warmth. The moment the door closed behind them, Nico took Eden into his arms and kissed her. He pulled back and said, “If you have any second thoughts about this, I understand. I’m just so anxious to prove to you my love, but before that happens, I have something important to say.” Nico then dropped to one knee and wisely pulled a ring from his pocket this time, saying, “Eden Godwin, my dearest, I love you deeply. I need you in my life forever, and I cannot foresee a future that does not include you. Will you be my wife and the mother of my children?”

Eden smiled, and happy tears glistened in her eyes as she answered, “Yes, Nico, I’ll marry you.” That was the kind of proposal she’d been hoping for.

Slipping the ring onto her finger, he said, “You are making me the happiest man in all of California. I promise to love you and cherish you forever. If you choose to work in the clinic or not is completely up to you. I love you and want you no matter what your decision is.” He rose to his feet and kissed her gently and sweetly. Then less gently and less sweetly—more wildly and possessively. His hand stroked over one breast as he splayed the other over her buttock through her clothing. All he could feel was a lot of material, and that wouldn’t do. He pulled back and looked for clues as to how to get Eden out of her pretty dress. “I think I need some assistance here,” he admitted. “I’ve never undressed a woman.”

“Ah, so you are as new to this as I am? Somehow that’s a bit comforting.”

Nico paused for a split second and answered truthfully, “I have never lain with a woman. You will be the first. I am not, however, uneducated as to how this works.” Nico felt a twinge of guilt for being misleading about his lack of virginity, but the last thing he wanted to think about was his experience with Matty. This night was all about Eden and expressing his love for her.

She laughed softly and nodded. “Mm hmm… medical books. I’ve read my share as well.”

“I also want to reassure you that I have a prophylactic to use in case you’re worried about becoming pregnant. ”

“That’s quite thoughtful of you, Nico.” She smiled and kissed him again and began to undo her clothes. Nico stood spellbound as each article of clothing revealed a little more of this enchanting creature. “Darling,” she said, “please get your clothes off as well. I’m beginning to feel all alone in my state of undress, and it’s a tad embarrassing.”

Nico couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she got down to her thin undergarments. He’d seen every part of a woman while examining them and delivering babies, of course, but this was completely different. This was beautiful in a delightful new way that aroused him to his very core. Quickly, he began to divest himself of his jacket and pants, relieved when he could decrease the pressure threatening to choke his manhood. He couldn’t stop staring at her, though, and wanted to feel every inch of her body when it was at last revealed to him. Her breasts were pert and round with rosy nipples, and he suddenly had the urge to taste them. Her waist was thin and the curve of her hips alluring. He whipped off his last article of clothing and reached for her, sighing when their bodies fit together perfectly. His proud cock rubbed against her belly, sandwiched between them as they embraced, and the feel of her warm, silky skin against him was perfect.

“Mm, husband-to-be, I’ve never seen a naked man in a state of arousal before, and I must say, it’s quite impressive.”

He glowed with pride and nuzzled her neck. “It’s all because of you. ”

Eden stepped back and took him by the hand as she led him to the bed saying, “Nico, my dearest, I need you now.”

Nico felt an almost overpowering rush of desire. He bent over to retrieve a discreet tin box from the pocket of his now-discarded trousers. He placed the box on the bedside table and then turned down the covers and lowered the lights. The room was finally only illuminated by the glowing fireplace and the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

They both climbed into bed and reached for each other. They kissed and kissed as their hands roamed over each other’s bodies. Nico was one hundred percent aware that he was with Eden, but as he reached between her legs the first time and felt the soft patch of hair and not much else, he had a momentary mental hiccup—as if something was missing. Then, he drove his hand lower and deeper until an enticing warmth and wetness coated his fingers. Eden let out a sigh of pleasure, and he tried to banish the remembrance of anything else he’d done with another lover. She was to be his wife. He loved her. He had to remember only that… not… the other.

He did remember the pleasure he’d both given and received with lips and tongues, however, and decided to try an experiment. He kissed down Eden’s neck to her breasts and toyed with them a while, licking and pulling with his lips. Her gasps and moans made him feel a hundred feet tall. So, he continued to explore lower and lower on her body until she whispered, “Nico! Oh my gracious! That’s… oh!”

Nico spread her legs and raised her knees. He chuckled and decided he was on the right path as he explored her with his tongue. He found a slightly stiff spot that when he stroked elicited a deep moan from Eden. He’d read about this part of a woman and the importance of it, and the books did not lie. Eden was delighted with his ministrations. Deciding to go all in, he nibbled lightly on this little nub and then sucked it into his mouth. Eden’s body lurched and she made an unholy sound of surprise.

Pulling away, he asked, “Did I hurt you? That wasn’t my intent at all!”

Eden laughed and demanded, “No! Do that some more. It was incredible.” To accent her point, she threaded her fingers into his hair and firmly encouraged his head back into position.

So, aiming to please, he dove right back in and sucked that little pleasure button into his mouth again. Only this time, he added his finger as he slid it into her slippery, hot body. He stroked in and out a few times, sensing that Eden was tensing up. Wanting to relax her, he doubled his efforts and sucked harder until she nearly screamed, “Nico!” Her body spasmed over and over as Nico went from sucking back to gently licking her.

He felt victorious. He understood that reaction.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” she panted incredulously. “It was like a fierce grip of pleasure overtook me and lifted me right out of myself.”

“You are so beautiful like this, my dearest. All warm and satisfied. Are you ready for me? I’m afraid what is coming might not feel as wonderful at first, but it’s supposed to get better the more you do it.” Then he thoughtfully added, “I love you, Eden.”

“I love you too. I’m ready.”

“Are you sure? Because we can wait if you need me to.” He thought he would possibly die on the spot if she said she wasn’t ready.

“Nico, are you stalling?” She laughed softly. “Make love to me.”

That was enough to convince him, so Nico retrieved his condom from the box on the table, and Eden watched with interest as he carefully covered himself with it. The rubber felt strange, but it was what he’d been taught to prescribe to people who wanted to avoid pregnancy—despite the largely ignored Comstock Act that made them against the law. As much as the idea of being a father filled him with happiness, he was sure they weren’t ready for that. Once he was all encased—like he’d pulled a rain boot over his cock—he went back to probing Eden’s beautiful body. He could feel how tight a grasp she had on just one finger and wondered how he was ever supposed to fit his cock in there. “Can you relax a bit?”

“I’ll try, but maybe you need to try two fingers.” She had done her reading too, after all.

Nico nodded at the sage advice. He pulled out and carefully slipped two fingers into her. There was definitely more resistance, so he stroked in and out several times, murmuring soft words of love to her.

“Go ahead, Nico. I know it’s going to hurt my first time. I’m not na?ve. Let’s get it over with so we can get to the enjoyable part.”

With that encouragement, Nico positioned himself over her body and lined himself up. Gently, gently, he probed her entrance and retreated. He kissed her and tried again. He pushed in a miniscule amount and pulled out again. Over and over he did this, not making the slightest amount of progress, until Eden wrapped her legs around Nico’s, grabbed him by the hips, and shoved herself upward as he started his forward motion one more time. He was forced into her body with the power of Eden’s massive thrust as she gasped with an enormous intake of breath. “There!” she cried and laughed at his surprised expression. “Well, one of us had to do it!”

He buried his face in her neck and chuckled, saying, “I love you so much, you wild woman.” And with that, he began to pull out and push back in rhythmically. Eden made appreciative noises, and he felt… not much. He knew she was tight, but the fabulous sensation of being inside her was a disappointment—certainly nothing like what he’d experienced with… someone he didn’t want to think about at this moment. He decided he needed to move more to make things interesting, so he sped up his efforts and felt Eden’s body tighten around him even more. He gave a mighty shove into her, and on the way back out again, the feeling changed, and it became incr edibly sensual. That was what he’d expected all along! His cock grew ultra-sensitive to each movement, and he could feel that familiar sensation building and building until he erupted into her silky warmth. Glory, hallelujah, it was transformative! He groaned and collapsed onto her, kissing her neck and then her lips.

But… when he pulled away and reached down to remove the condom, he got red in the face and said, “Whoops. Oh no.”

“What could possibly be the matter, Nico? That was wonderful, and it barely hurt at all.”

“I lost the condom inside you. It came off. I’m so terribly sorry, Eden.”

She blinked and sat up. “Is it going to get lost in there?”

“What? Oh, no. I can get it out again. Don’t worry. It’s just that the condom didn’t do its job very well. I spilled inside you without the protective barrier in place.”

“Oh. I see.”

Nico reached over and turned the lamp on to get some better light and then asked Eden, “Turn sideways so that you’re facing the light and I’ll pull it out. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sure it’s not your fault,” she said as she slid into position, her face turning a bright shade of pink.

He handed her a pillow for her head, and asked her in a somewhat business-like tone, “Please raise your knees and open your legs. A little more, please. Yes, that’s right.” Nico again slipped two fingers into her, trying to think of this as a medical procedure. It wasn’t working. He was becoming aroused again. He knew intimately how wonderful it felt to be inside her, and he could smell her light perfume and musky personal scent. It made him want to bury his face in her again. And it certainly didn’t help that Eden was making happy little noises when his fingers moved in and out.

Fishing around inside of her, he noticed the small amount of blood on his hand from her hymen. At least the pain hadn’t been too bad, he rationalized. Or maybe she was just stoic. In any case, he finally found the edge of something he could grasp with two fingers and pulled. The vulcanized rubber condom was shredded and liberally coated with semen. It had lost its shape completely and obviously came off as soon as his thrusting had become vigorous. He knew exactly when that happened and why the sensation went from practically nothing to heavenly.

Holding it up where Eden could see it, he tried to make a joke, “Now I see why they’re illegal. They don’t do the job very well. At least no one in California pays any attention to the Comstock Act. Some states, like Connecticut, aren’t as free-thinking about the matter of birth control measures. Anyway, just relax there a moment, and I’ll take care of you. No need to get up.” Nico disposed of the ruined rubber and washed himself, then he returned with a damp cloth and carefully cleaned Eden with it. “I don’t know what’s normal in this situation, but you don’t seem to have bled much. Are you in any pain?”

“No, I’m a tiny bit tender, but there isn’t truly any pain. I can’t wait for more of that, to be completely honest.” Then she looked into Nico’s eyes and asked, “Did I please you?”

“Oh, Eden, you were… you are wonderful, my dearest. I’m so glad we came here to spend this time together and that you’ve agreed to marry me. I can’t imagine being any happier.” Something in the back of Nico’s mind shook a finger at him and called him a liar, saying, You know what would make you happier… if you had Eden and Matty like your parents’ arrangement. Then life would be perfect ! He tried to squelch that voice by railing at it that Eden was his future, and he was happy now . He didn’t have to be like his parents to have a good life.

Still…

Nico recognized the time they spent at The Discovery provided a great opportunity to unburden himself and let Eden know more about his background—both regarding his family and Matty. But the time with her seemed too precious to disturb with potentially difficult subjects. When they left the hotel, Nico was both relieved he’d remained silent and furious with himself about it.