Chapter 18

Vince

" D o you mind if we don't eat tonight?" I asked as we sat outside in the warm sun.

Theo and Glen had been lucky with the weather, and it looked like it would be a beautiful day tomorrow.

"Not at all. Who knew afternoon tea would be so filling?"

"You didn't have to eat all the cakes." Sylvain had insisted on finishing everything, clearing every plate.

"They were too good to leave behind, but I regret that decision now." He rubbed his stomach, then put his arm around me.

I snuggled into him, calm and content.

"This is so nice. France is a stunning country, but you can't beat England on a hot summer's day. There's just something about it, especially in surroundings like this. You could almost imagine you've stepped back in time."

The hotel was a black-and-white-timbered Tudor building built way back in the day. Images of William Shakespeare strutting around, skull in hand, sprung to mind, and I stifled a laugh.

"What's so funny?" Sylvain asked, his words rumbling in his chest as I leant on it.

"I had an image of Will Shakespeare with a skull, wandering the grounds."

"Do you think the place is haunted? Will there be ghosts?"

"Why? Is big Sylvain scared of a little ghost?" I teased.

"I'd love to see one. Maybe we should explore later."

"I don't think they'll be anywhere we are." Our room was not in the original building but in a part that had been added at a later date.

"No, but it'd be fun, creeping around in the dark. Don't you think?"

"Mmm, I think I'd rather stay in bed." Ghost hunting was not my cup of tea. Anything to do with the paranormal scared me.

"A much better idea and I'm sure we can think of something to do to pass the time."

Was he suggesting what I thought he was, or was it just wishful thinking?

Voices came near, and we both turned. Lexi and Robin were walking towards us.

I sat up straight and waved her over. Time for her to meet Sylvain.

"Is this your friend?" Sylvain whispered in my ear, and a shudder ran through me.

"This is Lexi, yes."

"Oh my. The pictures did not do him justice. Look at him. All sexy and…French."

I put my head in my hands. How embarrassing.

Sylvain took her hand and kissed her on both cheeks.

"I've heard so much about you, and may I say you look radiant." He was such a charmer.

"Oh, stop it. Such a smooth talker."

She peeked around him and gave me two thumbs-up.

"He's gorgeous. Go you."

I laughed.

She introduced Robin to Sylvain, and the two men shook hands.

"Have you been here long? We've only just arrived. Fancy joining us for dinner later?" she asked.

"We're going to have an early night. Sylvain was up early this morning to catch his flight."

"Of course, that's the reason." She winked. "If we don't see you later, we'll catch you at breakfast. If you can make it out of your room."

"Lexi!" God, that woman was incorrigible.

She made her way into the hotel, leaving Sylvain and I alone.

Sylvain waggled his eyebrows. "An early night, eh? I could get behind that."

There was something else I was hoping he'd get behind, but the less said about that, the better.

We sat for a while longer, people-watching, both comfortable in each other's company.

He'd occasionally hum a nameless tune and kiss the top of my head as I rested against him.

Was this what it was like to be in a relationship? If it was, I was all for it.

He yawned. "I could do with a nap. How about you?"

Now he mentioned it, I was feeling tired. All the excitement and anxiety of the past couple of days had caught up with me.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Just gone six. Half an hour won't hurt."

Butterflies set off in my stomach. Would he expect more, or did he mean just a nap? Unless I slept on the chaise longue, we'd be sharing the bed. My mouth went dry at the thought.

By the time we reached our room, I was in full panic mode. Everything tingled, and not in a good way. I felt dizzy, my chest was tight, and spots danced before my eyes.

I made a dash for the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.

"You okay, Vince?"

"Yep, I just needed the bathroom." How long could I stay in here before he asked again? Not indefinitely, that went without saying.

I took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. What had the counsellor said? Deep breaths with my eyes closed.

Finally, I felt steady enough to go back into the bedroom.

Sylvain was lying on the bed, a lazy smile on his lips.

"Come on. You must be tired too."

I climbed onto the bed and lay next to him, stiff as a board.

"What are you doing all the way over there? Snuggle. I like it."

I inched towards him with jerky movements. God, what would happen next? From tight as a bow string, I became one trembling mess.

"Close your eyes and sleep, Vince. I'm not expecting anything else."

I closed my eyes and forced myself to relax. Moments later, his rhythmic breathing told me he was asleep, but I lay awake, millions of thoughts running through my head. At long last, I succumbed and joined him in sleep.

When I awoke, it was dark. Sylvain was still sleeping. I'd moved onto my side, and he'd followed me across the bed, pressed into my back, a heavy arm slung across my waist.

I expected panic to set in again, but this felt too right and was all I'd hoped it would be. My earlier anxiety was nowhere to be found.

He mumbled in my ear and inched closer. What kind of dream was he having?

In all likelihood, a pleasant one because a hard cock nudged at the crack of my arse.

Should I move? Say something? Or lie here and hope for the best?

And what was the best?

I pushed back. Sure, I might awaken something in both of us I might not be ready for, but I'd never know if I didn't try, now would I?

A small groan in my ear, a slight movement behind me, and my dick took notice.

My breathing quickened. I steadily edged myself backwards, pushing my arse out.

His arm tightened, and his hand moved lower. I held my breath and stilled. What would he do next?

Feeling bolder, I rocked my hips back and forth. Now I moaned, except it was more akin to a whimper.

Sylvain's breathing changed. He was awake.

"Don't start something you're not willing to finish, petite souris." What did that mean?

I flipped onto my back and turned my head to him. His eyes were open, but barely. He looked at my lips, then licked his own.

"I really, really want to kiss you."

"Do it."

He crawled on top of me and lowered his lips to mine. I thrust upwards, and he ground down. There was no missing how aroused we were. He panted as he kissed me and licked my lips, then slipped his tongue inside my mouth. I sucked on it, and he groaned loudly.

"Oh my god, Vince. You'll be the death of me."

"Please. I want to do more than kiss this time." I was a twenty-eight-year-old virgin, and while I wasn't ready for all that sex entailed, I needed more, needed to feel what it was like.

"Only if you're sure."

"Oh, I'm sure. Take off your shirt, please."

"Mon petite souris is being brave, I see."

"What does that mean?"

"My little mouse. You've always seemed so timid. It suits you, but maybe the mouse has the heart of a lion."

He removed his shirt and went to unbutton his shorts, but I put my hand on his. "Let me."

He raised an eyebrow, and before I could chicken out, I undid his shorts. My breath hitched. "You're not wearing any underwear."

"I never do. You should try it."

His bare skin was tantalizing, ripe for touching. Dare I? Absolutely, I dared.

I stroked the edge of golden skin and white flesh, then inched lower, twirling my fingers through his dark pubes. Was this really happening?

His cock was tucked to the side, and I wouldn't have any trouble to release him from the confines of his shorts.

"Can I?"

"Let me help." He raised himself and slid his shorts down as far as they would go. His cock sprung free and I might have gasped.

"Good lord." I grazed it, stroking gently over the length.

So different to mine, uncut, veiny, and dark, the head purple and dripping drops of pre-cum onto my shorts.

I gathered some, rubbed it between my fingers, and brought it to my lips. I flicked out my tongue, expecting it to explode on my tongue, but it didn't have any taste.

"Do you want to undress?" I nodded. Yes, I wanted to undress.

He helped me remove my shirt. I lay back, my hands crossed over my chest, trying to hide from him.

"Not today. Today we explore and do what our hearts tell us. Is that okay?"

I removed my arms, and he removed his shorts, revealing his magnificent body to me. I slid my shorts and underwear down my legs.

Anxious thoughts invaded my brain again. I still carried more weight than I liked, had love handles and stretch marks. I squeezed my eyes shut, a single tear escaping.

"Hey, petite souris. Don't cry." The bed dipped as he lay next to me. He stroked my body with tender hands, exploring every part of me: my shoulders, arms, and chest.

He brought my fingers to his mouth and kissed the pad of each one. He nuzzled into my neck, kissing a trail down to my chest. My nipples tightened, but I still clenched my eyes shut, savouring the new sensations he awakened in me.

Lust, passion, desire, call it what you will, I craved every emotion his touch elicited.

"Do you like this?"

"Hmm-mmm." I held my breath as he moved his hand lower, circling my belly button and running his fingers through my pubic hair, dangerously close to my cock.

He cupped my balls in his hand and stroked my taint with one finger.

Close to coming, I pushed his hand away.

"What's wrong?"

"No one has ever touched me there. Not even I, and if you don't want my load covering your face, you'd best move."

"Now there's a thought." His tone was teasing, and I opened one eye.

His pupils were wide, and a flush reddened his cheeks. He rested his other hand on the tip of his cock, massaging it gently.

"Fuck, that's hot."

I dropped my head back to the pillow, clutching the sheets, and lifted my hips. "Touch me again, please."

"If you're sure."

"Oh, I'm sure."

I waited, rigid and panting, and jolted up as a warm tongue licked me from root to tip.

"Omygodomygodomygod." He did it again, and my muscles tensed at his ministrations.

All too soon, he stopped and straddled me.

"This you will like."

He grabbed his cock and, with his large hand, encircled mine, stroking them at the same time.

Soft skin rubbed against soft skin as he increased the pace and pressure, his firm hand gripping us tightly.

Still fisting the sheets, every muscle in my body tensed. I trembled and shuddered, waiting for the inevitable release. After tonight, I'd no longer be the blushing virgin.

When I was younger, I might have wished for a quickie or a fumble in the dark, but to have someone who wanted to touch me, who was so gentle, caring, and understanding, meant the world.

This meant to us both.

I bit my lip, gasping as my orgasm neared, Sylvain's hand moving quicker. I refused to close my eyes, wanting to watch him come, watch his girthy cock pulse as it finally released his spunk. He had to be close.

Seconds passed and with a cry, I came, hot strands of thick, white come erupting from my cock. Sylvain followed, coating my stomach with our joined releases.

The veins in his neck stood out, his face contorted, reddened with the exertion his orgasm brought.

Did that just happen?

Slowly I loosened my cramped fingers from the sheets. Blood rushed back into them, and they tingled along with the rest of my body.

Sylvain relaxed back on his heels, his breathing returning to normal.

"That, petite souris, was amazing."

Was it really? For me, it had been, but he was a man of the world, had years of experience.

"You look unsure. What's wrong?" He grasped a few tissues from the nightstand and cleaned me off, handling my soft cock gently.

"Surely, you've had better."

"Merde, Vince. Why do you say that? Did you not enjoy it?"

"Oh, I loved it. It was honestly the best thing, but for you…."

"Because I've had other lovers."

"Well, yes."

"You are new to this, so I won't be offended by your comment."

I buried my head in my hands. Trust me to always open my mouth and say the wrong thing.

"I didn't mean to offend you. That's not what I meant."

Gentle fingers removed my hands and lifted my chin, forcing me to look up.

Sylvain gazed at me with warmth in his eyes.

"It's not just the act but the person or persons involved. Sex is sex, I agree, but doing it with someone you like, love, or whatever you want to call it, that's the thrill. That's what makes it special."

I began to see what he meant. God, I was so foolish for bringing it up.

"I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologise. For me? I'm honoured I was the one to give that to you. I knew you were a virgin."

"Am I not still a virgin? I mean, I've not had sex yet."

"Sex isn't just about penetration, and if that's something you want to explore, I'm more than happy to oblige."

Was I ready for that yet? I bit my lip.

He softly brushed my cheek. "At your pace, Vince. All of this is at your pace, and if you don't want to do anything more than this, I'm happy."

"Why are you so understanding?"

"Because I know how new you are to this. I'm happy to teach you everything I know if that's what you want. Is it?"

"I want to know."

"Then this weekend, we'll explore." He climbed off the bed and grabbed his shorts from the floor. "I'm a little hungry. Let's order food."