"You really are ready for me," he said as he slid his hand down and felt the slick heat waiting for him.
I cringed a little inside with embarrassment but also marvel at his confidence as he immediately began tugging my pants down over my hips and off, not even pausing to undo the button at my waist.
I was something of a late bloomer. Well, probably more of a withered vine, stuck in hibernation by that point. People call 19 or 20 year olds late bloomers - to be a virgin at 27 was beyond all reckoning. I mean, I'm a fan of Jane Austen but I never really expected to be one of her 'aged out' characters, left behind and not knowing how to get back in the mix when everyone had moved so far along.
Thankfully I met someone who got my blood racing - after some fairly disastrous relationships early on, I had almost resigned myself to spinsterhood. Until he came along and I felt nauseous with excitement each time I knew I'd see him, and found myself imagining his hands on my body as I drove home from work. Little by little but also all at once, we fell in love.
But I had my shameful secret. I knew he was experienced and I was terrified finding out about my little secret would ruin everything. One day, I screwed up my courage and texted him to say I had something awkward to tell him before things went further. After initial relief that my news wasn't that I used to be a man (not his jam, baby!) he was understandably concerned that anything we did would mean too much and was reluctant. I assured him that it wouldn't, I was honestly not 'waiting' for anything, it just hadn't happened and I wanted it to!
One night after drinks with colleagues and a friend of his, the three of us headed to a strip club. No surprise, I'd never been before, but I was curious and wanted to see what it was like. It was both hot and sad - I enjoyed watching the girls and having lingerie clad ladies chatting us up. But also felt sorry for the solo men there, lapping up whatever dregs of attention they could buy for the night.
Afterwards I drove the guys home to his house. We hung out for a bit and then he asked for my help making his bed. I nervously agreed and we got busy with the sheets. As I was wrestling a pillow into its case, he told me it was time, that we were doing this tonight. I protested a little - his mate was in the guest bedroom just down the hall - but he said not to worry about that. My pulse started racing and I was a big bundle of anticipation and fear. Next command - take off my bra. I hesitated but reached back and unclipped, sliding it down and out but keeping my top on. We kept making the bed, him staring at me and me thrilling at the challenge in his eyes, alternating between bending forward to show my cleavage at a better angle and scurrying to hide behind sheets and doona covers when overwhelmed by my audacity.