I remember the first time we made love very clearly.
It was winter, and the house was - not cold - cool. It was late, and everyone else had gone to bed, but the two of us were still up, bundled under a blanket, and talking quietly between kisses.
We had been dating for several months at that point, but we were still a little afraid, I think, to decide how serious we wanted to be. Hanging over us was the fact that she was in the United States only on an extended visit to her brother, and that she was due - eager really - to return to Hong Kong in a few more months. Unspoken, but always present, was the knowledge that we needed to decide what our relationship would be soon; neither of us was certain whether we should spend more time together or break off immediately to lessen the eventual pain.
Neither one of us had a great deal of sexual experience. Although we both had dated others in high school and college, she was still a virgin. When compared to her, I was knowledgeable, but one college love affair does not a complete lover make. I did know enough to at least realize that she was not ready give herself to anyone until she was ready to make a commitment; I managed, somehow, not to pressure her about it. We had kept our relationship on a light, flirting, level, the highlights being the slow good night kisses at the end of each date.
That night, though, the longer we talked, cuddled, and kissed, the harder it was to part. I could feel her pressing tighter against me; I was acutely aware that all she had on was a flannel nightgown. When she straddled my leg and began to unconsciously rub up and down on it as we kissed, I realized that she was just as excited as I.
I pulled back until I could see her face, and asked her "Are you ready to make love with me?"
She lowered her eyes, and seemed to struggle with herself. Finally, she whispered "I don't know - but if you told me to come to bed with you I would."
For a moment, I was very tempted. I had wanted her since we first met, and she was telling me that she would let me decide. But if I had learned anything about her at all, I knew that she would not take an affair casually; it was just too easy to hurt her if I took her offer. Slowly, regretfully, I shook my head. "No. I want you very much, but you yourself aren't sure. I would rather wait until you know that you are ready. I think we had both better go to bed; I don't know how long my self-control will last."
I could tell I had guessed right by her expression, which blended disappointment and relief in equal measures. She leaned forward, gave me a light kiss, and climbed the stairs to her room. More slowly, I went down the stairs to mine.
Though I went immediately to bed, my mind - and body, damn it - was still wide awake. For over half an hour, I lay looking up at the darkened ceiling, not sure if I felt good due to temptation declined or stupid for the same reason. No matter how many times I reasoned it out, I came to the same conclusion - to push her before she was ready would almost certainly hurt her. Unfortunately, you can make the right decision and still feel terrible.
Suddenly, I came fully alert; I heard a light scratching at the door. I opened it to see her. She looked determined, excited, and frightened, in just that order. "I've decided." was all she said.
For all of our flirting and kissing, I had never seen her without clothes. Now, she pulled off her nightgown rapidly, as if to prevent second thoughts from stopping her. Her panties followed with equal speed. Though she was blushing, she held her clenched hands at her sides and stood erect, then slowly turned to give me a full view.