"Touch me..." she breathed.

Collin's hand moved slightly as if to graze her thigh again.
"Like this..." Kayla moaned; her eyes closed. That was all he needed to hear. His fingers skated across her belly.

Like this?" He asked, thrilled at her response.

Kayla nodded, biting her lip. She lifted her hand to Collin's bicep. It was so hard, so smooth. She clenched her fist as if to keep it there forever.

She didn't dare move her toes. She didn't want to move at all.

"It's alright, Kayla....just open your legs for me..... I'll take care of you.... I swear."
Kayla opened her eyes and looked at Collin.
"Collin...I don't know...it's so...I don't know if I can do this.... I'm scared...".She said softly. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her body closer to him.
"I'm here," Collin said quietly. "I've got you."
He kissed her temple. "Nothing's going to happen to you...I promise."
He laid her head against his shoulder. "Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be fine." Kayla felt the heat radiating from his chest. She snuggled closer. Kayla wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him tightly.
"Just relax. It'll all work out. It always does." He said, kissing her.
Kissing her felt good to Collin. Kissing her felt good everywhere on her body; her tongue, her mouth, her breasts, all of her skin, especially where the branding was.

"It's alright, Kayla....just open your legs for me..... I'll take care of you... I swear."
Kayla opened her eyes and looked at Collin.
"Collin...I don't know...it's so...I don't know if I can do this... I'm scared..."

Collin got up and sat beside her. "Kayla, don't get upset. I want this too. I want to take care of you; give you what you need."
"My scars....you'll see my scars....." Kayla whispered.  He touched her gently as if he knew her pain.
"They are beautiful. " Collin said.

"They are ugly...." Kayla said.
"No. I'll show you that it's alright..." He whispered.
Collin parted Kayla's legs slowly. He lowered his hot mouth, and Kayla gasped at the sensation of his lips against her sensitive skin.
Her hands clenched around the sheets in her hands.

"Kayla...sweetheart...." His tone was the same as before as if he was talking to a frightened animal. "You know I love you, right?"

Kayla whimpered, nodding.
"Please....don't be afraid." Collin pleaded.
Kayla nodded.
"You know I'm here, right?"
"Yes," Kayla replied. "I know ... I'm sorry. I never got used to having a guy's mouth down there." Kayla said, shuddering at the memories.
"Let go. Let yourself go. You don't have to worry about me or anything else, Kayla. Just let go." Collin said.
Kayla relaxed her arms; she released her grip on the sheets. Collin pulled down the covers slightly and slid her legs apart.
She turned her head to look at him.
"You're doing very well. I'll take care of you." He said, smiling.
He kissed her lips softly. Kayla leaned forward, kissing him back. "Your kiss is so gentle," she said.
Collin was holding her, his hands soothingly stroking her.
He kissed her shoulder and her neck gently. He pulled her close to him. She buried her face in his chest.

Collin cupped her beautiful cheek.
"We can stop if you want."
"No!" Kayla said quickly. "No...I want to do this."
He kissed her scars again. "I love you, Kayla." He touched the hair at the apex of her thighs, playing with the coarse curls. He could still see her scars under the hair. She was scarred, but he saw past that. He loved her scars, he wanted to see them and heal them with his lips.
"I love you," Kayla mumbled.
"We'll make them fade...together..." He said, kissing her forehead. "I won't let anyone hurt you...ever."

Kayla heard the passion in his voice. It thrilled her. She closed her eyes.
"I know...you're going to take care of me." She whispered.
"Always. Always Kayla. You trust me, don't you?" He asked.
She nodded.
He ran his fingers down her inner thigh, fingering the soft flexing muscles.
He ran his hand down, over her thigh to her groin. She allowed his fingers to graze her petals.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"I'm going to touch you...do you want me to?" he asked.
"Yes." Kayla said, looking into his eyes.
He placed one finger on her sensitive skin, watching closely for any sign of discomfort. His touch was gentle, loving.
"I'm here, sweetheart." He said softly.
He kissed her again.
In his arms, Kayla felt safe. She was with him. She wasn't alone.
The fear was like a buzzer in her head. In the far reaches of her mind, something was trying to warn her that she was trusting the wrong man. That was the hardest part: realizing just how much Collin wanted her and needed her. Kayla trusted him with her life. She felt like he was the only one who understood. And now he was her lover....

Collin's lips returned gently, she gasped again. Collin's lips were soft and tender, and she thought she would go mad wanting more of his kisses. He was the most passionate man she ever had, and it made her crave him.

"There's nothing you can do, Kayla, to make me feel different about you." Collin said.

"I love you." Kayla said.

She parted her thighs, feeling him rest his strong hands on her knees. She opened herself to his hot gaze. His green eyes filled with passion. His dark brown hair falling across his face, shielding his eyes from her view.

She drew in a deep breath as she felt his breath on her. She trembled for a moment, but soon the terror that had coursed through her veins subsided.  She felt weak and dizzy and light. She was in control. She looked into his face and saw the fire there again. This time, it took less effort for her to calm it. It became more manageable than before. She felt her breathing slow. She felt him kiss her. He kissed her, slowly and deeply.
Kayla realized she was holding her breath. Collin's face was only an inch away. She exhaled, her breath sending a message of hot caress around his head.She breathed deeply. She felt her heartbeat accelerate and sensed another wave of terror sweeping over her. It retreated.
"I won't make you hurt." He said. Kayla moaned. She let her arms fall to her sides, and closed her eyes. Her hands clenched the sheets. She could feel the emotions building. She looked at Collin, feeling her heart beat faster.

Collin put his hand on her shoulder.
"I love your eyes. I love your hair. I love your lips. I love your body. Don't worry about anything else except you...and I promise you, everything will work out well. I love you, Kayla. You know that, right?" He was watching her closely, worried she may not believe him.
"Yes." She nodded. Kayla's face lit up. She kissed his cheek and she felt an instant of weakness. She smiled at Collin, a small smile. Her fingers trembled, and she looked at Collin.
His fingers touched the scars again, this time tenderly brushing her cleft. Kayla closed her eyes at the sensation. He touched her there with his strong fingers.
He said, "I've never wanted anyone before. I want you like I want my next breath." He smelled her hair and kissed her ear.
Kayla closed her eyes, the feelings building. She had the sensation of drowning, and it was getting closer.

Kayla kissed his arm in response, and she savored their touch.
Collin looked at her. "I see a tear in your eye." He said. "Does it hurt?"
Suddenly, Kayla froze. Collin's head dipped down to kiss the glistening tear from her cheek. When he finished, she took a deep breath, her muscles tense. She couldn't believe the truth Collin was whispering.
"I love you." Kayla repeated. Her chest rose and fell.
His fingers teased her gently.  He slowly circled the hard bud at the top, where all sensation flowed. Kayla took a shuddering breath, and felt its pure, lyrical sensation.
Collin slid closer to her warm, soft skin.
"Collin....I'm scared...so scared."
"Hey...Hey...it's alright; I won't hurt you...I swear."
He fondled her tenderly, circling.

His touch made her weak.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you, Kayla." He said.

Collin's breath was soft. "You're not afraid anymore, are you?" He said.
Kayla couldn't speak. She felt tears on her face. She almost lost it.
"You like that nice and slow, don't you?" he asked. Kayla nodded.
"It feels.....nice. I want to feel alive." Her voice was quiet and sweet, but haunted.
"You are alive....just open yourself to me....Don't be afraid....I want to take care of you.... I swear."
She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her, full of concern.Something caught in her heart.
"I want you to feel safe and free." Collin said; his voice full of emotion.
An ache built. A hunger for Collin that was growing.
"I'm scared..." she spoke in a small voice.

Collin wrapped his warm hand around her and stroked her hair.
"I'm here, Kayla. I'll never let anything hurt you." He stroked her tenderly, feeling her pulse beat. "You're going to feel like you're burning up... like the world is melting, then the fever will break... and I'll be there...I'll catch you."  His finger continued to  circle around her throbbing core.
Kayla moaned loudly as she felt herself being lifted higher. The feeling was amazing. Her legs wrapped around his waist. Her hands dug into the bedsheets.
"Come for me baby....come for me. Let me show you how good it feels."
The room started spinning.
"You're going to come, Kayla...don't fight it...just relax. Everything is okay. You're safe."
Kayla felt the heat grow in her lower belly. The warmth spread from her core.
"Ohhh..." she breathed.
Collin continued to run his fingers down.
"Relax, Kayla. You're safe."
"I love you. Don't stop. " She moaned. His fingers increased their intensity.
Kayla's pulse rate increased.
Tears slid down her cheeks, and her mouth opened, gasping. A fire burned. Collin held her, never letting go. She gasped for air.
The fire raged higher. Kayla held Collin's arm tight against her breast.
"Somethings...building." She panted.
"I'm here. I'll hold you." Collin said. "I will catch you. You're going to come soon." He told her , kissing her neck. "I want you to feel it, and know that you're safe." A sensation built as she began to shake. She felt the warmth rush through her, and she was shaking, filled with fire, and trembling.
"Collin?" Kayla choked out.
"I'm here, I won't let go. I'm here." His whispered words were the only things keeping her sane. His deep voice was calm and soothing, and as Kayla felt the fire of sparks in her body, she felt herself sink deeper into Collin's powerful arms. He held her close, as if he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"You're okay. You can let go. I'll catch you."
Collin held her as the feeling became stronger. She was falling, floating, exploding apart. She met his glistening eyes.
"I love you....I don't want to stop. I love you." She whispered.
He kissed her endlessly, and she tangled her hands in his hair.
She felt the fire tingling through her veins, and she cried as the world turned into a blur of color. She moaned under his kiss. Her mind was racing. A power surged within her. It was deep and burning. It was as if her whole life was racing across her memory, her long journey across Australia.
"Let it go, Kayla...I'll catch you.... I promise."
"I love you." Kayla said. Her voice trembled. Her body tingled with fire as the surge became more powerful. Waves of burning sensation crashed over her. They were taking her. She felt dizzy, and went
numb.

The last thing she heard was his husky words.
And then she came. She felt the warmth and euphoria rush throughout every cell of her body.