It Started With... Collection. Miranda Lee

      They hadn’t even been good lovers. Just good liars.

      At least Ryan was a good lover and, though persuasive, he wasn’t a liar.

      His head dipped to nuzzle at an earlobe, making her shiver uncontrollably.

      ‘Do you agree, lovely Laura?’ he whispered in a low, incredibly sexy voice.

      What else could she do but nod?

      ‘In that case,’ he went on after reaching for their last condom, ‘I think we’ve done enough waiting for tonight.’

      Laura thought the first time he’d made love to her had been incredible. But there was something even more magical the second time round. He took his time once he’d entered her, setting up a slow, sensual rhythm with his hips, his eyes holding hers. Her mouth fell open as the tension built and built, her breathing becoming fast and shallow. Yet there was no anxiety in her, only the warm, sweet pleasure of his flesh rocking back and forth within hers. At no point did she fear she might not come because she knew she would. And when she did he came too, their bodies in perfect physical harmony with each other.

      Laura found the experience quite overwhelming. Sexually, they seemed made for each other. But as she clung to him, their bodies still pulsing as one, she realised that emotionally they were as different as chalk and cheese. Laura accepted that at this point in time all she wanted from Ryan was more great sex. But she suspected that if she kept up this level of physical intimacy for too long she would probably fall in love with him. For that was how she was made.

      Life was very cruel, Laura decided ruefully, always to make her attracted to men who would never give her what she wanted.

      But at least this time she knew the nature of the beast in advance. Ryan wasn’t trying to fool her in any way, shape or form. All he was offering her was a strictly sexual relationship, without caring or commitment of any kind. And, whilst Laura still could not understand why he was so adverse to love and marriage, she had to accept that that was how he was made. There was no point in becoming upset over it. If she wanted to keep experiencing what she’d just experienced, she would have to accept him on his terms, without hoping for anything more.

      Of course, it meant risking her heart again and her happiness. But it was impossible to walk away from what Ryan was offering. Already she was addicted to the excitement he engendered in her, the wild pleasures he gave her, not to mention the fabulous orgasms which seemed to last for ever. Her body was still throbbing. And so was his.

      She sighed a deliciously sensual sigh.

      ‘I’ll be back in a moment, Laura,’ he murmured at last before gently disengaging her arms and legs from his back and waist.

      She groaned, her limbs going to jelly as they flopped back onto the bed. A languor had suddenly taken hold of her whole body. Her brain too. She didn’t want to fall asleep, didn’t want this night to end. But as soon as Ryan left the bed Laura rolled over onto her side and fell fast asleep.

      Ryan smiled wryly when he returned to the bed and found Laura out like a light. So much for his erotic plans for the rest of the night.