Dominique’s voice shook. “Is it going to hurt?”

“Just a little bit at first.”

“How much is a little?” Dominique asked.

“I can’t say exactly how much it will hurt,” replied Nate.

“It doesn’t hurt when we grinding standing up against the wall so I can’t understand why it has to hurt just because we’re laying down.”

“Dominique, having sex is a lot more complicated than grinding,” Nate tried to explain.

“Suppose I get pregnant?”

“Don’t worry. You can’t get pregnant the first time you do it. Besides, I’m still shooting blanks.”

Dominique asked, “What does that mean?”

Nate’s voice was muffled as his tongue buried itself deep in Dominique’s ear. “It means I can’t make babies yet.”

A tremor snaked around Dominique’s neck and down her back. Her hands fluttered as she fumbled with her braid. Her voice wavered as she asked, “How do you know that?”

“I just know, Baby Girl. I just know.”

“Suppose your mom comes home, Nate?”

Nate opened his zipper, freed his penis, and took a step back so that Dominique could get a good look at it.

It looks like a 16 ounce Pepsi Dominique thought to herself. “What are you going to do with that?” she asked Nate.

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you.” Nate hugged Dominique’s and whispered, “Baby Girl, this is not the same thing as the kissing and petting we’ve been doing. That’s the reason I wanted you to wait until you turned 15.”

“Do you think I’m stupid, Nate? I know doing it is more than kissing and petting,” Dominique said, while trying to wiggle out of Nate’s arms. “It’s just that I don’t know exactly what we’re supposed to do or how to do it.”

“I’m not trying to be smart when I say I’ll show you. Trust me.”

Nate’s hands roamed freely over Dominique’s breasts. Her nipples became plump grapes under the gentle pressure of his thumbs. The harder they became, the more Dominique trembled.

“My mom doesn’t come in my room,” he murmured. “You said you wanted to do it on your birthday. Why are you acting like this?”

“I’m scared, Nate.” I know I’m ready to be a real woman and I want Nate to be the one to break me in but I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Besides, that thing makes me nervous.

Nate shushed Dominique with a kiss. He alternated between unbuttoning her blouse, licking her neck, and kissing her. All the while he was slowly grinding his hips against hers.

“I would never hurt you. You believe me, don’t you?”

“Yes, Nate, I believe you. It’s just that…”

Nate pressed his lips to hers and cut off the rest of her comment. When he finally freed her from the confines of her bra, he stood back and stared. He grabbed Dominique’s hands as she tried to cover herself.

“No, Baby. Let me see you.”

Nate kissed the tears away that had begun to fall down Dominique’s face. He slowly enfolded her trembling body in his arms, and whispered, “Don’t cry,” as he led her to his bed.

The fingernails on Dominique’s right hand broke as she clutched the bedpost. She stifled a scream with her fist. “Nate, stop! It hurts.”

Creases of frustration deepened on Nate’s brow. “Baby Girl, it hurts because you keep stopping me. Every time I push, you tighten up and pull back.” He rose up on his elbows and looked down in Dominique’s face. You’re supposed to meet me, not pull away from me.” Nate sighed. “Look at me.”

Tears fell, unhindered, as Dominique lifted her eyes to meet Nate’s gaze.

“You’re making this harder than it needs to be.” Nate looked deeply into Dominique’s eyes. “Do you love me?”

Dominique nodded her head.

“Do you trust me?”

Dominique nodded.

“I need you to answer me, Dominique.”

Dominique released the bedpost, and wrapped her arms around Nate. “Yes, Nate, I trust you.”

“I’m not going to lie to you. It’s going to hurt.” Nate rolled over on his back and held Dominique in his arms. “You’re going to bleed a little bit, and you’re going to be sore for a couple of days, but Baby, once I get it in, it is going to feel soooooo damn good!”

Nate began to caress Dominique’s nipple with his free hand. You’re my heart, Dominique.” He began to suck her neck. “You taste like bubblegum.” He licked the sweat from her brow, and sucked her lips.” You smell like butterscotch.”

Nate’s compliments distracted Dominique so that she was able to relax against Nate’s arms as his fingers gently parted her nether curls and stroked her button. Her legs opened wider, and she began to beg, “Nate, don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

Dominique intuitively knew Nate’s control was quickly slipping. She could tell he was forcing himself to slow down and wait until she was ready by the way he was trembling. Dominique’s head began to thrash back and forth on the pillow. She gripped the sheet as if it were a lifeline.

“Baby Girl, let’s do this,” Nate whispered, as he rolled over on top of Dominique. “Let’s do this,” he whispered again, as he muffled Dominique’s scream with his wet lips.