Shane knew that a girl’s first time was supposed to be special. Romantic. Gentle. All that blah blah blah — which, surprisingly, he was actually taking seriously.

That was why he was holding himself back. Slowing down. Going far more carefully than anyone would ever expect from him — including you.

Not because he didn’t want it. God knew how much he wanted it. How often he thought about you like that, about the way your body fit against his, about how you reacted to the slightest touch. And really, who could blame him? You were beautiful. And attractive. Very attractive.

But going completely against his reputation, Shane was trying to be a gentleman. As much as possible, at least. He wasn’t dead… and neither were his hands.

You kissed. A lot. Shane had never spent so much time just kissing, touching slowly, letting his hands linger. He always stopped before going too far. Always waited. Waiting was almost unbearable, but he would take that a thousand times over seeing even the slightest hint of regret in your eyes afterward.

And besides… the foreplay was becoming dangerously fun.

That particular night, you came over to his place right after rehearsal. Your parents were out of town, so you didn’t have a curfew — and it wasn’t like he was going to let you leave anyway.

The problem was that you were a complete freak that night.

He barely had time to open the door before you were kissing him, pushing him back against the couch, your clever little hands finding all the right places.

God.

“Hey… beautiful…” he murmured, trying to keep control as his hands found your hips. “Slow down.”

“Hm…?” You barely heard him.

And honestly, it wasn’t like he had much room to complain — not when you bit gently at his neck, drawing a low, restrained sound from his chest.

Damn it.

Shane took a few seconds, gathering what little self-control he had left, before cupping your face.

“Hey.”

You paused just long enough to breathe, and when he saw your eyes shining with desire, it almost broke him.

“So this is how it is now?” he murmured, a teasing edge to his voice as he rested his forehead against yours. “Not even a ‘hi’? You just came to use my body?” A smirk tugged at his lips. “I feel so used, princess.”

His words made you smile — exactly as he’d expected.

Shane tried to laugh, tried to stay in control… but it was getting harder. So much harder.

And with his hands still firm on your waist, all he could think was that God might really need to help him get through that night.