Aside from a quiet, strangled little grunt when he first eases into her, she doesn't make a sound. She's holding her breath, hand pressed to the feather mattress and gripping hard. Jesus, this is as painful as her first time, if not worse. But he's careful and slow, and she's putting a good deal of effort into trying to stay relaxed.

She doesn't dare open her mouth, but she nods, shifting her leg around his hip to encourage him to keep going. She reminds herself it'll get easier  —  it should get easier, anyway.