Gerald stopped after a while, afraid the poor girl might actually faint away from pleasure. Moving up her body and placing himself between her legs, he patiently waited for her climax to subside. When it finally did--after Bridget expelled several little coughs and heavy breaths--he said quietly, "May I go in now, dear?"

At once a grimace of fear passed over her face, but she shook it off and said with as much courage as she could, "Yes. Please go in me."

What a brave girl, Gerald marveled--and plunged in.

For a man in this situation, there's always a dilemma: should he try to be slow and gentle (which might...