Hauntingly sentimental melody. A young girl, a virgin, is giving a man consent to take her virginity. While she knows what she wants, she's unsure if the man is sincere in his intentions, but she justifies it in raw vulnerable terms. I think the line "of the years" is a throwaway bc "the pain" by itself was way too graphic for 60s radio. "And the fears" would be a good replacement (alluding to a potential pregnancy perhaps). One of the most beautiful and honest songs ever.