“It’s a bit too cold out here to be naked—at least, for you it would be. I thought you’d appreciate being seduced inside.” He had to set her down to unlock the front door. “After you.”
Piper shook her head, chuckled then rushed past the open kitchen on the left, across the living room with its massive stone fireplace, to the floor-to-ceiling, fifteen-foot window. “Are you kidding me? Cord, come see this view. It’s even more amazing from this angle.”
He was thrilled she was so happy. He couldn’t remember her this excited since the first time the twins shifted. Like a moth to a flame, Cord strode across the expanse to his wife. Without asking, he reached around her and unzipped her pants. When she didn’t swat his hands away, hot anticipation seared him. His fingers actually shook as he lowered the jeans. As much as he was impressed with the sun highlighting the hills, casting them in a bunch of different colors, his wife held his attention more.
“Kick off your shoes,” he demanded, as he nibbled on her ear.
Still looking at the vista before her, she toed them off then swiveled around to face him. “I like this view better.”
Her words were like warm cognac, soothing the animal within. “So do I.”
When Piper grabbed his crotch, it was like a million stars just shot across the sky. He ran his tongue across his teeth and cursed that they’d already sharpened. Her scent and warmth, along with the love in her eyes, was melting his determination to take it slow.
He grabbed a chunk of her soft auburn curls and kissed her hard, trying to ignore the urge to shift. Their tongues dueled and sparred, his sweet wife tastier than any lick of honey. As she fumbled to undo his pants, she moaned and he grunted.
God, how he loved her desperation. Hurrying her might spoil the mood, and that was the last thing he wanted. This weekend needed to be all about Piper.
“Damn pants. Can you help me?” she asked.
Her gritted teeth and squinty eyes spoke of frustration, and she couldn’t have looked any sexier. “Sure thing.”
Stepping away, Cord ditched his shoes, socks, and pants in record time. He figured she’d want to take off his shirt and briefs since undressing him turned her on, or so she’d said. Thankfully, the furrowed brows disappeared the second he kicked his clothes to the side.
“Much better. I’m not sure if I want to start at the top or the bottom.” She rubbed her chin as if she really was trying to figure it out, but the sparkle in her eyes told him she just wanted to torture him.
“How about I take off your top, and then you take off my shirt?” he asked. This would be a shortened version of strip poker, only without the cards.
“Okay, but I get to go first,” she said with a glint in her eyes that told him he was in trouble now.
As Piper slid her hands under his T-shirt, she scraped her nails up his chest, and his hair sprouted. Damn. Flattening her hands, she dragged her palms over his pecs and squeezed, leaving a trail of heat. “You gonna take off the shirt?” he asked. “I need you bad.”
“That’s my plan.” She lifted her chin, and he nabbed her lips again.
This time, their exploration was slow and deep, but it only served to make him ache for her more. Not able to wait, Cord lifted his shirt and stepped out of his briefs. Piper planted her hands on her hips and opened her mouth. “Is there a problem?” he asked. “I couldn’t help undressing. I’m at the end of my rope.” There was little apology in his voice.
“Men.”
“As a man, I need to get my woman naked.” She darted out of his grasp and then jumped on the black leather lounge chair. “You can’t run or hide from me, baby.” He strode toward her.
“I’m not trying to. I know you. You would have stripped me in front of the window.”
He saw no problem with that. “No one can see you.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
He grabbed hold of her pants, and in one tug, whipped them off. Her panties slid down halfway. “You wore red for me. My favorite color.”
“I know.” She scooted back against the chair, but she wouldn’t be in that position long.
The panther inside him liked to stalk. Keeping his gaze on her face, he crawled onto the lounge chair and straddled her. “You’re in big trouble now.”
She laughed. “Why is that?”
“Because I need to love you hard and long.”
Piper stuck out her chest. “You can try.”
She always did know how to push his buttons. Thankfully, that long sleeve pullover was easy to remove, as were her panties. The moment her beautiful breasts were exposed, his animal began to claw his insides. The urge to savor what was underneath her bra warred with his bear side who wanted to have her right now.
Inhaling her clean linen scent, he slipped her bra straps down her shoulders, and with each inch, her eyelids partially closed. It was as if she’d been dreaming of this moment, and it was finally here.
His fingers trembled as the red material popped off each nipple. As much as he wanted to take his time, he couldn’t. “You are so beautiful.”