Page 28 of Easton’s Claim

“Oh, it’s so beautiful,” Piper breathed.

He glanced over at her in surprise, finding her far more beautiful than the scenery. “Never been out here before?”

“No. I’ve always just stayed on your property before.”

This might not technically be Colebrook land anymore, but it might as well be. This place was secluded and in all the times he’d been out here, he’d never seen another soul.

“It’s my favorite spot.” He’d imagined bringing her out here so many times, he could hardly believe she was finally here alone with him. “Hungry?”

“Mmm, yes.”

He was hungry for a lot more than the picnic they’d brought, but he’d have to see how things went. Much as he wanted her, he didn’t want to push her if she wasn’t ready for more. His sister was right, Piper was wary, might bolt if he made a wrong move. He couldn’t risk screwing this up, no matter how badly he wanted her.

“Let’s stop here,” he said, halting his mount and swinging down from the saddle while she did the same.

He tethered the horses’ reins to a low-hanging tree branch and left them to snooze while he unpacked the blanket and food from his saddlebags. Piper took the blanket from him and spread it out on the grassy bank of the creek.

His gaze immediately fixed on the round shape of her ass in those dark jeans as she bent over on her hands and knees to smooth out the wrinkles. Blood surged to his groin as he imagined peeling off her clothes and gripping her naked hips while he took her from behind.

She sat up and looked over her shoulder at him, tucking her hair behind her ear. “What?”

“Nothing.” He’d caught the way she watched him when she thought he wasn’t looking today, the secret longing in her eyes. God, he’d give anything for the chance to satisfy every last fantasy she had about him.

“No, what?”

Since he couldn’t tell her what he was really thinking, he told her something else. “I was just thinking about when Wyatt came home from the hospital. I don’t think I’ve ever said it to you before, but one of the things I love most about you is how much you care about people. I’ll never forget the way you were with Wyatt when he was recovering from all the surgeries.”

She’d helped nurse him with the rest of them, run errands, cooked, cleaned, sat quietly with Wyatt when his depression was at its worst, and then kicked him in the ass when he needed a push later on. After that, she’d even stuck by Greg.

“He’s my friend,” she said simply. “Well, more like a brother.”

“That’s when you won my heart for good,” he said, to make it clear he didn’t think of her in any way as a sibling.

She met his gaze, and the gentle smile she gave him told him his words had touched her. “Was it my gentle bedside manner while I was changing his bandages, or yelling at him later when he was being an asshole to everyone?” she teased.

He chuckled. “Both. Not too many people I know can withstand the full force of Wyatt’s temper, but you did. All five-feet-five-inches of you.” He admired her so much for that. For her loyalty and compassion.

Because he was tempted to grab her and kiss each and every freckle on her nose and cheeks, he instead knelt on the other side of the blanket and set out the food they’d bought on their way back from the police station. A roasted chicken, bread, butter, cheese, some of the last peaches of the season and cream puffs filled with sweetened whipped cream and dipped in chocolate.

By the time he’d dug out the plates and cutlery, Piper was already busy building them sandwiches. The urge to take hold of her and kiss that soft mouth, stroke her all over, was so strong he had to curl his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her.

She had no clue how much he wanted to lay her out on the blanket right now and settle on top of her just so he could finally feel her underneath him. Then kiss her until she was breathless and squirming, no more protests or excuses why they couldn’t be together, then undress her and explore every inch of her body with his hands and mouth.

He shifted to relieve the sudden pressure of his erection shoved against his fly, but it didn’t ease the ache in his cock.

“Here,” she murmured, handing him a sandwich on a paper plate, along with some peach slices. All he could think about was feeding her the peaches and cream puffs, watching those plump pink lips close around each bite and then licking them clean himself.

Ignoring his body’s demand to touch her, he accepted the sandwich and stretched out on his side, propping himself on one elbow while he ate.

“Oh, man, this tastes fantastic,” she moaned around a bite of sandwich.

That sound didn’t help the fit of his jeans any. To make matters worse, he knew she wanted him, no matter how hard she fought it, and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep from talking about last night. “Sandwiches always taste better on picnics. Remember we used to take them down to the race track on Saturday nights?”

She hummed in agreement and continued eating. “Your dad would always pick up fried chicken and root beer on the way.”

Those were good times. He had a thousand memories like that, of spending time with Piper and his family. She’d been part of his life—of his heart—for so long, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

After she finished her sandwich she turned her attention to the creek and watched the rippling water move past. He could tell from her expression that things were about to get serious. “So, about last night.”

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