She’d also fielded another tearful call from her ex-mother-in-law, even though she desperately wanted more distance from them, Greg, and this entire situation. Her heart went out to them, which was why she’d answered. She’d tried to give the woman what comfort she could, but it wasn’t much.
“You didn’t have to do all this.” Easton opened her door for her.
“I know, but I wanted to. It’s the least I could do to thank all of you for everything you’ve done to help me. Besides, you know I like to cook for a crowd every now and then. I’ve been feeling antsy not being in my kitchen for the past week.”
“I dunno how you think we’re gonna eat all this.”
She shrugged. “So there’ll be some leftovers. Better too much than not enough. And let’s not forget I’m making all your favorites.”
At that he grinned at her from across the cab. “If you’re going with the whole ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ thing, it’s overkill. You’ve already got all of me.”
“We’ll call this insurance then,” she said, carefully sidestepping the issue and giving him a playful smile. She hadn’t said the words back to him yet but he must know how she felt and he was being so patient with her.
Even though she loved him, it wasn’t fair to say it unless she was going to stay in Virginia. All day she’d thought about his offer, about moving with him to Alexandria. Part of her loved the idea and part of her balked at giving up her dream job and taking such a huge step so soon.
She also couldn’t stop thinking about last night, and about the possibility of a future with Easton. Could it really work out for them long term if she stayed? Waking up beside him when he was home was a tantalizing prospect.
He’d captured every bit of her heart last night, but she wasn’t sure it was enough to sustain them if she moved so far away.
Nervousness and excitement bubbled inside her as she thought about what would happen tonight, after dinner when they were alone in the cabin. But with a big meal to prep and cook and most of his family around while she did it, she wouldn’t be comfortable touching or kissing him the way she was dying to. It was all so new, she wanted to give everyone time to adjust to the idea of her and Easton being together before she groped and mauled him in public.
Not touching or tasting him all day was slowly driving her crazy though. Piper snuck glances at him as he drove, while a country station played on the radio. Just looking at him made her hot. The arousal kept building until she had to shift in her seat to relieve the ache between her thighs.
It didn’t help. She kept remembering what he’d done to her last night, the way he’d laid her completely bare and given her such incredible pleasure. She wanted more of it, that special connection between them, and to bask in the security of his love. She also wanted the chance to explore him without the searing ache of her own need in the way.
Studying his strong profile as he drove along a country road, she couldn’t stop from reaching out to trail her fingers down the side of his cheek. He smiled and without taking his eyes off the road, caught her hand to kiss each fingertip, pausing to suck each one.
He’s mine.
The incredible thought almost made her light-headed. She wanted to peel his clothes off right now and use her mouth to make him insane. The dinner prep could wait a while longer.
Undoing her seatbelt, she leaned over the console and kissed the edge of that tempting mouth.
“Hey, no distracting me while I drive,” he said on a laugh.
“Okay, so pull over.”
He glanced at her in surprise. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. Pull over. Right now.” She kissed her way down his jaw to his neck, scraped her teeth there gently while letting her hands roam over his shoulders and chest, down his tensing abdomen and to the bulge behind the zipper of his jeans.
A low groan rumbled from him when she curled her hand around his trapped erection and squeezed before rubbing it with her palm. “You’re gonna cause an accident.”
She trailed her tongue up the side of his neck, enjoying herself immensely, getting drunk on the feel of him and the anticipation of tasting him. It had become one of her favorite fantasies over the past few days, to go down on him and make him lose his mind. Sexy Easton Colebrook, at her mercy and loving every second of it.
“So you’d better hurry up and get us off the road.” She unhooked his belt and slid the leather through the buckle.
With a low chuckle he took the next turn and found an access road that led to a farmer’s field just as she undid the button at the top of his fly. Tall grass bordered either side, sheltering them from view from the road beyond.
He pulled up far enough to give them privacy, then parked and shut off the ignition. Before he could undo his own seatbelt she had his zipper down and her hand inside his underwear, wrapping her fingers around him.
He growled in approval and reached for her, plunging a hand into her hair and fisting tight to bring her mouth up to his. The kiss was hot and carnal, so different from the gentle tenderness of last night.
A tiny shiver rippled through her at the evidence of his hunger for her. He was rock hard in her grip, hot and swollen as she stroked him with her fist, earning a moan from him. She sucked at his tongue, hungry to do the same to his cock and show him everything she felt for him.
Pulling her mouth free, she let her lips glide down the side of his neck and scooted up on her knees to lean over him. His cock pulsed in her hand, making her core clench.
His hand tightened in her hair and he sucked in a quick breath when he realized her intent. “Piper.”