The rogue couldn’t get her. The killer wasn’t going to drive a wedge between Cooper and Gabrielle, and the guy wasn’t going to kill her.
The kiss was hard, too rough. But Cooper wasn’t in control then. The ice had to melt. He had to get closer to Gabrielle, had to make sure that she was safe.
His hands wrapped around her body. Her mouth was open, so sweet and hot. He drove his tongue past her lips and tasted.
Took.
He lifted her into his arms.
There would be no stopping this time. He couldn’t.
Cooper carried her back to the bedroom, kissing her the entire time.
Desire pulsed within him, growing stronger with every step, tangling with the fear and the fury within him.
Lightning flashed. Thunder shook the windowpanes.
He lowered her to her feet, letting her bare toes skim the hardwood, positioning her near the edge of the bed. Light from the lamp spilled over the bed.
Cooper stepped back from her. He couldn’t give her honesty about all parts of his life, but in this moment, he would give her everything that he could.
“I want you.” His voice was gravel rough with desire. “Trust that. Trust me.”
Her gaze held his. He could see her need shining in her gaze. “I do,” she said softly.
That broke him. The last of his control vanished.
She started to lift up the edge of her shirt. His fingers caught hers. He wound up throwing that shirt across the room.
His hands stroked her, caressed. Her skin was softer than silk, smooth and perfect.
She wore a black, lacy bra. A temptation that was going to force him to his knees.
But then her hand went to her jeans. She shimmied out of her jeans. Long, tan legs were bared to him. Those legs—and the matching scrap of black lace panties that covered her hips.
Don’t pounce. Because he wanted to pounce. He wanted to take and take and take and let the pleasure drive out the last of the chill that clung to his skin.
Instead, he lowered her onto the bed. He kissed. He touched. Her bra joined her clothes when he tossed it to the floor. Her breasts were perfect, full with tight, pink tips. His tongue licked those taut peaks. She arched against him. Her nails dug into his back, pressing through the thin T-shirt that he wore.
Her hips pushed up against him. Her spread legs moved restlessly against his body.
His hands slid down to the front of her panties. Panties that had surely been designed to make a man go crazy. Carefully, he stroked her through the lace. She was hot and so ready for him.
He had to make this good for her. He wanted Gabrielle as wild and hungry as he was.
His fingers pushed into her. Her breath rushed out.
Then she was the one yanking up his T-shirt and trying to touch his skin.
But when she touched him...
I need her too much.
He pulled back and stripped in seconds. He reached into the nightstand and fumbled for the protection he’d put there.
Then he slowly removed the scrap of lace that covered her sex. He tried to be careful, but he wanted her so badly—the lace ripped.
Gabrielle just laughed. She lifted her hips toward him. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”