Barefoot, she padded down the hall and went in search of Liam. She heard movement in the kitchen. Standing at the island, his short hair wet from the shower, he wore a clean, dry pair of jeans low around his waist. The lines of his muscular abdomen dipped below his pants. She wanted to follow the path beneath his clothes, tracing it with her tongue.
He turned away, opening the fridge and reaching inside. “Hungry?” he called over his shoulder.
“Depends on what you’re offering.”
Closing the refrigerator door, Liam looked over at her. A slow grin spread across his face as he set a head of lettuce on the counter. “That outfit doesn’t exactly scream, I want a salad.”
“I had something more substantial in mind.”
He crossed the kitchen and reached for the strap on her shoulder. His fingers toyed with the fabric. “We’re stranded here.”
She nodded as he traced the neckline of her nightgown, brushing the swell of her breast. Her nipples formed tight peaks that demanded more. “It’s too late to call for help,” she murmured.
He ran his hand up the other side, pausing at her collarbone. “We have all night. I could feed you first.”
She reached for the front of his jeans, dipping her fingers below the waistband. “You could.”
“Katie.”
The rough edge to his voice sent a thrill swirling through her, settling in the places that craved his touch most. Holding tight to his waistband, she gave a tug drawing him closer. His powerful arms wrapped around her as his lips lowered to hers.
He kissed her, and every nerve in her body responded, begging for more. Releasing his pants, she hugged him tight, pressing every inch of her body against his. His tongue touched hers and she moaned. It was kisses like this that left lingerie decorating bedroom floors. And she would have stayed with her mouth pressed to his, waiting for the perfect moment to strip away the satin slip, if he hadn’t broken away.
Liam leaned his forehead against hers, running his hands down her arms. “I want you so damn much.”
“There’s a bed down the hall.” She entwined her fingers with his, stepping back and taking him with her. “A big one.”
He moved with her, stealing kisses, running his mouth over her neck, her jaw, brushing her lips, as she guided them past the bunkroom, and the one with the queen bed. He stopped in the doorway to the master be
droom, his hands releasing hers, moving to her bare legs.
He drew back, his gaze fixed on the place where her black nightgown touched her thighs. “Is this what you planned to wear for your photo shoot?”
“No.” She placed her palms flat against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart, pounding, racing. “Just for you.”
His fingers stilled against her legs and he lifted his chin, looking down into her eyes. Without a word, he placed an arm at her back and the other under her knees as he swept her into his arms. He carried her to the bed and gently laid her down on the smooth green blanket.
“I’ll be gentle,” he said. “Take this slow.”
No. She’d had gentle and slow. She didn’t want either from him. She wanted the man who’d sparked her desire under the fir trees.
She shifted until she was kneeling on the bed, her knees spread as the nightgown rose higher. “Don’t you dare.”
“Katie.” His brown eyes followed the hemline of her slip.
“I want you. No holding back.” Bunching the black fabric in her hands, she stripped off the covering, revealing every naked inch of her. “Please, Liam.”
He let out a low growl as he unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down over his hips. He’d possessed an impressive body the last time she’d seen him stripped down. Watching him now, the hard, thick length of his erection jutting out from his body, she was left with only one question. Why had she waited so long?
“Lie down, Katie.”
Her pulse raced. His commanding tone sent a thrill through her body, settling in the place that craved his touch. Seeing him stripped down had turned her on, but his words left her wanting and needing him.
She obeyed, lying back on the bed as Liam joined her. He straddled her, leaning forward to brush his lips over hers. He deepened the kiss before he pulled back, moving his hands to cover her breasts. She could feel every callus from his days spent felling trees. She waited for him to explore, for the rough touch of his palms to drive her sensitive nipples wild. But he kept his hands still.
Katie shifted beneath him, her body craving more while delighting in the way he held back, drawing out the wanting. But if he kept this up, she’d fight back, start making demands. “Liam—”
“Hands over your head,” he ordered.