"So I'll keep them off the floor." He scooted her further back on the table and tipped her horizontal, spread beneath him on the wood.
Poppy smiled up at him, hair spilled like a halo around her face. "So we're trapped up here?"
"Looks like it." He grinned back as she reached to hook her finger over the neck of his T-shirt. She slowly tugged him down to cover her.
This time, he didn't hold back. He kissed her deeply, probing her hot mouth as her body arched up against him, her tongue sliding to match his own wet strokes. It was incredible, the heat igniting, deep inside. He ran one hand down her curves and felt her tremble at his touch, and lord, he loved how responsive she was, how he could see the effect he had on her, just as wild as the fire burning in his own veins.
He dipped to kiss her neck, and she moaned again, sliding her hands over his back. She was his, totally wanton in his arms, and damn, he felt invincible, like a king; her touch and sweet whimpers urging him on. He nipped her shoulder lightly and slid one hand to cup her breast, teasing the tender swell through her sweater until he couldn't hold back any longer. He peeled her shirt up her body and slid his hands beneath the cotton to feel every inch of her smooth, hot skin.
Poppy wriggled beneath him, helping push her clothes over her head until she was bare beneath him in jeans and a lacy bra.
Goddamn she was gorgeous.
Cooper dipped to kiss her but Poppy pushed him back. "Play fair," she said, breathlessly. Her eyes gleamed, and it took a moment for Cooper's brain to function, but when he realized what she wanted, he laughed.
"Yes ma'am," he said, and stripped his T-shirt off. "Better?"
"Much." Poppy bit her lip, her eyes roving over him with desire written all over her face.
What was that he said about feeling like a king? Make that a god.
Cooper leaned in and kissed her lips again, her neck. He trailed his tongue down to the hollow of her collarbone and swirled it over her silky skin. He was ravenous for her, he wanted to feast on every inch of her, but he forced himself to go slow and savor every taste. He kissed lower, over the swell of her chest, whispering at the lacy edge of her bra. Poppy trembled again, unconsciously pressing against his mouth, and he couldn't hold back another moment. He stroked her, teasing at the nub of her nipples as he closed his mouth over one stiff peak and sucked through the silk.
Poppy gasped, rising up against him. He toyed with her, nipping lightly through the fabric, and then turned his attention to her other perfect breast.
God, she was beautiful.
Poppy tangled her fingers in his hair, whimpering softly now. He skimmed lower, dusting her stomach with kisses, but couldn't stop himself returning to those gorgeous breasts. He needed to see her.
He wanted to see everything.
Cooper peeled off her bra, and then lavished her with kisses as he unbuttoned her jeans. Poppy helpfully pushed them off, and then she was spread on the table beneath him, naked save a tiny scrap of silk between her thighs.
Cooper stared down at her, dizzy with lust. He wanted to freeze this image so he'd always remember it.
But he wanted to taste her more.
He leaned in, gripping her hips and lifting her to meet his mouth. He nudged the silk of her underwear as Poppy's whole body went rigid with anticipation.
That's right, darling. You know what I want.
And how good it's going to feel.
Because Cooper wasn't a competitive man, but the memory of her ex was still too fresh for his liking. He wanted her screaming his name, and only his, and he wasn't going to stop until she was begging in his arms.
Starting now.
Poppy gripped hold of the edge of the table and tried to keep it together. But if Cooper kissing her was enough to make her body ignite, and him touching her sent her brain spinning, then Cooper nestled between her thighs peeling her underwear aside . . . ?
She had no words.
And Poppy always had words. It was her job, for crying out loud-to put these feelings into sentences and chapters for her readers to enjoy, describe the way her characters felt even as their blood ran hot and pure desire sent their thoughts scattering to the far reaches of the universe.
She was a writer. She was supposed to use her words. She was-
"Ooh."
Cooper licked up against her and Poppy moaned out loud. God. What was he doing to her? With his lips, and his hot mouth, and-
His fingers?
Poppy gasped, pressing against him for more. He lapped at her in a maddening rhythm, swirling and sucking at her sensitive nub as one hand pinned her down in place and the other stroked lazily over her stomach and bare breasts. He toyed with one nipple, lightly pinching as his tongue dipped inside her, and god. Poppy gave up trying to process the sensations crashing through her, she just lay back and reveled in the waves of incredible pleasure Cooper was giving, driving her higher with every stroke until she was teetering on the edge of something, holding on for dear life.