Piper’s tongue swiped over her lower lip. “I don’t want to go slow.” Her whole life felt as if it had been lived in slow motion. And after everything that had happened—Jessica and Grady’s death, Ben’s horrible injuries, Dante…No, life wasn’t meant to be taken slowly. It was meant to be lived. You should grab every single moment, hold tight, and go wild. Experience everything—joy, fear, and love. Live. No holding back. “I want you. So…yes.”

“Yes?” His face went slack with shock.

“Yes.”

He let out a shout and hauled her down toward him. His mouth met hers in a wild, delirious kiss. They were both laughing and smiling and kissing, and she was so happy.

So incredibly happy.

She had a lover she trusted. A man who knew all of her secrets. A man who was ready to stand by her no matter what threats came.

A man who wouldn’t leave when the going got tough. A man who wanted her, who loved her—and she loved him just as fiercely.

When he thrust into her, she moaned and he growled out her name. He drove deep and hard, and her hips lifted eagerly toward him. He was what she wanted—the man she’d always crave.

Her nails raked over his arms as she urged him to go faster, even harder. His hand slid between their bodies, and he stroked her clit, caressing her even as his hips pistoned against her. He filled her completely, and her body was so sensitive, so tuned to him.

He kissed her, and she loved the feel of his mouth against hers. The man knew how to kiss. He knew how to caress her and how to give her the best pleasure.

He made certain that she came first. And she sure did. Piper’s orgasm slammed through her. Toe-curlingly awesome. So strong that she screamed as her whole body stiffened.

Then he came. He pushed deep inside of her and let go. He shuddered against her, and she could have sworn that she tasted the pleasure in his kiss.

Or maybe…maybe that was love.

When her head lifted, Piper smiled at him.

Chapter Nineteen

“I need to see Mark today,” Piper announced as she stood in Eric’s kitchen.

He lifted a mug of coffee to his lips, but a frown hardened his gaze. “He left the station. No charges were filed.” That didn’t mean charges wouldn’t be filed. The investigation was still ongoing, that was what Layla had texted to Eric. But the lawyer representing Mark had made sure that the guy was able to walk out of the station before dawn.

With Kendrick Shaw, you got what you paid for.

“May I borrow your phone?” She gave a little wince. “I need to get a new one or maybe Layla will return mine soon.”

He slid the phone toward her.