“I didn’t use anything.” He backed away. Shoved his still eager cock back in his pants. “Piper—”

“I’m on birth control. And I’m clean.”

“So am I. You don’t fucking have to worry about that.” He’d attacked her like a starving man. Because when it came to her, he was starved. Famished. He’d wanted her for years and fought that need. Then she’d come to him. She’d chosen him.

I hope I didn’t screw this up. “Did I hurt you?”

She lifted her body so that she was sitting on the edge of the desk once more. She’d been sprawled across it while he took her, and he’d never forget that gorgeous sight.

But she hadn’t answered him. “Piper, did I hurt you?”

“No.” Her gaze darted over him. “I’d like to go again.”

She’d like to—

He grabbed the side of the desk and held on with all of his strength. It was either that, or—

“Do you want to go again, Eric? I mean, I know guys can’t always—”

“I can, not a problem.” Not even a mild problem. When you’d wanted a woman for as long as he’d wanted her, getting your dick up wasn’t a challenge. His dick was up. Up and hard and ready to go again and again.

But this time, he was going to use more finesse. This time, he’d show her care.

This time, he’d at least get her shirt off. Goal. He wanted to lick her nipples. Wanted to caress every single inch of her.

And he wanted to make love to her in a bed. Make love, not just fuck her. Because she was someone who mattered.

The one who mattered most.

He scooped her into his arms, and Piper gave a little gasp. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you.” Holding her. Keeping her close.

“Um, yeah, I can walk.”

They were already at the stairs. “But I really like having you in my arms.” She fit. She was warm and soft, and she eased a tension inside of him that he hadn’t even realized was there. He’d been restless, searching for something for so long.

When all that time, what he’d needed most was close by.

The fourth stair groaned beneath his feet.

“If you drop me while you are pulling this Rhett Butler routine, I will never forgive you.”

“I’d never drop you.” His hold tightened.

She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his neck. Then she licked him. “Do I get to taste this time?”

Okay, he almost stumbled. “Hell, yes.” And he double-timed it up those stairs as Piper’s warm, sexy laughter filled his ears.