Neither of them was looking for patience. They rolled together, a tangle of limbs grasping, groping, glorying in one another. The sheer physicality of it, flesh to flesh, mouth to mouth, had Zoe’s head reeling. Oh, she wanted to be touched like this, to feel so desperately like a woman, with a man’s hand streaking over her, with his lips savoring every thud of her pulse.

So she lost herself. No more nerves, no more fears. And if she loved, it only made the joy of mating more lovely.

She was every man’s fantasy. Stunningly responsive, breathlessly aggressive. And so beautiful, he thought. Undraped, the exquisite body was so slim, so perfect, he couldn’t believe it had ever carried a child. In the gilded light of dusk, her face was elegant, heart-stopping. Whenever he touched, wherever he touched, he could see the bold echo of her pleasure reflected in her eyes.

He watched those eyes glaze over, felt her body tense, heard her strangled cry of release. Swamped with the power of it, he drove her upward again until they were both panting for air, until she reared up from the bed and wrapped herself around him.

Damp skin slid over damp skin, hungry mouth sought hungry mouth. They rolled over the bed again, moaning, quivering. Then his hands gripped hers, and his mouth crushed her mouth. And he thrust inside her, hard and deep.

She felt the sensation as if it were a lance through her system, painful, glorious. For an instant, neither of them moved, they just stayed tensed and shuddering on the edge.

Then it was all movement, all speed, a wild race that ended with them both plunging deliriously over the finish line.

It wasn’t exactly the way he’d imagined, Coop thought. They were sprawled across his bed, Zoe curled against him. The light was nearly gone, and the room was full of shadows.

He’d imagined they would progress to the bedroom by stages. They were both adults and had known that was the ultimate goal, but he’d thought they would move slowly.

Then she’d been standing there smiling, the nerves shining in her eyes . . . He’d never wanted anything or anyone more in his life.

Still, he thought she deserved more than a quick tussle, however rewarding. But the night was young.

He flexed his arm to bring her head a little closer, brushed his lips over her temple. “Okay?”

“Mmm . . . At the very least.” Her body felt golden. She was surprised her skin didn’t glow in the dark.

“I rushed you a little.”

“No, perfect timing.”

He began to trail a finger up and down her arm. He wanted her again. Good God, his system was already churning to life. A little control, Coop, he ordered himself. “You’re going to stay?”

She opened her eyes, looking into his. “Yes.”

“I’m going to go get the wine.”

“That’s good.” She sighed as he left the bed. She’d forgotten how to deal with the after, she realized. Or with the before and during, for that matter, she thought with a wry smile. Though she thought she’d done pretty well so far.