by K. L. Ramsey
“Geez Lorna, I thought that you were going to break down my door.” Piper ran her fingers through her knotty hair, trying to pull it back from her face. She stretched and, apparently, it was amusing.
“Well, Piper, is this how you usually answer your door? I dare say this is why Taggart has been trying to chase you down all year.”
Piper tried to cover her body but there wasn’t a whole lot of fabric to make that work.
“Don’t be silly, I could hear you shouting for me to open the door. I knew it was you before I even got out of bed. Which I was in, by the way, sleeping.”
“Alone?” Lorna’s question made Piper snicker.
“Yes, alone! Sunny was here until the wee hours of the morning, so I was trying to sleep in a little today.” Piper wiped the sleep from her eyes and ushered Lorna into her house. She really didn’t want to give the neighbors a peep show.
“I need coffee. You want some?” Lorna followed her into her tiny kitchen and helped her brew two cups of coffee. Piper doctored hers with a whole lot of cream and sugar, while Lorna sipped at hers black.
“Sunny called and told me all about your date with Tag. Why did I have to hear it from her and not you?” Lorna looked hurt. Sometimes Piper forgot that her aunt had no one else but her. They were two peas in a pod after Piper’s parents died. Lorna raised Piper as if she were her own child. Her aunt never married and never had any children of her own.
“I’m sorry, Lorna. Did Sunny tell you that she ambushed me? I didn’t know that I was going on a date, so I didn’t have anything to tell you. After Sunny left, I collapsed in my bed.”
Piper sipped at her coffee.
“I get it, Pipe, but you left out the part that last night was your first date, ever. I understand that you haven’t had time to tell me about what happened last night with Tag. I guess I’m a little sad that you never shared your lack of dating life with me.” Lorna tried to act like she was okay with everything, but Piper could see the disappointment in her aunt’s eyes.
Piper crossed the room to where Lorna stood, staring into her coffee. “You’re right, I should have told you about my non-existent dating life. But I honestly didn’t think it was a big deal, at least it wasn’t to me.”
“Piper, you are turning twenty-six in a day and you have never had a first date? So, I’m guessing that means that you have never had sex, unless you’re into just hooking up for one night with a guy.” Piper groaned at the mention of sex. That was the last topic she wanted to cover with her aunt. She could feel her cheeks burning red and covered her eyes with her hands.
“You can’t hide from this. We are two adults having an adult conversation. It’s just sex.”
“Oh God, can you stop saying that word?” Piper tried to leave the room, but Lorna stepped in her way.
“Piper, stop being a child and take your hands away from your face. You know I can still see you, right?” You used to hide that way when you were little. It’s time to face reality.” Lorna pulled Piper’s arms down to her sides and held them there.
“Fine,” Piper hissed, “I have never had a first date or a first kiss, until last night with Tag. And as for your other question—”
“About sex?” Lorna smirked
“Yes, fine. About sex. I have never done that either.” Piper really wished that she could cover her face, but Lorna was still holding her arms down to her sides.
“Do you want to do that, with Tag?”
“Can we please stop talking about this? What I do or don’t do with Tag is my business.”
“Just don’t let your fears stop you from finding your happiness, Pipe. If having sex with Tag will make you happy, then I say you go for it. He’s a hottie.”
Lorna and Piper were both startled when they heard someone clear their throat from the front foyer. Piper peeked around the corner, from the kitchen, to find Tag’s hulking figure standing in her little house. She groaned and covered her eyes again as Lorna made her way to where he stood.
“Well, hello handsome. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” She went up on her tiptoes to hug Tag. From what she could see through her fingers, he seemed almost as uncomfortable as Piper felt.
“So, what brings you over to my niece’s house so early this morning? I heard you two had a big date last night.”
Tag stuttered his reply, it was almost a whisper. “Yes ma’am,” was all he could get out. Piper removed one of her hands to watch him more closely. He was actually blushing, which Piper found completely adorable. Tag was shy—who knew? Or at least Tag was shy when being grilled by Lorna about dating her niece. Damn it, why did this man have to be so endearing?
He haunted her dreams, but it was a welcome change to her normal nightmares about her parents. Last night, she’d had dreams of being on Tag’s bed while he kissed his way down her naked body. She was restless and needy most of the night. And now, here he stood being grilled by her aunt and not running for the nearest mountain. He intrigued her.
Tag caught her staring at him, and she couldn’t look away. The way he looked at her, she could see the desire in his eyes and it just about took her breath away. He was better than any dream she could conjure about him. Lorna seemed to know that she had outstayed her welcome. She looked between the two of them, shook her head and left, shutting the door behind herself.
“Sorry, your door was wide open. I worried that something was wrong, so I came in. I didn’t mean to interrupt your discussion with Lorna. I can just leave.”
Piper barked out her laugh. “Lorna just left, Tag, so you aren’t interrupting anymore. Why are you here so early this morning?”
Tag looked her up and down, Piper followed his gaze and realized that she was standing in the middle of her foyer, talking to Tag in her t-shirt and panties. Again, she tugged at her shirt, trying to cover herself, but it didn’t help. She looked back to Tag and could feel the heat from his gaze.
“Tag, stop looking at me that way.” Piper ran to her kitchen, giving him a glimpse of her barely covered ass. She didn’t know where to hide, she just wanted to crawl into a hole. Tag, of course, was right behind her.
“Piper, you don’t need to hide, honey. I’d see more of you if we were at the beach. Besides, you look hot. Is that what you sleep in?” Tag was trying to pull her into his body, Piper swiped at his arms, but it was like trying to slap a brick wall. Tag didn’t budge. She gave up trying and snuggled into his embrace.
“Morning, honey.” Tag angled her head, pulling her up for a kiss. She tried to protest at first, but after his tongue found its way into her mouth she gave up and kissed him back. What was it about this man that made her want to climb him like a tree? They were both breathless when Tag broke away from the kiss.
“Um, good morning.” Piper squeaked. Tag laughed, snuggling closer to her body. His hands were everywhere, finally settling on her ass.
“Honey, I like your version of pajamas. I especially like these.”
Piper couldn’t help but push her bottom into Tag’s hands. She wasn’t sure what she was doing, or even if she was doing it right. She just knew that it felt good, even right.
Tag growled into her unruly hair. “Honey, you keep teasing me like that and I won’t be the gentleman that I was planning on being this morning.” He flexed his fingers, grabbing her ass harder.
Piper smiled up at him. “And here I thought you came over to kiss me good morning. So, why are you here then?”
“I’d swim halfway around the world to kiss you good morning, Piper.” He gave her another hard kiss, leaving her even more breathless. “I came over to ask you if you wanted to hike anywhere special tomorrow, for your birthday trip.”
“That’s so sweet.” Piper gushed, causing another groan from Tag.
“I’m not sweet, Piper. You need to just get that crazy idea out of your pretty head.”
“Okay, now you’re being grumpy. Does that work?”
Tag laughed. Piper wished they could stay like this for the rest of the day
. Being half naked in Tag’s arms had her wishing for other things that she never really wanted. Tag caressed her ass, seeming to read her thoughts.
“Honey, if you keep looking at me like that, I can guarantee you that neither of us will be getting anything done today.”
“How did you know what I’m thinking?” Piper sounded breathless, even to her own ears.
Because I’m thinking the same thing but probably dirtier. I’ve been waiting a very long time for you, Piper. I don’t think I can wait much longer.” Tag pinned her up against the wall, trapping her against his body with his hands on either side of her head. He was so big, she felt petite around him. Usually, at almost six feet tall, she felt like a giraffe. But, with Tag, she fit perfectly.
“I know that you’re new to all of this, honey. So, if I’m going too fast, you need to let me know.”
Tag ran his big hand up her thigh, stroking over her drenched sex through her panties. She felt a rush of heat and moaned into Tag’s chest. Piper braced her hands on his shoulders for support, feeling as if her legs were going to give out. Tag wrapped one arm around her to hold her steady. With his other hand, he pulled up her t-shirt, gaining access to her breasts. Her nipples puckered at his touch, sending new waves of heat and wetness to her core.
“God, yes, don’t stop Tag.” At her coaxing, he seemed to pick up the pace. It was like he had a green light; his hands moved all over her body, grabbing, pinching, squeezing. She couldn’t get enough. Her breathy moans seemed to fill her small kitchen. Tag ground his erection into her belly and she was consumed with need.
“Tag, I need—” She couldn’t seem to decide what she wanted or needed from him.
“I know, honey. I’ve got you.” Tag took her mouth, his tongue sweeping in to find hers. She felt as though she was melting everywhere he touched her. Her body felt like it was on fire. He lifted her t-shirt over her head, giving him better access to her body. She stood there, in just her panties, while Tag took his time looking at her. She almost wanted to cover herself, but Tag held her arms to her sides.
“Beautiful,” was all he said as he knelt before her. He slowly slid her panties down her legs and off. He made a humming noise, that almost sounded like appreciation.
“I’m going to taste you, here.” He ran one big finger through her sex, causing her knees to buckle. Tag pulled his finger away and sucked it into his mouth. She almost couldn’t watch. It seemed so wrong that he would do that, but it was too hot for her not to watch. Again, he hummed his approval.
“You taste so fucking good Piper.” He parted her folds with his fingers and licked her clit, sucking it into his hot mouth. She had never experienced anything like it, the sensations were all too much. Her moan filled the room and sounded like a feral animal.
“You like that, don’t you honey?”
Piper tried to speak but could only manage a nod. Tag chuckled into her drenched folds, sending shock waves through her system. He plunged one finger into her opening, thrusting as deep as he could go.
“You’re so tight. It’s going to feel so good to be inside of you.” Tag sucked her clit back into his mouth, adding a second finger. She couldn’t take anymore; the sensations were all too much. She felt her entire body explode sending her over the edge of pleasure. Tag continued to pump his fingers into her tight opening while sucking and licking her clit. She collapsed onto him, his arm banded around her lithe body, offering her support.
Tag pulled her into his lap, cuddling and kissing her all over. “You are so beautiful, Piper.”
“That was incredible,” she whispered. “You make me feel beautiful, Tag.” Piper wrapped her arms around him, not wanting the moment to end.
“Honey, I hate to say this, but I have to get into the store. I have clients coming in to book a trip and I need to radio Torren to see how he and his group are doing.” Piper groaned into Tag's neck, not wanting to move. Tag laughed, hugging her tighter.
“How about you think about where you’d like to hike tomorrow and text me later? I have to take a group out for an evening bonfire tonight, so I won’t see you until the morning.”
“For good morning kisses?” Piper heard the hopefulness in her own voice. She didn’t want to turn into that needy girlfriend, but Tag made her feel things that she never had before.
“I think we can arrange some good morning kisses. How about I pick you up at 8am and we can head to the store together, to pick up our gear?”
“Will you have coffee?” Piper couldn’t function without her morning coffee.
Tag chuckled again, “Yeah, I’ll have coffee. And maybe some of Sunny’s donuts, if you play your cards right.” He kissed the tip of her nose and pulled them both off the kitchen floor. Piper suddenly felt very naked. Tag found her t-shirt on the floor and helped her put it back on while she pulled on her panties.
Tag’s gaze heated. “Next time, Piper, we will both be naked, and I plan on keeping you that way for a very long time.” Piper could feel her cheeks burn. Tag kissed her goodbye and headed for her door.
Piper found herself grinning like a fool again. “Next time,” she repeated his promise.
Chapter Seven
Tag looked at his watch again and groaned when he realized that only five minutes had passed since the last time he checked it. The day was dragging by at an agonizing pace. Torren had checked in twice to say that everything was going according to plan. His brother seemed to be in good spirits—of course the three extremely hot women on the trip with him could account for his good mood. But he was always so easy going; he never really took anything too seriously.
When their grandfather, Dane, had died, Torren had mourned with Tag but, a few days later, fell into another woman’s bed. He was starting to think that Torren was going to run out of women to sleep with in town. It was a good thing that their little adventure company brought new conquests in for his brother, otherwise he feared that Torren would get bored of Harvest Ridge and leave. It was really the only fear that Tag had. Torren was so like their father and Tag was afraid that he would just disappear one day, just as their old man had. The thought terrified Tag. Torren was all he had left in the world. He wouldn’t know how to survive without his brother by his side.
While Tag waited for his afternoon clients, he stacked the firewood that he needed into the bed of his pick-up truck. He liked doing bonfires on the mountain. He could show his clients a little slice of his idea of heaven, eat smores and drink hot cocoa, and sleep in his own bed at night. Tonight, he wanted nothing more than to sleep in Piper’s bed. He hadn’t planned on tasting her this morning but finding her in those skimpy panties and tight t-shirt nearly did him in. Once Lorna had left, all he could think about was getting Piper naked and reminding her of what she agreed to. Remembering the way she’d reacted to him made him hard; he really needed to get himself under control before his clients showed up.
Keeping Piper was going to be the difficult part. He knew that she had commitment issues, but he was hoping that he was enough to tear them down. Losing his own parents had taught him that life is too short to waste time worrying. He can’t control the future, so he’d decided a long time ago that he was just going to enjoy the ride.
On his twenty-eighth birthday, he’d decided that he wanted to settle down. He was done with dating all the wrong women in town. Heck, most of them wanted to be with Torren but settled for him instead. He was sick of his brother’s leftovers, so he’d stopped dating completely. He’d taken a break, hoping that a clear head and a positive attitude would lead him to the right person.
One day he’d gone into town after spending a few nights at his grandfather’s cabin. He’d been up there sorting through all of Dane’s papers, trying to get the place ready to sell. Since it had been an unusually hot day he’d decided to grab some ice cream, and that was when he literally ran into Piper. She’d dumped about half a gallon of melting rocky road down his t-shirt. He’d fallen for her that day and decided that she was the person he wanted to
be with.
He'd gone back to the cabin, called Torren and told him that he wanted to keep Dane’s place. His run in with Piper had seemed to clear up the fog that he had been living in. Suddenly, he could see his future, which included Piper and the family that they would have, living in the cabin where he was raised. Tag found it funny that a beautiful woman, who had always lived right under his nose, and a tub of rocky road ice cream could change his entire life.
The next morning he’d asked her out and she had turned him down flat. Now, a year later, he saw that she was well worth the wait. He still felt a little blindsided by how much he wanted her. Here he was, busy as hell and still thinking about Piper. Maybe he just needed to sleep with her and that would calm down his overactive libido. But after just one taste, he didn’t think he could ever get enough. However, he knew that wanting forever with Piper Flynn was dangerous.
***
Piper woke up at dawn again. Her erotic dreams had all been about Tag. His hot mouth and skilled hands had done wicked things to her all night long and she woke up feeling needy and on edge. She was thankful that her nightmares seemed to be taking a back seat to her sultry dreams of Tag, but she was tired. The aching deep in her core only intensified when she woke, and she wasn’t quite sure how to make it stop. She was sure of one thing though—she wanted Tag.
She showered and pulled on a pair of cut off shorts, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt. She knew that the morning would start off chilly, but by midday it was supposed to be warm. She was looking forward to spending the day with her friends, but being with Tag was all she could think about.
Last night she’d been hoping that his bonfire would end early so that he’d be able to sneak over to kiss her good night. If she was being honest, she had to admit that she wished that he would just stay the night and kiss her good morning too. She knew she was rushing things, but she couldn’t help it. Twenty-six years of virginity was playing against her biological clock. She wanted to be with Tag and experience what other couples had.