Sean let go of her long enough to toe off his boots and shove his pants down. He waited for her laughter that he’d worn the “Fine” briefs, but Andrea’s eyes darkened as she looked him over, then she slid her arms around him, fingers under the waistband.

He kissed her lips, taking her in slow, long strokes. Her mouth was hot, willing, tasting of whatever beer she’d drunk while out with Glory. Damn lucky beer to slide down her throat. Sean bit her lip and then traced the path the liquid would have taken until he swirled his tongue across her navel.

He tugged at the waistband of her jeans. “Your turn.”

Andrea, bless her, gave him a show. She slowly undulated her hips as she stepped back from him, sliding her shoes from her feet. She unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, the hips rocking, teasing him, enticing him.

Andrea turned around while she eased the jeans down, so that Sean saw her lovely dark hair falling down her bare back, her sweet ass coming into view covered with a bikini panty of gray satin. She stepped out of the jeans and glanced back over her shoulder.

Sean closed the distance between them in two strides, wrapped his arms around her from behind, slid his hands into her panties, and easily found the warm, wet core of her. She gasped as he touched her heat.

He’d seen her naked before—they’d both shed clothes when they’d shifted. But this was different; this was slow, and this was hot. Shifting was about the animal, and the animal didn’t care anything about clothes or nakedness. It only wanted the feel of fur and fangs, wanted to give in to the instinct of the hunt. Screwing in animal form was basic, hard, and swift, and had nothing to do with nudity and sensuality.

What Sean did now was about loving, about savoring the goodness of her.

Sean licked Andrea’s shoulder as he slid his fingers into her, Andrea warm and wet and open. Andrea, a woman who’d never felt a man inside her, stifled a groan.

He knew he needed to go slowly with her. The beast in him wanted to rip the panties from her, spread her legs, and lift her so that he’d fit against her from behind. His c**k was pounding at him, telling him to do it and be done.

But Sean never could. He wanted to feel Andrea surrounding him, wanted to watch her eyelids grow heavy as he loved her. He wanted her to give him that seductive smile as he licked the curve of her lips, see the shine of her eyes as she felt him inside her.

Andrea leaned back against him, eyes closed, as she enjoyed what Sean did. He could open her like this, with his fingers, get her used to being touched, entered. It would take time, and his body wanted him to hurry.

Too bad. I’m savoring this.

Andrea wriggled her hips, much as she had the night she and Sean had patched up Ronan in the bar’s office. Then as now, she gave him a sly look and repeated, “Is that where you keep your sword, or are you just happy to see me?”

Sean nipped her ear. “Andy-love, don’t play with fire.”

“Why not? It’s fun.” The word ended on a gasp and a groan as Sean slid a second finger inside her.

The panties were cute but too much in the way. Sean eased his fingers out, trying not to groan when he heard her disappointed whimper, and snagged his hands through the elastic. He slid the panties down and off, then decided to stay there, on his knees, on eye level with Andrea’s sweet little ass.

Not for long, because Andrea turned to face him. She was beautiful. Her waist nipped in above curved hips, and her tummy rose and fell as she took a nervous breath. Sean blew softly on the black ringlets awaiting him between her thighs, the curls already damp with her wanting.

“Spread your legs a little for me,” Sean whispered. “That’s my girl.”

Andrea gripped the counter while Sean nuzzled her, her feet sliding apart. Sean leaned into her and let himself feast.

She tasted so damn good. Andrea, my mate. Salty and smooth, sweet and tart, a mixture of tastes that was all her own. And she belonged to Sean. No male had touched her or tasted her, only Sean. The knowledge spoke to primal forces deep inside him, the feral Shifter that wanted no other to touch the one he claimed. Long ago, the Fae had bred so much animal into Shifters, and the beast in Sean wanted Andrea.

He licked her, slowly at first, then speeding his attack as she swayed her hips, little cries leaving her mouth. She furrowed her hands into his hair, hands strong, her body wanting to thrust against him.

Sean was dying for her, but it would be easier on her if he first brought her to climax, opened her, relaxed her. He could do that for her. And it wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy licking her, tasting her, nipping at the sweet berry that waited for his tongue.

He felt her body start to open and respond, a basic, hard reaction that erased all thoughts. It began with her drawing a surprised breath, her legs stiffening, her hands clenching at her sides. Then another gasp, followed by a wordless cry. And then Andrea was writhing against Sean, calling his name, hands in his hair, thrusting against his mouth and begging him to do all he wanted.

Sean obliged, drinking her sweet cream. He teased her, tasting her, his mouth pressed hard to her to suckle her. He caressed her thighs, cradled her tight bu**ocks, loving the smooth feel of her skin.

Finally Sean tilted his head back, satisfied, and looked up at her. She gazed down at him, face soft with release, red lips parted.

“Sean,” she whispered brokenly.

Sean got slowly to his feet, letting his hands run up her body as he rose. He finished by cupping her face in his hands, then leaning down and kissing her mouth.

The kiss was deep, and she opened for him, even though his lips were still wet with her. Sean ran his hands down her back, lifted her to him, kept on kissing her. He was rock hard for her, but he still wore the briefs, and rubbing against her was not relieving the pressure.

Sean broke the kiss, traced her cheek with his thumb. “I want to finish this.”

Andrea nodded, as though it weren’t even a question.

She felt her feet leave the ground as Sean lifted her into his arms. He was strong, never faltering as he went up the stairs.

Damn, this was dangerous. Knowing Sean could make her feel like that took away Andrea’s power. She’d wanted him before, to explore his body, to discover him, to touch and tease. Now Sean had turned the tables, letting her know he could mold her like clay any time he wanted to. All he had to do was touch Andrea, and she’d do anything he asked.

She couldn’t lose herself like this. But she found no words to deny him as he carried her into her bedroom and laid her on the bed.