Soft ... warm ... wonderful. His own words come back to him, summoned by the feel of Pippa going sweetly pliant against his body. All the imaginings he's consciously or unconsciously stifled surge to the forefront of his mind, only to be supplanted by reality. Pippa, so very real and alive, breathing his name against his lips and whimpering into his mouth as they savor each other's mutual surrender. Yes. Yes yes yes, sweet heaven yes ...

He teases her gently, tongue flicking and stroking as he seeks to learn just how she likes to be kissed, sighing in pleased response when she essays delectably shy investigations of her own. He guides her trapped hand slowly up his chest and around his neck, then wraps both arms around her in an tender embrace, pressing her snugly against the length of his body.

So sweet. He pauses only to brush his lips repeatedly against her cheeks and forehead, breathing her name with each feathery caress until he returns to her mouth, the kiss more forceful this time, more overtly hungry.