The alcohol was making her bolder than usual. “Well, since we first heard about what Jeremy did I couldn’t get you out of my head. What you went through, everything you’d lost. If there was a way I could help both of you, it was just something I had to do. That’s how it started anyway. Then we started working together…”
They stared at each other, each trying to decide how much to say, or even what to say. Finally Evie spoke. “I can’t deny the pull I feel when I’m around you.”
She saw his eyes burn with passion before he closed them. When he opened them again after a moment the passion was gone. She felt he wasn’t feeling the same things as her and it made her sad.
After the internal battle, he finally said, “Tell me why you decided to open a bookstore.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding, not sure if she was relieved or sad they weren’t going to be getting into a serious conversation about their feelings. She went on to tell him how she had always loved to read and loved nothing better than recommending a book to someone who ended up loving it.
*
She’d lost track of how many drinks they’d had while talking about the differences in their upbringing and Lexi. She giggled as she came back into the room. All the drinking was making her have to use the bathroom frequently. He still seemed like he was sober, especially compared to her. As she got closer to their chairs, she tripped over the rug and landed on his lap.
“Sorry.” she laughed. “But I couldn’t have done so well if I wasn’t drinking.” She tried to get up but his arms closed around her and held her there. Turning to look at him with a puzzled look in her eyes hoping him keeping her here was because he wanted her.
“Stay. Right here. Stay. I’ve been caged for so long. You’ve brought me back to life, given me a reason to do more than just put one foot in front of the other. I need you.” With their eyes locked, he leaned in to gently kiss her.
Wrapping her arms around him, she let herself go and fall into the kiss. She couldn’t keep her hands off of him and started running them over his hard muscles, she felt the heat build within her. Wanting more, she straddled him. When his hands moved under her shirt, she moaned into his mouth. Her head tipped back when he lifted it up moving her bra with the shirt out of the way, his mouth capturing her nipple. She started grinding on him, wanting more. She tried to get his shirt off. Since that wasn’t working, she settled for taking her shirt and bra off giving him unlimited access.
He picked her up and moved closer to the fire and laid her down on the rug. She whimpered when he moved away but it was just to take his shirt off. He lay back down on top of her, the feel of skin on skin overwhelming. Looking at the shadows of his muscles in the firelight, she felt the fire burn in her. Grabbing him by the hair, she pulled him back to her mouth. Wanting dominance, she rolled them over so she was on top. It felt as if hands and lips were everywhere. When she felt his fingers along the waistband to her pants, she wanted to scream.
He tortured her by slowly removing the rest of her clothing, kissing all the way down then back up again. When he reached where she was dripping wet, his tongue and fingers flew at such a pace she went over the edge quickly. Looking at him through half closed eyes, she wanted more. She wanted to feel him inside her. When he took his pants off, she told herself to calm down and not tackle him. Once the condom was on, he moved like a predator towards her positioning himself between her legs.
Looking deep into her eyes, not yet inside, he paused. “Stop me now. Once isn’t going to be enough. I’m going to want you forever. If you don’t want that, stop me now.”
There was nothing else she wanted more than him. “There is nothing that could make me stop you.”
Feeling him slowly slide into her and fill her up, her eyes rolled back in her head and he captured her lips with his. Their pace picked up until the frenzy of their love-making shocked her. She loved the fact that he was so strong, he could move her from one position to another with little effort. When they both finally came, she was shocked at the intensity of it. Laying there shaking in his arms, she’d never felt so complete.
*
The last thing Evie remembered was Anthony carrying her up from the study to his room and putting her into bed. As his arms came around her, she fell into a dreamless sleep. Waking up and not feeling those arms around her made her heart fall. She feared he was having second thoughts. Rolling over she saw him sitting, fully clothed, in a chair by the window looking at her. They stared at each other for a few moments before he finally spoke.
“Our plane leaves in four hours, we’d better get moving.”
“Well, good morning to you too.” She threw the covers off and got out of bed. Naked, she stalked out of his room and went into hers. Throwing clothes into her suitcase, she called him every name she could think of.
“Very colorful language.”
“What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”
“Evie, last night…”
“Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.” She whirled towards him and poked her finger in his chest.