for so long, Anna. You wouldn’t believe how good.” Eight months since I’d had to work that party in New York. Nothing besides that except snogs in bars if whisperers showed. I wonder if she’s able to understand how difficult it’s been, how much I’ve missed her. A set of tears run down her cheeks. I want to wipe them, but I don’t know if I’m allowed to touch her.
“When I saw you on Valentine’s Day I was going to tell you everything. . . .” I ramble on about how I’d found out about her and Kope. “I rang Marna, expecting another no, but she hesitated . . . and there was nothing worth being good for anymore.”
I need to shut up. I’m digging myself a hole. Inexplicably, Anna holds out her hand to me. I stare at her offering for a moment before I take her hand in mine.
She pulls me to her and says with conviction, “No more. No more running in the wrong direction.”
I exhale and feel the tension from my body release as she holds me tighter. It’s going to be all right. We’re going to work through this. I once again marvel at Anna’s ability to forgive, to love selflessly. I only wish I could erase all the pain I’ve caused her.
“No more,” I promise her. I start by gently kissing under one of her eyes, and then the other, and down her cheeks, soaking up the salty tears on my lips.
Her hands are strong as she reaches up to grip the sides of my face. “You run to me,” she demands. And then she kisses me hard.
Her forwardness ignites me. I back her into the washer and dryer. My knee parts her legs until it’s between her thighs. She is what I need. I know without a doubt I will never again run to another. “To you,” I say against her mouth. “I swear it.”
Our kiss turns frenzied and I fear I’ll never be able to get enough. I fear my need will always overtake me. It’s hard to control myself when she’s wild like this, but if I focus on Anna and her pleasure, instead of my own, perhaps that will sate me.
I think about the striptease she did at Blake’s and my mind goes berserk. Those thighs. If I can get her naked but keep my own clothes on . . . just for a moment.
My lips pull from hers and move to her ear. I’m strangely nervous. I don’t want to scare her away. I grip her tightly.
“Let me see you again,” I whisper.
“What?” she whispers back.
I don’t ease up on my tight hold of her, and I nibble the freckle atop her lip. I know I’m being too vague, but I’m afraid she’ll balk if I grunt, “Naked. Now,” as I really want to. So I choose my words carefully, knowing I’ll need to take this slowly, layer by layer.
“Let me undress you. Not all the way . . . just as you were today at Blake’s. Please. Let me see you again.”
Our cheeks are together, and after a moment I feel her nod. I don’t hesitate. I pull the tank top over her head, and my pulse races at the sight of her pink bra and all that gorgeous, creamy skin.
She reaches for my shirt, and I almost stop her, but the thought of my skin against hers changes my mind. I let her take my shirt off, but that’s it. When the cloth is over my head I smash myself against her, taking her mouth with mine and reveling in the feel of our chests, arms, and stomachs flush together. She is so soft, and when our skin touches, the temperature goes up.
I stop only to look at her, to make sure she’s ready for the next layer to come off. She says nothing, only breathes rapidly as I feel around the edges of her shorts and slowly remove them.
There are hips, thighs, and legs in my sight now, and I am dying to be naked with her. I close my eyes, and my head drops back. Keep your shorts on, Rowe. I’m going to focus on Anna. Her pleasure will be my pleasure.
“Let me kiss you,” I beg.
“Okay,” she whispers.
“No.” I look at her, needing to be clear. “I need to kiss your body.”
Her mouth opens but it takes a second for the word “Okay” to slip out again. I think she knows exactly what I