She didn’t even crack a smile. Goes to show how shaken up she is. “I’m sure you’re a better driver in Boston. I can’t even think about driving there. It’s hard enough to cross the street.”
“You get used to it.”
“You mean all the honking and yelling?” I nodded and she added, “I’ll let you drive in Boston and I’ll drive here, thank you.”
“Planning on coming back to Boston?” I wouldn’t mind enjoying her company longer.
“Eventually, yes.” I saw her eyes fill with sadness.
Fuck. I wanted to tell her I was looking for a way out for her. She might tell me to mind my damn business. That is exactly what I’d say if someone who was practically a stranger started interfering in my life. Of course, that didn’t mean I was going to stop. You need my help even if you don’t know it.
From where I stood, running The Treasured Chest was costing her already. Yes, I wanted her to sell, but not if it put her happiness in the red. There has to be a way for us both to get what we want.
I was only assuming I knew what that was for Anne, so it was time to dig deeper. Asking questions would invite her to reciprocate, so I needed to focus her on imagining her own future.
“There’d be a lot more to do than sit and watch television. It sure as hell would beat Bermoose. Don’t you think?” I prodded.
Anne nodded. “I would agree. When I wasn’t studying or working, I would either be at a museum or taking in some form of live entertainment. You wouldn’t even believe it. I went to the opera.”
“And what did you think?” I asked. It was something I never could get into, yet my parents brought us at least once a year. They believed it would make us well-rounded individuals. But I was always good at finding an alternative. Sit as far as possible from my parents. Nothing pleased me more than when wireless earbuds were invented. It meant I could discreetly pop my earbuds in so I could listen to anything other than opera.
“I’m embarrassed to tell you,” Anne replied.
That piqued my interest. “Now you have to share it.”
With a huff, she said, “I fell asleep. And not just dozing off, but a deep sleep.”
“How is that embarrassing?”
“Well, I was really overtired and it was allergy season. I get sinus issues around that time of year, like clockwork. Which of course can lead to…snoring. Loud snoring. I almost died when they came and woke me up. I remember hearing this god-awful sound, and later learned it had come from me,” she sighed.
There was no holding back. I burst out laughing like I hadn’t done in years. “That’s priceless.”
Anne growled. “I don’t think it’s very nice that you’re laughing at me.”
“No. I’m laughing with you,” I said.
“But I’m not laughing,” she clarified sternly.
I wasn’t expecting this old embarrassment to still be a sore spot. But then again, I’ve been told I can be insensitive. Containing my laughter, I said, “I’m sorry. Wasn’t trying to be rude.”
She shot me a quick look before turning her attention back to the road. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”
“Excuse me? Are you saying you didn’t snore and disrupt the entire theater?” I teased, knowing damn well now that she hadn’t been upset or troubled in the least.
Anne snorted and said, “I think there were a few people on the balcony who might not have heard me. So as you can see, I will never go to the opera again.” Then she added, “You weren’t going to ask me, were you?”
“Let’s just say that if I’d have been there when you were snoring, it would have been the highlight of my night. I can appreciate how talented they are. I just don’t want to listen to it.”
“That’s two for two,” she said.
“On what?” I asked.
“We both dislike the opera and both like comedy.”
Normally this is when I’d point out all the things we didn’t have in common so the woman understood I wasn’t truly interested in her. But I was having a hard time coming up with anything now. The only glaring difference between us was that Anne put other people’s needs above her own. I could never be accused of doing such a thing. It didn’t mean I didn’t think of them or care, but if I didn’t take care of myself and my business, who would?
“However, I believe this conversation started with you comparing our driving abilities,” I joked. “Have you changed your mind on that?”
She giggled. “Absolutely….not.”
We pulled into the driveway and I carried the Chinese food inside. I could feel every step I took. The patrolman was right, today was worse. I sucked it up because I didn’t want Anne playing nursemaid to me again tonight. Our time together was limited, and I wanted this fun, easygoing time to continue.
Our joking continued throughout dinner until she collapsed onto the couch. “I swear I won’t be able to eat for a month after all that.”
“You say that, but I bet we’re both looking for a snack in an hour,” I replied.
“Well, I can’t go to sleep now. Too much food. Goodness, you’d have thought we were having a party. When I told you what I like, they were just suggestions on what to get. You weren’t supposed to order them all,” she said, her hand rubbing her stomach.
“I just figured you were really hungry,” I teased.
Reaching behind her head, Anne grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at me.
“Be very careful. You wouldn’t want to start a pillow fight you’re too tired to finish,” I warned.
She sat up and looked me straight in the eye. “You might want to know now that I don’t back down from a challenge.”
Stepping closer, with pillow in hand, I said teasingly, “Prove it.”
Anne grabbed two more pillows and got up off the couch. “You’re going to regret this.”
I highly doubt it.
She took a swing and the first one hit my right shoulder. Then another swing higher, for my head. I ducked and it caused her to go into a spin. I took advantage of her back being to me and swatted her ass with my pillow.
“Ha. Got ya!”
She turned back and said, “We’re just starting.” Anne leaped at me.
I dropped the pillow and scooped her into my arms. “Now what are you going to do?” I asked.
She wrapped her legs around me and said, “It looks more like I have you.”
You fucking do.
“Like you, I don’t back down from a challenge. Tonight, I’m going to kiss you until you can’t remember your name.” I whispered close to her ear, “If you’re not totally sure about this, I suggest you concede now.”
Anne licked her lips slowly, maintaining intense eye contact. “Challenge accepted,” she said breathlessly.
Claiming her lips, I parted them with my tongue. I wasn’t playing. I needed to taste her sweetness again. I felt a hunger, an urgency, that I’d never felt before. The ache that had haunted me since the first time we kissed. Now it was so powerful, it might kill me if I had to stop.
Anne sucked on my tongue gently as it explored her mouth. It was as though she enjoyed teasing me, and my mind instantly wondered what it would feel like to have those sweet lips of hers wrapped around my cock.
Damn it. I felt my cock throbbing for attention. I might just lose this challenge and it might be over even before we get started.
I was tempted to walk back to the couch, lay her down, and drive hard and fast into her. I don’t even think she’d resist. My hands cupped her ass and she moaned into my mouth as she pulled herself even closer in my embrace. I might think I’m in control, but apparently, she does, too.
No matter how hard it was to fight my own needs, I had to make sure all hers were met first. I want to hear her scream out my name and beg me for more.
All I knew was she was overdressed. So was I. My cock wanted out of the confines of these jeans. With her still in my arms, I asked, “Care to finish this challenge? My room or yours?”
As thoug
h my question just registered, her eyes widened. Fuck. This is going to end in another cold shower, isn’t it?
Instead, Anne said, “I’d have said the couch, but it’s easier to clean sheets.” She leaned in and nipped my right earlobe, then said, “My room.”
Without any hesitation and in long strides I entered her room, kicked the door shut, and laid her gently on the king bed. “I’m glad you chose this room. I only have a double.”
“If we got too cramped, I could always offer to be…on top,” she said, biting her bottom lip.
Are you really trying to get me to come in my shorts? She was fucking driving me wild with just her words. I couldn’t even imagine how I’d be able to hold back once she was around my cock.
I reached over and turned on the lamp beside her bed. I’d gotten a sample of what lay beneath all those clothes when she was in her towel. But tonight, I wanted to see every damn inch of her.
I started to strip off my clothes and Anne did the same, with a bit more difficulty since she was still on the bed. Nothing stopped her as she stripped off each layer. Only when we were both fully naked did I allow my eyes to break from hers, pausing every few inches to etch her body into my soul. When my eyes traveled back up I stopped. Her breasts were full and perky, waiting for the attention I was only too eager to give.
I stepped closer and climbed onto the bed, covering her sweet, cool body with mine. I inched myself a bit lower so my lips were just inches from her taut nipples. Lowering my head, I kissed, tugged, and nipped the first one until she moaned with pleasure. And when I twirled my tongue around her nipple and sucked it again her back arched off the bed and she moaned even louder.
This is just the beginning, sweetheart.
My hand reached up and cupped her other breast, rolling the nipple between my fingers. As my mouth moved from her breast to her neck, and then down between her two perfect peaks, Anne ran her fingers in my hair.
“Oh Andrew… I… oh Andrew…”
She still knew my name. The challenge was far from over.
I continued my exploration of her breasts, stopping only to nibble my way across her collarbone and up to her ear. When I nipped her earlobe she groaned, and when I ground my hips against her she did the same. She was ready, and I could easily slip my cock inside her, but not yet. I wanted her to come first.
“Sweetheart, don’t tease me. Not yet.”
Anne tugged at me impatiently. “Andrew, I want . . .” followed by an even deeper moan as I pinched her nipple gently.
Ignoring her pleas, I inched myself even lower. I licked and nipped her the entire way. She purred as my mouth crossed over her abdomen and came to rest on her hip.
“I need,” she moaned, “more.”
“And you shall have it. But I want all of you first.”
She wiggled her hips beneath me and parted her legs. “Yes, Andrew, I need you to…kiss me. Kiss all of…me…” she begged breathlessly.
I wasn’t about to deny her. I reached between her legs and slipped my fingers between her wet folds until I found her swollen clit. She shuddered against me and then opened her legs even farther.
“Is this what you want?” I asked as I slowly circled her clit. Her breathing increased and I knew I was bringing her even higher.
“I . . .I. . .oh . . ” She responded so softly, in half moans.
She wasn’t the only one who wanted more. My mouth was only inches from her core and I inhaled the sweet scent of her. I repositioned myself and blew on her, asking, “Or maybe this?”
“Yes. Please, Andrew. Please….” she begged.
I slipped one finger inside her and pulled it back out. “You’re so wet,” I said as I entered her again and again. Anne arched her back and gripped the sheets with each thrust of my finger. But when I circled her clit at the same time, her body trembled.
Growling, I said, “Damn it. I need to taste you.”
Replacing my thumb with my lips I felt her body grow warmer. Oh, yes. My tongue darted out to lick her clit again and again, circling it and teasing her. As I sucked, her legs trembled again. Damn. She’s so fucking responsive to my touch that I never want to stop.
I could tell that she was so close to releasing, and I wanted to feel her come around my fingers. Entering her deeply, this time with two fingers, I fingered her G-spot while continuing to lick and suck her clit.
It didn’t take long before she screamed out my name and thrashed from side to side, trying to hold control. I entered her faster and deeper until I felt her core pulse and tighten around my fingers as her body jerked.
She screamed out, “Yes! Oh, yes!”
Quickly I retrieved a condom from the wallet in my jeans pocket and sheathed myself.
I had more in my suitcase in my room, which with any luck, I’d need later.
I returned to the bed, positioning myself between her legs. Gripping her hips, I pulled her close so her ass rested on my thighs. Then taking the tip of my cock I stroked her between her hot, wet folds and circled her clit with my cock, just as I had with my tongue.
She shuddered and said, “Are you…trying…to…kill me?”
My cock throbbed and ached from holding back. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I said.
“Andrew, I’m in pain now. I need you…inside of me. Please… I…”
The look in her eyes sent me over the edge. One thrust and I was deep inside her. She tensed briefly. Fuck.
“Did I hurt you?” I asked softly.
She shook her head and wiggled her hips, bringing me even deeper. I entered her faster, my thrust and movements taking on a force of their own. Anne gripped the sheets as I fucked her hard, grinding as though she couldn’t get enough of me. She reached up and raked her fingernails down my chest, then across her own body and over her breasts.
I could barely hold back, and as her body began to shake and thrash violently, I knew she was losing herself in another explosive orgasm.
Yes. Fuck, yes.
I was on the brink myself, plunging into her again and again as my body and mind entered an orgasmic abyss. I could barely breathe, and I felt my limbs tense, then tremble. Fuck. Yes.
Absolutely spent, I collapsed on the bed beside her. My pulse was racing and my entire body tingled as though it was alive for the first time. It scared the shit out of me.
Woman, what did you do to me?
Although I didn’t want to move, I reached out and pulled her so she rested half on top of me. I had wanted to make her mine, but fuck, it was like she made me hers.
Anne sighed and said, “I…consider that…”
“Mind-blowing?” I offered.
She shook her head and said, “A draw.”
I cocked a brow and said, “Draw?”
“You don’t look like you know your name either,” she said, snuggling her sweet, naked body even closer to mine.
I chuckled weakly. “What’s in a name anyway?”
Chapter Fourteen
Anne
I didn’t want to move. It was heaven lying there in Andrew’s arms. But my cell phone was ringing again. Unfortunately, it was across the room on the dresser.
“Would you like me to get your phone for you?” Andrew asked, from behind me.
I snuggled closer and he tightened his grip. “I don’t care who it is.” That was partly true. I didn’t want to be anywhere but here. The reality was that this couldn’t last forever. Eventually, I would need to get up and go to the club. The club! “What time is it?”
“Maybe noon?” he said.
That left me feeling slightly hopeful. We had been up making love all night and into the morning. We even saw the sunrise and had breakfast before returning to bed for another round of sweet ecstasy.
The phone rang again and Andrew loosened his grip and eventually let go. “I’ll get it for you.”
If he was as spent as I was, even that short walk would feel like a mile. I took the time to appreciate the view of his naked backside as he crossed the room. Wh
en he turned around and headed back towards me, well, I totally forgot he was bringing my phone.
As he handed it to me I said, “Now I really don’t want to answer it.” But I still looked at the caller ID.
Answering I said, “Good morning, Aunt Trixi. Is everything okay?”
“You tell me. Where the hell are you?” she asked.
“At the cabin,” I said.
“Are you feeling all right?” she asked.
“Yes. Just sleeping in. With you gone, it all falls on me.” That was true. But sleeping wasn’t something I did much of last night.
“I guess I’d better come back,” she said firmly.
“No need.”
“I think there is. You should’ve been at the club an hour ago. Sugar had to call me because you didn’t answer your phone.”
I was filled with panic and looked down at my phone. “It’s almost three.”
“Really? Gee, I didn’t know,” Trixi said sarcastically. “What the heck is going on that you’re still in bed at this time of day?”
“Well…I…I…”
“Oh, my God. You’re with him aren’t you?” Trixi asked.
There was no reason to deny it, but I wasn’t going to admit it, either. “That is none of your business.”
“True, but The Treasured Chest is. Remember, you need to keep it in the black for an entire year. You’re only in a little more than a week and already forgot all about showing up,” she said.
I felt horrible. Aunt Trixi was right. This was irresponsible of me. On the other hand, she orchestrated this whole thing, so what was she expecting? “I hate to ask, but can you please call Sugar and tell her I’ll be there in thirty minutes?”
“Okay.” Trixi sighed. “I’m sorry I came down so hard on you. I’m actually happy that you’re so…distracted that you forgot. It’s been a very long time since I felt that way.”
I could hear the emptiness in her tone. I knew she and Uncle Carl had gotten divorces, but I swear it was a mistake. They had loved each other deeply and neither Trixi or Carl ever dated again. Unfortunately, both were too stubborn to admit they were wrong.
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