Awakening Anna

by Osburn, Terri

  Lynnlee laughed. “You’ll be thanking me, is what you’ll be doing. Now go get him, woman.”

  Her sister ended the call without saying goodbye. Anna reached for the bra where it had landed on the floor, but she didn't bother finding the matching panties.

  Sometimes, less really was more.

  Chapter Three

  Max knocked on her door thirty minutes later carrying the cooked steaks on a white platter, a bottle of wine, and a smile that weakened Anna's knees. He'd changed from his casual t-shirt and cutoff shorts into snug jeans and a white button-down shirt that clung to his broad shoulders while accentuating his narrow hips.

  “I left the steaks a little pink,” he said. “If that doesn’t work, I can throw yours back on.”

  “No,” Anna said, placing the steaks on the table she’d already set, including the candles Lynnlee had suggested. “A little pink is fine. Thanks again for sharing them.”

  “My pleasure.” His smile matched the one he’d flashed in a dream the week before. Right before he’d touched her . . .

  Anna stopped that train before it left the station. Thinking about the dreams would not make this dinner any easier to get through. She was supposed to appear open to seduction, not embarrass herself by tackling him on the living room floor.

  As he approached the table, Max spotted the painting of a cottage she'd done in college that hung on the wall behind his chair. “Did you do this?” he asked.

  “I did. That’s Kerrykeel Cottage in County Donegal.”

  Max nodded. “I’m impressed. I minored in art in college and dabble a bit myself.”

  She already knew his college background, thanks to the internet, but to avoid sounding like a stalker, she pretended otherwise.

  “So you paint as well as write?”

  “Sketch, actually.” Max pulled a romance novel from the bookshelf below the picture. After assessing the pirate on the cover, he flipped through the pages. “Are there any specific scenes I should look for in this one?”

  Curse Verna and her page two hundred twenty-seven comment.

  “There’s the scene when the hero saves the heroine from the evil English commander,” she said, purposely playing coy. “Or the one where she learns her pirate captor is actually a wealthy duke in disguise. I like that one the best.”

  “Does she fall in love with him as the pirate or the duke?” he asked, eyes still on the page.

  “The pirate, of course,” she answered. “The legitimate title is just a bonus.”

  Max seemed pleased with her answer and returned the book to the shelf. He opened the wine soundlessly, as if he’d been doing it since birth, and poured. Thank goodness she’d thought to include wine glasses with the place settings.

  Max was the consummate gentleman, edging in Anna’s chair as she took her seat. Over dinner, they discussed books, art, and travel, and as expected, Max's mind was as appealing as the rest of him. He shared her love of Ireland, her desire to someday see the pyramids, and he'd even read Jane Austen, though admittedly, only to impress a girl.

  When they’d both pushed their plates away, she said, “I’d love to hear what your current book is about.”

  He swirled the wine in his glass. “It’s about a girl.”

  “A girl?”

  “Yes.”

  Max's failure to elaborate increased her curiosity, but Anna didn't want to pry. She knew writers could be protective of their work. If Max preferred to keep the details to himself, that was his prerogative.

  “Is the story almost finished?” she asked.

  “Almost,” he said, watching her across the table with heat in his eyes. Changing the subject, he said, “Tell me some local gossip. What’s the most scandalous secret in this sleepy little town?”

  “You want to hear gossip?” The stereotype that librarians were supposed to be quiet made people more than willing to share their secrets. Which meant there wasn't much that happened in her small town that Anna didn't know about. But why would Max be interested in the local grapevine?

  “Research,” he said to her unspoken question. “Consider it fodder for the book.”

  Ah, yes. Research. Tonight was all about research.

  “Most of our gossip is lame, at best, but there is one secret that tops the rest.”

  One brow shot up. “I’m listening.”

  “The mayor’s wife is gay, and he has no idea.”

  Gray eyes narrowed. “You’re making that up.”

  Anna raised her right hand. “Solemnly swear.”

  “How could he not know?”

  “I'm not sure the mayor knows anything.” Anna sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “He isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.”

  Max frowned. “Still, I can't imagine a man not knowing his own wife is a lesbian.”

  “I can imagine a man not knowing quite a bit when it comes to women and sex.”

  Anna regretted the words as soon as she’d said them, but her dinner guest didn’t appear offended. In fact, he looked intrigued. As if she’d thrown out some sort of challenge.

  With a roguish smirk, Max said, “I feel like I should defend the honor of all men here and say not all of us are inept.”

  Anna stuttered, “I…I didn't mean to insinuate that you… I mean—”

  “I got what you mean.” Max's low chuckle was so sexy, Anna forgot to breathe. “I'm not about to claim I understand the female mind, but I have spent some time on the subject. I find you all quite fascinating, actually. And when I have a woman in my bed, she always leaves fully satisfied.”

  Decadent thoughts raced through Anna's mind, all of which deepened her blush, increased her temperature, and left her speechless. Max Marshall was clearly out of her league. She knew as much about seduction as she did quantum physics or molecular gastronomy, and continuing with this sexual farce would only result in utter humiliation for her and extreme disappointment for her guest.

  It was time to abort the mission.

  “I should get these dishes cleaned up,” she said, gathering plates as she bolted from her chair. “Thank you for the steak. It was good.”

  Max picked up his plate before Anna could take it. “I couldn't use your grill and not share. Besides,” he said, weakening her knees with the look in his eyes, “the company is the best part.”

  Anna had nothing to say to that, so she gave a weak smile and led the way into the kitchen. Feeling like a rabbit fleeing a predator, she fought the urge to run. What was she going to do anyway? Hide in the pantry until Max went away?

  When she reached the counter, Max was close behind. She could feel his eyes on her, making her more self-conscious than she already was. Anna didn’t want the night to be over, but how could she find the nerve to say so? The only thing she could think to say was, “Do you want to load the dishwasher?” Which ranged somewhere around pathetic on the seduction spectrum.

  She set her dishes on the counter, but before she could turn to take Max’s, he reached around and set them down himself, pressing his body flat against hers. His breath stirred her hair, and Anna closed her eyes, succumbing to the urge to lean back.

  Into her ear he whispered, “It's time for the next course.”

  Her body tightened in a way she'd never experienced before.

  “The next course?” she breathed. If he didn't touch her soon, she'd scream.

  “It's the best part,” he said, licking her earlobe. “Moist and sweet. The meal isn’t complete without dessert.”

  In blatant invitation, she rubbed her bottom against him, growing more aroused when he thrust forward. “I'm not sure what I have to offer,” she said.

  Max ran his hands from her hips to just below her breasts. “I've already found the sweetest thing in this kitchen.” He proceeded to kiss his way down her neck, and Anna bit her lip to keep from moaning. Alarms went off somewhere in the back of her mind, but her body was beyond listening now.

  As Max worked his hands back down to her waist, Anna knew he cou
ld feel her lack of underwear through the thin material of her summer dress. Reaching behind her, Anna slid her hands over his thighs, feeling his heat penetrate the denim. Muscles flexed at her touch, and her confidence grew.

  “Take as much as you like,” she sighed, her voice barely a whisper.

  “I intend to.”

  Anna shuddered at his words. When he kissed the back of her neck, she gripped the counter edge. Cool air caressed her legs, and she realized Max was raising her skirt. Again, her nerve faltered, but before she could confess her doubts, his hand slid between her legs, and Anna’s mind shut down.

  His touch was gentle, turning Anna into a fragile flower blossoming under his attention. When he whispered, “So wet” into her ear, she moaned something even she didn’t understand. The clip holding her hair was thrown onto the counter, sending long, brown curls falling around her shoulders, and then her skirt was drawn higher.

  The few working brain cells she had left decided that Max was trying to kill her. Or at least drive her mad with need. When he worked circles over her clit while rubbing his erection against her bottom, death by desire became a distinct possibility.

  “Open for me, Anna,” Max said, sounding like a man on the verge of losing control. If he was half as aroused as she was, then Anna had to be doing something right. Bracing her hands on the countertop, she followed his command and widened her stance. “That's better. Does that feel good?”

  The best she could do was nod her answer. Max was playing her like a fine instrument, in total control, driving her to heights she’d never imagined. Without thought, she pushed back with an unfamiliar urgency and found her voice. “Please,” she said. “I need it now.”

  Every muscle in her body pulled tight as Max ignored her plea, shifting to press his thumb against her clit as two fingers slipped inside. Anna growled low in her throat, the wave nearly taking her under before Max pulled away.

  Her cry of disappointment was met with soft words against her neck. “Patience, my Anna. I’ll give you everything you want. When I’m ready.”

  Chapter Four

  Now he really was trying to kill her.

  Max's deft fingers unbuttoned her dress nearly to the waist. The lace of her bra did little to conceal the fullness of her breasts or the nipples that had hardened into solid peaks.

  Through the thin material, Max took one pink tip between his fingers and pulled. A jolt of fire shot straight to Anna's sex. He did it again, and she arched her back.

  Running on pure adrenaline, Anna reached for the button on his jeans. If he wouldn’t give her what she wanted, she’d have to take it. His hands joined hers, guiding them as she lowered his zipper to find nothing between the denim and his hot flesh. Together, they pushed the jeans down far enough to release his erection, and Anna gasped when they were skin to skin, Max throbbing hot and strong against her ass.

  Running on instinct, she gripped the counter and thrust back against him. The orgasm touched the surface again. She was so close now.

  Kisses along her shoulder turned to erotic bites. The pressure between her thighs intensified, and another tug at her nipple drew a cry from deep in her throat.

  “More,” she begged, desperate for release.

  Max peeled one of her hands off the counter and guided her to his erection. He was hard and thick, and she could feel the pulse of need that raced through them both. Max shuddered before pushing her forward and taking her with one powerful thrust.

  Anna’s body stretched to take all of him, wet and ready for the invasion. Max held her hips as he thrust again and again, deeper with every motion. She picked up his rhythm and pushed back to meet each drive.

  The sex was primal and rough, and Anna had never experienced anything this hot. With a final thrust that had her screaming out his name, her body went up in flames before splintering like shards of glass tossed into a storm.

  When the waves ebbed, Anna became aware of Max's breath on the back of her neck. He was still deep inside her, his arms holding her tight. Doubts crept in. She’d just experienced the best orgasm of her life, but that didn’t mean her partner was satisfied.

  As if she’d spoken the words aloud, Max put her fears to rest.

  “That was amazing,” he said. “Best dessert ever.”

  The triumph was dizzying. Or that could have been the orgasm still curling her toes. She’d finished. For once in her freaking life, she’d finished.

  And not only was her partner not complaining, he was satisfied. Complimentary even.

  Before Anna could share the sentiment, she heard a strange noise.

  “Where's your garbage can?”

  So much for hot after-sex talk.

  “Under the sink. Why?”

  “I need to throw this away,” he said and opened the cupboard door.

  A condom. Dear God, she hadn't even thought of that. She never even asked. What if he hadn't been prepared? What did it mean that he was?

  Max turned her to face him, desire still evident in his smoky-gray eyes. He still wanted her. Hallelujah! This night was not over. Anna trailed her hand along his solid jaw, the light stubble rough against her fingertips. She wondered how it would feel against her breasts.

  Between her thighs.

  “Don’t leave,” she said, embracing her newfound confidence. “Not yet.”

  Max turned her palm to place a kiss in the center. “I have all night.”

  Chapter Five

  Anna wasn’t sure she could survive an entire night of having sex with Max, but she was certainly willing to try. All in the name of research, of course.

  And orgasms. She had a lot of catching up to do on the orgasm front.

  Unfortunately, how to transition from being half naked in her kitchen with a mostly dressed Max, to whatever came next was a mystery she had no idea how to solve.

  “Why don’t you show me your bedroom?” he suggested.

  “Right.” Why didn’t she think of that? “The bedroom.”

  While Max lifted his jeans back into place, Anna rebuttoned her dress before leading him down the hall to her room. “So,” she said once inside, “here we are.”

  With the pirate smile that made her girlie parts clench, he arched a brow. “Here we are.” Cupping her face in both hands, he stared hard into her eyes before taking her mouth in a searing kiss.

  A kiss that Anna would never forget.

  His lips were soft at first, then more demanding. When his hand settled on the small of her back and pulled her hard against him, Anna wrapped her arms around his neck. Shoving her hands into his damp locks, she melted against him as his tongue drew hers in, mimicking the acts to come.

  Max transitioned to dropping soft kisses on her lips that made her yearn for more before his mouth trailed down the side of her neck. Strong hands kneaded her bottom, pulling her tight against his erection, and Anna felt a driving desire to get him out of his clothes.

  Sliding her hands under his shirt, she explored the muscles of his stomach and the strong planes of his chest. Remembering how much she’d enjoyed the way Max had toyed with her nipples, she rolled one of his between her fingertips before giving a gentle tug. He took her mouth with renewed heat and she noted the reaction, intent on learning exactly how to please her new lover.

  Scorching sun had given way to the dim shades of dusk, and Anna's bedroom glowed in burnt-orange beams of light. A cool breeze stirred the sheer fabric of her gossamer curtains, signaling that the heat wave had finally broken.

  Not that anything was cooling off in her bedroom.

  When the back of her knees hit the side of her mattress, Anna broke the kiss. “I want to undress you,” she said, and not waiting for approval, went to work undoing the buttons of his shirt.

  Without a word, Max allowed her to drag the cotton down his arms.

  “You're beautiful,” she said, admiring the play of muscles across his chest and upper arms. She trailed a feathery touch across his shoulders, then into the thin expanse of hair across
his chest.

  When she brushed a nipple, Max jerked. A consistent response. Luckily, her research was just beginning.

  Unpolished nails slid across his rib cage, over defined abs, and into the darker hair that led down to her destination. Tucking her hands inside the waist of his jeans, Anna pushed them down to the floor.

  Max finished the task by removing his shoes, and then stepping out of the denim. Standing before her was a Greek god, proud and perfect, awaiting her pleasure. The doubts crept in again, but Anna ignored them, relying on her instincts to lead the way.

  Dropping onto the bed, she explored the contours of his lower body, starting with his powerful legs and working her way up. She marveled at the warmth, strength, and textures beneath her touch, and by the time she grazed the outside of his hip, she could feel the tension coiled like bands of steel ready to snap.

  Jaw tight, Max said, “What do you want to do now?”

  Words Anna never imagined saying filled the room with a decadent promise. “I'm want to drive you crazy.”

  His eyes darkened to gun-metal gray as the smile turned erotic. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

  Tugging him closer, Anna dragged one finger from base to tip, delighted by the way his penis jerked at the slightest touch. Letting her hands explore the taut muscles of his ass, she took her first taste of his impressive cock. Salty and hot, he smelled of musk and what she could only describe as sex.

  Raw sex.

  Max muttered incoherent words, his hands buried deep in her hair as she took as much of him as she could, sucking hard until she felt him grip her shoulders.

  “You're going to bring me to my knees,” he growled through clenched teeth.

  Pulling away just enough, she said, “That’s the idea.” Gripping his balls, she returned to her task, experimenting with pressure and position.

  His moan of pleasure spurred her on.

  Max’s body hummed beneath her, and she knew he felt the way she had in the kitchen—like a fine instrument being played.