Page 7 of Awakening Anna

“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 could 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.”

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