Page 38 of Unleash You

“I want you. I’ve never done the girlfriend thing. It was never me.”

“Right. No, I mean, I wasn’t expecting you to want me like that.” She shuffled away from me.

“God, I didn’t mean that. I don’t want to be your friend. What I’m saying is that, if you want, I would love to try the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing.”

“I want that.” She threw her arms around my neck. Her phone landed with a thud somewhere behind me. Standing on tippy-toes, she pressed her cheek to mine. “I never thought I’d hear you say those words.”

“I swear all that sounded way more eloquent in my head.” I chuckled and bent down to kiss her. Her body felt soft and warm against me. Suddenly, all those nights in Venezuela felt like a bad dream, as if they’d happened to someone else a long time ago.

“Well, the kissing is spot on,” she whispered against my lips.

I tightened my hold on her, with my thumbs ghosting the curve of her breast. “I realize this is probably a little weird for you, but I can’t help it. I want you.” I marked a trail of wet kisses from her mouth down to her neck.

“Omigod. Not weird at all. I want to be with you.” She slid her fingers into my hair and pulled me toward her. “You know I’ve had a crush on you since I was twelve. I have to admit in my fantasies back then we mostly drank hot chocolate and made s’mores by the campfire.”

Anabelle had been disappointed when she found out I was the one who wrote to her for the past three years. But right now, I couldn’t imagine a version of us where we didn’t have that history together and this...love.

“I’d be up for that. Come to think of it—we should probably start there. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime, tonight?” And maybe end the date on a more adult note? Why could I not stop thinking about sex with her?

“I would love that.” Her body jerked away from me when her phone vibrated on the lawn while playing an old ring tone. “Hold that thought. It might be Josh.”

“Tell him you’re busy.” I reached for her waist, but she pushed me away.

“We need him. Remember?” She tapped the screen. “Mr. Congressman, how are you?”

Mr. Congressman? Why did that sound kinky to me? His name was Josh.

“Thank you, Josh. I’ll make sure and remember that.” She smiled at her hands, then cleared her throat. “I appreciate the call. I hope you have good news for me. This cause is so important to me. Your idea of bringing provisions for people in need really got me thinking. We should aim to do what we can. Don’t you think?” She nodded and paced a few feet. “Right. I understand that kind of project is a huge undertaking.” After a few mentions of her family money and possible donations to his campaign, she went silent for a long moment. When she turned around to face me, her cheeks had drained of color. “A dinner? Tonight?”

I shook my head. Again, if I thought the congressman’s intentions were honorable, I wouldn’t mind my girlfriend sharing a meal with him. But I couldn’t get rid of the image of his greedy eyes on her and the way he wouldn’t stop staring at her shapely legs.

Before I could think to stop it, Josh’s face disappeared and was replaced by a much more pleasant picture: Anabelle’s legs wrapped around my waist and my face on her chest. The way her dress from last night clung to her hips was tattooed in my brain.

She poked my shoulder and effectively brought me back to reality. “I look forward to it.”

“What?”I mouthed to her. She shrugged and ended the call.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to say. He was so pushy.”

“What did you agree to?”

“Dinner tonight. Here, at the house.”

“Jesus. You know he’s thinking he’s having you for dessert.”

“I wish I could say you’re overacting. But he kind of sounded a little breathy toward the end.” She cringed. “That was weird. He talked fast and before I knew it, I was saying yes to dinner.”

“He’s a politician. Getting people to say yes is literally what he does for a living.”

“Well, it’s too late to back down. Maybe your mom can join us for dinner? I definitely don’t want to be alone with him and his weird breathing.” She stuffed a hand in her hair. The worry in her eyes broke my heart. Anabelle was willing to do whatever it took to bring her brother home.

“You won’t be alone. I promise.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze fell on my bare chest. “You should probably get your shirt back on.”

“Why? Do I repulse you?” I nibbled the spot behind her ear.

“Hmmm, yeah. Absolutely.” She pressed her body against mine.

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