Page 13 of Condemned By Secrets

He raised an eyebrow at her short answer. “Fine. Here.” He offered her the serving fork, and their hands touched when she grabbed it.

A jolt of liquid heat raced up her arm at the contact, and she nearly jerked her hand away before she realized how strange that would make her look. Avoiding the stare she felt boring into her, Anna selected a piece of meatloaf and placed it on her plate.

“All right. Does anyone need anything? Ketchup? Extra butter?” Janet asked after she placed the last side dish on the table.

“I’m fine, thank you.” Anna glanced up at Janet, who was eyeing the meal like a general surveying her troops.

“We’re good, Mom. Sit down and eat.”

Apparently satisfied, she gave a little nod and sat.

As they passed the food around, Anna asked Janet, “So, how long have you been running the bed and breakfast, Mrs. Monroe?”

“Oh, please, call me Janet. And it’s been, what?” She looked to Luther. “Ten years now?”

He nodded, his mouth full of cheesy mashed potatoes. A little bit of which had ended up on his chin.

As Janet pointed it out to him, Anna had to hide her smile behind her napkin. It was nice to not be the one with stuff on their face. He swiped at it, and Anna turned her attention back to Janet. “It’s a wonderful spot. I’m enjoying staying here while I search for an apartment.”

“Thank you.” Janet beamed. “How’s that coming?”

“Not as easily as I’d thought.” Anna frowned and fiddled with the tip of her fork. “There aren’t very many options, and what there are just aren’t what I’m looking for.”

“Ah. Well, what are you looking for?”

“I don’t want to live in a box.” Anna sighed, the low-ceilinged, cookie-cutter, box-like apartments being all she’d found so far. “It has to have character,history. And if I could find something in town or close to it, that would be perfect.”

“Mmm,” Janet hummed in agreement. “Those are hard to come by, but I’ll keep an eye out for any vacancies.”

“Thank you.” Anna took a bite of her green beans and barely suppressed a moan. They were smothered in a decadent sauce that tasted heavenly. “Wow. These have to be the best green beans I’ve ever tasted. What’s in the sauce?”

Janet blushed at the praise. “You’re sweet, Anna. Thank you. It’s a white wine butter sauce. Oh!” She popped out of her chair and rushed to the refrigerator. “I forgot the wine.”

Anna was set to refuse it, knowing she had to get up early for work tomorrow, but when Janet brought the wine to the table, it was a rosé—her favorite.

One glass won’t hurt.

An hour later, Anna had gone through two glasses and was feeling pretty good. She’d started sipping her wine whenever she’d caught Luther staring at her. It helped ease the burn his eyes ignited in her.

But that had led to too many sips. At least her head felt clear if a little lighter than usual. The meal had passed surprisingly quickly, with her conversing easily with Janet for most of it. His mom had tried to pull Luther into the conversation, but Anna was happy leaving him out of it.

Instead, she’d talked with Janet about the rehabilitation of the bed and breakfast, the historical society’s current projects, and she’d even found out Sandy’s son had done most of the B&B’s restoration work. According to Janet, his carpentry skills were unsurpassed in the area, and Anna, now knowing the beautiful woodwork surrounding them was his handiwork, was inclined to agree. She was thinking about asking him for a quote on refurbishing the farm property she’d seen today when Luther’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“You didn’t have to make dessert too, Mom.”

“I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. Besides, it’s your favorite. Angel food cake with candied strawberries.”

Anna blushed at the mention of strawberries and took a gulp of wine to hide her embarrassment.Of course, they’re his favorite.

Luther’s foot tapped hers under the table, and Anna’s gaze shot to his. Looking at him was a mistake. His eyes were hungry, and they devoured her like she was the piece of cake. “Do you want dessert, Anna?”

The wine was swimming in her veins, and she used the liquid courage. Taking a steadying breath, she replied in an even voice, “No.”

His eyes narrowed at her answer, the silver turning to smoke, and she could imagine the flames hidden beneath searing her. It felt as if they already were. Under the table, her thighs clenched. She was hot, much too hot, as his eyes burned a path through her.

“Oh, but you must! It’s truly the best part of the meal.” Janet broke their gaze and the tension by setting a plate of angel food with strawberries in front of Anna.

“All right, I will,” Anna responded automatically, but her brain was racing in fear at what Luther’s stare did to her. She balled her fists in her lap, her nails biting into her palms. The pain helped clear her head, and she blinked, the dessert in front of her coming into focus.

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