Page 15 of Condemned By Secrets

“Then tell me.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Damn, they were arguing with each other like children, but he couldn’t help himself. “No.”

“Yes!” Anna almost screamed.

“Shhh! Other people are staying here too, you know.”

“Sorry. But I want to know.”

She was so stubborn. He didn’t understand why he liked that about her, but he did know he wanted to kiss her—badly. Her strawberry lips were puckered in a pout, practically begging him to taste them. “You really want to know?”

She nodded.

Luther leaned in close to her mouth, and the scent of wine washed over him with her breaths. “Because, I want to know what you taste like.”

Her eyes glazed over and she swayed toward him.

At her response, a zing of satisfaction spread through him.Not so cold now.

Straightening, he captured those gold eyes and waited for them to clear. “But you’re going to remember when I taste you, Anna.”

She blinked, and a blush heated her cheeks. Turning away from his gaze, she continued their trip up the stairs.

When they reached her door, she rushed through it, muttering goodnight as she closed it in his face. It would be comical if he wasn’t so frustrated with her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much trouble with a woman. She’d refused his kiss, but he knew she was attracted to him. It didn’t make any sense.

Maybe he’d moved too soon? Luther thought as he wandered back downstairs. He hadn’t meant to, but she’d looked so damn sweet in her cute top and jeans. Like the girl next door, the girl you wanted to bring home to mom. Not that the snooty Anna in her business suits didn’t heat his blood, but this Anna . . . this Anna made him want more than a quick roll in the sheets. That wasn’t something he’d looked for in a long time, which meant it was something he’d have to think about.Beforehe made another move.

CHAPTER 5

Anna jerked upright at the sound of her alarm, then moaned and grabbed her head. There was an army of drummers beating a steady rhythm behind her eyelids. Blindly, she reached for her phone on the bedside table. She had to stop that terrible noise before her head exploded.

When she’d succeeded in cutting off the blaring, she cautiously opened her eyes only to squint them against the sunlight streaming in her window. It was the soft light of early morning, but it was still too bright in her current state. She swallowed and coughed. Her mouth was as dry as the Sahara.

I haven’t been this hungover in years.

Knowing she had to get ready for work, Anna slung her legs over the side of the bed and braced herself to get up. Water and ibuprofen would make this all better, and they were waiting for her in the bathroom. She stood up slowly, careful not to jar her head, then staggered her way to salvation.

When she’d made it to the bathroom, she was perspiring from that little amount of exertion. She gripped the edge of the porcelain sink to steady herself. Raising her head, she winced at her reflection in the brass-framed mirror above the vanity. Sweat dewed her upper lip, her complexion was a little green, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was even worse. It looked like small creatures had made a nest in it overnight.

Why did I drink all that wine?

She started to berate herself but then remembered Luther was the reason she’d drunk so much. It was much more satisfying to place the blame on him. If he hadn’t been all, all . . . Anna frowned at her lips in the mirror as the memory of him hovering so close to them came back to her. She started to lift her fingers to the spot his thumb had brushed, then she came to her senses.

Ugh!The man was driving her crazy. He’d been pushy, and she hated being pushed. But she’d put him in his place, hadn’t she? Things were a little fuzzy, but she remembered him asking to kiss her and her telling him no. Watching his face fall at that simple word had been so satisfying.

Men like Luther whose egos were as big as their . . . Anna blushed at the direction of her thoughts.Muscles.She was going to say muscles. Those men needed to know not every woman would fall at their feet.

Realizing she was wasting time stewing over Luther, Anna pushed off the sink and started the shower. She needed to get moving, or she was going to be late for work. Digging through her medicine bag, she found the pain reliever pills and swallowed two with a cup of water from the sink. She gulped down a second cup and noted her complexion had improved . . . some.

Last night, she’d been foolish to drink so much, but she vowed to not make that mistake again. She had to be on her guard around Luther, and that meant having complete control of her faculties. Because she’d learned a long time ago that looks could be deceiving, and behind his eye-candy exterior was likely just another conceited jock who enjoyed playing games with women. Games she refused to play.

???

When his alarm rang out, Luther sighed, rolled over, and hit the off button. It had been a restless night, and he’d been awake for the last half hour, staring at the plaster medallions on the ceiling of his home. He lived in a Victorian-era house that had been converted into three apartments. His comprised the third floor of the building. A sleepy smile spread across his face. It was the sort of place Anna was looking for, and he knew she would love the decorated ceiling. He'd paid little attention before now, having chosen the place because it was close to the station and within walking distance of the local hangout, Nick's Tavern.

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