Page 44 of Condemned By Secrets

Anna shifted and sighed softly. Looking down at her, Luther forced himself to relax. His anger was useless and not what Anna needed right now. No matter how much Dan’s actions made Luther want to find him and pound on him.

I mean, what kind of guy hurts a woman that way? Dan spent weeks lying to her so he could steal her virginity to win a bet. Luther didn’t mind playing games, but only when the woman knew she was a player too. What Dan did to Anna . . . that was just cruel.

No wonder she’d been so quick to shut him down. He couldn’t change her past, but he could show her a better future. She deserved that and much more.

Bending to kiss her head, Luther breathed in her fruity scent. The smell had visions of his dream replaying in his head, and he wondered how long until she’d be ready for something like that. Luther sighed inwardly. At least now he knew why she’d been so conflicted when it came to him. It had been hard for her to open up, to tell him something that had caused her so much pain, but he was happy she had trusted him with it instead of pushing him away again.

He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. Anna felt so right in his arms. This was more than lust . . . he was falling in love with her. As he acknowledged it, Luther’s heart skipped a beat. Was he ready to gamble it a second time? Did he have a choice?

Anna shifted again, and his arms automatically tightened.No.He’d already made the choice.

She chuckled softly. “We should probably open the rest of the crates.”

“Mmm, what crates?” Wanting a few more minutes with her, Luther stroked a hand down her back. It tangled in her long hair, and he couldn’t help the image that followed. He wanted Anna in his bed, his fingers wrapped in her hair as he entered her. But wanting that, he had to proceed with caution.

He was still a little shocked she hadn’t been with anyone since Dan. She was virtually untouched. The realization made his stomach knot with fear and his pulse race with excitement.All mine.While the thought was heady, it carried a weight too, a responsibility that made him hesitate.Slow. They would take things slow, and he wouldn’t pressure her. In fact, she deserved a little wooing.

Luther opened his eyes and grinned as the thought struck him. “Anna,” he waited for her to sit up and look at him. “Go on a date with me.”

She chewed her lip, and he tried not to look at it, focusing on her eyes instead. “When?”

“Tomorrow.”

She stared at him for the longest second of his life, but then her golden eyes sparkled as a smile crossed her face. “All right.”

Anticipation danced along his skin, but he pushed it away for now. Giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, Luther stood. “Great! Let’s get the rest of your stuff unpacked.”

CHAPTER 18

Anna read another line of the email she’d been working through for the last hour. She kept getting distracted. At the word ‘museum’, her mind wandered again, back to her date with Luther the day before.

He’d taken her to a living history museum not far from Rolling Brook. She’d been delighted to discover one existed close by. The settlement dated from the mid-1800s and showcased everything from a blacksmith’s shop to a Victorian mansion. They’d toured it all. Anna smiled, thinking about it. Some of the exhibits would work well in Rolling Brook, and it had given her ideas for sprucing up the society’s museum downstairs.

Anna sighed in contentment and stretched. While wandering amid the historic architecture and learning about the area's history had been thrilling, the real highlight had come later.

The museum had closed at five, but a band had come in and set up. Luther had packed a picnic, and while they’d shared it, they’d laughed and talked for hours until it got dark. She closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair as she recalled dancing under the stars with him.

The band had been a local one, and though she'd been unfamiliar with their music, she'd enjoyed the lilting notes mixed in with the fast country beats. Luther was a skilled dancer, and he’d dragged her along to something called line dancing.

Anna chuckled softly as the joy dancing had given her ballooned in her chest. She’d never had so much fun in her life. And it was all because of Luther. He’d curated the perfect date for her and included things she loved.

She was glad she’d opened her gates and let him in. It was a risk, but she was determined to ride the wave as long as it lasted because it felt beyond amazing to have someone take so much care in trying to please her. A part of her was still afraid, but it was overshadowed by the joy she felt in his company.

And his kisses.Mmm.Anna hummed and touched her lips as she replayed the kiss Luther had given her last night. It had been another tender one, which started the slow burn low in her belly. Even remembering it, she felt the heat lapping at her. It was comforting to know he could be so gentle, but a part of her missed the storm of their first kiss. And she wanted—

At the ringing of her telephone, Anna’s eyes popped open, and she bolted upright. Clearing the desire from her throat, she answered the call. “Hello?”

“Anna Hendricks?” a familiar voice asked, and Anna’s shoulders drooped.

“Yes.”

“Please hold for the mayor.” The line buzzed and Anna sighed. She didn’t want to deal with the mayor today.

The bubble of her joy popped as the mayor’s voice addressed her. “Anna?”

“Yes, Mayor Landstrom.”What did the unpleasant woman want now?

“I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time, but I wanted to apologize for my nephew.” The mayor’s voice was heavy on dismay, but Anna didn’t understand why.

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