Page 48 of Condemned By Secrets

Anna breathed in Luther’s scent; the notes of orange and something darker—muskier—filled her nostrils and relaxed her tense muscles. She’d been on edge since Richard’s visit, but the simple act of telling Luther about it helped ease the strain. He wanted to arrest Richard, but Anna thought that would do more harm than good. It wasn’t Richard she was worried about. No, it was the mayor she was unsure of. How would the woman retaliate if Anna had her nephew arrested again? The Development Review Committee might end up the least of her problems.

A short while after Richard had left her office, Anna had received the agenda for the committee meeting. There was a big construction project on it, one she was sure the mayor wanted to be approved. She’d spent an hour going back and forth before deciding they couldn’t send Richard back to jail because she couldn’t afford to alienate the mayor when the woman had the town at her back. Getting preservation projects approved was enough of a battle as it was.

Luther squeezed her tighter, and she sighed. She’d worry about the committee tomorrow. Right now, she wanted . . . Anna bit her lip and felt her face burn. She wanted Luther to help her forget about her problems.

A nervous laugh bubbled up, and she swallowed it. But how did she ask him that?Gawd!This was so embarrassing. And what if he didn’t want her? She was hardly a supermodel, and he looked so, soedible.

Mmm, Officer Yummy.

Anna closed her eyes and pictured him dripping wet in only the towel. She’d practically melted into a puddle of liquid lust when he’d answered the door. Luther was lean but muscled, like someone who spent copious amounts of time in the gym every day while she . . . didn’t particularly like working out.

“Fishsticks,” Anna muttered under her breath.

Luther chuckled, and it reverberated against her cheek. “What was that?”

She pushed out of his hold so she could see his face. The light blue of his eyes sparkled, and his mouth was lifted in a half-smile. Taking a deep breath, she took the leap. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

The lightness in his expression faded, and Luther cupped her cheek. “You can stay here. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Great. He doesn’t get it.Her pulse raced at the realization she’d have to just say it. After a breath that did nothing to calm her jumping stomach, she opened her mouth and . . . no words came out. She tried again but only succeeded in looking like a fish as her mouth opened and closed, opened and closed.

Fudge on toast!

Luther’s brow furrowed. “What is it, Anna?” He caressed her cheek, and she grabbed his hand. With a flaming face, she placed it over her breast. At the contact, his eyes darkened and shot to hers.

“No,” she managed to squeak out. “I want to sleep with you tonight.” All right. There. She’d said it. Now, if he’d only kiss her before she fainted from embarrassment.

He closed his eyes, but he didn’t take his hand away. Shaking his head, he opened them, and they were even darker, the silver overtaking the blue. “Anna, you don’t have to. I don’t want to rush you.”

“You’re not rushing me.” Didn’t he want her? What good would waiting do? Her eyes went wide in realization. He wasn’t trying to let her down easy, was he?

Anna’s thoughts swirled in a growing tornado as she waited for Luther’s response.

“Anna,” his voice strangled before he told her, “you’re practically a virgin. We should take things slow.”

The color drained from her face. Is that what this was about? He wanted someone with more experience. Anna blinked against the tears flooding her eyes as the realization speared her heart. “I shouldn’t have told you.” She pushed his hand away and would’ve run, but Luther caught her.

The warmth from his hand on her arm only added to the pain. He turned her around and lifted her chin. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” she spit at him. Anger was better than hurt, especially if it kept the tears at bay.

“Run away.” He kept his other hand on her arm, probably aware she’d be out of there as soon as he let go.

His eyes were so soft, though. If she stared into them for long, she’d drown. Anna turned her head, forcing herself to look away. “But you don’t . . . want me.” Her voice cracked, and the tears spilled over.

“Dammit, Anna, I do.” He reached for her chin again and tilted it up. “Look at me.” She met his gaze, and the desire was there in the stormy depths. “I want you too much. I’m afraid—” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. Please, just for tonight.” She couldn’t believe she was begging Luther to make love to her, but there was a force she’d kept locked away for too long, barreling its way through her. She was tired of being alone. Tired of being afraid. With Luther, she was neither of those things, and she wanted to know what more they could be . . . together. “Please.”

Anna searched his eyes for acceptance as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. They had turned to smoke, and when her lips met his, he didn’t push her away. His hands came to her waist, his thumbs rubbing lazy circles as she applied more pressure. His touch stoked the fire building within her, and she licked the seam of his lips, asking for permission to taste inside.

But he broke the contact, lowering his forehead to hers as he cupped her face. “Anna,” he croaked. “You’re killing me.”

“Then die a happy man.”Whoa.She was shocked she’d said that.A surge of confidence flooded her, and Anna’s system went from fifty percent to fully charged. She took a deep breath, praying he didn’t push her away again. “Kiss me, Luther. Like you did the first time.”

Feeling bold, her hands explored beneath his shirt. As her fingers danced along his sculpted stomach, whatever rein he’d had on his control snapped. Anna saw it flash in his eyes before his lips crashed down on hers. When they did, she had to grab onto his forearms for balance. Her head spun as his tongue collided with hers. He tasted like his favorite candy, and she savored the fruity flavor.

Mmm, citrusy.

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