Page 51 of Falling Again
Natalie absorbed his confession. She reached out and took one of his hands, squeezing it quickly before she replied. “I haven’t been a great wife either. I didn’t realize how much work my new business would be. I’m not complaining, but it’s been a huge distraction. Suddenly I feel like a stranger with you. I hate that, Anthony.”
“I hate it too,” he agreed instantly. Slowly, a tension he didn’t realize he carried released from his shoulders. They were finally talking.
Beside him, Natalie leaned closer, their bare legs touching under the blanket. The heat of the day wasn’t the only reason Anthony’s pulse spiked, and he needed to get Natalie inside. “Ready to head in?” he asked through the growing lump in his throat.
Natalie tossed back the blanket and threw her legs over the edge of the golf cart. “Can you carry me?”
Anthony rounded the front of the golf cart and scooped Natalie back into his arms. She looped her arms around his shoulders and nuzzled his neck until they were through the front door. Once inside, they were greeted to stale air since the AC was still off. But Anthony didn’t care. He would make love to Natalie on the surface of the sun if he had to. “Bedroom?” he asked. Natalie nipped at the soft skin of his earlobe in response. He didn’t waste any time.
With as much tenderness as he could muster, Anthony placed Natalie on the edge of the bed. He wanted to say something, anything to make the moment perfect. But Natalie had better ideas. Raising her hands, she undid the tie of her swimsuit. The damp fabric unfurled, displaying her breasts before Anthony’s sex-starved brain could comprehend what was happening.
The mid-day sun filtered through the window, and it was the perfect amount of mood-lighting. Natalie’s ample breasts looked like something from a Renaissance painting, and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. Reaching out, he took a breath before asking, “Can I touch you?”
Natalie’s head fell back, and she let out a moan that Anthony felt down to his toes. “Please,” she said on an exhale.
Anthony didn’t need to be told twice. He cupped a breast with one hand, the other deftly pulling her swimsuit down her back. There would be time to savor the moment, to savor her, later. Right now, Anthony was all action. He might die if he didn’t touch Natalie immediately.
With trembling hands, Natalie tugged his T-shirt over his head. Anthony felt the white-hot trail her fingers took as they explored every dip and valley on his torso. Much like his wife, Anthony hadn’t been to the gym in ages. He was relieved when all he saw on her face was the same desire mirrored on his.
“Make love to me, Anthony.” Natalie’s voice came out soft, but he didn’t miss the fire in her eyes.
“With pleasure,” he said, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears.
Their afternoon went by in a blaze of love making and cuddling. At first, they’d ravaged each other, as if time wasn’t on their side. Anthony ran to the kitchen for rations before starting round two, a decidedly more tender affair. The sex had been incredible—if he said so himself—and he couldn’t imagine leaving Natalie’s side for the rest of their trip.
Natalie propped herself up on her elbows and grimaced.
“Crap. How’s your ankle?” he asked.
She laughed, a relaxed, happy sound that echoed in the quiet bedroom. “Who cares,” she said, shaking her head when she saw his expression fall. “It’s fine. I’m a little stiff after swimming and the acrobatics we just displayed.” Winking, she leaned closer and kissed the frown growing on his face. “I’m going to hop into the bathroom, and when I get back I expect to see a happier Anthony.”
Before she could stand, Anthony threw Natalie over his shoulder and headed toward the bathroom. In front of the mirror, they both looked disheveled and satisfied. And boy, did it look good on them. “I’m the happiest Anthony you’ll ever find,” he said to their reflections. “I’m just worried I hurt you.”
Shaking her head, Natalie smiled. “No. There’s no hurt here.”
Anthony knew she meant more than her ankle. Sex certainly wasn’t a Band-Aid, but they were finally back on the same page, and it made him feel like he could rule the world. He only hoped his confidence followed him back to Buckeye Falls—both with his career and his marriage. Now more than ever, Anthony knew they needed to keep this house. There was magic here, and he’d be damned if he let it go.
