"I was in court this afternoon. It was a short hearing so I gave the suit a shot." I shrugged, aiming an easy smile at Annette. Her lips turned up in a grin but her gaze dropped to my mouth and I had to stifle a hungry groan. It was all I could do to smother the desire to drag her into my lap and finish what she started last night.
"It works for you. The suit." Annette leaned forward and gestured toward my face. "You have a little something," she said, staring at my mouth again. "Some blueberry."
I jerked my chin toward her. "Get it for me."
She hesitated but then edged closer. Her thumb passed over the corner of my lip and I couldn't stop looking at her mouth. I wasn't sure who moved first but her hands were in my hair and my arms around her waist, and then she was in my lap and our lips crashed together in a frantic rush. Every second throbbed like a strobe light. My tongue stroked over hers and my hands were sliding up her flanks, her thighs, her ass. But it wasn't enough.
A quiet thought spiraled up from the back of my mind, one that nearly dragged me right out of the moment.I'll never be able to have enough when it comes to Annette.
"Does this feel like pity to you?" I asked, rocking my erection against her. "D'you still think I'm placating you?"
She dragged her teeth down my neck and stars sparkled behind my eyes. I'd never wanted to rip a dress or any article of clothing before but I needed it like I needed oxygen.Annette, naked, now.
"I don't know what I think," she whispered against my skin. Her hands traveled down my shoulders to rest on my chest, and after a breath, she pushed me away. It was the slightest push but there was no mistaking it. "I don't even know you."
I gazed at her, my hands still gripping her ass, and waited for direction. I knew what I wanted and I had a good idea what she wanted, too, but I wasn't about to announce that. There was no reason to bully my way into her panties or insist that she surrender to my wishes because I'd make it good for her. It didn't matter whether she was sorting through some complex issues right now. To my mind, a real man waited for his woman to be ready and willing. There was nothing sexy about cajoling a woman into something, even if she enjoyed it in the end. Even if she loved it and begged for more. Sex wasn't about saying "I told you so." I wanted my woman how and when she was ready for me, and nothing less.
"That's all right," I said. "There's no rush to—"
Annette grabbed my shirt and yanked me to me, her knees squeezing my waist as her mouth found mine. I held her close and kissed her until we were breathless. When she edged back again, I knew it was time to go.
I brushed her hair off her forehead and kissed the corner of her mouth. "I like you. I've liked you for a long time. I don't think it's crazy to say you like me, too. When you're not hollering at me, of course. But you're figuring things out and you don't need me pawing at your ass right now."
I kissed her again because—for this fleeting moment—I could, and I couldn't stay away from her.
"I want to know you, Annette," I said, my forehead pressed against hers.
"I was naked in your kitchen last night," she said, laughing. "How much more do you need to know about me?"
"Naked is only one form of knowledge," I replied, "and I'm sure you're an opponent of judging books by their covers."
"You want to get between my pages?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Like you wouldn't believe," I said. "But I also want to be your friend, Annette. Let me do that."
"What kind of friend, sheriff? The kind with benefits?" she asked. "Or something else?"
"Is that what you want?" I asked.
Annette started to respond but bit her bottom lip instead. Then she said, "I'm not sure."
"When you figure it out, let me know," I said. I wanted to kiss her again but I knew I wouldn't stop if I did. Instead, I brushed my lips over her forehead. "I should go. Keep that cell phone charged, would you?"
"I'll work on it," she said, settling back in her seat.
"Good," I replied. "Lock the door behind me."
I didn't allow myself another word, instead dragging my gaze over her body and shooting her a heated smile as I backed out of the storeroom. When the front door bell chimed overhead and I stepped onto the sidewalk, my chest lurched at the reality of leaving her.
I'd never felt starved and sated all at once.
6
Crimp
v. To seal the edges of two layers of dough with a fork, tool, or fingertips.
Annette
