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  Annabelle smiled, setting her purse and lunch down at her desk. Thinking nothing could ruin this day, which had started off so promising. Even though she knew perfectly well her friend was only teasing.

  “This came for you.” Becky handed her the neatly folded piece of yellow paper.

  She cocked her head. “Wonder who this could be from?”

  As she opened it, she recognized Kade’s handwriting and smiled. “Next time I won’t hesitate to join you. And, I assure you we won’t need the hot water to make steam.”

  She threw her head back and laughed as Becky looked at her quizzically. She didn’t have to touch her cheeks to know they were probably flushed very pink. The warmth seeped from every pore of her body, and she hoped her friend wouldn’t notice.

  Becky gave her a questioning look. “What?”

  Annabelle said nothing and tried to give nothing away. She grinned, folding up the note and putting it in her back pocket.

  “Nothing.”

  Her friend took a seat on the edge of her desk, eyes wide, expectant, and ears perked, no doubt ready for juicy gossip.

  “What’s wrong?” Annabelle asked.

  “Nothing. It’s just that you never did explain why you’re living with your ex and I want to know all the juicy details.” Becky grinned mischievously.

  “We have to get to work.” She hedged, trying to change the subject.

  Becky glanced at her watch. “We have five minutes. Give me the abridged version.”

  She knew her friend would never give up, so she relayed to her the stipulations in the Will, and how long the arrangement would continue. Conveniently leaving out the kiss, the time she’d seen him naked, among other things she didn’t wish to divulge.

  When it seemed her friend was satisfied, she stopped and asked, “There. Happy?”

  Becky nodded emphatically. “Yes, thank you.”

  And with this they began the workday.

  Annabelle pulled into the driveway later that night, breathing in and out slowly, and collecting her thoughts. She cut the engine, throwing her keys in her purse. Leaning her head against the headrest, she noticed the sun was just beginning to set, and she couldn’t help but stare at the vibrant oranges, purples, and reds streaking through the sky. A hint of the blue sky was left and along with it cotton white fluffy clouds. She sighed, not knowing why she loved sunrises and sunsets so much. Then she remembered her childhood. When things got rough at home, she’d run outside, as far away as she could get, until the angry voices faded, and would watch the sun at the end of the day because it calmed her soul and soothed her spirit.

  Shaking her head, she got out of the truck, throwing her purse on her shoulder. When she stepped into the cabin it was quiet and dark. She flicked on a nearby lamp and turned on the radio. Toni Braxton’s smoky voice filled the house. Getting her robe and the phone just in case, she made her way upstairs.

  Starting the water she lit some candles and locked the door. She could still hear the music, as it had been wired to play throughout the house.

  Noticing the tub had filled quickly she stripped out of her bathrobe, pulling her hair up in a messy bun. Slowly she lowered herself into the water. The heavenly sweet scent of lilacs and vanilla filled the room, and the warm water was soothing. Closing her eyes, she wasn’t able to help it as her thoughts drifted to Kade.

  He was the complete package, a beautiful man on the inside as well as on the outside. He was thoughtful, caring, and spontaneous. He’d always surprise her with romantic dinners or trips. Annabelle remembered when she’d wake up in the morning and sometimes find little notes with a single red rose. Or weekend getaways where it seemed like nobody on earth existed except the two of them, because he’d pack their bags and drive to destination unknown. He’d never even carry a map and they’d just drive until he decided to stop. He was a comforting shoulder, holding her close when she needed him most.

  A knock at the door startled her out of her fantasies. She sat up, sending water splashing over the side of the tub.

  “Yes?”

  “Hey, baby cakes, it’s me, let me in,” Kade murmured playfully.

  She laughed, knowing he was trying to sweet talk his way in here.

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re crazy?”

  There was a brief silence, then, “Oh, but you wound me my lady. I’m going to go nurse my broken heart downstairs,” he said, then paused, “and order pizza.”

  Annabelle couldn’t help the fit of giggles that escaped her. She covered her mouth with her hand. Clearing her throat. “That’d be fine. Let me know when it’s here.”

  She sunk back into the water, closing her eyes. She quickly re-opened them, staring at the closed bathroom door longingly. Knowing that just moments ago he was standing on the other side, and thinking how much she’d wanted to invite him in, watch him strip down and press her body up against his.

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, she realized it was a futile effort to try and relax now. She got out of the tub and as the cold air hit her bare skin, it sent shivers up her spine. She quickly patted herself dry and loosely wrapped her terry cloth robe around her. Barefoot, she made her way downstairs, enjoying the feel of the hardwood floors on her feet.

  Annabelle’s eyes widened in surprise, as she was met with a beautiful roaring fire, two glasses of wine, and all the lights turned down low. Soft music played in the background but it wasn’t Toni Braxton. She raised a brow, studying the atmosphere quizzically, but not able to help the smile that crept across her face.

  “What’s all this?”

  “I just thought it would be nice for us to unwind a little further. And I lied. I didn’t order pizza, didn’t want the interruption.” He grinned that mischievous I’m-up-to-something-grin.

  She raised an eyebrow. “So what are we supposed to eat?”

  “There are some tasty leftovers heating in the oven, and,” he stepped closer, putting his arms around her, “we could of course nibble on each other.”

  Annabelle playfully smacked him. “Kade, bite your tongue.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “I’d much rather bite you.”

  “You are a real piece of work, Kade Hoffman.”

  Placing his hand in hers, he led her to the sofa, handing her a glass of red wine. “Have a seat and just relax.”

  “What’s the occasion?” She took a sip of her wine.

  He didn’t say a word, but merely scooted closer if that was possible. She tingled all over as the heat emanated from his body to hers. Stark realization hit her, that the only thing between her naked body and him was her bathrobe, and his clothing. Her heart pulsated rapidly at the mere thought. She turned toward him and her insides turned to marshmallow fluff. His eyes burned into hers and she desperately wanted to reach out and touch him, and to caress the day old stubble on his handsome face. Put her hand on the back of his neck, and pull his sweet mouth toward hers.

  “What are you thinking about, Annabelle?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Her throat suddenly feeling parched, she took a large sip of wine. The scary part was that she knew exactly what she wanted, and her thoughts were taking a dangerously explicit turn.

  She finally managed to say, “I am getting hungry.”

  “It should be done heating soon, another ten minutes or so. Is that all you’re hungry for?” His voice husky.

  Annabelle began to sway toward him, not able to control her own body any longer. From day one, he’d been slowly wearing down her defenses, until she’d reached her breaking point. God help her how badly she wanted him. Wanted his hands all over her. Wanted his lips on her mouth and all over every square inch of her.

  But then memories of the past flooded into her mind before she could help it, and self-doubt crept in right along with them. She could hear Brad’s voice i
n her mind, telling her that her behind was too large, that she was too pale . . . yet he’d force himself on her. She cringed with the awful memory of his hands on her body, and never in love but in anger. Sex with Brad had been about his pleasure, never hers.

  At the time, consumed with grief and guilt over leaving Kade, she’d convinced herself she didn’t deserve any better than the crap Brad dished out. She’d stayed for lack of a better relationship, but mostly she’d stayed out of fear. He’d treated her like his property, with no regard for her feelings. She remembered the nights she’d roll over in bed after he was finished, silently crying herself to sleep.

  Annabelle shook her head, trying to contain herself.

  He can’t hurt me anymore. She knew this but a part of her was still nervous, self-conscious about intimacy and her body.

  “I can’t do this.” She set the glass down on the mahogany coffee table as her fight or flight instincts took over.

  But he got up just as quickly and pulled her back. “Hey, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

  “I just, can’t do this.”

  “Annabelle, please—”

  He was testing her patience and her limits, and she had a sinking feeling he knew it. Not that he’d purposely hurt her, or seduce her against her will, because damn it she’d wanted him just as bad, and she wouldn’t stop him if he tried something. Yet another part of her was ready to run right outside this cabin and never stop. Since they’d arrived here, they’d been seducing each other and Annabelle was more than ready for the game of cat and mouse to stop, for him to take complete and total control of her.

  She shut her eyes against the thoughts whirling through her head, going a million miles an hour. Finally, she blurted out, her eyes popping open, “I’m fine, just drop it.” Her tone came out harsher than she’d intended.

  “Boy, you blow hot and cold quicker than anyone I know.” His eyes glittered dangerously. “And I find myself frustrated and angry with you and wanting to fuck you at the same time.”

  Annabelle’s body weakened at his vulgar choice of words, yet oddly enough they turned her on and made her want him all the more. Her knees wobbled and she feared they’d give away beneath her. He had such a strong power over her, always had. The passing years hadn’t changed anything and it was as though time stood still. Her desire for him was twice as strong and still crackling, piping hot.

  “I think I’ve heard enough.” She tried to escape again, when he pulled her in by the waist and crushed her against his chest.

  When her eyes locked with his, she hitched in a breath at his closeness. The air in the cabin was charged with electricity, and she knew right then and there, there was no turning back.

  Her eyelashes fluttered closed as he pressed his lips against hers and devoured her whole. His tongue outlined her mouth in the slowest and most seductive manner, making her stomach do somersaults. She leaned into his kiss and grasped him by the shoulders, as she slowly slid her hands up toward his chest. Fisting her hands through his thick wavy hair and allowing her fingers to tease the texture. He groaned as she deepened the kiss, cocking her head to allow him further access.

  She held her breath as he slowly opened her robe, grasping her bare buttocks with his hands and pressing her against his erection. She groaned, unable to help herself. Her body was a volcano about to erupt. But he didn’t stop there, as he took his time cradling her bottom within his hands and caressed her. Putting his hands around her waist, her breasts flattened against his muscular chest, as the apex of her thighs got more and more wet as the release she needed was quickly mounting.

  “Stop, please.” But her body was saying the opposite as she pressed herself tightly against him. Her robe started to slip off her shoulders, and she didn’t try to stop it from falling.

  Kade gazed into her eyes, evidently not believing a word she was saying. She could tell by how his gaze was now clouded with desire, as it grazed over her body. Her heart raced, knowing he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

  Annabelle’s body tingled, from her head to her toes, and the silence that filled the room was maddening. His expert fingers grasped her robe and with one swift motion, pulled it completely away. His hungry gaze washed over her and she didn’t even care that she was standing there, stark naked. Realizing the warm night air of the cabin and his body were the only things keeping her warm, she shivered with the alluring thought.

  “Why?” he murmured huskily.

  Her head spun and her mind was clouded, but she decided to go with stark honesty as she said, “Because I won’t be able to stop once we start.”

  Her stomach dropped to the ground, as his heated gaze continued to drink her in, his eyes darkened with need. The hungry, feral way he stared at her, like he was ready to consume her.

  “Who says we have to stop?”

  Chapter 5

  With those words, she knew she was done for.

  Annabelle gave herself up to him as he kissed her again, his lips branding hers as he laid her on the couch, his arms resting on either side of her. She melted into the lean, hard contours of his body, her mind still trying to fight off her desire for him, but he’d worn her down to the nub and she couldn’t control herself. Her mind told her to stop but her body told her to go.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she brought him closer, seeking his heat, his touch. She shivered with anticipation as his expert hands smoothed past her shoulders, down to her belly and around her waist. Then he lowered his head, and took first one, then the other breast in his mouth, while his expert fingers worked their magic on the other. He tweaked her nipple, and it nearly made her go through the roof. He then lavished the same attention to the other breast. She closed her eyes, her body giving itself up to him, her core wet and ready.

  Annabelle moaned as she opened her eyes to look at him. Her heart pounded in her ears as she watched him, unable to tear her eyes away. Finding it hard to form a sentence, let alone a breath.

  And then he went down further until he was at the silken warmth between her legs. Her mouth parted as his gaze connected with hers, and it proved to be her undoing. Her breath hitched as he scattered kisses on her belly, his warm, moist lips felt heavenly. She leaned back against the sofa, her thighs spreading apart, allowing his ravenous gaze to wash over her. It was impossible to look away, to break the seductive gaze, even though her heart pounded fiercely in her chest.

  She tried to breathe, but instead held her breath as he looked up at her, the devil in his fiery gaze. Then, still not saying a word, he slipped his fingers inside her silken warmth, while his tongue took care of the rest, tasting her wet folds. But just as quickly as he’d slid his fingers in, he took them out, grasping her buttocks and squeezing, bringing her even closer to his skillful tongue. She took a deep, shallow breath as she tried to fight the strong emotions coursing through her body, at how his tongue and mouth felt while he explored her so intimately.

  “Kade, oh my . . .”

  Her heart threatened to stop beating as his steel gray eyes locked on hers. Her mouth parted, as he not only continued to taste her, but the seductively hot way he looked at her made her go suddenly mute. Her bones melted, and she became unglued at his seductive loving. She closed her eyes, no longer able to watch him watching her.

  Annabelle grasped the soft material of the sofa, and gritted her teeth because she was ready to explode. Bringing her legs up and over his shoulders, she spread herself wider for him, feeling greedy and not caring. She grabbed the back of his head, and pulled his hair, loving the affect it had on him. He growled and only gripped her tighter, flicked his tongue more against her sensitive bud. His tongue and mouth worked in sync, swirling around her clit until it pulsated as though it had a mind of its own.

  Her hips tilted up as though asking for more and she slipped further and further away. She wanted him to replace h
is tongue with his dick but didn’t want to admit it. Wanted him to turn her over and take her from behind, until she was too numb to walk. Already her toes curled and her body went limp.

  When she opened her eyes, he was still staring up at her while he tasted her. Her heart thumped wildly as she watched him. Gritting her teeth, she attempted to keep from screaming, as her climax came hard and quick, her juices flowed like hot lava, and her entire body tightened in response. She could see the heavens and the moon. The earth and its axis spun and she was ready to burst.

  “Please. Don’t. Stop!” Her hips bucking as her orgasm reached its agonizing peak, as her fingers continued to grasp his hair.

  The sweat beading at her brow mixed with her hair and it stuck to her skin, but she didn’t care. She felt wanton, wild, and completely out of control.

  Annabelle’s body relaxed, as she languished in the aftershocks of the most intense orgasm. Her body gravitated back toward earth, but she jerked as he slowly and gently nipped at her thighs, as though he couldn’t get enough of her, the knowledge turned her on even though she’d just climaxed.

  Looking up at her, he licked his lips. “Are we satisfied?”

  She raised a brow. The idea of him licking her juices off his lips made her mind spin, and she was tempted to ask for more. Her body begged for more, but her brain, although ground to mush, knew she couldn’t.

  “Yes.” Her voice a whisper, as her body gravitated back to earth.

  Annabelle tossed and turned that night, as thoughts of what happened on the couch still clouding her mind. She’d known it was against her better judgment but he’d been incredible. And God help her how desperately she’d wanted to go further. Even though she knew it would be a mistake and she’d regret it come morning.