“I think you win on a technicality.” I say, raising my glass to my lips. The warm string lights hit Anthony’s sapphire blue eyes and are almost too much to take. This gorgeous, secretive man continues not only to surprise me, but he challenges me in the best way possible.
“That’s not the only reason I brought you out here, Phoebe.” He sets down his glass and runs his hand through his sandy blonde hair, a serious look in his eyes.
“Are you going to kill me?”
“Yes,” he says without missing a beat. “And I’m going to leave your body in the rocking chair of my guest room, and wear your clothes.”
It doesn’t take but a second for me to catch on. I jab my pointer into his thick bicep. “Psycho!”
He nods and wraps his hand around my finger before I can pull away. “Phoebe, I’ve been wanting to ask you out for as long as I’ve known you.” His low, husky voice sends chills down my spine.
“Well, what took you so long?”
“I wasn’t sure you’d say yes.”
“I’m here aren’t I?” My heart beats so loud, so fast that I’m certain he must be able to hear it. “From my point of view, it never seemed like you were interested.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?” I whisper as he wraps his arm around my waist.
“Of rejection. Old habits die hard.”
“Anthony,” a tiny laugh escapes my lips. “Every woman in town wants you. You’re like…the hot, quiet cop. Totally unattainable from my point of view.”
“What about you?”
I narrow my eyes as he leans his face closer to mine. “What about me?”
“Do you want me?”
Wetness erupts in my panties. I nod, my breath arriving in ragged spurts. “What changed? What made you brave enough to make a move?”
His jaw clenches as he brings his hands to my cheeks. I melt into his touch. “I realized that I can’t go another day without you. That you’re the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep, and if I don’t make you mine soon I may lose my fucking mind.”
My brain struggles to find a witty retort, but I don’t have the chance. Anthony’s mouth comes crashing down on mine. My knees turn weak as he parts my lips with his tongue, exploring my mouth and pressing his rock hard length up against me as I run my fingers up his muscular arms. “I want you so bad, Phoebe. It’s always been you. You’re the woman of my dreams. It’s you who’s given me the courage to tell you how I feel.” His lips brush mine as he speaks. “You can’t leave Burly Creek, Phoebe.”
“Why?” I ask, knowing damn good and well the answer.
“Because it’s where you belong.” He presses his lips against mine. “With me. Forever.” I close my eyes and give into Anthony’s strong touch, and the entire world fades away. I want—no, I need—Anthony Hunter right here, right now.
7
Anthony
The anticipation is killing me.My fingers find the hem of her shirt. I pull it off and toss it to the side, palming her globes over the white lacy bra. Her diamond peaks stiffen beneath my touch.
“Your body is amazing, Phoebe.” I say, needing more of her. I pull her jeans down over her full hips, taking her panties with them as I drop to my knees. I reach around and squeeze her gorgeous ass, pulling her closer to me as I bury my face in her dripping wet center. She smells even better than I thought.
Phoebe fists the back of my hair as my tongue trails the length of her slit, stopping only to suck her tiny bundle of nerves between my lips. When she groans, it’s music to my ears. All I want is to please my woman. I press one finger inside of her soft silkiness, lapping at sucking at her delicious juices now coating my face.
“Oh God, Anthony.” Her voice carries on the night wind. She steps her feet further apart and I drape one of her thighs over my shoulder so I can taste even more of her. Her hips buck against my face as I press a second finger inside of her, loving how wet she is for me. “I’m going to…” Her breath catches, words dying in her throat. Her hot, sticky lips pulse against mine and she comes all over my face. I lap up every ounce of her desire for me, knowing one taste would never be enough.
I press my lips against her inner thighs, kissing my way up her soft stomach. Stopping to unhook her bra, to watch her beautiful breasts bob against her ribs. I take one into my mouth, nipping and sucking at her rock hard peak. She cups my face and pulls me upward, pressing her hungry mouth against mine, tasting herself on my tongue.
“No one’s ever eaten me like that, Anthony.” She’s breathless, beautiful, and all mine.
“And no one ever will again, Phoebe.” I brush my thumb against the curve of her jaw, barely able to come up for air as she takes my bottom lip between her teeth. “You belong to me, baby.”