Page 74 of When Annika Met Thom

It was a reprieve, but it might be good enough.

* * *

It wasclear that Thom was annoyed with his sister. Although Annika really wanted to know why, she also understood that question would be off-limits.

And really, she had better things to do. The second time with Thom was slower and hotter, an excruciatingly deliberate build that resulted in an enormous release for both of them. They clung to each other for long moments, catching their breath, and Annika wasn’t even sure she’d be able to stand up.

Thom rolled to his back and sighed with contentment.

Annika flopped down beside him and tangled her fingers with his. She watched him smile. He turned to look at her. “Okay?”

“Best ever. New benchmark.”

“Good.”

“You?”

“In the top five, easily.” He offered his hand to her and they went to the bathroom, a slow kiss leading to another round in the shower.

“You’re melting my bones,” she complained.

“Just providing more data for your experiment.”

“Don’t stop,” she whispered and kissed him. They ended up in the kitchen eventually, Thom opening a soda and Annika having a glass of water. She was wearing her nightgown and he was in his briefs. She ran a fingertip up his arm, tracing the lines of his tattoo.

“So, why are you the walking and occasionally talking Book of Kells?”

He gave her a dark look.

“I’m not building connections,” she protested. “I’m making conversation. I’m gathering information. You made a choice and I’m curious as to why.”

“That’s building connections.”

“Pretend we met at F5F and I commented on your ink. Pretend we’re strangers.”

“But asking would be an attempt to change that situation.”

Annika gave him a glare of her own. “We’re not going to be silent in each other’s company for a whole week.”

“Clearly.”

“So, spill it. Indulge me.”

He sighed. “Because I like the imagery.”

“And the wolves and dragons?”

“Same.”

“Maybe you’re a man of myth and mystery.”

He gave her a warning look and she lifted her hands. “It’s like going to an exhibit at an art gallery. The work impresses you on sight, but you want to understand it.”

“How do you understand art?”

“Excuse me?”

“It just is. You like it—or not—and move on.”

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