Page 48 of Chasing Sunsets

Anson watches me, his thumb gently brushing over my hip beneath the water. He clasps my waist with both hands and lifts me out of the water, setting me down on the edge of the pool. I let out a gasp at the unexpected movement.

“I meant what I said,” he murmurs as he steps between my legs. “I missed you this week.”

I nod, exhaling slowly. “I missed you too.”

I inhale sharply, and a shiver runs through me when his head dips and he kisses the spot between the base of my neck and my collarbone. His lips linger briefly before they slowly trail up my throat.

“Anson,” I moan, my hands running through his silky hair as he nuzzles against me, the prickly stubble on his jaw causing goose bumps to rise on my skin.

His hands gently rub circles on the outside of my thighs while he stands, and my hands fall to his shoulders as I hold on to him. We’re nose to nose, and it feels like my heart is pounding so hard that it might burst out of my chest.

His lips come to mine, and I open for him. Drinking him in.

“Tabby,” he groans.

I open my eyes as one of his hands comes up to caress my breast through the wet fabric of my bikini top.

His mouth moves to my ear. “I think we need to leave now.”

Warmth pools between my legs at the desperate sound of need in his voice. I nod, and he steps closer.

“You sure?” he asks, the proof of his excitement pressing into me.

Oh, yes, I’m sure.I can’t speak, so I just nod again.

He suddenly dives backward into the water, and I bring my confused gaze to his when he resurfaces.

“Go inside. Say your goodbyes. I need a minute,” he says hoarsely, and understanding washes over me.

“Okay,” I agree as I stand up. I bend over to shake the water from my hair.

“That’s not helping, Trouble,” he grits out.

I meet his gaze and grin before pulling my dress over my bikini and hurrying inside.

I decline the food that Amiya offers and thank everyone for the invitation.

“You’re leaving? Audrey just got here,” Avie says, pouting a little.

I glance apologetically at Audrey. “Yeah, I’m tired.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of other opportunities to hang out,” she replies.

“Where’s Anson?” Amiya asks, glancing over my shoulder.

“He’s coming. He just needed a minute,” I say, realizing I should have thought that through first.

Amiya’s lips curl into a grin. “Oh, I see,” she says just as the door opens and he steps inside. She gives him a knowing look.

“What?” he asks.

“Oh, nothing. Tabby here is getting tired; you need to hurry up and get her home,” she replies.

He smiles. “I can do that.”

He walks over to Wade, who has his daughter cradled in the crook of his elbow. He leans down and kisses the top of her tiny head, then turns to me.

“You ready?”

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