Page 33 of Dreams That Bind Us
That thought shot a flare of panic through her and Anna yanked away, using her grip in his hair to draw him back. He was undeterred, his mouth dropping to her neck where it traced a hot path along the sensitive column.
A guttural moan ripped from her chest as sensation flooded her. She tilted her head, giving him better access and James greedily devoured her tender, exposed flesh, tasting every inch.
Anna jumped when his teeth scraped her collarbone, sanity creeping in. She pressed at his shoulder. "We have to stop," she croaked, her voice unrecognizable.
His tongue swiped a path to her chin, ignoring her.
"James, please."
He withdrew reluctantly, his eyes closed and face contorted as he fought for control. His hands clenched on her lower back as he pulled in a deep breath. He let it out with a rush and met her eyes.
"I'm sorry if I frightened you," he murmured.
She nodded, biting her swollen lip, shivering when his searing gaze followed the movement.
"But I'm not going to apologize for kissing you." The green of his eyes intensified. "And if you don't stop biting that lip, we're gonna end up in this bed. Once we get in there, we won't be leaving for quite some time."
Anna's mouth dropped open. No man had ever talked to her like that…except in her dreams.
James stood and held out a hand which she took as she slowly moved off the bed. He stared at her for several quiet moments and Anna looked her fill as well, taking in the countless white specs that made his eyes such a brilliant shade of green.
He stroked his thumb across the back of her hand and the tension in her shoulders receded, that small action soothing her frazzled nerves.
"I have a favor to ask," he said softly.
Her brows lifted. "Yes?" She didn't think she had it in her to deny him anything.
"I'm looking at a property on Sunset Key tomorrow and wondered if you'd go with me for the walkthrough. We'd take the ferry over and probably be there for a few hours. Afterward, I could treat you to dinner as a thank you."
Anna blinked. That was the last thing in the world she expected him to say.
When she didn't answer after several seconds, he added, "You have a much better eye for space and you know the Key West area. It would be nice to have a local on my side for this."
Her lips curled up. "I'm sure you could have anyone you wanted for this."
His hand squeezed hers. "I only want you."
Anna shivered at the double entendre that he laced into his words. She gave him a firm nod. "Okay."
His face transformed with a breathtaking smile, softening his hard edges. "Thank you. Meet me here tomorrow at one?"
"I can do that." Anna wondered idly if she were going insane. Not only was she was ready to jump into his bed, but she was willingly giving up the majority of a workday for him. It was unheard of. What was happening to her?
Could I be under a spell? Or have I been putting off the inevitable?
Chapter 9
Key West
"You look beautiful."
A wave of heat crept up Anna's neck at his sincere words, and her gaze dropped to her pink toenails that peeked out from the hem of her dress.
She never knew what to say when someone gave her a compliment, even more so with James. Especially when his eyes ran as hot as they did right now. But it was the reception she had been hoping for.
Watching the way his eyes roved up and down her body, she wondered for the hundredth time why she’d fought their connection. Why would any sane woman want to hold this man at arm’s length when he said genuine things like that, looking the way he did?
And James made it damned difficult to resist. As she’d drifted off to sleep last night, she’d decided she didn’t want to fight what was between them anymore. It was time to do something different.
