Page 34 of Dreams That Bind Us
Hazel, Miriam, and Aunt Louise all had a point. What am I waiting for?
"Thank you," she muttered, suddenly feeling bashful. She’d grabbed her favorite purple sundress for the occasion. "It's not every day I get to wear something other than my khakis, and I wanted to look professional while staying cool. I picked this up in a small boutique on Duval years ago, but never had a chance to wear it. So I…" Her voice dwindled, her gaze dropping when she realized she had been rambling.
Nerves weren’t normally a problem for Anna because she actively avoided most social situations that created unease. But this was different. She craved this time with James and wanted to look her best, wanted him to desire her.
Anna had only been to Sunset Key a handful of times, despite living in Key West most of her life. The majority of the small island, just off the northwest tip of Key West, was part of an exclusive high-end resort, while the rest included a handful of single-family homes.
The restaurant on Sunset Key was five star and well known for its romantic appeal. Normally booked out months in advance, it was a hotspot for couples hoping to catch a romantic sunset dinner.
So, it had been important for her to look her best today. The gleam in his gaze made it worth all the effort and hassle.
Anna’s eyes trailed slowly up his body, taking in the relaxed, white button-down shirt and distressed jeans he wore. He fit in well in Key West, looking more like a local every day. She frowned when she spotted his goofy grin. "What is that for?"
His expression deepened, highlighting the grooves in his cheeks. "What is what for?"
Anna pointed at his face, circling her finger in the air. "That expression right there."
A deep chuckled rumbled through his chest. "I don't think you realize how cute you really are."
Anna drew back as if he'd slapped her, her spine stiffening. No woman liked being called cute, especially after all the effort it took to look like this. "Cute??"
"Beautiful, cute, sexy, gorgeous. Pick one, because you're all of them," he said quickly, diffusing her outrage. His words were so matter of fact, that the hot blush rushed back to her cheeks. She rolled her lips inward to keep from smiling.
"You look good, too," she commented, then bit her lip. The compliment sounded lame compared to his words, but he didn't seem to mind. "I mean, you look comfortable."
"I am. Thank you." He moved to the side. "Come in for a minute while I finish in the kitchen. We'll leave for the docks in fifteen minutes. They're sending a private ferry over for us."
Anna bobbed her head and stepped past him, noticing again the spicy, woodsy smell of his cologne. It made her want to do wild things… like drag her nose along his neck, rub her body against his, spread out on his bed to see if sex with him would be as good as it was in her dreams.
The scent of cooked bananas and baking spice finally broke through her sexual daydreams as she followed him to the kitchen. "What is that smell?"
"I made a batch of banana bread this morning. I like to make several loaves at a time and then freeze them for when I'll need them." He walked to the dishwasher and began loading dishes. "I was just cleaning up when you arrived."
"Mmmmm. Oh my god, it smells incredible. I haven't had banana bread in so long."
His lips curved mischievously. "I like to put a mix of peanut butter chips and chocolate chips in it. Really gives the bread a robust flavor."
Anna's mouth dropped open and she wondered for a second if she were drooling. His description had her taste buds screaming for a sample.
"Would you like a piece? It's still warm, which is the best time to eat it."
"Yes!" she cried. It sounded like heaven and had all but one of her favorite flavors: banana, chocolate, and peanut butter. If he'd included coconut, it would have been utter perfection.
With a chuckle, James pulled out a plate from the microwave which held a large loaf of homemade bread, steam still drifting from the top.
"It's my mother's recipe and I love eating it with my coffee in the morning."
"That sounds amazing," Anna replied as she propped on a stool at the island. Saliva collected in her mouth as she watched him cut the warm loaf.
"It really is." James set a small plate in front of her and dropped a fork next to it. "It's the perfect way to start the day."
Anna took a big bite of the bread and moaned loudly, her eyes rolling back in her head as the decadent flavors all converged on her tongue. It was ambrosia.
She finished her piece quickly, moaning again around each bite. Lifting the fork, she licked each tine clean then tilted her head back on a huge sigh.
Holy crap, that was incredible!
Her eyes traced to James and she nearly fell off the barstool when she met his hot gaze. He clenched a kitchen towel in both hands, his knuckles white from the force of his grip, and nostrils flared. His square jaw flexed, and she wondered if he was grinding his teeth.
