Page 52 of Dreams That Bind Us
He sipped at his coffee, wincing as it burned its way down his esophagus. "You know, I've never been to the famous Widow's Walk of Paradise West. Would you care to give me a tour?"
Anna blinked several times as if she struggled to process his words. "Of course. I think they have it open now."
"I'd go up there even if they didn't," James teased. He stood and offered her his hand, relief pouring through him when she accepted it without hesitation and rose from her chair. He lifted her chin with his forefinger and smiled when her eyes met his. "You're so beautiful. I've missed you, Anna." James kissed her softly, loving the way her lips clung to his as if they didn't want the kiss to end.
He cleared his throat. "Okay, let's get out of here before I lay you out on this table. If the ladies were shocked earlier, they'll be practically scandalized with what I’m tempted to do."
Anna's bell-like laughter filled the air, and James knew he had fallen hard when his heart sang in response. He wanted to hear that magical sound every day for the rest of his life.
"It's this way." She grabbed his hand and led him out.
The quiet of the kitchen was a direct contrast to the chaos of the main room. James winced as loud off-key notes assaulted his ears. Several of the Royal Conch ladies were leading a group in an interactive bar tune and it sounded like most of the participants were well into their cups.
"It's this way," Anna shouted above the din as she yanked on his hand, and he followed her up the grand staircase. They wound up to the third floor and Anna stopped at the narrow metal staircase that led to the Widow's Walk. Sure enough, it was not only unlocked, but the trapdoor was wide open. James wondered if there were other people up there trying to escape from the screeching sounds below.
He followed Anna up the spiral steps and breathed a sigh of relief at the rush of fresh air that hit the moment his head cleared the trapdoor into the cupola. She led him out of the enclosed space to the open, flat rooftop platform.
It was easily the size of Paradise West's main room and was surrounded by a three-foot metal railing. Several lounge chairs sat side-by-side facing south, an obvious sign that this area got regular use now. He'd remembered that Jack and Gus had cordoned off the area until safety issues were addressed, such as the fencing around the open area and rotted wood planks.
He indicated the chairs with a swing of his arm. "I think they're calling our name, Kitten." He grinned as a rosy hue moved up her cheeks at the use of her nickname. He could still see her blush in the darkening sky.
He sprawled into one of the chairs and watched as Anna moved to the one beside him. When she was close enough, he grasped her by the waist and deposited her between his legs, her back to his chest. He laid back with a sigh, holding onto her, his hands splayed over her midsection. It felt perfect, natural.
"I think we were remiss in not stopping at the bar first. This kind of view deserves a lovely glass of wine."
"You're right. But I think we'd want more than just a glass. We could probably drink an entire bottle up here." Anna's voice held a dreamy tone, as if she were just as mesmerized by the Key West evening as he was.
James grunted. "We'll remember that for next time." She sank further into him, relaxing completely, and her fragrant hair pooled around his face. Rather than brush it away, he funneled his nose in and took a deep breath, then sighed it out with a smile. "You smell so good. It's like I'm walking in the woods and passing a patch of honeysuckle."
Anna angled her head to meet his gaze, her brows beetled. "I'm not wearing any perfume."
"Kitten, you don't have to." He dipped his head to her shoulder and sniffed, moaning as her natural fragrance made parts of his body stand up and take notice. "It’s just your scent, and it's magical. Drawing me in like a honeybee."
Her eyes softened, and her lips curled at the corner. His mouth swooped down and captured hers for a tongue-tangling kiss. She hummed into his mouth, then swiveled back to her original position with a deep sigh.
James rubbed his hand across her stomach, enjoying the feel of her firm body and the soft fabric of her dress.
"You look beautiful tonight." He lifted her arm and kissed his way to her hand, then threaded his fingers through hers. "I hadn't had a chance to tell you yet."
"Thank you." He smiled when her free hand crept to his, imitating the joining of the other pair. She lifted their joined hands and pointed toward the southeast sky. "You can almost make out Orion there. And below it to the left is Venus."
"Mmmmm. That's interesting. Tell me more." James grasped her earlobe between his lips and suckled, noting the way she shivered.
So sensitive…
"There's a full moon tonight." Her voice was breathy, and she leaned her head to the side, giving him better access. "We should see it in an hour or so."
He arched his hips, pressing her onto his achingly hard cock that fought to get free of his pants. Her soft mewl and tightening of her hands said she wanted him too. It was getting difficult to remember that most of Key West was a few floors below them. But he stored this position away in his memory banks for future use.
He released a slow breath and replaced his hands on her midsection, remembering the conversation with her aunt downstairs. "Can we talk about what your aunt said?"
Anna tensed like a coiled spring. "Okay." Her reluctance didn't escape him, but he wasn't fazed by it. The majority of their relationship so far had been like pulling teeth with her.
"Your aunt said you’ve been fighting what’s between us, and I’ve sensed it, too. Can you tell me why? I mean, I can understand not wanting to get entangled in simple dating. But that's not what this is or what's going on. This goes much deeper for each of us. We both know it."
Silence spread between them, and James wondered if he had been too blunt. Maybe he needed to give her the space and time she wanted. She would be worth it.
"I had my first boyfriend when I was sixteen,” Anna started. “He was everything I thought I wanted, and I fell madly in lovewith him. One day, he witnessed me interacting with a persistent spirit, and he freaked out, just ran away right then. I didn't try to stop him because I instinctively knew something had changed between us. That feeling was confirmed when he broke it off later that day over the phone. I was devastated."
