74

She put on some music, and an instant later the bluesy hum of a saxophone filled the room. Yeah. This would do the trick.
Anna walked over to the fireplace sipping her juice. She wiggled her toes into the soft fur rug, wondering if it was real animal fur. Probably. She closed her eyes and let the heat from the fire warm her, the earthy sounds surround her. She swayed to the music, felt her body relaxing, her mind settling.
She swept all thoughts away and concentrated on the music, let it carry her away to a place that was peaceful and uncomplicated. She closed her eyes and let the music wrap around her. She spun in a circle, letting the thrill of movement wash over her.
Her robe swirled around her legs, the orange light from the fire dancing across the silky fabric. She felt dizzy and silly and freer than she had in a while. The song ended and she heard applause. For a second she thought it was part of the music, then realized it was coming from the other side of the room.
She let out a squeal of surprise and gathered the robe to her chest, squinting into the darkness. “Who’s there?”
She saw movement, just an outline at first, then he stepped into the light.
Cedric walked slowly toward her wearing a loose pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a hungry smile.
Oh boy.
“You scared me,” she said, tucking her robe tighter around her. She suddenly felt so naked, her body too big and ungraceful. “H-how long have you been standing there?”
He didn’t answer. His eyes traveled very lazily up her body, from her bare toes all the way to her tousled hair. Considering the look on his face, too long. As he drew closer and the firelight reached out to grab him, she saw that his pajama bottoms were red. Red. Something about it excited her.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Did I wake you?”
He shook his head, still walking very slowly toward her. “I couldn’t sleep. I was coming down to grab a book and I heard music.”
The firelight poured over him, accentuating every inch of his beautifully defined chest, his wide solid shoulders and sinewy arms. Oh my gosh, she’d forgotten how amazing he looked naked.
Not that he was naked, not completely anyway. The rest was best left to her imagination. Although she doubted her memory did him the justice he deserved.
“You dance so well,” he said, still coming closer.
“I don’t. I mean, you know that,” Her back hit the mantle. Only then did she realize, as he was moving toward her, she’d been moving backward.
But her escape route had just disappeared and he was still coming, like an animal on the prowl. The heat from the fire soaked through the filmy robe, warming her legs, making her feel hot and dizzy. Or maybe it was Cedric doing that. She just didn’t know anymore. He closed the space between them, planting his hands against the mantle on either side of her, their bodies not quite touching, but close enough to share heat. And, oh, did he smell delicious. Clean and masculine.
He gazed down at her with penetrating dark eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t kiss you again. Wouldn’t touch you.”
What a coincidence. She’d made the same promise to herself. And though a part of her wanted him to touch her and kiss her, another part knew what would happen if he did. The rational part of her brain recognized what a mistake it would be. Unfortunately she was thinking with the louder, less rational side. The side telling her everything that had happened lately had been leading them to this exact moment.
That it was fate. Even though she didn’t believe in it. A person made their own destiny, determined their own future.
Of course that didn’t mean a person wouldn’t make a few careless mistakes in the process.
“Do you ever think about France… And the time we spent together after that?” he asked, his eyes searching her face.
Only constantly, Anna thought. Like, what would have happened if she’d not left? What would have happened if he’d not pushed her away in the first place? What did it matter now? Cedric’s eyes locked on hers, so full of desire and affection. She shivered with excitement and anticipation. She hadn’t even realized until now just how badly she wanted him to kiss her again.
“We shouldn’t,” he said, but he was already dipping his head, and she was rising up on her toes to meet him halfway.
“No, we shouldn’t,” she agreed. “But let’s do it anyway.”
It never ceased to amaze Anna how thrilling it could be kissing this man. When their lips met, she went weak all over. It was hot and deep and passionate, as if they were making up for lost time. His hands cupped her face, guiding her head to the perfect angle, and she tangled hers in his hair. His bare chest felt hot and powerful through the thin cotton nightgown. His arms caging her, the way he assumed control, was as exciting as it was scary.
This wasn’t just a kiss, this was a possession, and she could do little more than cling for dear life and enjoy the ride. At that moment he owned her, body, mind and soul, and like a fool she gave herself willingly. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both flushed and breathing hard.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” he said in a husky whisper, just before he captured her mouth and started all over again.
She felt reckless and irresponsible, and the worst part was, she liked it.
Then Cedric was undressing her. Her robe went first, and as it fell to the floor he began kissing all the skin he’d exposed. Her shoulders and throat. The ridge of her collarbone. He nibbled and licked his way back to her mouth while his hands continued their quest for bare flesh, tugging the straps of her gown down over her arms. In a few short seconds she was going to be naked.
“The staff,” she mumbled. “What if someone-”
“The door is locked.” Cedric told her. His staff members weren’t stupid.
“If someone wakes up, they are going to know exactly what we’re doing.”
He looked down at her, his eyes black with lust. “Do I look like I care?”