His heart was fighting to pound its way out of his chest. Whatever it was that she couldn’t do, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it was. “You can’t what?”
“I can’t tell you to stop because I don’t want you to.”
A wave of relief crashed over him. One hand went to her elbow, his fingers tracing the underside of her arm until he reached her palm. “Good. Because I don’t think there’s any way I can.”
He snaked his hands around her waist and she popped up on to tiptoes, planting her arms on his shoulders. He didn’t even have to kiss her—she was all over him. As if he’d told her she’d earn a million dollars for every second they didn’t come up for air. Their tongues wound together in an endless circle. Their noses bumped as she tilted her head and came in for a different approach. She flattened her stomach against him, and he responded by lowering a hand to her bottom and tugging her hips closer to his.
The metal door of the cabinet clanged against the frame when she pushed him into it. He was still trying to keep up with what was happening, trying like hell not to fixate on where it was going. Would their first time be in the garage? That could be insanely hot. But where? Concrete floor? Tool bench? He tensed for a second. He wanted it to be better than that. If they were only going to have one night, one weekend, he wanted them both to remember it. He quieted his mind. This was not the time for overthinking. His body relaxed. That only made him more susceptible to Anna’s fire.
She hitched her leg over his hip as if she knew exactly what she was doing. Either she had far more experience than he’d ever bargained on, or she was going on pure enthusiasm. He hoped for the second, that this was her response to him, not just another time with another man.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve dreamed about this happening?” Anna asked. Her voice was all sweet desperation.
His body came to a complete halt. Dreamed? Did this mean more to her than he’d banked on? If they were going to have their fling, they couldn’t make love in a car or on a tool bench. He needed to make this right, not merely salacious and reckless.
“Believe me, I thought about our kiss a few times over the years.”
“Just a few?” she asked, seeking eye contact. Her eyes were clear and intent, searching his face.
He couldn’t tell her it had been more than that. It would only make things more complicated. There were enough dangerous feelings between himself and one Langford. “Let’s not talk about the past anymore. I’m tired of it.”
“I don’t want to talk anyway.”
Jacob caught sight of the clock on the wall. Oh, no. “Anna. Our meeting is in ten minutes.”
She blew out a deep breath. “It is?” She lowered her head and shook it. An adorable groan leaked from her mouth. “Okay. I guess it’s time to get to work.”
So much for Anna’s resolve that this trip was going to be about business and absolutely nothing else. She’d had about as much self-restraint as a toddler in a toy store the minute Jacob kissed her. She still couldn’t believe she’d pushed him up against the cabinet door. Then again, she’d waited a long time for Jacob.
But there was work to be done. She sat and smiled politely as Jacob and Mark got situated in the living room at Jacob’s. A fire crackled in the fireplace, the late afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow through the windows. Jacob had his arm spread out along the back of the chocolate brown leather sofa, his leg crossed, his other hand playing with the stitching at the end of the sofa arm. He laughed quietly at something Mark said, and glanced over at Anna with a look that made any sound in the room turn to a low hum. It was a look born of recognition. He wanted her and he sure as hell knew that she wanted him. There were no more questions of that basic intent. The real question was who would be the first to break down. Was she sitting inside the fireplace? It sure felt that way.
Her entire body warmed, in exactly the way a fire builds—a spark, dead center in her chest, became dancing licks of flame in her shoulders and belly, and the heat rolled right through her, making her face hot and her toes just as naturally off temperature. That kiss—that single, brain-chemistry-altering kiss, was more gratifying than any physical encounter she’d had with a man in years. What if more happened? What if clothes started to come off? Would she pass out? She might.
“So, Mark,” Jacob started, again sliding a shy smile to Anna. “I’d love it if you could give Anna an overview of what you envision for the future of Sunny Side. I think that’ll be a good start and then we can see if partnering with a corporation like LangTel could be a good option.”