Rest For The Wicked(33)
He lifted his head, accepted the box of tissue, turned away from her while he blew his nose, wiped his face. “Sorry.”
“Don’t you dare.” He looked over at her, both eyebrows raised. “Never apologize for dumping on me, Eric. You’ll be the dumpee someday, I promise, and you—”
He cut her off by yanking her forward and kissing her.
After the initial shock, Annie slid both hands up his chest, wrapped herself around him. He tasted like mint and tequila. And he was gentle, both hands framing her face as he deepened the kiss, bit by bit, until she thought she’d go crazy with the need for more. She moaned when he lowered her to the sofa, arched against him when he thoroughly explored her mouth.
He broke away, stared down at her. “Annie—”
“Stop now and I swear to God I’ll kill you.”
With a low, rumbling laugh, he lifted her off the sofa—then swept her off her feet. Her heart stuttered in her chest, started pounding as he headed for the bed.
*
“Thank you,” Eric whispered against her hair, both arms tightening around her.
“I always aim to please.”
His laughter rumbled against her ear. “I didn’t mean for the chance to get naked and sweaty with you—though I am absolutely grateful for that. I meant for the comfort.”
Annie leaned up just enough to kiss his jaw. “Anytime. I mean it—and not only because of the incredible, mind-blowing sex. I’ve been where you are, and knowing I could count on someone just being there helped so much.”
“I like you being here.”
She snuggled in, relished the feel of his bare skin against hers. It was so rare for her to find a taller man that didn’t feel intimidated by her height—or her abrasive personality. Eric appreciated both, in a way that made her feel cherished. She didn’t want to leave. Ever. But the real world called, and they had to answer the damn door.
“So.” She propped her chin on his chest and looked up at him. “When does your flight leave?”
His smile shot straight through her.
“I don’t have a reservation. I was just planning to take the next flight out when I got to the airport. I know the schedule pretty much by heart.”
“The schedule to where?”
“Topeka, Kansas.”
Annie sat up. “Kansas?” Panic lodged in her throat. “I thought home was San Francisco.”
“I can’t go back there. Please understand, Annie.” He caught her hands, tightened his grip when she started to retreat. “I have a small farm my parents left to me. It will give me room to think, to figure out what I want to do from here. I already called the vet clinic, told them I was taking an extended leave of absence. Privilege of being the boss.” He slid his hands up her arms, framed her face. “There is nothing for me in San Francisco. But here—why did I find you now, in a place I can’t stay?”
He kissed her cheek. Swallowing, she eased out of his grip and turned her head away, tears filling her eyes. “You should go now, while it’s still easy—”
“Too late.” She looked at him. “In the short time I’ve known you, I have figured out that nothing to do with you would be easy. God help me, I’m going to miss you, but I have to go. At least for now, until I can sort things out. Please understand.”
“I wish I didn’t, so I could complain about how unfair this is.” With a sigh, she brushed her fingers over his cheek. “But I understand, so there goes the bitch session. I still am going to complain, a little.”
“You go right ahead.” He kissed her, then sat, pulling her up with him. “Get dressed. I’m taking you to dinner.”
“And then what?”
His smile had her pulse racing.
“We come back here, get naked and sweaty again.”
TWELVE
After spending most of the night awake, they decided Eric should take the early morning flight out. Fewer people, easier for him to sleep on the way.
Annie walked with him to the curved driveway in front of the hotel.
“Call me when you get there,” she said.
“You’re sure?”
They spent almost as much time arguing about this as they did making love. Annie wanted to see if they could make things work long distance. Eric didn’t want to tie her to someone with his baggage. She still wanted to laugh at that one.
“You don’t call me, I’ll hunt you down. Shouldn’t be hard, seeing as Kansas is flat.”
His laughter warmed her.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“You better, damn it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, let his scent fill her. His hands slid up her back, into her hair. She pulled back, met his eyes. “Now kiss me goodbye, so I can start practice on my not-going-to-get-emotional send off.”