Chapter 25
25
W hen Anna exits her apartment with a big bag slung over her shoulder, I do a double take. I know we’ve been saying this is going to happen. But seeing this bag … it does something to me. I wasn’t assuming that, but damn, I’m happy.
“Give me that bag, little bunny,” I say, hopping out of the truck and extending my hand. She passes it over, and I pull her in for a kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” I say when our lips part. “You look so cute in this hoodie and yoga pants. I’ve never seen you so casual.”
“I’m good at following instructions.” She smirks, staring up at me. “And I guess you look alright.”
I look down at my jeans and t-shirt. “Just alright?”
“The hat is my favorite part of your look.”
“Do you like the Packers?”
“Sort of … but I like guys in hats.” Her eyes rake down me, and a smirk grows on her face. “The tank top and shorts are a better look on you though.” She winks.
So sassy.
“Get in this truck so I can start grabbing you.”
As she steps up, I swat her ass. She giggles in response, and now I’m smiling like an idiot. Anna is so perfect for me. Holding her hand as we drive out of town, I’m trying to keep it together, making small talk, hearing about her day, but my mind’s racing ahead, imagining how the night’s gonna go. I want everything to be perfect.
“And this is where you murder me,” Anna jokes as we turn into my long, gravel driveway.
I laugh, glancing at her. She’s smiling, but her eyes are scanning the trees on either side of us. “Do you read a lot of true crime or something?”
“Dark romance.”
“Dark romance? What’s that?” Every time I think I’ve got her figured out, she surprises me.
“Big dick sexy criminals with stalker tendencies that know how to fuck.”
The things that come out of her mouth. She’s trying to keep a straight face, but her little smirk is growing and she’s too fucking cute.
“And this is popular?”
“Very.”
I shake my head, smiling. “I guess I’ll have to kidnap you for real, then.”
The look on her face. She loves that idea. “So naughty, little bunny. But it’s happening now. Sleep with one eye open.”
“Don’t kidnap me.” She swats my arm.
“You want it. Admit it.”
Anna bites her tongue. She’s incredible. While I’d love to rip her pants down and have my way with her against the door when we walk inside, I also want more than that. Talking with her feels so damn good.
Pulling into my garage, I cut the engine and look over at Anna’s blue eyes. They’re so beautiful. “Ready to have me wait on you for a change?”
She giggles, and I grab her bag.
“After you.” I gesture for her inside.
“This is cute!” she says, looking around.
“You’re surprised?”
“I was expecting dead animals on the walls and mismatched furniture … but this is like a real home.”
“Pretty good for Peter Pan?”
“Astounding for Peter Pan,” she teases.
I love that she’s impressed.
“This is mid-century?”
“Yeah. Built in the ‘70s, with the right amount of character.”
“I like that it’s, like, a cabin in the woods.”
“Because you want to be kidnapped and taken to a cabin in the woods?”
She laughs softly. “This would be a really nice place to be tied up.”
“Anna,” I growl. “Be careful about what you say.”
“Why? Because you’re going to give me everything I want?”
She’s such a brat, and I love it. Does she really want all that? Fuck. I might have to propose. Are we really that aligned? “Taunting is a dangerous game,” I whisper.
“You said your hands would be on me all night. Are you a liar?”
“Full brat tonight?”
“You bring it out of me.”
A low grumble of exasperation and desire leaves me. “I want to be romantic, and you’re begging me to bend you over and punish you.”
Her face flushes a deep red, and I kiss her again. “Nothing to say now?”
“I think … we should focus on dinner,” she stammers, her face still hot.
“Good plan,” I agree, leaning down to kiss her again. I point to the leather couch in the living room. “Go relax. I’ll put your bag in my room. Do you want wine or something?”
“What are you making me for dinner?”
“I thought I’d feed you pasta for a change.” I wink and head toward the hallway.
“Then, red wine,” she says, settling onto the couch, her eyes following me.
“Be right back.”
I didn't want to make anything too complicated, especially since … well, distractions are definitely on my mind. And she’s already distracting.
“Are you a clean freak?” she calls from the living room.
“No.”
“This place is serial killer clean.”
I chuckle to myself. Why does she keep circling back to that? “I had my cleaning lady come by this morning to make sure it wasn’t a gross bachelor pad.”
“I doubt it’s ever gross if you have a cleaning lady.”
Debatable.
Tossing her bag onto the bed, I loudly exhale. I’m excited but nervous about sleeping with her, not because I don’t want this, but because I do— so much. This isn’t a hookup. Tonight is so much more than that.