Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
A nna couldn’t help herself. ‘Then take me to bed.’
‘I thought you’d never ask.’
‘I’m not asking,’ she said feeling a little bit pleased with her assertiveness.
‘Anna, love,’ Leo’s words finished on a heartfelt groan that vibrated through her chest, sparking little fires of want throughout her body.
She found herself pressed up against the worktop, Leo’s mouth on hers, her hands tugging at his T-shirt, pulling it out of the way, desperate to touch, while he was clumsily working his way down the buttons on the front of her dress.
With their mouths fused together and the air punctuated with breathless moans, she melted, softening into his touch. ‘Oh, Leo.’
She’d missed him. Missed this. His body, harder and firmer, felt so good beneath her roving hands as she explored the muscles and planes of his broad shoulders, the lean waistline and, oh God help her, that delicious bum. He nuzzled her neck, licking and nipping, and she threw her head back, lost to the sensations ripping through her. At this moment she could die a happy woman.
‘I like this dress, a lot,’ Leo growled pulling back for a second to look down at her breasts. ‘God, Anna. Look at you.’ His hand slipped inside her bra, sliding across her sensitive nipple. She let out a squeak and he grinned. ‘Still works for you.’
‘Not fair,’ she hissed, her fingers at his belt buckle as his continued to tease, setting off an unbearable ache between her legs.
‘Ah, Leo,’ she gasped, as he peeled back the lace of her bra and put his mouth on her. She could already feel herself building up to climax. ‘Stop! Stop! Ahhh. Don’t stop.’ His tongue, hot and wet, made her pant and her knees shake, the pressure of desire weighing her down. ‘Oh, don’t ever stop.’ She felt the hot prickle of tears. She’d thrown all this away and it had been her own fault. Her insecurities, her fear.
‘Anna?’ Leo lifted his head and immediately his hand went to her face, a finger stopping the tear that had escaped. ‘Oh God, I’m sorry.’
‘No, don’t be. It’s a happy tear. I missed you.’
‘I missed you.
Everything inside her was fizzing, like an unopened Grand Prix podium bottle of champagne threatening to explode at any moment.
‘Leo, please,’ she said, unable to bear the stroke of his tongue over her sensitive nipple.
‘Please what?’ He looked up at her, grinning.
She sighed. The picture of him with his hand cupping her breast and his wicked smile was melting her heart. If he didn’t take her to bed right now, she might have to kill him.
They half ran, half stumbled down the stairs and then had a push-me pull-you tussle as they tried to guide each other into their respective bedrooms.
Leo, ever the gentleman, finally let Anna tug him into hers. She paused to close the door behind them and then they stood and faced each other. His eyes were bright and his bare chest heaved as he stared into her eyes. She swallowed. She wanted to press her lips against the tanned skin, across his pecs and the light dusting of blond hair.
‘Are you sure?’ Leo asked, his voice tight and scratchy.
She nodded.
‘There’s no going back after this,’ he said and his eyes held a fierce expression that turned her heart inside out.
‘I know,’ she said. She peeled her dress down her body and stepped out of the light folds of fabric that fell to the floor.
His breath hitched. She heard it, a tiny half-swallowed gasp. His hand reached for her and then stopped in mid-air, his eyes softening and his gaze skimming over her body, as if he could scarcely believe his luck. ‘Anna, love.’ His lips curved in an almost disbelieving smile. Then he reverently touched her shoulder, one finger slipping under her bra strap and sliding it down, his hands on her arm sending tiny shivers racing across her skin. A hand captured one of her wrists, then the other hand repeated the movement on the other side. Anchoring her hands at her sides, he leaned forward and nuzzled at her bra, his lips tracing the edges of the lacy fabric, sending flares of excitement racing along her nerve endings.
Mesmerised by his gentle care, she watched him as, still holding her wrists, he took his time, tasting and touching her breasts, her nipples, her neck before he knelt and pressed soft kisses across her belly. She could have pulled her hands away but she found his hold exciting. He was in control but she could break it at any time. It made her feel cherished, the sole focus of his attention.
When he nuzzled at her beneath the scrap of lace that covered her, she let out a breathless murmur, as tiny pulses of white heat fizzed and burst through her like lightning flashes. ‘Leo.’
She swayed a little, determined not to break his hold. To show him that she was all in. That she was his for the taking. Last time he’d been the one to pull back. It had to be his choice this time. She needed that reassurance that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
His kisses slid back up her body and then he was on his feet again, facing her. His eyes on hers.
She lifted her chin and raised her hands, still manacled by his. ‘My turn.’
He smiled, let go of her hands, put his fingers to her waist, slid down her lace knickers and waited for her to step out of them. With fumbling fingers, she unhooked his belt buckle, then, holding his gaze, undid the button and the zip of his jeans. He blinked and she saw his jaw clench. She smiled and pushed his jeans down his hips, one hand tracing the length of him through the fabric of his underwear. The sibilant hiss of his in-drawn breath made her smile with satisfaction. He stood perfectly still as she ran her fingers up and down before releasing him from the confines of his jersey boxers, feeling the smooth silk of the skin that covered the rock-hard flesh. Soft and strong. She eased out a breath, her legs a little shaky as she stroked him a couple of times. He groaned her name, low and throaty. ‘Anna.’
Then he slid a hand around her waist and pulled her against him, his hand cupping her head, his mouth capturing hers with hungry need. She answered kiss for kiss, straining against him, wanting and needing more.
Somehow they made it to the bed, backing up kiss by kiss. She fell back and he shoved down his jeans the rest of the way, took something from his wallet and lay down beside her, taking her into his arms, the kiss gentling as his tongue traced the outline of her lips. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding hard and that demanding insistent throb between her legs growing stronger with every beat.
He moved over her and she took his face in his hands. ‘Yes, Leo. Yes.’
Pleasure exploded as with a long slow slide he filled her, his face taut with tension.
‘Anna,’ he sighed.
‘More,’ she gasped and clutched his back, pulling him towards her, wrapping her legs around him. ‘More.’
With a lunge, he pushed deeper and set a driving pace which she met, hip thrust to hip thrust, glorying in the sensations flooding her, the rasp of the hairs on his chest on hers, the chafe of his legs against hers, the breathless gasps that came from both of them as the pleasure rose and peaked.
Lost to everything but sensation, they matched each other. Their sighs and moans, a language of their own, urging and straining, pushing each other on, closer and closer to the elusive finishing line that felt forever just beyond them.
Anna felt Leo tense and tighten, felt him try to hold back. ‘Leo!’ she ground out. ‘Don’t stop.’ She pulled him close and then felt the hot fierce flood of her own release as he drove into her one last time, calling her name with a long low cry.
They lay sprawled together, his hand stroking her cheek, her fingers on the small of his back, until their breathing finally settled and conscious thought returned.
Leo turned and kissed her along her jaw. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any chance we can cancel dinner tonight.’
‘No,’ groaned Anna.
‘It’s going to be interminable.’
‘It is,’ she agreed.
‘Whose bright idea was it to invite everyone?’
‘Yours,’ she said with a laugh as he burrowed into her neck, his head shaking with laughter.
‘How quickly do you think we can get rid of everyone?’
‘Leo! It will be fun. And it was your idea.’
‘Yes, but this is more fun.
‘This is going to have to wait. We need to get ready.’
‘Getting ready involves shower time,’ said Leo, immediately perking up and giving her a quick grin.
Anna laughed. She might have known he’d still find a silver lining.
* * *
Anna felt so lit up that she was pretty sure she glittered like a Twilight vampire. It was ridiculously fanciful, but in this moment it was if the sunshine had come out inside her, shedding light into every corner, igniting little pockets of joy, suffusing her with happiness.
Definitely the Leo effect, she decided, as she heard him greeting someone downstairs.
‘We’re pretty much there,’ she said to herself. Everything was under control. All the dishes were prepared and the table laid.
She went through into the living room and surveyed the table.
‘False alarm,’ called Leo, tripping up the stairs with a case of beer and a bottle of wine. ‘Jan wanted to drop these off early so we could get them in the fridge.’
She laughed. ‘I hope you didn’t tell him his timing sucked.’
Leo grinned. ‘Not in so many words, although Michaela will probably guess. She’s been desperate for us to get back together. It wouldn’t surprise me if she hadn’t deliberately put a hole in that mattress.’
‘Leo! She wouldn’t.’ Anna shook her head and fussed with one of the napkins.
‘Don’t worry. Michaela will approve,’ said Leo, touching the pretty yellow linen tablecloth, his hand grazing hers, sending a fresh tingle up her arm. ‘Of the table settings, I mean.’
‘It’s not for Michaela,’ said Anna. ‘It’s for me. Just looking at the table makes me happy. I hope it makes all the guests feel happy and see that we’ve made an effort for them.’
‘Just need some flowers,’ said Leo. He leant down and from one of the chairs tucked beneath the table produced a bunch of orange and yellow roses. ‘These are for you madam. I got them earlier when you were out having your hair done but they were forgotten in the heat of the moment.’
Anna blushed. ‘They’re lovely.’
‘So are you.’ Leo brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. Anna’s heart, already a dangerously mushy mess, melted some more.
‘They’re perfect.’ She held them against the tablecloth. ‘That’s so thoughtful, thank you.’
‘I have my moments.’ Leo bent at the waist in a little bow.
‘You do. Thank you.’ She’d planned to kiss him briefly to show her thanks but when he looked at her like that, smiling, happy and just such a ray of sunshine, she forgot herself, wrapped her arms around him in a spontaneous hug and kissed him right on the mouth.
She felt his smile as her lips pressed against his and his hands moved around her body to cup her bottom, pulling her tighter against him. The kiss deepened and turned into something entirely different but Anna cast all care aside, enjoying each touch, her senses tuned into the moment. Warm hands, the scent of roses, a softness inside, nerve endings dancing and Leo’s mouth roving over hers. His breath mixing with hers.
She pulled back and looked at Leo, the steady blue eyes unwavering as he stared back at her. Her heart tripped and she felt the fall. She was in love with him and this time it was something very different. She’d changed. Now, she was her own person. Someone who wasn’t going to worry about anyone else’s views or opinions, someone who didn’t need to fit the family mould. She was whatever-shaped Anna she wanted to be and she could do whatever she wanted.
‘Shall I light the fire?’ he asked and then grinned at the unintended double entendre.
‘I think that horse has well and truly bolted,’ said Anna, laughing back at him as he struck a match and set light to the pile of kindling and firelighters he’d laid in the grate earlier.
The buzz of the intercom interrupted them once again, and this time Anna went to the front door to find Zdeňka and her friend Lubica on the doorstep.
‘Hello,’ said Anna, who had quite forgotten that the two women had been invited. Bathed in the golden glow of Leo’s attention, she beamed at the other woman. ‘Come in. Let me take your coats.’ Zdeňka blinked, clearly surprised by her effusive welcome.
‘Thank you for having us,’ said Lubica, presenting Anna with a beautiful box of Steiner & Kovarik praline chocolates.
‘Yes,’ said Zdeňka, brushing an imaginary piece of lint from her striking fuchsia dress. For once Anna didn’t feel dazzled by her vibrant attractiveness, she felt her equal. Smiling to herself at this revelation, she led the other woman up the stairs.
‘Leo.’ Zdeňka greeted him as if she hadn’t seen him for years and kissed him on each cheek. ‘Lovely to see you.’ Then she lowered her voice but not enough that Anna couldn’t hear. ‘You got my text?’
‘Yes,’ muttered Leo, again as if he didn’t want to be heard. ‘Sounds perfect.’
‘I’ll text you the address and see you there.’ The she raised her voice, ‘And thank you so much for inviting me. It’s such a treat.’ She eyed him flirtatiously.
Anna ignored the brief conversation between them. Clearly they hadn’t wanted anyone else to know but she had to wonder what this arrangement was and when it had been made. It must have been before she and Leo had slept together?
Zdeňka was touching his forearm and she said in that low breathy sex-siren voice, ‘I hope you can cook.’
‘Me and Anna are kitchen demons,’ said Leo, smooth as ever, seemingly oblivious to her hungry gaze, and escorted her and Lubica to the sofa, around which Anna had arranged a few of the dining chairs so that they could have drinks around the fire before dinner. ‘Have a seat, ladies. Can I get you a drink?’
Anna told herself off for the brief flare of jealousy. Zdeňka was a friend to Leo, and perhaps wanted more, but he wasn’t interested.
Michaela, Jan and Ludmila arrived shortly afterwards, bringing with them a couple of extra chairs.
‘I’ll pick them up again tomorrow, if that’s okay,’ said Jan. ‘Because we’ve got family coming for lunch.’
‘No problem,’ said Anna, as she turned to greet Ludmila, elegant as ever in a powder-blue dress and a matching walking stick.
Michaela caught her by the arm. ‘You look … different.’
Anna blushed. ‘You saw my hair this morning,’ she said. ‘Come in and have a drink. Zdeňka and Lubica have arrived. I hope you’re going to like the food. Leo and I have been cooking all day. I made dumplings. Like yours.’
Michaela narrowed her eyes thoughtfully but didn’t say anything, although a small, very slightly smug smile played around her lips.
They joined Zdeňka and Lubica as Leo played drinks monitor, and the conversation flowed with remarkable ease. Although with Zdeňka, Michaela and Ludmila aboard the entertainment ship, there was never any question of uncomfortable silences.
After twenty minutes, Anna anxiously glanced at the clock. Where was Jakub? Had he chickened out of coming? And where was Karel? Had they each decided not to come because the other was coming? As Leo passed her, going back to the kitchen to top up the drinks, his hand brushed hers.
‘Don’t worry, they’ll be here. They won’t let us down. In the meantime, let’s sit everyone at the table.’
Luckily the minute everyone sat down around the dining table, just as she began serving the marinated cheese starter, Karel rang the intercom and Anna, opening the front door, was relieved to see that Jakub had arrived at the same time.
‘Look who I met in the corridor,’ said Karel, handing over a box of different beers. ‘Thought you’d like to try some different local specialities.’
Anna glanced at Jakub, whose expression was unreadable. ‘I brought these, but of course you are familiar with them.’ He’d brought a case of the brewery’s beer.
‘Thank you,’ said Anna, her bright smile a touch anxious. Had this been a terrible idea? ‘Come on through and meet everyone.’ She led the way up the stairs to a burst of laughter which gave her some relief. At least everyone else was getting on.
She introduced the two men, ushering Jakub to the seat next to Ludmila as they were the closest in age. She needn’t have worried. Ludmila with her innate grace immediately engaged Jakub in conversation. Karel sat next to Leo and the two of them were soon laughing and joking with Michaela, Zdeňka and Lubica.
Anna sat near Jakub and Ludmila, initially to help keep things flowing, but it was soon apparent that Ludmila didn’t need any help, so she went out to the kitchen to slip the plates for the next course into the oven to heat.
Leo came up behind her and even before he brushed her hair aside to kiss the back of her neck, goosebumps rose on her skin.
‘How much longer until we can throw everyone out?’ he murmured, his breath fanning across the sensitive skin.
‘Everything will be ready in ten,’ said Anna, trying not to let herself be distracted.
‘You’re no fun,’ he whispered, his lips trailing across the curve of her jaw.
‘Leo,’ she whispered, her nerves hyped up and jangling in response.
‘Yes, Love.’
She turned and leaned into him, kissing him. ‘You need to behave.’
‘Why?’ He ran a finger down the front of her neck to the hint of cleavage exposed. She sucked in a quick breath, quite forgetting why.
A burst of laughter from the other room reminded her that they had seven guests waiting to be fed.
‘You need to start slicing the roast beef,’ she said faintly.
‘Mmm,’ said Leo circling her waist and pressing her to him.
‘Leo. The beef.’
He pulled his head back, a pout on his lips. ‘How can I be expected to think about boring things like beef, when all I want to do is to take you to bed? I’m dying here.’
She laughed. ‘Well, die more quietly, please.’
He groaned and buried his face in her neck. Unable to help herself, she put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, savouring the feel of his body against hers. She could stay here for ever.
Another burst of laughter forced her into action and she pushed him firmly away. ‘There. Stand there. Just while I get my breath back.’
Leo, being Leo, looked delighted with himself. She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Don’t let it go to your head.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’ Despite her making him stand apart from her, she could feel his gaze on her the whole time. Trying to distract herself again, she leaned into the dish and sniffed. ‘It smells good. I hope everyone likes it. I’m starting to think that maybe we shouldn’t have attempted Czech food and given them a curry or something.’
‘It’s all going well. Don’t worry. And Jakub turned up.’
‘He did and he hasn’t been rude to Karel yet. Although there’s still time.’
‘It’s not your problem. We’ve done a nice thing, inviting Jakub to dinner because he’s lonely and doesn’t eat properly.’ He rested his hands on her shoulders, grounding her. ‘It’s not your problem. Enjoy yourself. We’ve been looking forward to this and the food is going to be amazing.’
‘Though you say so yourself.’
‘Come on. We’re a dream team, this food is going to be a triumph.’ He touched his mouth in a chef’s kiss. ‘Let’s get everyone seated.’
Before he went back to the other room, he gave her bottom a quick caress, leaving her flustered again.
Anna began to transfer the food into piping hot bowls. When she carried the beef through, the rich creamy scent of the sví?ková sauce filling the air, everyone stopped talking.
‘That smells amazing,’ said Michaela.
‘I hope it tastes as good,’ said Anna, putting the serving dish on one of the table mats, noticing with a sinking heart that Karel and Jakub were staring in stony silence at each other. She shot Leo an anguished look, and he followed her back into the kitchen.
‘Do you want me to remove the knives?’ he asked before adding, ‘Don’t worry. They’ll be fine.’
‘God, I hope so,’ said Anna.
Leo helped her carry out the accompanying dishes of dumplings, cranberries and whipped cream.
‘Do you think we’ve got enough?’ she asked in a whisper.
‘Anna, I promise you, we’re going to be giving Jakub and Ludmila doggy bags and still be eating beef for a week.’
She stifled a laugh. He was probably right.
Everyone sighed with appreciation as Anna and Leo sat down. ‘A toast to our hosts. Thank you very much for inviting us into your home. It is very good to be here. And to meet new friends. Na zdraví ,’ said Jan raising his drink.
Glasses were tapped and Anna looked around, the candlelight casting a golden glow on everyone’s smiling faces. She felt a bud of heat flower inside her and exchanged a quick look with Leo at the opposite end of the table. He lifted his glass and gave her a luminous smile, the blue of his eyes glowing in the ambient light. Despite all the people around them, he still managed to make her feel the centre of his focus. She could have been the only person in the room. She exchanged a faint smile with him before turning to Karel on her right, who had asked her a question.
‘Sorry,’ she asked, having missed it.
‘I said, how is it working in the ?ilhov brewery with Jakub here?’ He jerked a thumb towards the older man, with an open, engaging grin.
Before Anna could answer, Jakub interrupted. ‘At least she is learning how to make beer properly. The way it should be made.’
Oh no, here we go.
‘The proper way?’ asked Karel.
‘Yes,’ said Jakub. ‘You think it’s old-fashioned but these methods have been used for hundreds of years. Why change them?’
‘Because people want new and different flavours,’ said Karel, jutting out his chin. ‘And the new methods are more cost-effective, more rational, more optimal.’
‘And you would throw away hundreds of years of heritage for novelty,’ said Jakub.
‘No, we’re building on hundreds of years and improving on them.
‘They don’t need improving. They have stood the test of time.’
‘Gentlemen, you’re both right,’ interrupted Ludmila, forceful despite her quiet words. Anna could see the steel in her, which must have stood her in good stead in her ballet career. ‘And you’re both wrong.’
They stared at her like a pair of children pulled up by their mother and far too polite to embroil her in their argument.
‘What is the most important thing when you are making beer?’ Ludmila threw the question out to the whole table. ‘Michaela?’
‘The taste.’
‘Jan?’
He nodded. ‘The taste.’
As she went around each person, everyone agreed, and when she reached Karel and Jakub, she simply tilted her head.
They both responded like a pair of sulky schoolboys. ‘The taste.’
Ludmila, holding court rather beautifully, then turned to Leo at the head of the table. ‘And what is the best-tasting curry, Leo? I know they eat a lot of it in England.’
He shrugged his shoulders, giving her his sweet smile. ‘I don’t know. There are so may. It depends what you like, whether you like a creamy korma, a semi-sweet, spicy Goan curry or the clean fragrant flavours of a Thai curry.’
‘Michaela, which wine is best?’
Michaela turned her mouth down. ‘Again, I couldn’t pick one.’
‘Jan, which Czech beer is best?’
Jan laughed. ‘There is no right answer.’
‘Exactly,’ said Ludmila and then turned back to the two men. ‘If you care so much about the beer, all you should care about is pleasing your customers. Giving them what they want and not arguing about silly things like whether the way it is made is better. Everyone likes different things. If everyone liked the same books, we’d all be reading the Bible.’ She smiled. ‘There is a wonderful phrase. I don’t know who said it first. Before you judge a person, walk a mile in their shoes. I think you should both go to each other’s breweries and spend some time there.’
‘Yes,’ piped up Michaela. ‘Perhaps you could learn from each other.’
Surprisingly, it was Jakub who spoke first. ‘I think … Anna has shown me that you can change things without losing everything. I think we should do this.’
Leo and Anna exchanged amazed looks. Karel blinked several times and then nodded. ‘I think I would be interested in coming to ?ilhov. Do you really think that a triple decoction is necessary? What about a double?’
And suddenly the two of them were off, talking with passion about beer.
Ludmila winked at Leo and Anna.
‘Would anyone like some more food?’ asked Anna, standing up.
‘Yes, can I get anyone another drink?’ Leo rose to his feet as well.
‘I would like the recipe for the beef,’ said Zdeňka as Karel held out a hand to Jakub, saying, ‘I will call you on Monday and we can make the arrangements.’
‘Excellent,’ said Jakub, extending his own hand to shake Karel’s.
It appeared a détente cordiale had been achieved.
Karel turned to Anna. ‘I would love some more of your very good beef. I like it very much.’
‘I too like it,’ said Jakub.
Normal service resumed as Anna dished out seconds before taking the casserole dish into the kitchen to refill. Leo joined her and wiped his forehead.
‘Phew. I can’t believe it,’ he said.
‘Amazing what good food and company can achieve,’ replied Anna.
‘Whose bright idea was it to invite everyone round for dinner again?’ he asked with a cocky smile.
Her hands slid up his arms and gave him a squeeze. ‘All yours, of course.’ She leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the lips. ‘Do I have to tell you how brilliant you are?’
He straightened up and grinned at her. ‘No, but you can show me.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘How soon can we get rid of everyone?’