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“Why do you always sneak away each time I want to show you how to process these figures?” Sven looked annoyed. They were in Sven’s study as he taught her Accounting 101. “What’s got into you?”
Annalise shifted from foot to foot, nervous. “It’s not you, it’s me. I just remembered I forgot to take a shower this morning.”
“Lying is not your strong suit, Annalise. I strongly discourage it. And don’t use the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ routine either. I’ve used that countless time in the past. It’s always about the other person’s fault and never about me. Now, spit it out, what’s wrong?”
“I…uhm.” She stepped backward when Sven closed the distance between them. “I don’t know what’s wrong. Lately, I feel awkward being around you. I can’t concentrate and I get jealous when other women talk ab
out you. Like yesterday, one of your assistants commented on how handsome you look in that new Westmancott suit, and suddenly I was itching to slap her. Sorry. This is new for me and I’m trying to deal with it.”
Unexpectedly, Sven laughed. His rich voice hit the wood-dominated ceilings of his private study.
Annalise grumbled. “I know I’m being stupid. Move along; there’s nothing to see.”
“Anna.” Sven seemed to struggle to keep his mirth under control. “Have you ever been in love before?”
“Of course I have. Don’t be silly.”
“No, you don’t understand. I mean, truly in love, not just as if you’d like someone.”
“Sven, you’re scaring me. I hope you’re not suggesting we exchange diaries and discuss our feelings. You’re acting like my best friend in middle school.”
“Am I?” He tugged her closer to him. “Did your best friend do this?” He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.
It wasn’t a friendly kiss like he did every morning—a peck on the forehead or cheek. It was a kiss a man gave to a woman when he wanted so much more, a carnal relationship, a deeper and intimate call that broke the invisible barrier between them. It melted her awkwardness for him into a simple feeling she understood: she wanted him. As a man. As her lover.
The kiss was exquisite, one that spurred her heart to beat faster and caused shimmering heat to rush through every vein.
He started slow—a lick of greeting, followed by an exploratory brush across her lips. What he did caused a high octane lust to burst out inside her. Her body responded wantonly. She opened up her mouth and Sven kissed her hungrily. Deep, all tongue and almost feral—one that took her breath away, and her mind was lost in the clouds. She could no longer think at that moment, and merely responded with instinct.
When Sven broke the kiss, the magic that lulled her stopped short, leaving her half-awake and dazed.
“I…Uhm. Sorry. Did you say something?” Annalise slurred like a drunkard.
“I thought so.”
Annalise tried hard to focus but her brain wasn’t cooperating.
“You want me,” he said. His eyes became unnaturally luminous. “I wish you’d be more honest with your feelings. Especially when you’re so blunt about everything else.”
“But this isn’t in the prenup.”
“No. No, it isn’t.”
“It would cause a problem when we’re getting divorced.”
“Anna, let me set something straight. I have no intention of divorcing you.”
Huh? She sobered up immediately.
“I love you. I love having you in my life. I don’t want anything to change. If that makes me selfish, so be it. And that being said, can we at least try to have a normal married life?”
She thought about it for a minute. She couldn’t deny it was also what she wanted. “I…I’d love to try.”
“Thank you.” Sven kissed her again. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her in the middle of the bed. He crawled on top of her and caressed her cheek. For a moment, Sven didn’t do anything. He just stared at her as if he was drinking in the outline of her features.
Annalise touched his face, feeling the roughness of his stubble. Sven was one of the few men who could wear stubble dazzlingly.. She licked her lips unconsciously. God, she just realized how badly she wanted this man. As badly as she needed her next breath. Why did she play a cat and mouse game with him? Sven treated her nicely, and so far he had never lied to her. She was always over-thinking stuff then drawing the wrong conclusion.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, begging.
