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Liam and Steph arrived at Jackson Villas just as the streetlights twinkled on. Steph released a soft whine as she looked through the screen door, sensing Louis wasn’t far away. Liam grinned as he knocked. ‘I feel ya, Steph.’
Ana rushed out of the kitchen, grinning as she pushed the door open. Liam stilled. Steph pulled on the lead and he let her go.
Ana lit up the doorway, her slender body wrapped in a simple black dress. It probably wasn’t supposed to be drop-dead sexy, but since when were black dresses not? Her hair tumbled over her shoulders in fluffy golden waves, her legs were a mile long, and she looked incredibly cute barefoot.
‘Wow.’ The word was a reflex as his gaze roamed down her body and back up. ‘You look gorgeous. Do you often hang around the house looking like that?’
‘Only when I’m waiting for you.’ She rose onto her toes and kissed him. ‘And thanks.’
She gestured him inside. Steph had already dashed through the house and was whimpering with Louis, unable to reach him as she scratched at the metal screen door. Liam followed Ana on lead feet as she bounced across the glossy tiles and let Steph out.
He was in trouble. Watching the way Ana’s dress clung to her body and how it swished around her thighs ... he wanted his hands on her. He wanted all of her. All of Anastasia Hamilton.
He wanted that dress off.
She spun around, her blonde hair lifting and settling again over her shoulders. ‘Would you like a drink? Dinner should be about ten minutes away. I have beer.’
‘Beer would be great.’
‘I bought Great Northern.’ She strode casually into the kitchen, but all Liam saw was a siren. Inhaling, he ordered himself to behave. ‘It seems to be the most popular beer around here.’
‘Yeah, it’s a Cairns company.’
‘I thought it must be local,’ she said, handing him a cold bottle. She took a Diet Coke for herself, set a dish in the microwave, and they moved to the table. Ana sat, crossing her slender legs as she popped open her drink. ‘How was your day?’
‘Not bad.’ He opened his beer. ‘Steph and I took a trip out to High Ridge and had lunch with the family. What about you?’
Needing physical contact, Liam placed his hand over hers and rubbed his thumb over her delicate hand. Ana smiled.
‘I cleaned and went to Meg’s. We decided to go shopping in Cairns soon. Should be fun.’
‘Maybe you could buy more dresses like that one.’
Her smile broadened. She tilted her head and her hair flicked over her shoulder, cheekiness filling her eyes. ‘You like it, do you?’
‘Well, yeah.’ He surveyed her once again. Her long legs were crossed elegantly beneath the table and she’d painted her toenails a glossy pink. Why was that alluring? ‘You sure know how to bring a man to his knees, Anastasia.’
Leaning forward, she brushed her lips over his. Her taste lingered and something inside Liam broke. He reached out, slipped his fingers into her hair, and pulled her close, kissing her deeply as she opened and surrendered. Desire rippled through him. He didn’t know why he’d pulled away from their steamy kiss last night. He hadn’t wanted to. Maybe part of him had felt it was too much of a risk because if they took the next step, it’d break his heart to see her leave, flee, or be hurt again. But the desire he felt for this woman couldn’t be quenched and tonight ... he would love Anastasia tonight. Reaching for her hip, he pulled her closer and gathered the slinky material in his hand. Ana nipped excitedly at his lower lip, then drew away.
‘We better eat. Dinner will burn.’
The words ‘let it’ lingered on Liam’s tongue as he no longer had an appetite for food. But he let her go because they should eat and whatever was in the oven smelled incredible.
‘You want any help?’
‘No, I’m fine,’ she replied, but he stood when she did, leaning against the counter as she moved around the kitchen. She poured the vegetables into a colander and withdrew two trays from the oven. One contained potatoes while the other was a loaf of some kind.
‘That looks great.’
She smiled. ‘Lentil loaf. I hope you like it.’
‘I don’t doubt I will,’ he said honestly. Food was food and he’d enjoy anything his beautiful Anastasia cooked.
She plated up and they returned to the table. Liam sampled the loaf and gravy first. It melted in his mouth, a mix of herbs and spices bursting over his tongue.
‘Wow. That’s delicious.’
She beamed, her blue eyes brightening. ‘I’m glad you like it.’
* * *
Ana’s heart raced as she ate her spiced potatoes, quite pleased that with very little effort, she’d turned Liam to putty in her hands. Excitement and power shimmied through her. His eyes had been devouring her since he’d arrived.
As usual, Liam looked gorgeous. The blue polo shirt enhanced the brightness of his eyes and the cuffs pulled tight around his strong arms that she desired to have wrapped around her. All night.
But first, she enjoyed her dinner. She’d had no idea what she was going to cook and had gone back and forth between her favourite dishes all morning until deciding on the lentil loaf. Sometimes, it was best to keep it simple and she was glad he liked it. She’d more often than not failed to impress men with her vegetarian meals.
But she shouldn’t have worried. Liam had already proven to be openminded. And while she didn’t wish to convert him, it was nice to know that their dietary differences shouldn’t come between them and that if she wanted to make lentil loaf for dinner, he wouldn’t demand she make a separate meatloaf just for him.
Like Rick had.
Her lip curled as she chewed. Ana glanced at the dogs and shoved Rick from her mind.
‘I still have to give you those dog-friendly recipes,’ she said as Steph and Louis stared at them through the screen door.
‘Absolutely. What do you have in mind?’
‘Bickies and pupcakes. They’re easy to make and just like any other baked-good, except with dogs, we want to avoid additives, sugars, fats, and unsuitable grains.’
‘Uh-huh. So, all natural?’
‘Pretty much. And it’s all normal food, so you can make them in the café without worrying about cross-contamination. Louis’ favourite biscuit recipe is just flour, water, and peanut butter. I reckon we get paw-shaped cookie cutters online and call them Peanut Butter Paws.’
Liam grinned around his fork. ‘I love it.’
‘They’ll be a big hit,’ Ana said as they finished their dinner. ‘I have some natural peanut butter in the cupboard, so we can make them one day and see if Steph likes them.’
‘Let’s do that this week.’
‘And I’ll find the other recipes I’ve tried. I don’t remember everything I’ve made for Louis.’ She stood and took their plates to the sink. ‘I should probably feed them though. They look hungry.’
‘Nah, Steph just doesn’t understand being outside.’
Ana laughed. ‘I sneaky-let Louis inside on occasion, mainly to enjoy the air-conditioning, but I don’t want to get in trouble with the Rileys.’
She fed the dogs, then returned to the table and picked up her can of Diet Coke. ‘Do you want to wait before dessert?’
‘I think so,’ he said, placing his empty beer bottle down. ‘What would you like to do instead?’
Her heart hammered, but that didn’t stop Ana from offering Liam her most seductive smile. Leaning forward, she took his hand in hers. She hadn’t set out to be provocative. It wasn’t like her and all she’d done was slip on a black dress. But Liam obviously liked her cheerful attitude, so Ana rolled with it.
‘Whatever you suggest.’
‘I want to kiss you.’
‘Good plan.’
Liam’s mouth met hers, hot and heavy. His fingers dived into her hair and Ana’s blood heated, sending a pleasant burn shooting up her spine. As he slipped his arm around her waist, she closed the distance between them and moved onto his lap.
He swooped in, ravishing her until all her thoughts vanished. His fist twisted around her hair and she tilted her head back, his tongue brushing hers as her passion unleashed. A noise escaped from deep within her throat as his hand ran up the side of her dress, coming around to mould her breast. Her lips moved from his and she gasped for air, her body on fire.
His name escaped on a breath as he rained kisses down her throat and sucked gently at her collarbone.
‘Anastasia ... dessert can wait. You taste so much better.’
Her lips curved, heat settling deep in her belly as she brought her gaze to his. She kissed him once and brushed her fingers down the back of his neck. ‘Come upstairs, Liam.’
He released a short breath as she stood and pulled him to his feet. His hands slid down her hips as he kissed her again. Flashing him another inviting smile, she took his hand and led him towards the stairs.
‘You planned this, didn’t you? Wore a sexy little dress to seduce me?’
‘Baby, it wasn’t the dress.’ She turned when they reached the upper floor and his mouth found hers. He gripped her hips, need radiating from his warm body. Ana ran her hands up his chest and explored the hard ridges beneath his cotton shirt. Her toes curled into the carpet.
‘I like the dress,’ he whispered, moving his hands down her thighs, ‘but I knew I wanted you the day you arrived.’
‘Me too,’ Ana breathed, unwrapping her arms as he lifted the dress over her head. His gaze roamed down her body, making her feel sexy and powerful. She thanked God again for the discounts at Bras ’n’ Things.
‘Gorgeous.’ On a breath, he captured her lips. ‘You’re beautiful, Ana.’
Her heart waltzed as she slipped her hands over his hips and down his fine butt. Stumbling backwards, she pulled him into the bedroom and started with his shirt, pushing it up his lean body until he pulled it off. Her fingers splayed over his chest, soaking him in as she committed the moment to memory. Then her hands lowered to his waist and they both worked on unbuckling his pants. Liam kicked them away before he grabbed her around the waist and tumbled them onto the bed.
Touches grew hotter but remained sweet and tender as their entangled bodies overflowed with passion. It’d been so long since Ana had felt wanted, but never had it felt this real as Liam trailed kisses down her body. Touch to touch, breath to breath, whisper to whisper, they moved in perfect harmony. As his hands brushed over her skin, shivers shot down her spine. Her fingers dived into his hair as he kissed and sucked at the tender flesh between her breasts.
Ana smiled and tried to roll him. Liam obliged. Then she began her own exploration, running her hands down his tanned, muscular belly.
They took their time, kissing, touching, and finding the feel of each other. Then her bra clasp came undone. Liam lowered his head to taste her, teasing until she was flirting with the edge of control. Ana had to stop herself from begging.
‘Anastasia ...’ he kept calling her. ‘You’re so beautiful.’
They slipped off each other’s underwear. He touched her and she arched, her breath falling short as her fingernails dug into the back of his hard shoulders. ‘Oh, God. I have ... stuff ... in the ... drawer ...’
It took a moment, but safe and prepared, Liam captured her mouth with his. Then on one long kiss, he slid into her. Ana gasped, her toes curling over the sheets as she met him. He held her close. Everything fell into place as they moved. Sheets wrinkled, fingers interlocked, and gazes held as they built towards their peaks. They spoke names in whispers and the many syllables of hers on his lips danced over her heart in a precious harmony.
As only he called her Anastasia.
* * *
‘You look so sexy in my shirt.’ Liam smiled as Ana returned to the bedroom with two steaming bowls of apple crumble. She sat cross-legged on the bed and handed him one.
‘You look sexy in my sheets.’
Liam glanced down at the hot pink sheets that graced Ana’s bed and frowned. ‘Yeah ... I don’t think I’ve ever been in sheets so bright before. All of mine are boring colours.’
She spooned dessert into her mouth. ‘I like to have colour in my bedroom. Simple and pale aren’t my style.’
‘Well, I like them. Maybe not the pink,’ he admitted, chewing, ‘but having colour is nice. This apple crumble is excellent by the way.’
Her eyes brightened. ‘Thanks. It’s a simple, microwaveable recipe. More apple than crumble, but I like it. So, um ...’ Her lips pressed around her spoon. ‘Do you want to stay? I checked on Steph and Louis and they’re happy.’
There wasn’t anything he wanted more. The past hour had been amazing. Ana was sexy, responsive, and he didn’t want to keep his hands off her. Going home? Not an option. Steph would survive being an outside dog for the night.
‘Do you want me to stay?’
She nodded. ‘I’d like it if you did. We can have breakfast.’
‘If the offer of breakfast is there, then how can I refuse?’ He reached across the bed, squeezed her knee, and smiled. ‘Of course, I’ll stay.’
She grinned. ‘Good.’
‘But I think I’ll have to take my shirt back.’
‘Yeah, like that’d be such a terrible thing.’ She laughed as she finished her apple crumble, tucked her legs beneath her, and sat back on her heels. ‘Maybe that’s why I want you to stay.’
Liam tried to suppress his desire until he finished his dessert. ‘Then I’ll definitely be sticking around.’
She placed her bowl on the bedside table, then crawled towards him, the large collar of his shirt providing him an excellent view of underneath. Ana touched her lips to his and Liam surrendered. His dessert would keep. The crockery cluttered as he blindly reached to place his bowl with hers. He ran his hands up her taut thighs and returned her sweet kiss with a touch of tenderness.
Yep, he was in definite trouble now. But as he brushed his hands up to cup her bottom, the last thing he cared about was the vulnerability of his heart. It was hers, always would be, and as long as he protected her, Ana would never need to leave. She could stay in Elizadale and enjoy her newfound love of country living. And then one day ... well, who knew?
Ana pulled away and met his gaze. Her lips curved in that seductive grin she’d nailed tonight. ‘Are you going to take your shirt back?’
Liam laughed. ‘Yep.’
In a flash, he had his shirt on the floor and Ana beneath him, pulling the doona up to hide them away from the world.
* * *
Almost at the same moment, thousands of kilometres away in his dingy studio apartment, Rick Newman grinned in triumph. His blood pumped, heart thumped, and fists clenched in anticipation. His hard work had paid off. For a while there, he’d thought he’d never find her. That she was in some ridiculous witness protection or something. But there it was on his computer screen.
Ana Hamilton. Elizadale State School.
Opening Google Maps, Rick searched for the school and frowned when the map landed him in the middle of nowhere. He scrolled out. Far North Queensland. Shit, she’d sure made tracks. Could be worse, she could be in Western Australia. But to get to Elizadale ...
Rick swore. He’d need at least three or four days just to drive there. Flying wasn’t an option as he couldn’t be caught leaving New South Wales. He could sneak over the border in a car, but until the bloody court loosened the leash on his parole, he’d be stupid to make a break for her. They’d know he was gone before he even made it to the backwater town.
Rick sat back in his chair, fury raging as he ran his hands down his face. He had to wait. He had no choice. But he’d found her and that’s what was important. Anastasia Hamilton had some time left while he remained compliant with his parole.
But the bitch would be lucky if she saw April.