ONFIRE

ASteamyOlderManYoungerWomanRomance

MiaMadison

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allcharacters,placesandeventsarefromtheauthor’simaginationandshouldnotbeconfusedwithfact.
Anyresemblancetopersons(livingordead),placesoreventsispurelycoincidental.Allcharactersinvolvedinsexualactivityare18
yearsofageorolder.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedinanymaterialform,whetherbyprinting,photocopying,scanning
orotherwisewithoutthewrittenpermissionoftheauthororpublisher.

Applicationsshouldbeaddressedinthefirstinstance,inwriting,totheauthor.

NOTE:Thisstorycontainsscenesofasexualnatureandlanguageonlysuitableformaturereaders.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER1

Anna

“Don'tdothat!”
Shit!Ishoutedthatwithoutthinking,butthere'saguy,whodoesn'thaveacluewhatdamagehe's

doing,hackingawayinthebackgardennextdoortoGran'swithanelectrichedgetrimmer.

“Whatthe...”Hestartstosay,andthenhethinksbetterofit,stopsandlooksup.
Heglowersatme.Theguyismad!Andcrap!Hehasthekindoffaceyouwanttoseesmilingatyou

acrossacrowdedroomnotscowlingatyouatthreeo'clockintheafternoonoverthegardenwallona
mistygraydayinCornwall.

Whothehellishe?ThehousenextdoortoGranhasbeenemptyforoverayear.Ididn'texpectto

seeanyonethereattackingtheovergrownjungleatthebackofthehousewhenIsteppedoutsidetodoabit
ofworkinGran'sgardenwhilesheputthekettleon.

Butmadornot,gorgeousornot,there'snoexcuseforvandalismevenifthegardenwilltakea

mountainofhardworktoclear.“That'saBeesJubileeClematis.Juststop!You'regoingtokillitlike
that.”

“Butallthis...”Heindicatesthemessofagarden.“Whohastimeforallthis?MaybeIwantit

killed.”He'slookingatmenow,reallylooking,andit'sdisconcerting.“Areyoualwaysthatbossy?”

“OnlywhenIseesomeonedoingahatchetjobonaplant.Thatclematiswaslovelyafewmonths

ago.Beautifulpinkflowerseverysummer.Areyoualwaysthisangry?”

“NotusuallywithawomanI'mtakingtodinner.”
Foramoment,Idon'tgetit.
“Yes,Imeanyou,”hesays.“You.Me.Restaurant.Weeat.That'sgenerallyhowitgoes.”
Ihaveafeelinghehasmorethandinneronhismindthewayhe'slookingatmeandmakingmy

insidesgotomushagainstmybetterjudgment.He'sgorgeous.Beautifulgreeneyes,crinklesatthecorners
nowthathe'snotscowling.Thematuretypewhoprobablyknowshiswayaround.I'veneverdatedanyone
morethanacoupleofyearsolderthanme.

Butit'sasifheexpectsmetosayyeswithoutquestion,withoutbotheringtoevenaskmynameand

gettoknowme.Whothehelldoeshethinkheis?Noway!

Ifthere'sonethingIhate,it'sguystellingmewhattodo.Myex,Gavin,alwaysthoughtheknew

betterthanme.Ishoulddothis.Ishouldn'tdothat.Iignoredhimhalfthetimebuttheotherhalf,Iwasrun
raggedsecond-guessingwhathewanted,thinkingIwasmakinghimhappy,onlytohavehimtellmetodo
somethingelseentirely.Neveragain.

“Areyouforreal?”Isay.IsworeoffassholeslikeGavinlastyearforthewholedecade—no,

century,whatever—forlife.Andthisguyhasallthesignsofbeingamajorpainintheass.Hotornot.
“Youhavethenervetocallmebossy.Idon'tthinkso,mister.”

“Suityourself,lady.”Helaughs.“Youknowwheretofindmewhenyouchangeyourmind.”

“Ooooh,ofallthe...”Wordsfailmeforonce.AndallIcandoisflouncebackintothehouse.The

gardenhelpforGrancanwait.

Shehandsmeacupoftea.“Hereyougo.What'sthematter?”
“Thanks,Gran.It'sjustthatirritatingmaninthegardennextdoor.Whoishe?”
“Oh,theemptyhouse!Hejustturnedupwithhisfamily.MovedinonFriday.Hesawmestruggling

withmyshoppingandhelpedmeinwithit.Itwillbelovelytohaveayoungsternextdoorag...”

“Hisfamily?Right!”Notjustanasshole.Aprizecheatingasshole.I'mbackouttherebeforeshecan

finishhersentence.

Buthe'sgoneinside.Ifhespotsmefromhishouse,he'llprobablythinkIcameouttochangemy

mindaboutthatdate.Fan-freakin'-tastic.

“Married!Andhejusthadthenervetoaskmeout,”IcomplaintoGran.
“IknewhewasmarriedevenbeforeIsawthelittleboy.”Gransniffs.
“How?”
“Easy,”shesays.“Ilistentomygranddaughter.Youalwaystellmeallthebestonesaretaken.”
She'snotwrongthere.Theyare.Wellandtrulytaken.Butthere'snowaythatplant-killingcreep

belongsinthe“bestones”category.Nowayatall.

CHAPTER2

Rory

Thefirecrackernextdoordidn'tevengivemehername.Ha!IlovethewaysheblushedwhenI

askedheroutlikesheneverhadaguyhittingonherbefore.Noway!Notwiththosecurves.

Eventhebigsweaterandsweatpantscouldn'thidewhatwasgoingonunderneath.Sweetfacetoo.

Andahintofredinherdarkhair–maybewherethattempercamefrom—alltiedupinapony-tail.Ican
justimagineholdingittightwhile...oops,downboy.She'sfeisty,probablyhighmaintenanceandthat
meanshardwork.Still,feistyisgood.Feistyandcurvy.Check.

IwanttocallnextdoorandmakeherblushagainbutIneedtopickupSamfromkindergartensoon.

Betternotbelate.

Mrs.Tamworthnextdoordidn'tmentionanyonelivingwithherbutthenweonlyjustsaidhelloand

notmuchelsebeforeIheardSamcreatingariotamongthepackingboxesandIhadtogo.

IfMissFeistyisstilltherewhenwegetbackfromschool,I'llfindouthernameandaskherout

againbeforeshedisappears.

FirecrackermeetBossy.Really,shehasnoideahowbossyIcanbe.

CHAPTER3

Anna

ItellGranI'llbebackthenextdaytodohergardenwhenthedouchebagnextdoorwillhopefully

notbearound.There'sabitmoreworkthanIthoughtandIhavenoclientsforacoupleofdays.Ineedto
dosomethingaboutthat.TheproblemisIlikedoinggardensmorethanIlikesellingmygardening
service.

IshouldhavemadeGran'sneighborpaymeforthefreeadvice.Aselectionofstarterversionsof

theplantsandshrubshewasabouttohackdownwouldcosthimahundredpoundsormoreatthegarden
centerandtakeagestogrowhigherthanafootortwo.

ButImuststopthinkingofthatcreep.I'vehadenoughofmenlikethatforalifetime.Myfriend

Jennysaysthatthere'snowayIcouldhaveknownquitehowassholishGavinwouldturnouttobe.

Hedidn'thaveabigstamponhisforehead.Hismannerswereperfectevenifhetriedtotellme

whattodo.Therewerenorealredflagmomentsashesquirmedhiswayintomylifeandmybedandgot
thekeytomyheartandmystudioapartmentinLondon.

No.Theveryfirstsignofwhatabastardheturnedouttobewasmecominghomesickfromwork

andfindingIcouldn'tgetintobedbecausehewasalreadyinit!Andnotalonebutwithsomestickinsect
frommarketing,whoImetattheChristmasparty.IforgothernamebutIwouldhavebeensureto
rememberitifIhadknowntwoweekslatersheandGavinwouldbeconvenientlyusingmyplaceintheir
lunchhourforashag-fest.

WhenIgobackthenextday,there'snosignofthemarriedcheatingscumbagnextdoorasIworkon

Gran'sgarden.Ifhe'swatchinghe'llseeexactlyhowpruningshouldbedoneandthenhowIdealwith
weeds,atonofwhichhaveprobablyfloatedoverthelowgardenwallfromhisside.IthinkI'llplant
morebulbsfornextspringtoo,thoughGranhasalotalready.

I'mthereforhours,workingaway.IamabsolutelynotlookingoutforAsshole.Not.At.All.Hehas

abigTAKENsignaroundhisneck.I'mnotsorryaboutthat.Hiswifeiswelcometohim,poorwoman.

AndifI'mlookingtoseeifhe'saround,it'sonlytogivehimapieceofmymind.Yes.That'sit.A

pieceofmymind.Becauseidiotslikehimshouldnotbeallowedtogetawaywithanything.I'mstill
smartingatthearroganceoftheman.Atallmeningeneral.

Still,Iwouldn'tevenbehereinCornwallifitwasn'tforthatcreepGavin.Ijustneedtogetmore

worktostayhere.JennysaysIcancrashonhercouchifIeverneedtoreturntoLondon,butthewhole
ideaofgoingbacktothebankandthecitynoiseandcrowdsmakesmewanttoweep.

Ilookoveratthehousenextdoorbutthere'snoonethere.

CHAPTER4

Rory

It'sgoodtoseemysisterSadielookingbetter.Samjumpsupontoherhospitalbedandshegives

himabighug.

“Haveyoumissedme?”sheaskshimandwincesasshecuddlesherson.
“Yes,”hesays.“ButUncleRorytookmetothebeach.Heletmeholdthestringonthekite.”
“Well,I'msureUncleRorywilltakeyouagainevenafterIgetoutofhere.”
“Tryandkeepmeaway.IthinkIenjoyeditasmuchashim,”Itellher.
“How'sthenewplace?SorrytolandSamonyouinthemiddleofthat.”
“I'msettlingin.Theneighborsarefriendly.”
“Don'ttellmeyou'reuptoyourusualtrickswiththem.”
“Nope.I'vebeenverygoodlately.Ihaveresponsibilities.”IlookatSam.“He'sagoodwingman

shouldIeverhavethehotsforthewomenattheschoolgate,though.”

“You'regross.Youknowthat.Youshouldfindtherightwomanandsettledownwithher.Adifferent

womaneverynightisnowaytoliveyourlife.”

“Notadifferentwomaneverynight.YouknowIworkshifts,”Itease.She'stryingtobeseriousbut

sheshouldknowmebynow.Thatseriousstuffisforotherguys.Relationshipssuck.I'veseenhowbad
theycanbe.So,hasSadieforthatmatterandlookwheresheendedup—singleparenthoodcity.Lovely
thoughSamis,it'satoughgig.

Butcometothinkofit,lately,ithasn'tbeensomuchanewwomaneverynightasnotatall.Even

beforeIhadSamstayingwithme.

“Nodoubtaboutit.You'redefinitelygross,”Sadiesays.“I'msureI'mnotrelatedtoyou.Youmust

havebeenadoptedatbirthorswappedbythemidwife.”

“Sorry,we'rerelated.Everyonesaysso.”Youjusthavetolookinthemirror.Mysisterlooksjust

likemewithherdarkhairandgreeneyesonlysofter,morefeminine.

“You'reanaberrationthen.”
“It'sfunbeinganaberrationnowandagain.Youshouldtryitsometime.”ButmaybeI'mnotsucha

goodadvertisementforthatlifestyle.Itwasfunforalongtimebutit'sdefinitelywearingthin.HowdidI
nevernoticethatuntilnow?

“AsifIhavetime,”Sadiesays.
“Tellmeaboutit.Thelittlefellerisgreatbutit'stwenty-fourseven.”
“Who'stellingwho?But,seriously,thanksforeverything.YouknowIloveyou.”
“Yeah,right.”
It'sfunnySadieandIwereneverfriendsintheearlyyears.WithSadiebeingtenyearsyounger,we

weretoofarapartinagetodoanythingmorethangetineachother'sway,atleastuntilthesameno-good

fatherbailedonusandwelandedupwithafosterfamily.Thatshitcangettoyou.

SamandIsaybyetoSadie,whowillbegoinghometomorrow.Thoughshe'llstillneedabitof

help,Samwillbeabletosleepinhisownbedaftertonightandmyleaveatthefirestationwillbeover.

ButI'dstillliketofixupadatewithMissFeistyforwhenI'mfreeagain.MaybeIshouldjustattack

theshrubsagainandenticeherout.

CHAPTER5

Anna

I'mjustaboutfinishedworkingonGran'sgardenwhentheguyfromnextdoorcomesout,nokidor

wifeintow,andwavesoverthegardenwallatme.Thelowwallsbetweenthesehousesmightbegood
forchattingtoyourneighborsbuttheyarenousewhatsoeverforprotectingyoufromtheonesyoudon’t
wanttotalkto.

“It'sgoingtopourdownsoon,”thecreepsaysconversationally,lookingatthedarkclouds

gathering.

“Well,ifitisn'tMr.Destruction,”Isay.
“Yourfavoriteplantdestroyeratyourservice.”
Hesmilesandcomescloser.I'llsoonknockthatsmileoffhisface.“Iwouldn'tsaythat.”
“Whatwouldyousay?”
“Oh,Idon'tknow.Asshole,creep,moron,jerk...”Irunoutofwordsbutthat'sbecausehe'slooking

atmewideeyedasifI'vegonecrazy.

“That'sabitrichfornotknowingaflowerlessplantfromaweedgettingoutofcontrol,but

whatever.”Heshakeshisheadindisbeliefandturnsaway.

I'mnotlettinghimgetawaywiththinkingI'mthecrazyonearoundhere.“It'snothingtodowiththe

plants.Youaskedmeout.”

“Andthatmakesmecrazy?FromwhereI'mstandingyougotitinone.JustforgetIeversaid

anything.”

Aargh!Iwanttosquealinfrustration.Buthe'sgonebeforeIcansayanotherword.Asshole!

ButasI'mpackingawaymytools,morethanreadytocallitaday,hiskidcomesout.Hemustbe

aboutfiveyearsold.Theboyplopshimselfdowninthedampearthandstartsmakingahillforthetoycar
he'sholdingtocareerdownorsomething.

Ibetthatidiothasnoideahowdifficultitwillbetogetthedirtoutofthoseclothes.ButIdon't

expecthe'stheonewieldingthelaundrydetergent.

ThenMr.Creephimselfappears.“Sam?Oh,thereyouare.Seethatladynextdoor?Ifyou'reever

outhereandshegoescrazy,comerightbackinsideandtellmeorMummy.”

I'mjustaboutspeechless.I'mnotsurehe'sevenjoking.ButIgathermyselftogetherbeforehe

disappearsagain.

“Youcallmecrazy!Doesyourwifeknowshe'smarriedtosuchacreep?”
“What?Mywife?Difficultwhenthismythicalcreaturedoesn'texist.”
He'sstandingthere,lookingbemused,hishand,inhishairandhisT-shirtclinginginalltheright

places.PlacesIshouldn'tbelooking,distractingme.

“Butyouhaveason,”Isaybringingmymindbacktothematterinhand.“Withamother.”

IpointoveratSaminthemud.He'sgettingmessierbytheminute.That'sprettydamningflesh-and-

bloodevidenceinmybookbuttheguynextdoordoesn'tturnahair.SurelyGranwasn'tmakingitup.She
mightbeold,butsheisn'tsenile.“Gransaidshesawyouwithyourkid.Shesaidafamilymovedinto
yourhouse.”

Hesmiles.“Thislittleguyismynephew,Sam.”
“Yournephew!”Shit!Ifeelmyfaceredden.“Sorry,”isallIcanmanage.Ireallymessedupwith

him.Still,heseemslikeabossyassholeanywaythewayheassumedI'dwanttogooutwithhim.Avery
sexyassholebutanassholenonetheless.

“ImetyourgranwhenIfirstmovedin.ShemusthaveseenSamandmaybemysister,Sadie,too?”

hesays.“LastIchecked,Iwasn'tmarriedtomysister.Ithoughtthatwasn'tevenlegalinmostofthe
world.”

“Notyourchildthen,”Isaystupidly.Andthenevenworse,“Notmarried.”
“Nopeandnoagain.I'vebeenlookingafterSamforawhiletohelpmysisterout.Andgreatashe

is.Ican'tsayIhadanyhandinhismaking.”

“Rightthen,that'sbetter.”ButIdon'tfeelbetteratall.Ifeellikeaprizeidiot.Ikneeldownandstart

re-weedingthebedsIalreadyweededbehindthewall.It'sbetterifIcan'tseehim.Icanpretendhe'snot
there.Butheleansrightoverthewall.AndIvowI'mgoingtogrowahedgeorsomethinginfrontofthe
waist-highwall–somethingfastgrowingandtalllikeLeylandiithoughIhatethemwithapassion.

“So,Ithinkyouowemethatdatenowbywayofapology,don'tyou?”
Ihavetosay,he'spersistentandsureofhimself.I'mtryingnottolikethatabouthim.WhydoIlike

thataboutmen?It'sperverse.Noonetellsmewhattodo!Noone!

Igetupbecausehidingisnotworking.“I'mnotgoingoutwithyou.Idon'tevenknowyourname.”
HeholdsouthishandandItakeitbecausewhatelsewouldIdo?Hisgripisfirmbuthedoesn't

crushmyhand.Itrytopretendit'sjustlikeanyneighborlyhandshakebutit'snot.

Farfromit.Idon'twanthimtoletgo,foronething.Hehasstrong,capablehands,thekindthat

couldholdagirlandneverlethergo,thekindthatareattachedtobeautifullymuscledforearms.Thekind
thatmakemethinkallkindsofunchastethoughts.ButI'mnotgoingthere.Noway.

“I'mRory.Pleasedtomeetyou,Anna.”Hesmilesatme.
“Howdoyouknowmyname?”
“Fromyourvanparkedoutside.Anna'sgardeningservices.Unlessyoustolethevan,youbeing

crazyandall.So,dinneritis,Anna.”

“Idon'tdodinner,butyesit'smyvanandIdodogardening.”
Hedoesn'tevenflinchthatIturnedhimdown.Thathurtsalittle.“Youdon'teat?”
“NotunlessIdoalotmoregardening.”That'snotfarfromthetruththoughI'msureGranwon'tlet

mestarve.

“So,whatifIhireyou?Ineedtogetthiscrapsortedout.”
“UncleRorysaidabadword.”Sam'svoicepipesupfromthepileofmud.
UncleRoryrollshiseyesandlaughs.“UncleRorydidandhe'sverysorry.Don'ttellyourmotheron

me.”

“Ichargetwentypoundsanhour,”Itellhim.Ugh!Ihateselling.Whatifit'stoomuch?Buthell,I

knowIdoagreatjob.“I'mwortheverypenny.”

“I'msureyouare.”Hesmilesatme.Ialmostexpecthimtomakesomecrudecommentbuthe

doesn't.Hedoesn'tsayanythingatall.Maybehe'senjoyinghowbadIamatsellingmyservices.

Myheartsinks.Truthis,nowthatI'veturnedhimdownforadate,there’satinypartofmewishesI

hadn't.Saying“no”hasbeenmydefaultreactionsinceGavin.

Andthenhesays,“I’dsayyou'redefinitelyworthit.Notwithstandingyourobvioussuperiorability

tosortoutmyoutdoorspace,there'stheentertainmentvaluewhenyoumakeallkindsofwrong
assumptionsandtheviewfromthewindowswhenyou'reouthere.Altogetherworthit.”

Isquealinprotest.Ofallthe...
“Sorry,couldn'tresist.Areyoualwaysthiseasytowindup?Twentypoundsanhourwillbefine,”

hesayscompletelystraight-faced.

Andnow,I'mMissNo-Sense-of-Humor.Thiscouldn'tgetanyworse.
“Let'ssaythreehoursaweek.Justonecondition,”hesays.
“What?”
“Thatdinner.Adatewilldoinsteadofanapologyfortalkingaboutmebehindmybackwithyour

grandmotherandthinkingtheworst.Whatelsedidyousay?I'mintrigued.”

“Nothing,”butIcanfeelmycheeksgoingred.He'llknowI'mnottellinghimeverythingwesaid.
“Ihavewaysofmakingyoutalk.Ifindmargaritasworklikemagic,”hesays.
“Notonme.”
“Theyworkonmeeverytime.Don'tyoulikemargaritas?OrhaveIdonesomethingelsetooffend

youapartfrommakingyouthinkIhadawifeandakidorsixkeptoutofsight?”

“No.”
“Thenhere'sthedeal.Ihireyouthreehoursaweekonconditionyouhavedinnerwithme.Youcan

saveatonofshrubsfrombeingmurdered.Webothgettoeat.”

“That'sblackmail.”
“Ilearnedfromanexpert.”HenodsoveratSam.“'I'llonlyeatmycornflakesifIcantakemy

Skywalkeractionfiguretoschool.'oralternatively'Iwon'tgotosleepEVERunlessyoureadmeanother
story.'Worksonmeeverytime.”

“Don'tyouknowgivinginlikethatisbadparenting?Kidsneedafirmhand,Ihear.”
“Ihaveaveryfirmhand.”Heraiseshiseyebrowsandsomethingmeltsinme.DoeshemeanwhatI

thinkhemeans?WhythehellamIreactingtothat?“AveryfirmhandbutnotwithSam.Hecanwindme
aroundhislittlefinger.Othersnotsomuch.So,dinner?”

Andnowhe'slookingatmewaitingforananswer.Iswearmyheartstopped.WhatdoIsay?Shit!

CHAPTER6

Rory

Iseeshe'swavering.Confusionpaintedalloverherface.Shewantstoandshedoesn'tforsome

unfathomablereason.There'snothinguncomplicatedaboutwomen.ThatIhavelearned.Andusually,I
havenointerestwhatsoeverintheircomplicatedthoughts.Noneedtofindoutwhatthey'rethinkingona
dateorafteradate.Imoveonbeforeit'sanissue.Butthisoneintriguesme.Whatisgoingoninherhead?
Whothefuckknows?

“Look,I'llsweetenthepot,”Isay.“DinneratBerry's.Fivehoursgardeningaweek.Finaloffer.I

bookatable.Youcome.Istopkillingshrubs.Easydecision.”

Berry's?Shit!DidIsaythat?I'mjustassumingIcangetatableandthosethingsarelikegolddust.

Paulatthestationtriedtobookoneforhisanniversaryamonthaheadandtherewasnochance.Butwhat
thefuck,I'llgetonesomehow.JustbecauseRaymondBerryisonTVwithhisbigchef’shatdoesn'tmean
hisrestaurantwillbefulleverynightoftheweek,right?

Andshenods.Victory.I'mnotsurewhatswungit,Berry'sorthefivehours,soI'dbetterdeliveron

therestaurant.

“When?”shesays.“IcandoThursdaysorFridays,startingthisweek,ifit'snotraininghard.”
“Raining?”Oh,shemeansgardening
“Ifit'stoowetthesoilgetscompacted,”shesayslikeIcaredaboutthefreakin'mud.
“Eitherday.Whateversuitsyou.I'llbeintouchaboutdinner.Givemeyournumber.”
Shefishesadirtencrustedcardoutofthebackpocketofherjeans.Mmm!Nicecurvyass.Hernails

arenotpaintedorlonglikeotherwomen,moregrubbythanvarnished.I'mstartingtolikethenaturallook
moreandmoreasIlookather.Hercardsays“Anna'sLandscaping.GardenDesignandMaintenance.”

“Right,Anna,I'llletyouknowaboutdinner.”
“Right,”shelooksasifshe'sabouttosaysomethingelsebutthenshelooksovermyshoulder.“Oh,

don'tyouthinkyoushouldstopSambeforeheclimbsthattree?”

Ilookbehindmeinpanic.Hell!Ishouldknowbynow.Youcan'ttakeyoureyesoffhimandontoa

setoflusciouscurvesfortwominutesandhe'sgettingintotrouble.IgrabSamandswinghimaroundand
hegiggles.Ilookoverthewall.“I'dbettergivehimhistea.Spaghettihoopsandsausagestonight.”

Anna'snotsmilingatall.“Yes,okay.”
She'sabitfrostygiventhatwe'regoingonadate.WhathaveIsaidnow?
Shemightbehardworkbutatleastshe'snotgoingtogetantsinherpantsovereverytwigIchop

downnowifshe'stheonedoingthechopping.

Maybeaskingheroutwasabigmistake.Whothehellknowswiththisone?

CHAPTER7

Anna

Crap!DidIjustagreetoadatewiththeNeanderthal“meTarzanyouJane”typenextdoor?Very

goodlookingascavemengobuttoosmoothforhisowngood.He'sobviouslyusedtocharmingthepants
offwomenandexactlywhoIneedtoavoid.LikethePlague.

Butfivehoursworkaweek!Ahundredpounds!Fivehourswithouthavingtodoanysellingatall.

Nomatterhowawkwardadatewillbe,evenifit'sabigdisappointment,Iwantthework.Correction.I
needthework.

Ijustwishmybodywouldstopbetrayingmeeverytimethemancomesclose.Hell,evenwhenI

thoughthewasmarriedmynippleswerepoppinguptosayhellowhentheyhadnobusiness
acknowledginghisexistence.

AndthewaymyheartisbeatingoutofmychesthasnothingtodowithfinishingofftheworkI'm

doinginGran'sgardenandeverythingtodowiththemannextdoornowrunningaroundpretendingtobe
theMonsterfromtheDeeptogetSaminforhistea.

Theguyisprobablygivingthepoorkidnightmaresbutfornow,Samseemstobeshriekingand

generallyhavingawhaleofatimewithhisuncle.Iamabsolutelynotgoingtothinkaboutwhatagood
daddyRorywouldmake.Noway.Nohow.Thatisnotwherethisisgoing.Onedate.That'sit.

WhatismyfriendJennygoingtosayaboutmegoingonadate?She'llprobablyfaint.

It'sobviousJennyishappyformewhenIcallher.ImissourgirlchatsinLondon—abouttheonly

thingIregretaboutmovingtotheotherendofthecountry.“HonestlyAnnayoucan'tlockyourselfaway
likeanunabouttotakeHolyOrdersjustbecauseGavindidthedirtyonyou!”shesays.

“ButyouknowwhatIwaslikeafterhim.Ican'tgothereagain.Ireallycan't.”
“That'swhyyou'rejustgoingtogooutandhaveagoodtimeandseewhereitgoes.Onenightisnot

goingtokillyou.”

I'mprettysureshe'swrong.Shehasn'tseenRory.Onenightmightbeonedatetoomuch.Ifeel

myselfstartingtounravelwithalook.Ifhetouchesme...MymindgoesintooverdriveandIhavetobring
myselfbacktothecall.

ButJennyisnotlettinggo“Youcan'tspendyourlifewithnothingbutplantsforcompany.They

nevertalkback.”

“Theydon'tbossmearoundeither.”
“Areyoutalkingaboutmeorhim?”
“Bothofyou.”Welaugh.“He'sdefinitelybossy.Me.You.Dinner.Thattype.Evenworsethan

Gavinifanything.”

“IshewhinylikeGavin,likeyoucan'tdoanythingrighttopleasehim?”
Shehasapoint.“No.He'snotlikethatbutIgetthefeelingthisonejustknowsexactlywhathe

wantsanddoesn'tholdbackfromdemandingit.”

“Ilike.Soundshot.Whatdoeshedo?”
“Idon'tknow.Ineveraskedhim.”
“Ibethe'ssomehotshotbusinessmanorsomething.”
“Noway.He'sdemandingbutIcan'timaginehimwheelinganddealingsomehow.He'stoonicefor

that.”IthinkabouthowhewaswithSam.Notbossyatallwithhim.

“Nice?Whatkindofwordisthat?Don'ttellmehewearsacardigan.Ifhedoes,I'mcomingdown

therethisweekendandtakingyououtonthetown.Hey?Isthereevenatowntogooutondownthere.”

“There'sWinbourne,notfaraway.populationtwenty-sixthousand,atadsmallerthanLondonbut

youknow,wehaveawinebar.There'slifeintheplace.”Andalltheadvantagesofnotbumpinginto
GavinwithstickinsectonhisarmfiveminutesafterIdecidedIwasoverhim.TurnsoutatthatpointI
wasn'tasoverhimasIthought.

“Soundsthrilling.ButI'llbethereifneedbe-anemergencyrescue.Imightgetamedalforvalorin

thefaceofcardiganman.”

“You'rewelcomebutRorydoesn'twearacardiganasfarasIknow.”Thethoughtmakesmegiggle.

“He'solderthanusbutI'veneverseenabodylesslikelytobecoveredinone.”

“Older.Nowyoureallyhavemeworried.AreyoutalkingGeorgeClooneyage,pensionage,

worse?”

“Idon'tknow.YoungerthanGeorge.Idon'tknowmaybeforty.Maybeabitless.Justmoremature

thantheusualstupidguysourage.”

“Soundslikehe'sbothhotandnicewithabigdashofbossy.Ifyoudon'twanthim,I'monmyway.”

ShelaughsbutIthinkshe'shalf-serious.

Wechatforawhileandendthecall.AndIthinkaboutRoryandhowhisT-shirtstretchedoverhis

powerfulbackashehackedthroughtheshrubs.Thewaythefabricrodeupshowingbaresmoothskinand
hisjeansslinkinglowoverthatass.Ha,cardigan!Veryfunny.

It'sFriday,fourdaysafterRoryaskedmeoutandIstillhaven'theardfromhim.Idon'tlikehow

disappointedthatmakesmefeel.It'sasifthedatematteredtome.Whenitabsolutelydoesnot.

Iputoffdoinghisgardenyesterdaybecausehehadn'tcalledbutnowIhavetodoitbecauseI

stupidlysaidThursdayorFridayandifIdon't,he'llknowI'mavoidinghim.

Theheavenshaven'tseenfittoopenwithanicetorrentialdownpour.Thatwouldhavebeenhandy

tokeeptheturfIjustlaidinHillviewStreetniceanddampandgivemeanexcusenottoturnuphere
today.

Butmaybeitdoesn'tmatterthatmuch.Idon'tneedtoseeRorytodohisgarden.He'llbeatwork

andIwilljusttacklethejunglebehindhishousewhilehe'sout.Noproblem.Itwillbefine.Wewon't
havetofaceeachother.Hewon'thavetomakeawkwardexcusesandIwon'thavetopretendtobelieve
whatevertheyare.Jobdone.Sendinvoices.Nosweat.

AndwhenIgettherethesituationdoesn'tseemsobad.There'snocarinfrontofhishouseasI

expectedsothewayisclear.IcallonGranfirstbutshe'sout.Shehasmoreofasociallifethanme.With
herteadancesatthechurchhall,herbookclub,volunteerworkattheSavetheChildrencharityshopand
aknittingcirclethatmeetsatthelibrary,it'shardtofindherin.

Igorightnextdoorandaroundthebackofthehousethroughthesidegate.I'vewantedtogetmy

handsonthemessinRory'sgardensinceIfirstcametoCornwall.I'mforeverpullingoutweedsthathave
foundtheirwayoverthegardenwalloutofGran'sflowerbedsandIcan'twaittogetstuckintogettingrid
ofthem.

Igrabthepowertoolsfrommyvanandstartbyclearingtheknee-highgrassandbrambles.ButI'm

justgettingintoitwhenIcatchsightofthebackdooropeningandthereheis.Ohshit.He'snotatwork.
Can'tIgetanykindofluckatall?

“Ohgood.Youarrived.IthoughtImighthavetogetthepigsin?”hesays.
“Pigs?”Hehastobekiddingme.
“Oneoftheguysatworktoldmeaboutitlastnight.Apparently,theyclearyourgardennotroubleat

all.Completelyorganic.Theyevenbringtheirownfertilizer.”

Ican'thelplaughingatthat.Hedoesn'tseemtobeavoidingme.Didhejustforgetabouttakingme

out?Likeaguycanforgetit'syourbedwhenhebringssomewomanbacktoit.Igivemyselfamental
shake.Tohellwiththatkindofthinking.I'mdonewiththat.

“Doyouknowanyonewhoownsapig?”Iask.
“No,buttheremustbesomeonegivenallthefarmsaroundhere.”
“Ican'tseehowitwouldwork.Pigswon'tstopatyourgarden,they'llprobablytakeafancyto

Gran'srosestoo.Theydon'tknowamatureprizespecimenfromaweed.”Theanimalkindofpigisthe
sameasthemalekindasfarasthatgoes.

“Someofusknowthedifference,”hesays.Oops!Imusthavesaidthatoutloud.“Doyouhave

anyoneinparticularinmind?”

“Ido,butexcuseme,Ihavetogetstarted,giventhehopelessnessofthepigidea.”
Ihopehetakesthehintandgoesin—andoutofmyhead,butIcanseethat'sgoingtobewishful

thinking.Heshouldn'thavecomeoutherewithhisgreeneyesandbigshouldersremindingmewhata
hunkheis(asifIcouldforgetthatbodyanytimesoon.)

“Mondaynight,”hesays.
“What?”
“Thenextpartofthedeal.Itakeyouout.BestIcoulddo.I'mworkingnightsuntilthen.”
“You'reinthepolice?”
“No,I'mafirefighter.”
Itfigures.Icanjustimaginehimcarryingmeoutofaburningbuilding,rightoveroneofthosebroad

shoulders,hishandonmyass.Ijuststopmyselfsaying“That'shot”intimeandmanageapathetic“That's
good.”What?That'sgood?IsthatallIcansay?“Okay,Mondaythen.”

Andjustlikethat,Ihaveadateafterall,butthenhegoesandspoilsit.

CHAPTER8

Rory

“Ibookedaroom.”
Fuck!WhydidItellAnnathat?Shewon'tknowtheonlywaytogetatableatthisshortnoticeeven

onaMondaynightistobookoneoftheextortionateroomsinthehotelwhereBerry'sislocated.Andyes,
I'dliketotakeherupstairsandfuckhersenselessafterourveryfinedinnerinSandyCove.I'venever
wantedanythingmore.Butshedoesn'tneedtoknowthat.

“Forgetit,Mister.IfyouthinktakingmeouttodinnermeansI'mpartofthedeal,youcanshoveyour

gardenandyourdinnerupyourveryfineass.”Sheblushesatthat.Idon'tthinkshemeanttosaythefine
bit,butIlikeit.

“Iwasn'tassuminganything.Youweretheonedoingtheassuming.Butifyouwanttoseduceme

afterdinner,you'rewelcome.”Ican'thelpwantingtotease.

“Ofallthepig-headed,arrogant...”
Ijustshrug.“Whatever.Adealisstilladeal.Look,Ipromisenottotouchyou.Wehavedinner.

That'sit.Endofstory.”

Thatseemstostophergettingonherhighhorse.ButthenIgoanddoitagain.Somehow,Ican't

helpwindingherup.It'ssoeasy.“Iwon'ttouchyouuntilyoubegmeto.”

Hermouthishangingopenatthatlikeshecan'tbelievemynerve.
“Youknowwhat,youcandoyourownflippinggarden.Getthepigsin.They'llfeelrightathome.”

Shethrowsdownhergardenstrimmerthing,whateveritis,andthenwincesasitclattersonthepileof
stonesshejustdugout.

Ipickthetoolupandhandittoher.“I'msorry.Ididn'tmeanthat.I'dstillliketobuyyoudinner.

Pickyouupateight?”

Shehumphsaboutitandthensherelents.
I'veneverhadtoworksohardtosinkfivehundredquidonadinnerandroomwithagirlI'mnot

supposedtotouch.Imustbeoutofmymind.Infact,there'snofuckingdoubtaboutitI'vegonecompletely
gaga.

IleaveherinthegardenbeforeImakeacompleteassofmyself.There'sahellofalotofworkto

doinsidethehouseandIcanputinagoodcoupleofhoursbeforeIhavetogotothestation,strippingthe
sixlayersofwallpaperliningthespareroom.

It'sasifit'sbeenputupwithsupergluethatwasn'teveninventedwhentheroomwaspaperedand

theancientplasteriscrumblingawaywiththepaper.Butsteamingoffwallpaperinchbyfuckinginchis
nottakingmymindoffwhereitwantstobe.Inthegarden.WithAnna.

So,whenitstartspouringdownwithrain,IgorightbackouttherebeforeIcanthinkaboutittoo

hard.FuckwaitingtoseeheragainuntilMonday.She'srightoutthereinthegardenandifI'mnotquick
she'llhavegone.

GoingoutsideisthestupidestideaIhadtoday.She'sgoingtogettheimpressionI'mkeenor

something.Thatwillcometonogood.Nogoodatall.Butfuckit.I'moutthere.Therainisthuddingdown
andshe'sclearingup.

CHAPTER9

Anna

“Ineedsomehelp,”Rorysays,theraindrippingoffhim.
He'snotwrongthereifhe'sseriouslyexpectingmetomakeconversationrightnow,inthisweather.

ButImustadmit,Ilitupwhenhecameout.IthinkIneedasmuchhelpashim.“That'strue,youdoneed
helpandnotjustwithyourgarden.”

Heletsmyremarkpass.“Ihaveallthesepaintcolorchartsandnoclue.”
Isheforreal?Hewantsmetochoosewallcolors?“I'msorry,I'vegottogo.I'mgettingsoakedout

hereincaseyoudidn'tnotice.”

“Inoticed,”hesays.He'slookingdown.Ifollowhiseyes.Fuck!Myperfectlymodestwhitebraand

T-shirtaregivinghimtheMissWet-T-Shirt-Contestshowofalifetime.

“You'reimpossible,”Isay,crossingmyarmsovermychest,abitlate,butbetterlatethannever.

He'sstandingtheregettingsoakedtoo.Itrynottoletmymindimaginehimintheshower.ItrybutIfail.
Badly.ThewayhisgrayT-shirtisstartingtoclingtohimdoesn'thelp.IstheresuchathingasaMr.Wet
T-Shirtcontest?Maybethereoughttobe—I'mallforequalopportunities.

“Paintcolorsareeasy,”Isaybringingmymindbackoutofthegutter.
“Theyare?”
“Yes.Thelandlordchoosesthem.Thenyoulearntolivewithwhateverisonthewall.I'mvery

goodatit.”

Hesmilesthen,therainrunningoffhisface.“Butwhatifthelandlordletyouchoose?”
Theraindripsdownmyneck.Ishiver.
“Fuck!You'recold,”hesays.“Comeinandyoucangivemethebenefitofyourinteriordesign

advicesomewheredrierandmorecomfortable.”

I'mnotsurecomfortablewilleverbeawordthatwouldapplytomebeinginthesameroomashim

butIgatherupmytoolstoputbackinthevanand,againstmybetterjudgment,ItellhimI'llbearoundina
moment.LikeIcanstayawaywhenheaskedmein.ButIneedallthetimeIcangettocalmdownbefore
I'malonewithhim.

CHAPTER10

Rory

IgrabatowelandacleanT-shirtanddryoffabit.Ievenhavetimetoputthekettleonandthere's

nosignofAnna.Hasshegonehome?WhydoIevencare?Therearealwaysmorewomentodate.One
doesn'tmatter.Whydoesn'tthatfeeltrueanymore?

Inanycase,it'sarelief—asuresignI'mintrouble—whenAnnaknocksonthefrontdoorafew

minuteslater.She'swearingapalebluehoodieoverherwetT-shirt.Pity!Butthecolorbringsoutthe
blueinhereyes.Ilikethat.Istandbacktoletherinandshefollowsme,lookingaroundatthestateofmy
hall.I'vescrapedallthewallpaperoffherealready.Thosebigcabbageroseshadtogobutfuckknows
whatIshouldputupthereinstead.

“YoucanseehowmuchhelpIneedwiththedecor,”Isay.“Ihaven'tgotaclue.Doyouwantahot

drink?”

“I'dsoonergetoffhome,”shesays.
Fuck!Shecan'tjustgo.“No,youwouldn't.”
“Whywouldn'tI?Itbeatsstandinginwetclothes.”
“Becauseyoucameback.Youcouldhavejustgoneoffinyourvan.”
“Istillcould”
“Yes,youcould.”
She'slookingatmeasifshedoesn'tknowwhattomakeofme.ThatmakestwoofusbecauseI

haven’tacluewhattomakeofmeeither.Withonestep,she'sinmyarmsandI'mkissingherlikeaman
possessed.Shekissesmerightback,hersweetsmoothlipsopeninguptome,hersoftcurvesagainstthe
hardnessofmybodymakingmeharderstill,thefaintscentofappleshampoo,freshairandraininher
hairdrivingmecrazy.

Somuchfornotlookingtookeen!Andwhenalittlemoancomesfromherlips,I'mlost.

CHAPTER11

Anna

“Whatdoyouthink?”Rorymurmurs,hislipsbrushingthecurveofmyear,makingthebutterfliesdo

thePasoDobleinmystomach.

I'mwetfromtherain,myhairisamess,andanymake-upIputonthismorningmustbelonggone,

butitdoesn'tseemtomatteronebittoRory.

WhatdoIthink?IthinkIprettymuchforgotmyselfthere.Andwhat'smore,Idon'tcare.IthoughtI

wasovermen.Itturnsout,I'mnot.Onekissfromahotfirefighter!Honestly.Shameonme,buttohellwith
givingmyselfahardtimeaboutit.I'vebeentoomiserablefortoolong.

“DoyouthinkIshouldgoforsomethingplainandconventionalorsomethingwild?”Roryasks.
Foramoment,Iforgetweweresupposedtobetalkingabouttheroomdécor—I'mthinkingwild—

RoryrunningwildonthebeachatWinbourne.It’stheperfectsetting,adesertedcove,searaging.Icould
getstrandedbythetideontherocksandhecouldrescuemeinhisfirefighter'suniform,butmaybeit'sthe
coastguardwhodoesthatsortofthing,cometothinkofit.

Ihavetosnapbackprontotogetmymindonhisquestion.“Idon'tknow.Maybeyoushouldmatch

yourdécortohowyouwanttofeelwhenyou'rethere.So,yourhallshouldbewelcoming.Youshould
choosewarmcolorsinsteadofcold.”

“IknowexactlywhatIwanttofeelinmyhall,”hesays.“But,letmejustcheck.”
Hekissesmeagain,gentlynibblingatmylowerlipandplantingalineofkissesalongthesideof

myneck,thescruffofhisfaceagainstmyskinsendingmyinsidestojelly.Andthenhe’sbackkissingme
fullyonthelips,histongueflirtingwithmine,elicitingamurmurofprotestfrommewhenhestops.

Ican'thelpit.He'soffthechartssexythethingshedoeswithhismouth,howheholdsmesofirmly

inhisgrip,thefeelofhishardbodyagainstmine,thecleanmalescentofhim,allofit.

“Yes,thatwasit,that'sthekindofwelcomeIwant,”hesays.
“I'mnotsurethere'sacolorforthat.AskmeaboutyourBegoniasandI'llhaveanopinion.”
“So,whatcolorshouldmyBegoniasbe?”
“Redhot,”Imurmurbecausehe'skissingmeagainandIdon'twanthimtostopagain.
“Hey,”hesayswhenwebreakapart.“You'restillwet.”
Ilookdown.MywetT-shirthascreatedtwoembarrassingdarkcirclesonmypalebluehoodie

whereIhavebeenpressedsohardagainsthim.

“I'llgetyousomedryclothes,”hesaysandtakesmyhand,leadingmeintothelivingroomwhichis

stillfullofpackingboxes.HepullsaT-shirtrightoffthetopofoneofthem.“Ihaven'tgotaroundto
unpackingeverythingyet.Acrateisveryconvenientstorage.Maybeitwillcatchon.”

I'mprobablygettingachillfromwearingwetclothesbutIfeelanythingbutcold.Ineedtoshake

myselfoutofthisstateandstopgettingcarriedawaybutsomehow,Idon'twantto.Thisfeelsreal.It
doesn'tmatterifI'mbeingstupid,ifthisguyisaplayer,ifI'mwalkingintosomethingthatwillhurtbig

time,inthelongrun,Ican'tstophowIfeelrightnow.

HehandsmetheT-shirt.“Bathroomisthatway.Ontheotherhand,Icouldhelpyouwiththat.”He

looksatme,searchingforanswersandtweaksthemetalpullonmyhoodieandwhenIdon'tprotest,he
slowlyeasesitdownandIgasp.AmIlettinghimdothis?Fuck!Iam.

HeeasesthehoodieoffmyarmsandliftsthehemofmyT-shirtandashepullsitup,Iputupmy

armsandheliftsitovermyhead.IwishI'dwornsomethingsexierforhim,butit’stoolateforthat.Agirl
doesn'twearhersexiestunderweartopulloutweedsandpruneshrubs.Hekissesmelonganddeepuntil
IforgetaboutwhatI'mwearing.

“Youknow,Ithinkthemainproblem,thethingthat'smakingyouwet,isthis,”hesays,runninghis

fingeralongthetopedgeofmyplainwhitebra.

He'snotwrong.Hisfingersdoingthataredefinitelymakingmewetbutithasnothingtodowithmy

braandeverythingtodowithhowhe'stouchingme,andthefacthe’snowremovingit.Andthenhetakes
mycoldstill-damp-from-my-branippleinhishotwetmouthandsucksanymisgivingsrightoutofmy
head.

“Beautiful,”hemurmurs.“You'resobeautiful.”
AndbeautifulisexactlyhowIfeelrightatthatmoment.Beautifulandnotthinkingforonesecond

aboutwhatI'mgettingmyselfinto,whatI'mlettinghimdowithhandsandhisdirtyhotmouth.

CHAPTER12

Rory

Thisgirlissounexpected.Unexpectedthatsheturnedupinthegardennextdoor,unexpectedhow

she'srightherehalf-nakedinmyhousewithme,unexpectedhowsoftandwarmandgorgeoussheis.I
don'tthinkI'lleverhaveenoughofthis,enoughofher.

She'ssomuchyoungerthanmebutsheholdsherownandgivesasgoodasshegets.Ilikethat.

She'snottheclingytype.AshudderrunsthroughmeatthethoughtofthatandIholdAnnaagain,keeping
herwarminmyarmsandkissherhairstilldampfromtherain,pullingoutherpony-tailtiesoherhair
fallsaroundherbareshoulders.

Irunmyfingeraroundthewaistbandofhersweatpants.“Ithinktheseshouldcomeofftoo.”
“Here?”Shecolors,herblue-grayeyeswide.
Ilikethatshe'sonlyquestioningwherewearenowandhowcarriedawayshemusthavebeentolet

metakeoffherbra.Idoubtanyonecanseethroughthewindowsfromthegarden.We'reatthebackofthe
house,therainisstillthuddingdownandIhaven'tswitchedonanylights.“Noonecanseeyou.Justme.
AndIwanttolookatyou.”Ikissheragain,reassuringherandshemoansagainstme.

ButMurphy'slawsayswheneveryoudon'twantthephonetogooff,itfuckingdoes.Ican'tignoreit

whenI'mabouttogoonduty.

ItturnsoutTonywantsaliftintowork.Hiscarhasgivenuptheghost.WhatcanIsay?He'ddothe

sameformeifIneededarideandhe'dsavemylifeandI'dsavehis.Sameasanyofthefirecrew.Weall
haveeachother'sbacksatthestation.That'sthewayitis.

I'llseeAnnaagain.Besides,thecallremindedmeit'stimeforworksoon.Ihavenotimetotakethis

whereitneedstogo,whereIwantittogo.MyfirsttimewithAnnaisnotgoingtobeaquickthingslotted
intoafewminutesbeforeIhavetorushoff.AllnightwillnotbeenoughforwhatIwanttodowithher.

“Sorry,thatwasTonyfromthestation.BadtimingbutIhavetogettowork.”IslipmyT-shirtover

herheadandkissher.IlovethewayshehugsmyT-shirttoherselfandsmilesatme.“Ican'twaittosee
youagain,”Ireassureher,caressinghernipplethroughthethickcottonoftheT-shirtandshesighs.

“Ineverdidgetyourdesignadvice,”Isay.“CanItakearaincheckonthat?”
“Yes,”shesays.“AndIneedtoaskyouaboutwhatkindofgardenyouwant.Butwecantakearain

checkonthattoo.”

“That'seasierthanpaintcolors.Iwantthegreenkindofgardenwithgrassandplants.Isthereany

otherkind?”

Shelaughs.“Philistine!Ineedtoknowwhatyou'regoingtouseitfor,whatdoyouwanttogrow?

Thatkindofthing.”

“Idon'tknow.Somethingthatlooksokayfromthehouse—agardenwheresmallchildrenwon'tget

lostordrownforwhenSamcomestovisit.Andsomewheretositonanicedayandwatchtheview.”

“Theview?”

“Ofnextdoor'sgarden.Somedaystheviewisbetterthanothers.Thesamedaysyourvanisparked

outside.Andespeciallyfineintherain.”

Sherollshereyesatthatandlaughs,grabbingherwetthings.“I'llcomeupwithsomeplans.”
Ikissheragainandwaveheroffinhervan.I'llprobablynotseeheruntilMonday.ButwhatIneed

toknowcan'twaituntilthen.Itneverbotheredmewithotherwomen.Ididn'tcarewiththem.Theycould
takeitorleaveit.IjusthopeAnnadoesn'tbackoutaftershegetsmytexts.

CHAPTER13

Anna

WhenItellJennythatRoryistakingmetosomeplacecalledBerry's,shejustaboutdropsher

phone.

“You'veheardofit?”IfJennyhasheardaboutittwohundredmilesawayinLondon,wherethere

areMichelin-starredrestaurantseverysquaremileorsomethingitmustbegood.

“Hasn'teveryoneheardofit?”
“No.Ithoughtitwasprobablyaburgerplace.”
“Honestly,whichplanetareyoulivingon?Yournewguymustberollinginittotakeyouthere,”she

says,“orbesotted.”

“He'sneversaidanythingaboutbeingmyguy.It'sfartoosoonforthat.It'sjustadateandhe'sa

firefighternotamillionaire.”

“Wow!Firefighter!Yousaidhewashot,right?So,we'llgowithhotandbesotted.Youneedtopull

outallthestops.Getglammedup.Dirtoutofyourfingernailsatleast.”

“Veryfunny.Iwishyouwerehere,though.Youcoulddomymake-upandIcouldborrowsomething

stunning.WhatamIgoingtowear?”

“Yourbluedress.He'lllovethat.”
“Thatdressistoolowatthefront.He'llgetthewrongidea.”
“Thatkindofwrongideaisexactlywhatyouwant.It'sabouttimeyouhadsomefun.Butifitall

goestoshit,lookoutforRaymondBerryandgetaselfie.That'sPlanB.Theeveningrescued.”

Typical!Jennygetsallthegossipmagazines.Sheknowsthenameofeverycelebrityandwhothey

aremarriedto,howmanychildrentheyhave,theirnamesandagesandwhattheyhadforbreakfast.She's
incorrigible!ButImisshertobits.It'slatebeforewefinishcatchingupandsaybye.

Ididn'ttellherRorybookedaroom.Ididn'twanttomakehimlookbad,forhertoholditagainst

himeventhoughitannoysmetoohowheassumesI'llgoalongwitheverything-hisblackmailingdinner
invitation,hiskisses,hishotmouthandhisfingersonme.ThetroubleisIwantedtosayyestoallthose
thingstoo.Otherwise,therewouldbenowayI'dhavelethimgetawaywiththat.

MaybeI'llsayyestotheroomtoo.Howwouldthatbe?Itmakesmyinsidesclenchinanticipation,

myheartthud.OnehotnightwithRory?Noregrets?CanIdothat?I'mprettysureI'llregretthat
somewherealongtheway.ButIwantittoo.MorethanIeverthoughtI'dwantanymanagain.

DoIwanttowearthebluedressforhim?It'smadeofsoftjerseythatskimsmybody,simpleand

sexyandit'sthebestdressI'vegottoshowoffmycurves.WhenIthinkabouthowhiskisses,thelookshe
givesme,makemefeel,Iknowit'stherightdresstowear.

He'sonlyeverseenmeinmygardeninggearandIwanthiseyestolightupwhenhepicksmeupon

Monday.Iwanthimtostrugglenottotouchmeinpublic.Iwanttomakehiminstantlyhard.Ashardashe
wasagainstmeathishouse.Ismiletomyself.Hardandimpressive.

Myphonebuzzeswithatext.
“Quietnightatthestation.What'syouraddressforMonday?Roryx”
MyheartlurchesatthatlittlekissattheendofhismessageandItexthimbackmyaddressandadd

akisstoo.

“Goingtosendyousomething.Rx”
“???”
“You'llhavetowait.Patience.Sorry,gottogo.Rx”
I'mintrigued.AndI'mstillpuzzledwhennothingcomesinthemailthenextmorning,butI'm

disappointedtoobecausetherewon'tbeanymailthenextday.NotonaSunday.Maybesomethingwill
getdeliveredonMondaymorningbeforeourdate.

ButwhenIopenthefrontdoorofmyhouseonSundaytogoforawalk,there'sabrownpaper

parcelsittingthere,thesizeofashoebox,tiedwithablueribbonandallthoughtsofmywalkare
forgotten.Ipickitup.It'sverylight.Didhedeliverithimselftomakesureitarrivedontime?Thatidea
makesmesmile.

Itakeitinsideandpulloffmycoat.Theribbonandpaperareoffinaflash.There'sanenvelope

tapedtothelidoftheboxwithmynameonitandacardinside.

“Wearadressformetomorrownight...”itreads.WhatdidhethinkI'dwear?Coveralls?Honestly!

Bossyfornoreason.ButthenIturnthecardover.Itsays,“...andonlywhat'sinthebox.Roryx”withthe
word“only”underlined.

Andthenmyheartthuds.Idon'tknowwhethertobemadhe'stellingmewhattodoorturnedonby

hisdemandbecauseithitsmethenwhytheboxissolight.Itmustbeempty.

Ontopofallthat,I'mdisappointedlikeakidatChristmasexpectingatoyandgettingnoveltysocks,

thoughIcan'tdenythethoughtofhimtellingmetowearnothingundermydresssendsatinglerightupmy
spine.Howwouldthatfeeltositwithhiminafancyrestaurantwithusbothknowingwhatwasgoingon?

ButwhenIpulloffthelid,Ifindsomethingnestlingintissuepaperinside—themostbeautifulwhite

orchid.AndIdon'tknowwhethertolaughbecausehesentmesomethingafterallortostaymadbecause
ofhisbossyways.Hestillmeansmetowearnothingundermydress.Hecanforgetthatforastart.

Isendhimatext.“Thanksfortheflower,Bossy.Annax”
I'mgoingtolethimstewaboutwhetherI'llcomplywithhisrequest,buthemustbeonanother

planetifhethinksI'mdoingthatnomatterhowitmademefeeltogetthatnote.

AsIputonunderwearundermybluedressonMonday,IalmostfeelguiltyfornotdoingasRory

asked.Almostbutnotquite.AndI'mnotsurewhattodowiththeorchid.Pinningittomydresswillmake
mefeellikeIshouldbegoingtoapromorawedding.Intheend,Iattachittomybagwithdouble-sided
stickytape.Thatwillhavetodo.

Sittinginmytinylivingroom,waitingforhim,Ican'thelpfidgetingwiththeneckline.Itdrapes

looselyatthefrontandI'mconvincedit'stoolow.ShouldIgetchangedafterallandwearmyblackdress
withthehighneckthatmakesmelooklikeI'mgoingtoafuneral?

Butit'stoolatenow.Thebellgoes.
Atleastmynailsarescrubbedclean,make-uponasbestIcan,hairlooseandtumblingdownin

waves(thankyoucurlingirons),legsshaved.WhatthehellamIgettinginto?Iaskedmyselfthatseveral
timesasIgotready.Idon'twanttothinkwhatitmeansthatIputatoothbrushandspareunderwearinmy
bagalongwithmyphoneandmake-up.

I'mprobablygettingintosomethingrightovermyheadwithaguywhomakesthekindofdemands

hedoesevenbeforeafirstdate.ButIopenthedooranywaywithasmile.

Hescrubsupwell.Fartoowell,formypeaceofmind,lookingashedoeslikeamalemodelina

suitthatfitshisbodyperfectly.AndhelooksatmeasifImightbethedinneritselfratherthanhisdate
beforehekissesmeonthecheekandIgetafaintscentofcleansoapandwhatevercologneheuses,a
sharpreminderofourlastencounterthatsendsawaveofdesiretomycore.

“Beautifuldress,”hesays,aglintinhiseye.Hedoesn'tsayawordaboutwhatImayormaynotbe

wearingunderit.I'mevenmorepleasedIdidn'tcomplywithhisstupiddemands.Hewasjustplaying
withmeandthatcouldhavebeenembarrassing.Igrabmybag.

Heopensthecardoorformeandguidesmeinside,hishandonthesmallofmyback.Everytouch

sendsatinglethroughme.Beingwithhimismakingmeunusuallytongue-tied.EverythingIthinkabout
sayingseemstoleadbacktoatopicIthinkI'dbetternotgointo.

Fuckit!Thisisridiculous.I'mjustgoingtoenjoymyselfwhateverhappens.I'mgoingtoaskwhatI

reallywanttoknowandtohellwiththeconsequences.

“So,Rory.Doyoutelleverywomanyoutakeouttoleaveherpantiesathome?”

CHAPTER14

Rory

IfI'dexpectedAnnatoaskanythingwhenwefirstsetofftotherestaurant,itwasn'tthat.
“Areyoualwayssodirect?What'swrongwith.Hello,Roryhowwasyourday?Putoutanyfires

lately?”

“Doyoualwaysavoidquestionsyoudon'twanttoanswer?”Theresheis,challengingmeagain.
“Notalways.Let'sjustsayIneversentanotherwomananotelikethat.”
“Youexpectmetobelievethat?”
“Yes,becauseit'strue.Didyou?”Idon'texpecthertohavecompliedforonemoment.I'llalmostbe

disappointedifshehas.Ijustwantedtoseeifmetellingherwhattodosentherrunningforthehills.

“DidIwhat?”
“Leaveyourunderwearathome.”
Shegivesmeanarchlook.“Funnilyenough,no,Ididn't.Fortherecord,I'veneverreceivedanote

likethateither.DidyoureallythinkIwoulddothat?Ihardlyknowyou.”

So,shedidn'tobeyme.Good.Besides,whatfunisthereifshejustgivesinanddoeswhateverI

wantthemomentIdemandit?Shehasamindofherown.Bendinghertomywillinbedwillbeallthe
moresatisfying.Fuck!Animageflashesacrossmymindofherbendingovermybednakedandmakesme
losemytrainofthoughtforamoment.

“Youdon’tknowmebutyoucangettoknowmenow,”Isay,gettingbackintotheconversation

beforeIgocompletelyofftrack.“Askmeanyquestionsyoulikeonthewaytotherestaurant.Thenwhen
youknowenough,justsaytheword,andyoucanremoveyourpanties.”Ilookoverather.Herfaceisa
picture.

Ihavetostoprubbingherupthewrongway.“Justkidding.Askmeanyway.”
Iexpecthertoasktheusualcrapwomenalwaysask,wantingtoknowaboutmypast,myfamily,my

job,thelikelihoodofarelationship.ThedrivetoSandyCoveisonlytwentyminutesorso.Icanputup
withthethirddegreeforawhile,butAnnadoesn'taskanythinglikethat.Ishouldhaveknown.

Igettheideaherquestionswillbeunpredictablerightfromthefirstonesheasks.“Iftheonlyway

tosavetheworldistomakeoutwithamalemoviestar,whowoulditbe?”

“Easy,”Isay.“Ialwaysthoughttheearthwasoverrated.Nicewhileitlasted.”
Shelaughsatthatandpauseswhileshethinksofanotherquestion.“Whatskillortalentdoyouhave

younevertoldanyoneabout?”

“I'llshowyoulater.”
“Really!”shesays.“Ishouldhaveknownyou'dsaythat.Whatotherskill?”
“Thatwouldhavetobedogwhispering.”
“Doyouhaveadog?”

“No,butifIhadoneIwoulddefinitelywhispertoit.”
“Ohyou,you'renottakingthisseriously,”shesaysbutshe'slaughinganyway.“Here'sanotherone.

Thinkaboutit.What'syourfavoritethingtodowhenyou'realone?”Andthensherealizeswhatsheasked
andwebothburstoutlaughing.

“I'mnotgettinganywherewiththis,”shesays.“Youtotallyfailedatlettingmegettoknowyou.”
“Ithinkyouknowalotaboutmealready.”
“Likewhat?”
“LikewhatIdo,whereIlive,thatIsuckatgardeningandinteriordesign...”
“Yourbossyways...”
“Mybossyways.I'dseriouslylovetoshowyouthose.Youain'tseennothingyet.”
Isenseratherthanseehereyeswidenatthatandshe'squietforamomenttakingthatin.Icanjust

abouthearthewheelsturninginherhead.

Butshedoesn'tholdback.Shesayswhatshe'sthinking.Ilikethatabouther.“Iftellingmetogo

nakedundermydressisnothing,whatmoreisthere?”

“Thatwouldbetelling.There’snosurpriseifyouknoweverything.Let'sjustsayIlikeobedience.”
Shescoffs.“Likeadog!AndwhatifIdon'twanttobebossedaboutandtoldwhattodo?Andfor

therecord,Idon't.”

“That'syourcall.WehavedinnerandIdeliveryouhomelikeaperfectgentleman.”
“AndifIdogoalongwithwhateveritisyouwant?WhichfortherecordIwon't,butifIdid?”
Ihavetogrinattheideaofthat.Myheartleapsatthethoughtofherobeyingme,especiallyassheis

fightinganyinstinctshehastotryit.“Weplay.Justsoyouknow,thereareconsequencesfor
disobedience,butonlywhenweplay.”

Shegulps.Icatchsightofhernipplesthroughherclothes,hardandinviting.So,she'snottotally

againstit!Thisconversationisturningheron.Butthen,she'snottheonlyonehardeninghere.

“So,it'snotawholelifestylething?”sheasks.
“It'snot.That'sanotherscenarioentirely.Tellingyouwhattodotwenty-foursevenwouldgetold

fast,butplaytime,that'sdifferent.Itellyoutogonakedunderyourdressandyoudoit,justtopleaseme.
Andyou'dbeamazedhowmuchpleasurewillcomeyourwaywhenyoupleaseme.”

Sheseemstotakethatin.AndthenshedoessomethingIwasn'texpectingatall.

CHAPTER15

Anna

IstrikewhiletheironishotandbeforeIhavetimetothinkaboutit,Ireachintomydressandunclip

mystraplessbraatthefront.Thewireswerediggingintomeanywayanditwillbearelieftotakethe
thingoff.Areliefinonewaybutacrazymadthingtodoinanother.I'mabouttopullitoutbutRory
brakesandstopsthecaratthesideoftheroad,holdingouthishandasiftostopme.

What?It’snotasifhehasn’thadhismouthandhandsonmealready.Eek!HaveImadeaterrible

mistake?Ican'tlookathim.

Buthegivesmevirtuallynotimetodoubtmyself.“Ilike,”hesays.“Ilikealot.”Herunshis

thumbsoverthesoftjerseymaterialofmydressteasingmynipples.Ireallyhavegoneofftherailsbutthe
wayhiseyesarefixedonthefrontofmydresshasallkindsoffeelingsbubblinginside.Atruckgoespast
fillingthecarwithlight,butithasgonesofastIdon'tcare.Ifeelhighwithoutathingtodrinkandno
needforadrugtest.

Heunclipshisseatbeltandmineandholdsmeinhisarmskissingmyhair.“You'refucking

perfect,”hesays.“underwearornounderwear.ThoughIhadbetterjustcheckyoutoldmethetruth.”

Igulpashesmoothshisfingersundermyskirtandreachesthetopofmythighrunninghisindex

fingerundertheelasticatedlaceofmystockingtop.“Iapprove,”hesays,buthisfingerscontinuetothe
blacklaceofmypanties.“Butthesewillhavetocomeoff,soonerorlater.Whenwillthatbe,Iwonder?”

“Later,”Isqueak.
Hetraceshisfingertipsovermylace-coveredmoundwhileIsquirminmyseat.Iwanthimtodo

more,topullmypantiesoff.Iwanttofeelhisfingersonmepleasuringmebuthecontinuestodonomore
thanteasemewithsofttouchesfromhisfingertipsuntilIampanting.

“Ifyougetyourpantiesallwet,I'llhavetopunishyou.”
Damnhim!Heknowstheyarealreadywet.Itwhathe'sdoingthatismakingthemthatway.
“So,sobeautiful,”hesays,removinghishandfrommypantiesandbendinghishead,pushingthe

necklineofmydressdowntotakemynippleinhismouth.Iwantedtoprotestthathetookhishandaway
butnowI'malltakenupwithwhathe'sdoingwithhislips,histongue,hishotmouthonmybreastandIlet
everysensationofthatwashoverme.Icouldn'tprotestaboutanythingrightnowifItried.

Hegroans,lettingmynipplegosothatitcomesoutofhishotmouthwithapop.“Howisitthatwe

alwaysrunoutoftimetoplay?Ithinkwehadbettergetgoingorwe'llmissourreservation.Ipromised
youdinner,butafterthat,therewillbeallthetimeweneed.”

I'mnotsuretherewill.AlifetimewithhishandsandmouthonmemightnotbeenoughthewayI'm

feelingrightnowbut,hey,mystomachisrumbling.I'mhungry.Ihardlymanagedtoeatathingallday.It’s
justnowthere'saherdofbutterfliesrunningamokthroughmyinsides.

IcouldpersuadeRorytofinishwhathestartedbutIhaven'tbeenoutforages.Mygoing-outbudget

issobleak,anymealIhaven'tmademyselfisatreat.AndIcan'thelpbeingcuriousaboutBerry'snow

thatJennyhasfilledmeinonitsoIwanttogo.Besides,myfriendwillkillmeifIdon'treportbackon
thegreatchefhimself.Icanwaittotakethingsfurther.Maybe.

Rorytakesthetwosidesofmybraandfastensitupatthefront,adjustingmydresssoI'mbackto

lookingrespectablethoughI'mfeelingmorewantonthanIeverhaveinmylife.

“Wecan'thavethosesmarmywaitersgettinganeyeful,”hesays,hiseyestwinkling.“Ididn'tthink

thisnothing-under-the-dressthingthrough.”

Iswearthatthebraisnothelpinghidemuchinthatbluedressbutwhatever.Ilikeknowinghecares

enoughtobejealousofstaresfromstrangers.

Hesqueezesmyhand,smilesatmeandstartsthecar.Idon'tknowwhatitisabouthimthatbrings

outtheplayfulsideofme,throwingcautiontothewind.Ifeeleuphoricandwild.It’sasifapartofme
thathasbeenwounduptightforalongtimehasbeenletloose.

IhavethefeelingIcanbemyselfwithRoryandsayanythingtohimandhe'smatureenoughtodeal

withitwithoutgettingstupidaboutitlikeasillyboy.

“So,askmeanotherquestion,”hesays,“becauseyourquestionsarepriceless.”

CHAPTER16

Rory

IjustaboutrunthecarofftheroadwhenAnnaasksthenextquestion.“IfIwasanicecream,how

wouldyoueatme?”

Iglanceoverather.She'slookingatmewithperfectlyinnocenteyeslikeshejustaskedwhatmy

favoriteflavorwasorsomething.Shemakesmelaugh.Thisgirlissomethingelse.AllIknowismycock
isthreateningtoburstoutofmypantsnowatherteasing.Ihavetoteaseherrightback.

“Slowly.Thoroughly.Withpleasure.Alotofpleasure.”Istarttoimaginethaticecreamonher,

whereitwouldgo.“There'dbenothingleftofyouwhenIfinished.Notaftermymouth,mytonguemylips
hadallbeenbusylickingandsuckingupeverydrop.”

Sheshiftsuneasilyinherseat.Fuckdinner!I'dliketotakehertotheroomrightnowandeatice

creamoffhernakedbody.

“Myturntoaskaquestion,”Isay.“Ifyouhadyourowncountry,whatwouldbesomeoftherules?”
“That'seasy,”shesays.“Noviolence,nostealing,nolying,nocheating.Freechocolatefor

everyoneontheNationalHealthService.”

“Because...?”
“Everyoneknowschocolateisthecureforallwoes.”
“Icanthinkofafewthingsthatwouldcheermeuprightnowthatdon'tinvolvechocolate.”
“Oh,”shesays.“Doyouneedcheeringup?”
“Onlyonepartofmeissuffering.”
Shelooksatmeandgrins.“Whichpartwouldthatbethen?Woulditbethispart?”Shereachesout

andtouchesmycockandIjustaboutcomeinmypants.

“Bettertryadifferentlineofquestioningifyouwanttogetthereinonepiece,”Itellher.
“Okay,whatquestionwouldyoubeafraidtoanswertruthfully?ThenI'llaskthatone.”
“Let'slistentosomemusicinstead.”
“No,youpromisedtoanswermyquestions.”
WhenIdon'tsayanything,shetriesanothertack.“Tellmeaboutyourfamilythen.Youtoldmeabout

yoursister.Whataboutyourparents?”

“Weshoulddefinitelylistentomusic.”
“Inthatcase,Ireallywanttoknow.”
“There'snotmuchtotell.Myfatherwasbasicallyadeadbeatwhocameandwentinandoutofmy

mother'slifewheneverhefeltlikeit.SadieandIhadourhopesraisedwe’dbearealfamilywheneverhe
turnedupanddashedwheneverheleftagain.Aftermymothergotcancerandthingsbecamegrim,we
neversawhimagain.Notevenaftertheycontactedhimwhenourmotherdied.Weendedupinfoster

care.Whatkindofguydoesthattohiswifeandkids?Sam'sdadisjustasbadifnotworse.”

“Oh,whatachildhood!ForyouandSadie,Imean.WhatdidSam’sdaddo?”
“Sadietoldhimshewaspregnant.Hetookoffandsheneversawhimagain.Itmakesmyblood

boil.Butthat'srelationships.Ijustthinkit'sbetternottostartwhatyoucan'tfinish.Whataboutyour
family?Tellmeyouhavesomethingbetterthanthatgoingon.”

Acloudcomesoverherface.Idon'tknowifit'sbecausesheunderstoodthatsheshouldn’tpinher

hopesonarelationshipwithmeorifit'sthinkingaboutmyfamilyorhers.“Myparentsaregreat
comparedtoyourdad,”shesays,“thoughI'manonlychildandI'dhavelikedtohaveasister.They're
kindofhippyish.Ithinkonechildwasenoughforthem.”

“Hippyish?Treehuggingandthings?”
“Notthatbad.TheywaitedformetogrowupandassoonasIdidtheystartedtravelingandnever

stopped.Igetalotofpostcardsfromfar-flungplaceswherethey'relivingorworking.Ineverseethem
muchthesedays.That'swhyIcametoCornwallbecauseatleastIhaveGranhere.”Shefrowns.

Ineedtogettheconversationontolighterthings.“Askmeanotherquestion.Somethingotherthan

families.”

“Okaythen.What'syourbiggestnightmare?”
“Thatwe'llgettotheendofthiseveningandyousendmeawaywithafleainmyear,thatthismeal

willgoonsolongandwe'lleatsomuchfood,wewon'tbeabletomoveafterit.Thatoranykindof
horrormovie.”

“Youdon'tlikehorrormovies?”
“Idon't.Zombies.Vampires.Axemurderers.Youknowthey'reouttogetyou.Whywaitforthemon

acold,darknightsotheycanpounce?Idon’tgetit.”

Shelaughs.Ididn'texpectthejourneytobethefunpartoftheeveningbutiftherestisasenjoyable,

Ican'twait.

I'veheardBerry'sisgoodandIlikefoodasmuchasthenextguybutthisissomuchmorethanfood.

It'sawholeexperience.Fromthemomentwearriveatthehotel,anoldVictorianhouse,andthedoorman
ushersusinside,itfeelslikewewonthelottery.

“You'dthinkwewereroyaltyorsomething,”Annawhispers.
She'snotwrongbuttheyseemtotreateverycustomerwithakindofreverence.Iorderabottleof

PicpouldePinetforAnnaandaskforjustaninchinmyglass,thenIorderwater“becauseI'llbedriving
home.”

“Ithoughtwehadaroom.Ithinkweshoulduseit.You'llbeawfullytireddrivingback.”Anna

grins.Littleminx.“Youmayaswellenjoythewinetoo.”

“Ifyou'resure,”Isayandaskthewaitertofillmyglasswhenhereturnswithmywater.
Ileanclosertoheracrossthetable.“Stayinghereovernightcountsasplaytime.Infact,playtime

startsrightnow.”

Annablushes.Herpaleskinshowswhenevershe'sevenslightlyembarrassed.“So,doIhaveto

callyouSirandlickyourboots,because,nowayamIdoingthat.”

Iputonasternexpression.“Idon'tthinkyouhavetherightattitudeforthisatall.I'msupposedtobe

theonemakingdemands,notyou.Butno,there'snobootlickinginvolved.Lickingotherthings,maybe,
butnotmyboots.”Igrinather.

Thewaiterhasbroughtabasketofhotbreadtothetable.Shebreaksoffapieceandaddsathick

smudgeofbutter.“I'mnotsureaboutanyofthis.Whatmakesyouwanttoordermearound?AndwhatdoI
getoutofit?Ineedtoknowwhatyou'regoingtotellmetodo?”

“Waitandsee.Areyoualwayssoimpatient?Imighthavetocorrectthatbeforethenightisout.”
Shetakesasipofherwineandlooksupatme.“Ican'twait.Oh,Iguessthat'salittleimpatient,isn't

it?Whateveryousay,Sir”andshegivesmeasaucylook.

Ihaveanurgentneedtotameher,totakeherthereandthen,tomakehermine,tohaveherbegging

formytouchandcallingoutmyname.Shehasawildnessthat'sachallenge.Butissheeventamable?

Thefoodisamazing.Weoptforfilletofgrass-fedbeefwithpotatoandceleriacpuréeandbaby

carrotsforourmaincourse.AnnawantsseafoodtrufflepastatostartandIhaveaterrinethatcomesin
threebrightly-coloredlayers.

Everydishislikeaworkofartontheplateandweeatslowly,savoringeverymorsel.Delicious!I

guess,itwouldbetoomuchtoeatlikethiseverynightbutitwouldbealongtimebeforeIgottiredofit.

AnnablusheswhenIorderice-creamfordessert.Shedoesn'twantanything,butIoffertosharemy

dessertwithher.Andofcourse,atBerry'sit'snotjustice-creambutsmokedhazelnutpralineandsalted
caramelicecreamwithpoachedpineappleandpassionfruitcompotesoshewantstotasteit,atleast.

Ilovethewayshetakesthefoodfrommyspoon,hereyesnotleavingmineasifshewaseatingme

andnotapieceofpineappleoraspoonfuloficecream.Thewholedesserteatingthinggoesstraightto
mycock.

Whenthewaiterofferscoffee,Annaturnsthatdowntooandexcusesherself.
“Youcanalwaystellthequalityofarestaurantbythestateofthetoilets,”shesayswhenshe

returns.

“Andwereyoudisappointed?”
“SocleanIwasalmostfrightenedtopee.”Shelaughs
“YouwentbeforeIcouldsayanything.Iwantedtotellyoutotakeoffyourpantiesbecauseplaytime

alreadystarted.”

“Iknewyouwouldsaythat,”shesays.“That'swhyIdidthis,”andsheopensherbagandshowsme

thewispoflaceinside.

“We'regoingupstairs,”Igrowl,andIsignalthewaitertocomeoversowecangetoutofthere

beforemycockexplodes.

CHAPTER17

Anna

Wegiggleallthewayupstairslikeschoolkids.ThewinehasgonetomyheadforsurebutI'mgiddy

withRory'scompanymorethananything.

Ihavetomakethemostofthisnight.Iknowit'slikelytobetheonlyonewithhim.He'snotinto

relationships.He'smadethatclear.EvenifIdidn'tknowalreadyfromthewayheaskedmeout.Hehasto
beaplayer.Andevenifhewasn’tandwantedsomethinglongerterm,I'mnotthesubmissivetypehe
wants.Ican'timaginebeingtoldwhattodoallthetime.Itmightbehotinthemoment,butforever?No
way!

ThecoupleoftimesItooktheinitiativetonightdidn'tseemtohaveputhimoff,butwhoknowshow

longthatwouldlastifhegetsoffonobedience?

Rorygetsouthiskeycardandwemakeitthroughthedoor.Itcloseswithasoftthudbehindus.
Thehotelroomisbathedinsoftlighting.Wow!It'stwicethesizeofmybedroomathomewithnot

justspaceforthebigbedandtheusualwardrobe,deskandchairbutalsoaseparateareawithacouch,
armchairandcoffeetable.Theupholsteryisturquoise,matchingthepatternedbedthrowandcurtains,
everythingverystylishyetinkeepingwiththeperiodfeaturesoftheroom.

“Beautiful,”hesays.
“Lookatthosecurtains,therug.”
“Iwasn'tlookingatthecurtains.”
No,he'slookingrightatme.
Hekissesme,adeepsearchingkissandIgetthepureRoryscentofhimandfeelthestrengthand

hardnessofhisbodythroughhissuit.It'sintoxicating!

“Takeoffyourdress,”hesays,andasIdo,pullingthethingovermyheadwithouthesitationnow,

despitehavinglittleonunderneath,heunclaspsmybrasothatwhenthedresscomesoffIamnakedsave
formythighhighstockingsandshoes.

Istandtherefeelingsuddenlyvulnerable.We'restilljustinsidethedoor.He'slookingatmeandI

maketocovermyselfup.

“Nohiding,”hesaysandtakesmyhandsandputsthemovermyhead.I'mupagainstthewall,

feelingthecoolplasteragainstmybackandthewarmthandhardnessofhiminfrontofme.Itfeelsasif
I'mrelinquishingcontrolandI’mallhis.Andsomehow,rightthen,thatfeelsgood.

Hecapturesmymouthwithhis,andfromthatmoment,Iamputtyinhishands.It'sjustaswellIhave

thewallbehindme,holdingmeupbecauseheletsgoofmyhandsthenandtrailsarowofkissesdownmy
bodyandI’mnotsureIcouldsupportmyself.

Iholdmybreathashegoeslowerandlower,touchingmeeverywheresoftlywithhislipsuntilhe's

betweenmylegs.Helooksupatmeasheplantsakissthereandthenthetipofhistongueappearsandhe
givesoneslowteasinglick.Ijustaboutcomerightthen.

“Please,”Ibeg.
“Oh,Iaimtodojustthat—pleaseyou,”hesays.
Mybreathingisraggedasheteasesmewithhislipsandtongue.Hekneelsatmyfeetholdingmy

thighsapartinhisbighands,hiswholefocusonme,onmypleasure,lickingmeeverywhere,findingthe
precisewaystotormentmemost,histonguecirclingmyclit,nibblinggently,suckingitintohishotmouth
untilIcan'ttakeanymore.MykneesbuckleundermeasIcome,andhecatchesmeandholdsmetightin
hisarms.

“Thatwas,thatwas...”I'mincapableoffinishingsentences.
“Thatwasonlythebeginning,”hesaysandItastemyselfonhimashekissesme.
“Yeah,maybewecanevenmakeitpastthedoorway.”Ican’tstopsmilinglikealunatic.
Hecarriesmetothebedandthrowsoffthecover,layingmedownoncrispwhitecotton.
“You'reoverdressedforthis,”Isaypullingathistie,thoughI'msosatedIdon'tfeelshyanymorein

mynakedness,thoughIstillhaveonthethighhighs.Ithinkhelikesthem.Somewherealongtheway,Ilost
myheels.

Hehelpsmeloosenhistieandthrowshisjacketontothechairatthesideofthebed.Therestofhis

clothesquicklyfollowandI'mtreatedtothefirstsightofhimnaked.

Thehintofstrongshouldersandabsinhisclothesisevenmoreimpressivewithoutthem.Ilook

downoverhisbodyandgulp.Ashiverrunsdownmybodyatthebrutephysicalityofhim.He'sbigger
thanIthought.Hisgreeneyesflashseeingthedirectionofmygazeandmyexpression.“Iaimtoplease.”

“Callmepleased,then.”Ismilenervouslyandreachouttotouchthetipofhiscockrunningmy

fingerssoftlyoverthehead.

“You'rewelcome.”HegathersmeinhisarmsandIfeelthelengthofhimagainstmystomach.
“I'mgoingtofuckyouhard,”hegrowlsintomyear.“ButfirstI'mgoingtofuckyouslow.Areyou

ready?”

“Yes,”Isqueak.
HegetsacondomoutofhisjacketlaysmeonmybackandIwatchasherollsthatthingon.IfI

wasn'tsoturnedon,soneedy,sofascinated,Imightbeworriedbyhissize.

Heslidesintomeinoneslow,perfectmovement,allowingmetoadjusttohim,hishandinmyhair,

grippingittightly,hiseyesonmine.Ican'tlookaway.He'smesmerizing.Itfeelslikehe'slookingintomy
soul.Ifeeleveryinchofhiscockasheentersmeandbottomsoutdeepinsidemeandamoanescapesmy
lips.

“Goingtomakeyoumine,”hegroans.I'minclinedtoagreewithhim.Iwantnothingmorethantobe

his,rightnow.

Hepullspartiallyoutandfillsmeagain,stretchingmeoncemore,inplaceswhereitfeelslikeI've

neverbeentouched.I'mprettysureIhaven't.Hemovesinandoutofmewithlong,agonizinglyslow
strokes.

“Faster,”Ibeg.“Harder.”
“Ithoughtyou'dneverask,”hesaysandplungesdeepinsidemehard,creatingasmackofflesh

againstfleshandIgasp.Ihardlyhavetimetodrawbreathfromthatwhenhestartsthrustingintome
harderandfaster,hisbodypoundingagainstme,andIlosethepowerofthought.I'mallsensation.All
need.

TheworldshattersaroundmeanditfeelslikeIsomehowdissolvedwhenIcome.Heslowshis

movementandwaitsforme,butnotforlong.Hegroansandcontinuesfasterandharderthanbefore,

thoughIdidn'tthinkthatwaspossibleandthistimewhenIcallout,myclimaxcomingatmelikeafreight
traincrashingin,hejerksinsidemeandgroansouthisownrelease.

Whenwewake,ourlegsareentwinedandhisarmsarewrappedaroundme.ItfeelslikeI’min

somekindofcocoon,protectedfromtheworldoutside.

“Mmmh!”hesays.“Isleptwell.Musthavebeengoodfood,goodwineandyou.”
“Don'tyounormallysleepwell?”
“I'mnotusedtosleepingwithanyoneelse.”
Iguesshesneaksoffinthemiddleofthenightafteraneveninglikethatandwhoeverhe'swith

neverseeshimagainnomatterhowgoodhemadethemfeel.SuddenlyIfeelhot.Ineedtogetoutfromhis
arms.

“Whereareyougoing?”heasks.
Igraboneofthesofttowelingrobesthehotelprovided.“Bathroom.”
Theen-suiteispalatial.AreweeveninCornwall?Itfeelslikethishotelismoresuitedtooneof

thoseluxurioustropicalresorts.There'sabigdouble-endedbathtubandaseparateshowerbigenoughfor
two.

Iwanttoluxuriateinthatspace,butIguessRorywillbedesperatetodelivermebacktomyhouse

anddrawanendtoourdate.It'swhathedoes.Hedoesn'tstaywithwomen.Whatwasithesaid?“Ijust
thinkit'sbetternottostartwhatyoucan'tfinish.”It'sbetterifIleavewithdignitythanhavehimsendme
offwithalotoflies.

Icomeoutofthebathroom.“Areyougoingtotakemehome?”Iask.
“Yes,ofcourse,Iam,butwhat'sthematter?”Hefrownsatme.
“Nothing.I'mfine.”
“ThatthemostabusedwordintheEnglishlanguage.Finemeansnotfineatall.Iknowthatmuch.”
“Really.I'mfine.Let'sjustgohome.”
“TellmeorI'llhavetospankitoutofyou.”He'ssearchingmyfaceforclues.
I'mnotinthemoodforplayingnow.Hecanforgetthat.“No.Justtakemehome.”
“WhatdidIdo?”
“Nothing.That'sjustit.Thisisgoingnowhere.”
“Andyouwantitto?”
“Yousaidyoudidn'tdorelationships.Fine.It'smybad.Let'sjustgo.”
“Ithoughtyoucouldtellthiswasdifferent.”Hetriestoholdme.
Ipullawayfromhim.“Maybeyou'relikethiswitheveryone.Maybeyou'rejustsayingthattoletme

downgently.I'dratheryouwerehonest.”

“Iambeinghonest.Ineverfeltlikethiswithanyoneelse.”
Ilookathim.Itdoesn'tfeellikehe'slying.I'mnotsurehowtotell.
“Iwanttoseeyouagain,”hesays.“No,Iwantmorethanthat.Iwanttokeepseeingyouoverand

over.Ifthat'sarelationship.Iwantthat.Withyou.”

Myheartmelts.Icantellthewordsdon'tcomeeasilytohim.
“Maybe,Ireallyamfinethen,”Isay.
“Youreallyare,”hesays.“I'mgoingtotakeyouback,butfirstwe'regoingtogetcleaninourvery

finebathroomoverthere.”

“Areyousureyoumeanclean?Youhaveaglintinyoureyesagain.”
“Theremightbealittlegettingdirtyinvolvedtoo.I'mnotsure.Doyouwanttoriskit?”
“IthinkIdo.”

CHAPTER18

Rory

IfuckAnnaintheshower.HowcouldInot?She'slikeadrugIcan’tgetenoughof.Onetasteand

I’maddicted.Idon'torderherabout.IwanthertoknowI'mthinkingofherandwhatshewantsafterthat
frightthismorning.Ican'tbeartoloseher.Butwe'resofuckinggoodtogetherthewaywecomeatthe
samemoment,callingoutunderthestreamofhotwater,Ican'thelpwantingtopushthingsfurtheronthe
wayhome.

Maybe,Ishouldholdbackforawhile.Shedoesn'ttakeordersnaturally,butsheseemstofindithot

whenI'mmyusualdemandingself,atleastsomeofthetimeandsomethingdrivesmetogojustabit
furtherwithher.

Ineedtoknowhowmuchtimewehave.“Wheredoyouhavetobetoday?”
“AregularmaintenancejobwithoneofGran'sfriendsbutitdoesn'thavetobedonetoday.Infact,it

lookslikeit'sgoingtorain,soImightnotbeabletodomuchanyway.”

“IloveBritishweatherrightnow.”
Shelaughs.“IguessIloveitfordifferentreasonsthanyou.Itmakeseverythinggrow.”
IparkthecaralongsidetheforestclosetowhereIstoppedthecaronthewaytotherestaurant.
Sheraiseshereyebrows.“Youwanttogoforawalk?Orarepeatofyesterday?Ithinkwegot

beyondthat.”

“Awalk.”
“I'mnotreallydressedforit.”Shelooksdownatherdress,herheels.
“I'llcarryyou.”
“I'mnotreally...”
I'moutofthecarandopenherdoorbeforeshecanprotesttoomuch.“Ibetyoualwayswantedtobe

thrownoverafireman'sshoulder.”

“Hadn'tcrossedmymindatall.”shelaughs.
“Well,yougettoexperiencethefullfirefighterexperiencewithoutthefire.Aperkofmyjob.”
ShegetsoutofthecarandIliftherovermyshoulder.Ican'tresistsmoothingmyhandoverherass

andshewigglesbeneathme.

“Hey!Ihopeyoudon'tdothattoalltheladiesyourescue.”
“Idonot.”Icangetinenoughtroublerescuingwomenwithoutthat.
It'scoolintheforest.NotcoldforOctoberbutcoldenough.Shedoesn'thaveathickcoator

anything.I’mnotsurethisisgoingtowork,butthere'sshelterfromthetreesandnocoldwind,soI'm
goingtotry.

Wereachaclearingmaybeahundredyardsfromtheroad.Isetherdownonherfeetagainstatree

andkissher.Icantellshe'spuzzledandwantstoknowwhatIhaveinmind.

“IsthiswhereIfindoutI'minoneofyournightmarehorrormovies?”shesays.
“Ihopenotbecauseifyou'reinone,I'minittoo.Andneitherofusknowsit.”
Ikissheragainuntilsherelaxesagainstmeandshe'smoaningagainstmylips.
“Takeoffyourdress,”Itellher.
“What?”
“Youheardme.Takeitoff.”
“IfyouthinkI'mdoingthat,you'recrazy.Ithoughtyouonlywantedtotellmewhattodowhenit

wasplaytime.”

“Iwanttoplaywithyouallthetime.Takeitoff.”
“It'sfreezinginhere.No.”Sheshuddersasiftoillustratethepoint.
“Iguaranteeyouwon'tbecoldforlong.”
“Hownot?”
“Takeyourdressoff,andyou'llsee.”
“Imustbeoutofmymind,”shemuttersasIpullupthehemandshetakesitinherhands,pullingthe

thingoverherhead.Shecrossesherarmsinfrontofherasiftodefendherselfagainstme.

Iputherarmsaroundmyneckandwrapmyjacketaroundbothofus.“Ilovethatyoudidthat,”Itell

herkissingherneck.

“Ican'tbelieveIdid.”
“Justwait.You'llgetyourreward.”Ikisshernose.
“Inheaven?Idon'tthinkso.”
“Itmightbeverylikeheaven.”
Shesmirks.“So,whatdowedonow?”
“Ifuckyouhere.Veryhard.”
Shegasps.“Youdon'tplayfair.Youholdallthecards.”
“Itdoesn'tmeanyouwon'tenjoythegame.”Irunmyfingersoverthecupofherbra.Hernipplesare

alreadyhardfromthecoolairbutshemoansatmytouch.

Ilowermyheadandtakehernippleintomymouththroughherbra.AndthenItaketheotheranddo

thesame.Thewetfabricwillbecoldagainsthernipplesbutshe’llsoonforgetaboutthat.Ipullthecrotch
ofherblueunderweartooneside.Ilikeherlittlethongstylepantiesandtheyarealreadywet.Nice!

Istrokeherinside,coaxingherwithmyfingers.Iwanttoseehercomeagainstthistreeoutherein

theforestbeforeIfuckher.Icircleherclitwithmythumbwhilemyfingersteaseherinside.Sheholds
herbreath.She'sclosebutIdon'tletuppleasuringheruntilshecallsoutandIfeelherclencharoundme,
herthighsshaking.

SheclingsontomeasIrollonacondomandIkissherhair.“Heavenornot,you'reanangelfor

sure,”Isay.There'sathickbranch,justaboveourheads.“Grabthatanddon'tletgo.”

AndthenI'minsideher.WhereIwanttobe.Rightin.Inonethrust.Hotandtight.Shegaspsand

accommodatesme.Myeyesneverleavehers.Theblueinthemseemsdarkerhereintheforest.

Ifuckherwithlong,hardstrokes,poundingherbodyrelentlessly.Sheholdsontothebranchbuther

hipsmeeteverythrust,ourbodiesclashingfranticallytogether,overandover,untilwebothcalloutand
come,notcaringwhohears.Andwhenwelookdown,shelaughs,becauseherpantiesareshreddedat
ourfeet.

AsIhelphergetherdresson,Ican'tstopkissingherandIrealizeshe'swrongaboutthecards.

Theyarenotstackedonmysideatall.Thewholehouseofcardsfeelslikeit'stumblingdown.Everything
Ithoughtwastrueaboutsexandaboutwomenhasallbeenturnedonitsheadbyher,bywhateverisgoing
onhere.

ButshegetsmoreandmoresubduedasIcarryherbacktothecarandwhenIopenthecardoorand

setherdownonthepassengerseat,shelooksupatme.“Ifthisisplaying,howseriousdoesitget?”

CHAPTER19

Anna

Ican'tbelieveIdidthatintheforest.Whatifsomeonehadcomealong?Iwassowrappedupin

RoryIdidn'tcarerightthenbutitwouldhavebeenadifferentstoryifsomeonehadseenus.Ishudderat
theriskwejusttook.

Howfardoesheexpecttotakethis?Ineedtoknow.BecauseIcan'ttrustmyselftosaynotohim

now.Itmakesmedoubtmyself,thewholeideaofwhoIam.Ifanyonehadaskedmeinthecoldlightof
daywhetherIwouldtakemydressoffinaforestjustoffamainroadandletaguy,redhotthoughheis,
takemeagainstatreeIwouldhavesaid,“noway.”Yetithappened.

IsitbettertowalkawaynowthangetanymoreentangledinsomethingIcan'tcopewith?BeforeI

startbeingsofreakedoutbywhathe'saskingmetodo,Irefusehimandheleavesmeanyway?Ithastobe
easiertostopthisnowbeforeIgetanymoreinvolved.

ButwhenIaskhimhowseriousthisgets,heanswersmewithaquestion.“Howseriousdoyou

wantittobe?”

“Thatwasn'tmeintheforest.Ican'tbelieveIdidthat.Lessseriousthanthat.”
“Hey!Don'tlooksoworried.”Heliftsupmychin.“I'msorryifthatwasn’tforyou,okay?Butit

lookedlikeyouwereasintoitasme.”

“Iwasbut...”Icanseehedoesn'tunderstandwhereI'mcomingfrom.
“Youknow,wecouldliveourwholelivesnottakingrisks,beinghalfasleep,goingthroughroutine

stuff.There'snothingwrongwithlivingaquietlife,butsometimesalittlesparkmakesyoufeelalive,you
know.IlivewithriskatworksomaybeittakesmoreofasparkwhenI'mnotworkingtomakemefeelI'm
livingmylife.Ican'tblameyouifyoudon'tfeelthesame.That'sjustme.”

“Doyoudothosethingswithotherwomen?”
“Itellthemwhattodoinbed.Sometimestheydoit.Inevercarriedanyoneintoaforestthoughor

tookanyonetoarestaurantwithoutpantieson.Thatwastheheatofthemoment.Sorry,ifitwastoomuch”

“Itwasn'ttoomuchatthetime,justlookingback...”
“Well,don'tregretanythingyoudidonlywhatyoupassedupon.That'smymottoanyway.”
“It'snotmine,though.”
Hethinksaboutit.Iexpecthimtobailoutonmeatanymoment.I'vedisappointedhim,andIhope

I'mnotgoingtoregretspeakingup.Ijustdon'tknowwhatIwantanymore.

“Look,”hesays.“Iknowit'sbeentoomuchtoofast.That'sjustthewayIam.Jumpinginwithboth

feetifIwantsomething.YouknowwhatIlikebutI'dnevermakeyoudoanythingyoudon'twanttodo.
Thatdoesn'tworkformeeither.Ifit'snotforyou,that'sokay,butplease,thinkaboutit.”

Inod.“Okay.”
“Andwhatifwehaveanormaldateortwo?Non-playtimedates?Wecanjusthavefunwithoutme

tellingyouwhattodo.”

“I'dlikethat.”Hestillwantstoseeme.Ican'thelpfeelingwarminsideathiswords.
“IwasthinkingoftakingSamoutthisafternoon.Doyouwanttocome?”Hesqueezesmyhand,and

Itellhimthatwouldbegreat.

Ican'twaittoseenon-bossyRory,thoughpartofmewouldregretifIneverexperiencedthebossy

sideofhimagain.

CHAPTER20

Rory

It'sgoodtoseeSadieathomewithSambutIknowshestillgetstiredeasilysoAnnaandIwilltake

himtothebeachthisafternoon.Itwassupposedtorain,accordingtotheforecast,butapparently,the
weathermadeupitsownmindasitoftendoesinCornwall.There’snotacloudintheskynow.

“Hey,littlefeller?Wanttogoandflythatkitetoday?”Iaskhimandhejumpsallovermelikea

waywardpuppy.

“Ithinkthatmeansyes.”Sadielaughs.
“Ithoughtwe'dtakehimforaburgerafterthatifyoucansparehimforlonger.”
“We?”shesays.Mysisterdoesn'tmissatrick.“Who's'we'?”
“Anna.She'sdoingsomegardeningworkforme.”
“And...?”
“AndItookherout.”
“Andyou'retakingheroutagain?”
Ican'tblameherforlookingaskanceatthat.It'snotthenormformeatall.Sheknowsmetoowell.
“Thisone'sdifferent,”Isay.
“Really?CanIexpecta'SavetheDate'cardinthemailanymomentnow?”
“Veryfunny.”
“Whatisshelike?”
“Ithinkyou'dlikeher.She'ssmart,funny,neareryouragethanmine.”
“What?You'recradlesnatchingnow?”
“Nope,she'sallgrownup,allwoman.Ichecked.”
“Ohyou,”sheslapsmyarm.“Bringhertomeetmesoonandjustbecarefulshedoesn'twearyou

out.”

Ilaugh.“Shemakesmecomealiveifanything.”
IexpectSadietomakesomejokebutshedoesn't.Shelooksthoughtful.Ikisshercheekthengrab

thekiteandfastenSamintothebackofthecar.I'mlookingforwardtogoingtothebeachjustalittletoo
muchforitjusttobebecauseI'mgivingmysisterabreakandSamatreat.

Anna'seyeslightupwhensheanswersherdoor.
“Yourchariotawaits,ma'am.”
Shecomesoutandlocksherdoor.She'sbackinhernormalclothes—jeansandathicksweaterbut

shestilllooksgoodtome.

“AreyouUncleRory'swife?”SamaskswhenAnnagetsintothecar.
“No,justhisfriend.”

“Agoodfriend,”Isay,lookingatAnna.Oureyesmeetandshesmilesnexttomeinthefrontseat.

AndIbeambackather.Fuck!IneedtogetagriponmyselfbecauseIamseriouslylosingmyshit.

“Tom'sdaddyhasafriendtoo,”Samsays.“TomonlyseesthemonSaturdaysbutshedoesn'tlive

withhisdaddyeither.Tomsaystheydokissingandstuff.Gross!”

“Yes,Ican'tseehowanyonecanenjoythat,”Annasaysandwinksatme.

There'sabriskbreezeonthebeachblowingupthewavesbutit'sgreatforthekite.Werunand

laughsohardandfalloverinaheapinthesand,Samgigglingontopofusinatangleofkitestring.

IcanjustimaginemeandAnnainafewyearswithkidsofourown.AndnowIreallyamlosingit.

Allthatschmaltzystuff—relationships,families,lovewhatever—isdesignedtopullyouinandmessup
yourlife.Ican'tdenywhat'shappeninghere.Ineedtocoolit.ButthenhowcanI,whenAnnaislookingat
melikeshefeelsittoo?

CHAPTER21

Anna

RorydropsSamoffandthentakesmehome.
“Sorry,I'vegottogo,babe.IswappedafewshiftstomoveintothehouseandlookafterSam.I

won'talwaysbeworkingallthetime.”

“Noproblem.Igetit.Firestoputout,peopleandcatstorescue,andallthat.”
“JustbeforeIgo...”
Ithinkhe'sgoingtosaysomething,thenhedoesn't.HetakesmeinhisarmsandIfeelhisstrengthall

overagain,andhekissesmesodeeplyImeltagainsthim.SomuchforwalkingawaybeforeIgethurt!I
don’thaveitinmetodothat.

Helooksatmeforamomentasifhecan'tmakeoutwhat'shappeninghereeitherandthenhekisses

meagainandgetsoutofthecartoopenmydoor.HehelpsmeoutlikeI'mafragileprincessorsomething.
IthinkIlikeit.Whoknew?I'manythingbutfragile.Ipullouttreeroots,laypatiosandputupfencesfora
living!

IkisshimandwhisperafewwordsinhisearthatI'mprettysurewillmakehimsmile.AndthenI

runinsideotherwiseImightdosomethingveryun-princess-likeatthefrontdoorofmyplaceandthe
neighbors,wholeantowardstheoldersideofsixty,mightnotrecover.

WhileRoryisatwork,I'mgoingtostartonhisfrontgardenandsurprisehimwhenhegetsback

fromthestation.It'sbetterthanmooningaboutthinkingabouthimlikesomelovesickteenagerandgetting
nothingdone.EventhecoupleofhoursorsoI'llhavebeforeitgetsdarkwillmakeadifference.

GranisathomesoIgoandseeherfirst.Shewantstoknowmynews.
ItellherwhatIcan.ThatIwentoutwithherneighbor,Rory.Thathe'snotmarried.Thatthechild

shesawishisnephew.ButthereisplentyIdonottellher.She'dprobablybeamused,butsomethingsyou
don'tsharewithyourgrandmother.

“So,you'reinloveandnottellingmeeverything,”shesays.“I'mpleasedthere'san'everything'not

totellme.”

“Inlove?I'veonlyknownhimaweek.”
“Icanseeitinyourface,”shesays.“Don'ttellmeyou'renot.”
Ishrugmyshoulders.“I'mininfatuationifanything.Whoknowswhetherthere'sanythingmore

there.Ihardlyknowhim.Whoknowswhathe'llturnouttobelike?”

“Thereisthat,butIfellforyourgrandpaovernight,soitcanhappen.MyfriendBettywasafterhim

too,soIdidn'tplayhardtoget.IfyoureallylikeRory,don'tlethimslipawaybybeingstandoffish.”

IthinkIwasn'thardenoughtoget,butit'snousetellingherthat.“Thanks,Gran.I'llcatchyoulater.

I'mjustgoingtoworkonhisgarden.Thebedatthefrontneedscuttingback.”

Istartchoppingdownandshapingtheshrubs,thinkingaboutwhatGransaid.DoIloveRory?

MaybeIdo,justabit.It'sallhappenedsofastbutIneverfeltlikethiswithanyoneelse.Ican'thelp
smilingwhenIthinkofhim,ofhowheheldmesotight,hiskisses,howhemademecomeoverandover
withhistongue,onhiscock,onthebed,intheshower,intheforest.No,Ican'tshareanyofthatwith
Gran.Nothingatall.

AnAudipullsupnexttomyvan.Andawomangetsout.Shemustbeinherthirties,attractive,

honeyblondhair.Classicclothes,notfrumpy,goodqualityasifshewasgoingforanappointmentatthe
bank.IstopclippingtheshrubI'mworkingonforamomentandshecomesover.

“IsthisRoryClark'shouse?”sheasks.
“Yes,buthe'snothome.I'mjustworkingonhisgarden.”Whatdoesshewant?
“Domeafavoranddon'ttellhimIstoppedby.Iwanttosurprisehim.”
“Iwon'tseehim.He'sworking.Howdoyouknowhim?”Ican'thelpwantingtoknowwhatthis

woman,thisattractivewoman,wants.AndIhaveafeelingI'mnotgoingtoliketheanswer.

“What'sittoyou?”Shelooksatme.“Oh,Isee,it'slikethat,isit?Well,Iwouldn'tgothere,ifI

wereyou.”

Myheartthuds.Idon'tlikethesoundofthis.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Takeitfromme.He'sthelastpersonyouwanttofallfor.Notifyouwantittolast.He'sacharmer,

I'llgiveyouthat.Justdon'trelyonhimforanything.”

Shepullsapicturefromherpurse.Agirlandaboygrinatthecamera—twins,maybetwoorthree

yearsold.“It'stakenmeagestotrackhimdown.Themanhasnosenseofresponsibility.Heneverwanted
kidsbutyou'dthinkoncehehadsome,he'dhavebotheredtoshowhisface.”

CHAPTER22

Rory

Imightnotknowmuchaboutplants,butIknowaweedwhenIseeone,andthere'sapotplanted

withweedsandstingingnettlesonmyfrontdoorstepwhenIgetbackfrommybusyshift.Whoathere!
Whatkindofcrazyisthis?I'vehadenoughcrazytolastalifetime.Whowouldleavemesomethinglike
that?

Ican'tbelieveAnnawoulddoit.Butamessageinplants?Whoelse?There'sonlyonewaytofind

out.IcallherassoonasIgetthroughthefrontdoor.

“What'swiththeweedsonmydoorstep?Didyouleavethemthere?”I'mhopingshesaysno.
“Idid.”
“Whyonearth?”
“Youdon'tknow?Well,I'lljustleaveyoutofigureitoutthen,willI?Becauseit'sabouttimeyou

putsomethoughtintowhatyoudoanddon’tdo.”

“WhatIdoanddon’tdo?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Sleepingwithwomen,lettingthemdealwiththemessyouleavebehind.That’swhatyoudo,isn’t

it?”

“What?WhatmessdidIleaveyouwith?”She’snotmakinganysense.
“Notme.You’renotgettingtomessupmylife.Let’sjustsay,Ihadmyeyesopenedbysomeone

fromyourpastbeforeyougotthechance.”

“Mypast?What?Anna,thisiscra...”
Butshecutsmeoff.“Crazy!Don'tyoufuckingdarecallmecrazy!”Thelinegoesdead.
Fuck!Whatwasshetalkingabout?WhatIdoanddon’tdo?ItrytothinkofanythingIdidtoupset

her.LastIsawher,shewaskissingmegoodbyeandwhisperinginmyearthatshewaslookingforwardto
ournextplaytime.Iwasn'tpushingheraboutit.Ifanything,Iwastryingtogivehertimetothinkitthrough.
Sowhytheweeds?Whatbroughtthison?

Andthenmybloodrunscold.Annasaidmypast.Thatwomancan'thavefoundme.Notagain.

Natalie!

Hasshebeentomyhouse?HasAnnaseenher?IcallAnnaagainbutshedoesn'tanswer.She

switchedoffherphone.Igotoherhousebutshe'snotthere.Idrivearoundfranticallylookingforher,but
shecouldbeanywhere.Ipacemyhouse,callingheroverandover.Noreply.

I'mexhaustedandIneedtogetupforworkinafewhours.Eventually,Inodoffonthecouch.As

soonasIwake,Icallheragain.Shedoesn'tanswer.AndthenItexther:

Ineedtotalktoyou.Whathappenedtomakeyouignoremycalls?
Stillnoanswer.
Iwanttocallheragainfromwork.Buttoolate,thesirensaregoingoffandwe'rejumpinginto

actionthemomentIgetthere.

It'safalsealarmatahotel.Oneoftheguestssmokingsetoffthealarms.Thathappensalotdespite

thenosmokingsignseverywhere.

Wejustgetbacktothestationwhenthere'sanotheremergency,suspectedarson.That'sprobably

kids,boredandgettinguptonogoodinthelongdarkevenings.It'sagardenshedthat'sbeensetonfire
thistime.Itmaynotseemlikemuchofabigdealbutwhatlookslikeasimplewoodenstructurecanbe
dangerous.Thesethingsareusuallyfullofchemicalsandsomeofthemcanbepoisonousorexplosiveand
theproximitytoahouseisnojoke.Ashedcouldsetawholehousealightifnottackledsoonenough.

We'rescramblingintoourprotectivegearwhenBrendantellsmewherethefireis.Thehousenext

doortomine!Anna'sgrandmother'shouse!It'stoohotontheheelsoftroublewithAnnatobea
coincidence.Whatthefuckisgoingon?

Whenwegetnearthehouse,IseeAnna'sgrandmotheroutsideinthestreetbeingcomfortedbya

fewofourneighbors.Itelleveryonethatitmightbedangerous,tostandwellbackwhilewedealwiththe
blaze.IaskAnna'sgranwhatwasintheshed.Shedoesn'tknow.Shedoesn'tgotheremuch.Herhusband
didthegardeningbeforeAnnastartedtodoit.

Itdoesn'ttakethefirecrewlongtodealwiththeflamesandluckilythefireiswellawayfromthe

house.Norealharmhasbeendoneandtheonlydamageistothesheditself.Oncethefireisout,Ilet
everyoneknowit'ssafeagain.Nodoubt,thefireinvestigationsquadwillwanttolookintowhat
happened.Thepolicearetherealready,butourworkisoverfornow.

Anna'sgrandmotherisalittleshakenupbutshesayshergranddaughterisonherway.Iaskherto

tellAnnaI'llstopbytoseehernextmorningassoonasmyshiftisoverforthenight.Whethershewill
talktomeornot,Idon'tknow.

CHAPTER23

Anna

WhenRoryappearsatmyhouse,Idon'tknowwhethertoshutthedoorinhisfaceorlistentohis

excuses,butIguess,weneedtogetthisoverwith.IlethimintothehallbecauseIdon'twantthe
neighborslisteningtothis,buthe'snotgettinganyfurtherintomyhouse.Nowayinhell.

Hecantellmehisliesrighthereandfuckrightoff.Somehow,Ihavetopretendnottocarewhata

lyingcheatingirresponsiblebastardheisandthenneverseehimagain.

Iwasn'tsupposedtocareaboutanyonelikethiseveragainafterGavin.ButIdocare.Morefool

me!Andit'sworsethistimeeventhoughI'veonlyknownRoryforafewdaysandIshouldhaveknownhe
wasn'ttobetrusted.

“IgatheryoumetNatalie,”hesays.Hedoesn'tevenseemashamedaboutthelieshe'sabouttotell

me.

“Yes.Ifthat'sthenameofthewomanwhocamebyyourhouseyesterday.”
“Ican'tbelieveshecamelookingformeagain.”
“Maybeyoushouldn'tbehidingthen.Atsomepoint,youhavetofaceuptoyourresponsibilities.”
“ButI'mnotresponsibleforher.”
“Ifnotforher.Forhertwins.Andyours.”
“Ithoughtallthisshitwasover.Shelikestothinkwehadbabies.ButIneverlaidafingeronher.”
“Youexpectmetobelievethat?”Hemusthavedonesomethingtomakethatwomanthinkhewas

thefather.

“Maybeyouwon’tbelieverightaway,butpleasehearmeout.”Hesighs.
Ifhe’sgoingtolietome,Idon’twanttolisten,butIwanttoknowwhathe’sgoingtosaysoIdon’t

stophim.

“IwaspartofacrewthatrescuedNatalieandherfriendsfromafireaboutfourorfiveyearsago,”

hesays,glancingatmeasiftomakesureI’mlistening.“ItwasaNewYear'sEvepartythatgotoutof
hand.Alotofthemweredrunk.Andthecurtainscaughtalight,wethinkfromastraycigarette.Bythetime
anyoneatthepartyrealized,theplacewasupinflames.Wegoteveryoneout.Thatshouldhavebeenthe
endofit.ButNatalielatchedontomeastheonewhorescuedherandstartedfollowingmearound.”

“Youmeanlikeastalker?”I'mtryingtopicturethewoman.Shedidn'tlooklikeastalkerbutdo

stalkershaveabigsignontheirforehead?Iguessnot.Inanycase,itdoesn'tmeanthechildrenaren'this.
When’shegoingtotellmeaboutthem?

“Ibumpedintoheronenightaboutaweekafterthatfire,”hesays,andIcantellhe’sthinkingback

tothatnight.“Iwashavingabeerwiththeguysafterwork.Ididn'trecognizeher,butsherecognizedme
andsaidhello.Ididn'trealizeshewasfollowingmeatfirst,butshe'dappearwheneverIwentoutwith
theguysafterthat.Ithappenedtoooftentobeacoincidence.Theotherguysusedtoribmeaboutherall

thetime.Italkedtohersometimesbecauseshekepttryingtomakeconversation.Ineveraskedherout,
though.She’snotmytypeandtherewasjustsomethingdesperateabouther,thoughIdidn'tthinkshewas
crazyatthatpoint.”

“Didn'tyoureporther?”
“IwouldhavefeltsillyifIhad.Shewasn’tthreateningme.Itwasjustabitirritating.Iwassorryto

hurtherfeelingsbutitdidn'tmakemewanttodateher.”

Icouldimagine,beingthekindofguyheis,hewouldwanttobetheonetodothechasing.
“Afterawhile,sheseemedtogetthemessageandstoppedturningupeverywhereIwent,”hesays.
“Thenwhyisshesayingthosekidsareyours?”
“I’mcomingtothat.Ihonestlythoughtthatwastheendofit.Andthenshedidsomethingcrazyto

makemenoticeher.Shesetherownhouseonfire.”

“Oh,jeez,shedidn't?”Ican'tbelieveanyonewoulddothattoattracttheattentionofafirefighter,

evenhim.Thisisstartingtofeellikeanelaboratetalehe'sconcoctedtomakehimselfseemlessguilty.
Shejustseemedlikeanormalwoman.“Howdoyouknowshediditdeliberately?Noonewoulddo
that.”

“I'mstillnotahundred-percentsure,butinstincttellsmeshedid.Shesaidshefellasleepand

knockedacandleover,butthefirehadhardlytakenwhenwegotthere.Itwasasifshecalledandwaited
tohearthesirensinthedistancebeforesheknockedthethingovertostarttheblaze.Ofcourse,justmy
luck,Iwastheonewhogottoherfirst.AfterIrescuedherfromthatfire,therewasnostoppingher
craziness.”

“Nevermindwhatcrazythingshedid,didyousleepwithher?”I'mnotsureIevenwanttoknow.

Thisistoomuchtotakein.Ishetryingtopullthewoolovermyeyes?

“No,Ididn'tsleepwithher.”
“ButIsawthepicture.Thosebabiesarereal.There'snothingfictionalaboutthem.Whywouldshe

saytheywereyoursiftheyaren’t?Youjustlefthertocope.”Somuchforhimmakingagooddad.I
supposeit'sdifferentwhenhehasSamforafewhoursandthencanjustgivehimback.It'snotalifelong
commitment.Whatisitwithmenandcommitment?

“Ithoughtyouknewmeenoughtoknowthat'sthelastthingI'ddo.Itoldyouaboutmyfather,Anna.

HowIcouldn'tbelikehim.HowcouldyouthinkI'ddothat?”

AndIknowthenlookingathisface,I'vehurthim,andI'msorry.Buthegoesonwithhisstory

anyway.

“Iknewthosetwinsweren'tminebecauseIneversleptwithher.LikeIsaid,I'veneverevendated

her.Aftertheywerebornafewmonthsafterthefire,shestartedsayingtheywereminetoanyonewho
wouldlisten.Shetoldpeopleweweregettingmarried.Icalledheroutonitandinsistedonbloodtests.”

Hiseyesarepleadingwithmetobelievehim.“Shebrokedownandsaidthattheywereasmuch

mineashersbecauseIrescuedherwhenshewaspregnantwiththem.Isavedalltheirlives,so,according
toher,thetwinsbelongtomewhoevertheirbiologicalfatheris.Sheforgetsthatthere'sawholeteam
involvedinarescue.Ijusthappenedtobetheonewhocarriedheroutofafire.Twice,formysins.”

It’shardtoimagineanyonebeingthatdelusional.Itrytopicturethewomanagain.“Shedidn'tseem

crazywhenItalkedtoher.”

“Ithoughtthesameatfirst.ButonceIsuspectedshehadsetherownplaceonfire,Iknewshe

neededhelp.Whatpregnantwomanputstheirunbornbabyatrisk,twounbornbabiesinhercase,to
attractaguytorescueher?Icouldn'tjustsweepthatunderthecarpet.AndIthoughtshegothelpafterI
reportedwhatwasgoingonbecausethatwasovertwoyearsago.Ihaven'tseenhersincethen.Youcan

askmysister,theguysatwork.Theyallknowaboutit.”

Hesoundssosincere,hisvoicebreakingashetellsmewhatwenton,Ican’thelpbutbelievehim.

“I’msorryIthoughttheworstwhenshetoldmethekidswereyours.”

“IreallythoughtI’dseenthelastofheruntilyoumentionedsomeonefrommypast.Iwouldn'tbe

surprisedifshesettheshedonfireasakindofmessageshewasbackonmycase.IfI'dhadashed,I
guessitwouldhavebeenmineupinflames.Iwaslucky,shedidn'ttorchmyhouse.”

“Ishouldhaveaskedyouaboutit,andnotjustleftyouthoseweeds,butthewomanwasso

convincing.AndI'veonlyknownyouaweek.I’msorry.”Itouchhisarmandhepullsmetohimandgives
meahug.Hisarmsfeelgoodagainaroundme.

“Fuck!Anna,IthoughtI’dlostyou.I'mnothidinganythingfromyou.Whatyouseeiswhatyouget.”
“Yourbossywaysandall.”
“Yes,eventhose.You'veseenallofme.”
“Yes,everyinchincludingyourlarge...ego.”
Hesmirksatme.“Yes,thattoo.”
“Whathappensnow?”Iaskhim.
“Itakeyoutobed.”
Ishouldhaveknownhe'dcomeoutwithsomethinglikethat.“ImeanaboutNatalie.”
“ThepolicewillexaminetheCCTVfootagefromthearea.Also,yourgran'sfriendalongthestreet

seemstoenjoykeepinganeyeoneveryonecomingandgoing.ArsonisprettyseriousbutIdon'tthink
she'llgetacustodialsentenceifitturnsoutshesettheshedonfire,justsomeproperhelpthistime.”

“Ihopeso,forthetwins'sake.”Thosepoorlittlethingswithacrazymother.Maybethey'llnever

knowtheirfather.

“So,whataboutbed?”heasks.
“IhavealawntoseedforyourfriendTony.”I'malreadywearingmygardeningclothes.Iwas

waveringbetweenwaitingforRorytocomebyorgoingoutandavoidinghim.

“Ican'tbelieveItoldhimaboutyourgardeningservice.Badmistake.”
“Goodmistake.Afewmorejobslikethat,andIcanstopworryingabouthavingtoreturnto

London.”

“Youwerethinkingofleaving?”
“It'salwaysbeenmybackupplan.”
“Inthatcase,I'dbettertelleveryoneIknowaboutyourservice.I'dhateyoutogo.Iwanttogetto

knowyoubetter.”

Ithinkhereallymeansit.Igoallgooeyinside.“Youcangettoknowmebetteranytime.Itmustbe

yourturntoaskthequestions.”

“I'llbesuretothinkofsomeespeciallytrickyones.”Helaughs.“Anyway,you'vebeentakingcalls

fromTonyandnotme?Wasitonlymycallsyouwereavoiding?”

“That'swhatcallerIDisfor.”
“Doyouknowthere'sapunishmentforbelievingbadthingsaboutme?”
Irollmyeyes.“Icanimagine,butitdidn'tfeellikeplaytime.Farfromit.”
“Wemightjusthavetopretenditwas.”
“Isthatso,Bossy?”
“CallTonyandtellhimyou'lldohisgrasstomorrow.”

“Nope.Ican'tletmycustomersdown.”Ilookatmywatch.“I'llbeturninguptodohisgrassinan

hour,maybeanhourandahalfatthelatest.IstillhaveGran'sfriend'sgardentodothisafternoon.”

“Inthatcase,wedon'thaveamomenttospare.Areyougoingtokeepmeinthehall?”

CHAPTER24

Rory

Annatakesmyhandandpullsmeintoherbedroom.
“Betterthanthehall?”sheasks.
“Muchbetter.”
Iholdherinmyarmsandkissher.Iwanttokissthehelloutofherandtakeawaytheupsetofthe

pastcoupleofdays.

Ikissheruntilalittlemewlofpleasureescapesherlips.
“Definitelybetterthanthehall,”shesays.
“So,youbelievemenow,doyou,aboutNatalie?”Ituckherhairbehindherears.Ihavetobesure.
“Yes.Ido.Areyougoingtopunishmefordoubtingyou?”
“No.Ihaveotherthingsinmindrightnowotherthanpunishment.”
Shepouts.
“Youwanttobepunished?”
Shedoesn'tsayanything.Butahotblushcreepsuphercheeks.
“Allrightthen,ifthat'swhatyouwant...”Iwasn'texpectingthisbutIsitdownonherbedandpull

herovermylap.

Shegiggles—anuncertaingiggle.
“Youwon'tbelaughingsoon,Lady.”Butshegigglesagain.Ipulldownhersweatpantsandlacyboy

shorts,andshewrigglesonmylap,herbodytorturingmycockasshemoves.Ismoothmyhandoverthe
beautifulglobesofherbottom,imaginingthefleshturningrosypink.

“Howmany?”sheasks.
“Oh,Idon'tknow.HowaboutIspankyouuntilyoubegmetofuckyou.Howwouldthatbe?”
Shegaspsandsquirmssomemore.“WhatifIhateit?”
“Then,I'llstop.Justsaytheword.Justsay...let'sthink...ice-creamthenI'llknowyouhateit.”
“ButyouknowIloveice-cream.”
“Whatdon'tyoulove?”
“Leylandiihedges.”
“Thenjustsay'hedges'ifyouwantmetostop.”
Igiveherasmack,nothard.
“Ow!”shesays.“Thathurt!”
“Youwanttostopalready?”
“No.Ididn'tsayhedges.”
So,Ismackhersomemore,feelingthestingofmyhandonherbareass,thesoundofhard,crisp

spanksandhermoansfillingtheair.Imassagethepainawayeveryfewslaps.Iwanttotouchhermore
thanslapher.Hell!Iwanttodoeverythingwithher.

Shewrigglesandtwistsaroundonmylapeachtimemyhandcomesdown,nodoubtanticipatingthe

sting,feelingit,butnotsaying'hedges'anddrivingmecrazywithneed.

Istopbeforeshebegs.Iwanttothinkit'sbecauseIdon'twanthertobetoosoreherfirsttime.But

it'snotjustthat.It'sbecauseI'llbetheonebeggingifIdon'tstoprightthere.

CHAPTER25

Anna

I'mjustabouttobeghimtomakemecomewhenhestops,withagroanandlaysmeonmyback.
“Youdidn'tsay'hedges.'”Hiseyes,lookingdownatme,glitter,butthey'recrinklingatthecorners

too.He'snotmad.“So,I'msayingitforyou.”

Mybottomisstingingagainstthebedcover.Ifelteverysharpslap.Iexpectedpain.WhatIdidn't

expectwashowincredibly,disturbinglywetI'dget.

Everystrikesentariverofsensationthroughmybodythathadnothingtodowiththestingofthe

slap,thebloodandheatrisinginmyskin,andeverythingtodowithneedanddesire.

ItseemsasifeverytimewithRory,therewardsareworththerisk.Ijustneedtorememberthatand

stillkeepmyheadfirmlyonmyshoulders.Thatwillbeeasiersaidthandone.

Hisfingerstraildownbetweenmylegs.Ifeelmyfacereddenagain.He'llfindouthowwetand

swollenIam,howmuchthatspankingaffectedme.Buthejustbeamsatme.“Youlikedit,”hesays.“You
reallydid!”

Inodandbitemylip.
“Ilovethatyoulikedit.Wearegoingtohavesuchfunplaying.”
ButIdon'tcareaboutfutureplaytimesrightnowbecausehisfingersaretoyingwithmyfolds,

drivingmeinsane.Thesoundscomingoutofmymoutharenotmakingmuchsense.

Heplantsatrailofkissesdownmyneckthatsendsyetanothermessagetomycoreandhepullsoff

mysweatpantsandunderwearsohecanmovebetweenmythighspushingthemapart.

I'mopentohisgaze,tohisfingersandhismouth,ohhismouth.Hishotmouthisonmenowslowly

lickingaround,nibblinggently,tormentingme,histongueflickingoverme.Andthenhetakesthehard,
sensitivebudofmyclitbetweenhislipsandsucks,runninghistongueoverit,forwardandback,andI
unravelcompletely.

IsweartheroomdisappearsandI'minanotherdimensionforatime.AndwhenIcomebackto

earth,heistherelookingatme,smiling,rollingonacondom,readyforme.

I'mmorethanreadyforhim.
Ireachouttotouchhislength.
“Soeager,”hesays.“Ilovethat.”
“Iwantyounow!”Iplead.
“OneofthesedaysI'mgoingtoteachyoupatience,”hesays,“butnotrightnow,”andhepushesinto

mehard.“Sohot,sotight,sofuckingperfect”andhegroans.Andthenhemovesinandoutofme,slowly
acoupleoftimes,andthenfasterandfaster,hardandrelentless.

HowcouldIforgethowgooditfeelswithhimdeepandhardandfullinsideme,hishardcock

rammingintome,theheatofhisbodyoverme,hiseyesonmine?Butitfeelslikethisisthefirsttimeall

overagain.

Ifeelhisbodytenseashegetscloser.“Comeforme,”heorders.
Icandonothingelse,whateverhesays.Thepressureofhisbodypoundingagainstmyalready

sensitiveclithasmecomingwhetherIwanttoornot,myhipsandlegsshudderingbelowhimatthesame
timeashiscockjerksagainandagaindeepinsidemeandhecallsoutasanorgasmripsthroughhisbody.

Whenwecatchourbreath.I'mlyinginhisarmswishingIcouldstaythereallday.“Youcame,”he

saysandsmiles.

“Idid.”
“Wecoulddothatagain.”
“I'llhavetotakearaincheckonthat.Ihavealawntoseed,remember.”
“FuckingTony.He'srightoffmyChristmascardlist.Doyouhavetogo?It'smydayoff.”
“Yes,Ido.Sorry.”Igetoutofbedandstartlookingformyclothestoputon.“Don'tyouhaveto

sleepanyway?”

“Sometimessleepishighlyoverrated.IhopeTonyappreciatesyou.I'msurehewon'tappreciate

youasmuchasIdo.”

“Notinthesamewayyoudoanyway.He'lllikehisbeautifulgreenlawn,though.”
“Oh,Iloveyourgardeningskills,aswellasallyourotherskills.”Hewinksatmefromthebed.
“Youmeanmyabilitytoaskawkwardquestions.”
“Yes,that.Everything.”Hefrownsforamoment.“Iloveeverythingaboutyou.I'msorryyou

believedforevenasecondthatIwasthekindofguyyouwouldn'twantlovingyou.”

Ilookathim.Iwanttoaskallkindsofawkwardquestionsrightnow.Ishesayinghelovesmein

someroundaboutway?Ican'taskthat.

“Yes,”hesays.“Theanswerisyes.Whateveryou'regoingtoask.”
“That'srisky.Youdon'tknowwhatIwasgoingtosay.”
“I'mallaboutrisk.Youknowthat.DivingstraightinwithbothfeetandhopingIcomeoutsmiling.

Butthiskindofrisk,it'sanewoneonme.Ialwaysranawayfromthiskindofrisk,untilnow,untilyou.
So,thereitis,divingrightin.I'mprettysureIloveyou.”

Myheartskipsabeat.IwanttogooverandhughimtobitsbutIneedtokeepmyheadandnotscare

himoffbygoingallgagaonhim.“Onlyprettysure?”

“Well,I'mabsolutelyfuckingcertainbutIdidn'tknowwhetheryouwouldbelievethatsosoonandI

don'twanttorushyou.”Helaughs.“Wecankeepchecking,though.Adailytesttomakesurewe'restill
goodtogether.Thatnoweedsturnuponmyporch,thatkindofthing.”

“Ifanyweedsgrow,I'llrootthemrightout,”Isay,“AndI'mprettysurethosedailytestswillwork

out.”

“Onlyprettysure?”
“Absolutelyfuckingcertainthen,”andItaketheriskandthrowmyhandsaroundhisneckandkiss

himbecausethere'snothingIwanttodomore.Andhere,inhisarms,Iknowthateverythingwillworkout
somehow.It'sonlythebeginningbutI'veneverbeenmorecertainthatit'sthebeginningofsomething
perfect.

EPILOGUE

Anna

Rory'sgardenislookingbeautiful.Icouldn'thaveitanyotherwayespeciallyasI'mlivingathis

placenow.IthoughtGranmightdisapprove,butshewasallforit.“Besttotrythemoutforsize,”shesaid
withatwinkleinhereyewhenItoldherIwasmovinginnextdoorwhenI'donlyknownRoryacoupleof
months.

IshouldjustshutupbutIcan'thelppokingatthingslikepickingatascab“andyoudon'tmindabout

theagedifference.Imeanhe'sthirty-nineandI'mtwenty-three.”

“Youknow,Anna,”shesaid,“ithardlymeansathingtomeatmyage.Thirty-nineseemslikea

springchickentomeandfromwhatI'veseen,therearesomeintheirthirtiesandfortieswhoactlike
they'reintheireightiesandsomeseventy-year-oldswhowouldgivesomeforty-year-oldsarunfortheir
money.Ageisjustanumber.It'sallinyourhead.”

WhenItoldmyparents,theagedifferencedidn'tworrythemeither.Theydon'tbotheraboutmuch

thesedays.Atthattime,IwasgettingpostcardsfromthemwithpicturesofMauritius.It'sliketheirlifeis
seriesofsecondhoneymoons.Maybeit'sagoodwaytolive.Theyseemtolikeit,butit'snotforme.
There'snowayyoucouldhaveagardenlivinglikethat.Agardenneedsroots.

IwantedthemtomeetRorybutIdidn'tseehow.TheyhadplansforMadagascarafterMauritiusand

whoknewwhenthey'dbeback.ButthatallchangedonValentine'sDay.

Thatday,RoryandIwentforawalkalongthebeachwherewefirsttookSamandwewereasking

questionsasusual.We’vealwaysmadeagameofposingquestionsandmakingthemastrickyaspossible,
rightfromourfirstdate.Afteracoupleofrounds,Rorysaidhehadanotherquestiontoaskmeandthat
therewasaprizeforgettingitright.

Therewasnothingdifficultabouthis“Willyoumarryme?”questionandonlyonepossibleanswer

Icouldgive—Yes!Theprizewasabeautifulring—asapphire,hesaysmatchesmyeyes,surroundedby
diamonds.

So,myparentsarepausingtheirtravelsforafewdaysthissummertoattendmywedding.It'sjust

twoweeksawaynow.I'msoexcited.

Myfriend,Jenny,isdelightedforme.ShedideventuallygetherselfdownhereandsheandRory

gotonlikeahouseonfire.Heworeacardiganasajoke.I'msureithelpedherlookatmynewsituation
favorablywhenacoupleofRory'sworkmatescameacrossusinthepubandshethoughttheywere
equallyhot.Idon'tknowhowshecouldthinkthat,though.NoneofthemareashotasRory,inmyopinion.
She'llbeabletoseetheoneswhoareoffdutyagainwhenshe'schiefbridesmaidatmywedding.

ThepoliceapprehendedNatalieovertheshedincident.Thecourtswerelenientwithherbutsheis

nowgettingproperhelpatleastandthankfullynoonewashurtandnorealdamagewasdonetothe
gardenornearbyhouses.RorybuiltabeautifulsummerhouseinthegardentoreplacetheshedforGran
andwhenIlikeditsomuchhebuiltoneinourgardentoo.

SamandSadiearefrequentvisitorstoourhouseandIloveSadielikeafriendandthesisterInever

had.Amonthorsoago,Sadiewhisperedtomethatshehadmetsomeone.We'vebeenbabysittingSama
fewtimestolethergooutwithhernewguyPete,andhe'scomingtoourwedding.I’msohappyforher.

I'mgettinginabitofapanicrightnowwithallthelast-minutestufftodo.ButRory,typicalman,is

coolasacucumberaboutitall.

“Whenwecomebackfromourhoneymoon,”hetellsSadie,“we'llhaveSamstayforafewdays

andgiveyouabreak.”

“I'dlovethat,”shesays.“Areyousureyoudon'tmind,Anna?You'llstillbeinjust-marriedmode.”
“No,we'dlovetobabysit.”IlookatRoryandhenodsbeforeIgoon.“Becauseweneedallthe

practicewecanget...”

Ileavethesentencehanging,andhereyesgrowwide.“Youmeanyou'reexpecting?”
Rorylaughs.“Yes,you'regoingtobeanaunt.”
Sadiehugsusbothandoffershercongratulations.
AndthenRorygathersmeupinhisarmsandmakesmefeel,ashealwaysdoes,thatI'mthehappiest

womanintheworld.

*THEEND*

ContinueonfornewsofotherstoriesandspecialdealsbyMia…

ALSOBYMIA

MorestandalonestoriesintheFiremanSeries:

MyFilthyFireman

"Ican'twaittotasteyou."

Olivia-Beingcarriedoutofaburningbuildingandyelledatbyafireman–couldtherebeaworse

endtoaparty?Exceptthatthefiremandoingtheshoutingisbig,hard,andthesexiestguyevertoholdme
inhisarms.Andwhenheappearsnotjustinmydreamsbutrightnextdoor,there'snofightingit.He's
olderandmuchmoreexperienced,butIhavetomakehimmine--evenifIdon'thaveacluewhatI'm
doing.

Luke-Ican'tbelieveImovedinnextdoortothegirlfromthefire.She'syoung,beautifulandhot

enoughtomelttheicecap.Withallthewaysshetemptsme,Idon'trealizehowinnocentsheisuntilit's
toolateandIcan'tresist.ButhowcanIkeepherinmyarmsandmybedwhereshebelongswhenher
parentskeeptryingtobreakusup?

PlayingwithFire

“YouknowwhatIdotodirtygirls...”

Madilyn-CatchingDad'sbestfriend,Jack,nakedinourhallshouldhavebeenashock,butitonly

addedfueltothefireIhadforhim.Nowhe'sfree,I'mfreeandhe'shereatmyparents'silveranniversary
party,lookingashotasthefireshefights.IknowDadwon'tlikeitbuthowcanIresistthescorchingheat
betweenmeandmyfiremancrush?IjusthopeIdon'tgetburned.

Jack-YoumightsayI'mplayingwithfirewhenItakemybestfriend'sdaughtertomyroomandmy

bed,butitturnsouttobethekindofraginginfernobetweenusthatyouwanttolastalifetime.Whenher
Dadfindsout,he'llbemadasallhellfireatme.Ihavetohaveher,buthowcanIfighthimforherwhenI
owehimmylife?

BurningforYou

"That'snotyourrealpunishment.Thatcomeslater.Ifyou'regood.”

Gemma-IthinkI'minsafehandswhenmybestfriendKatie'sdad,firefighterBenClark,pullsme

outofacarwreck.ButwhenIseehimlateroutofhisuniform,andlaterstilloutofhisclothes,safeisthe
lastthingheis.He'shot,he'ssingleandhewantsme.AndIwanthimrightback.Thepassionandheat
betweenusisenoughtomeltthesnowatChristmas.ButKatieandhermotheraresetonbringingbackthe
pastandI'mstandingrightintheirway.

Ben-IshouldstayfarawayfrommydaughterKatie'sfriend,Gemma,butonetouchatafamily

partyandIcan'tresist.Iwanttokissher,holdher,loveher,andmakehermine.AndwhenIdo,there'sno
turningback.ButhowcanIconvinceherthatherfutureiswithmewhenherfamilyandmineareagainst
everythingwehave?

MorefromMia–therecentreleasesyoumayhavemissed:

VexingVictor(TheAdamosBook4)
ADayandForever
BossyValentine

CheckoutMia’s

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onthewallpromisesexy,seductivetalesofspine-tinglinglove,leadingtoapleasure-drenchedhappy-
ever-after.

You'lldiscoveryoungwomeneagerforexperience,whohavescorchingencounterswitholdermen

whoknowexactlywhatthey'redoingbetweenthesheets.InMiaMadison'sworld,anythingcan—and
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Document Outline

CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
EPILOGUE

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