Uncovering Annabelle by N. J. Walters Read Free Book Online

know that Mike
was buying them for her. Better for her peace of mind if she
assumed it was a lucky guess.
    She set the bundle on the counter and
rummaged around the cupboard until she found a small Mason jar. She
had a vase, but somehow it didn’t seem to fit with the delicate
wildflowers. She was careful as she removed the plastic wrapper and
placed the flowers into the makeshift vase before adding water.
Using a kitchen towel, she dried her hands and dabbed at her
eyes.
    They were such a thoughtful and totally
unexpected gift. She absently rubbed the area over her heart before
taking a deep, fortifying breath and picking up the arrangement.
Emotions firmly under control, she carried the flowers back to the
living room and set them on the coffee table.
    Mike reached out and folded his fingers
around hers. “You look beautiful.” He used his grip on her hand to
twirl her in a circle. The hem of her dress swirled around her
legs.
    “Thank you.” She noted that his eyes were
drawn to her breasts and she was suddenly uncomfortable. It was one
thing to want to be the center of Mike’s sexual attention. It was
quite another to actually experience it.
    He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed
her knuckles. One at a time, his lips skimmed over them. Then his
tongue slid between each one, licking each finger. His tongue was
warm and moist against her skin. Finally, he captured her middle
finger in his mouth and sucked on it even as his teeth carefully
scraped the sides.
    Annabelle was uncomfortable for an entirely
different reason. Never would she have believed her fingers could
produce such a sensual reaction in her. They were fingers. Everyone
had them, but what Mike was doing to them made them feel entirely
different. It was exactly like what had happened this afternoon
when he’d touched her neck. When Mike touched her, ordinary body
parts became centers of pleasure.
    The sensations from her finger traveled up
her hand and then flowed through her entire body, leaving her skin
hot and prickly. Her breasts were heavy, her clothing confining. An
ache grew between her legs. She felt empty and needy. Annabelle
closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the sexual teasing.
    “Nothing will happen that you don’t want to
happen,” Mike murmured in between caresses. “You have my word.”
    Annabelle nodded, unable to speak. She
opened her eyes to find Mike staring at her, totally focused on her
reaction. Seeming satisfied with her response, he released her
finger and kissed the palm of her hand before finally releasing
her.
    “We’d better get going or we’ll be late for
our dinner reservations.” Mike placed his hand on the small of her
back and guided her toward the front door. Annabelle had the
presence of mind to collect a light sweater, along with her purse
and keys. She shut the door firmly behind her and locked it. With
any luck she wouldn’t be coming home alone tonight—that is, if she
managed to make it home at all.

Chapter
Four
     
    Mike seated Annabelle at their table at
Gino’s, an upscale Italian restaurant and one of the nicer places
in town. The food was delicious and the atmosphere laid-back. Mike
was thankful that he’d had the forethought to call ahead and
request a secluded spot in a quiet corner. This table suited him
perfectly. Tucked away in a darkened corner, lit by soft lighting
and candlelight and partially hidden by potted plants, it had
privacy that most of the others lacked.
    The table was draped with a crisp white
tablecloth, which flowed almost to the floor. Linen napkins, fine
china and crystal adorned the top. A single red rose floated in a
cut glass bowl, while a fat white pillar candle glowed from a
silver holder. Annabelle looked right at home in such an elegant
setting.
    With her hair coiled up and her long flowing
dress, she looked sweet and alluring, ethereal, like something out
of a painting. And totally untouchable. That is, until you noticed
the bright colors of the flowers on her