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

the occasional custom home. He found himself telling
her about the projects he was working on at the moment. She was so
good at drawing him out they had eaten half their meal before he
realized she’d said little about herself.
    He pointed his fork at her. “I know what
you’re doing.”
    “What am I doing?” She seemed bewildered by
his accusation.
    “You’re being such a good listener that I’m
doing all the talking.” He laid down his fork, reached across the
table and took her hand. “I want to know about you.”
    Annabelle swallowed hard. “There’s not much
to tell.” She seemed apologetic. “I’m not that interesting.”
    “You are to me.” Mike released her hand and
sat back to study her for a moment. He knew that she believed what
she said, and he could only shake his head in wonder. “I want to
know all about you. Your hopes. Your dreams.” His voice lowered.
“Your fantasies.”
    Annabelle suddenly seemed fascinated by the
food left on her plate. She moved the spaghetti around with her
fork, but didn’t scoop up any to eat. This was interesting. Had she
indulged in fantasies about him? She’d certainly played a leading
role in all the ones he’d had for the past few months. The trick
would be getting past her natural reserve to the passionate woman
underneath.
    The thought of being the man on the
receiving end of her natural sensuality aroused him and made his
pants way too snug for comfort. “Annabelle, look at me.” He waited
until her gaze met his. “Anything we say to each other stays
between us. No one else will ever know.”
    Annabelle hesitantly nodded, squared her
shoulders and opened her mouth to speak, when the waiter suddenly
appeared. Mike wanted to bang his head on the table in frustration,
but refrained, knowing that Annabelle would think he’d lost his
mind. And maybe he had, because all he could think about was having
this woman in his life. In his bed.
    Mike hung on to his patience while the
waiter cleared the table and brought them coffee. Neither one of
them wanted dessert. Annabelle added sugar to her coffee and stir
it endlessly. He cleared his voice. “Annabelle?”
    Annabelle gave him a wry smile. “You don’t
give up, do you?”
    “Not when it’s something I want. And I
really want you.” He watched her absorb his statement. He could
tell she wasn’t quite sure if she could believe him or not.
Finally, after some internal debate, she seemed to come to a
decision.
    “I was an only child to older parents. I was
quiet, did well in school and went away to college.” When Mike
nodded encouragingly she continued. “I had one relationship in
college, but my father died just after I graduated, and then my
mother got ill. I went back home to take care of her, and after she
died I wanted a new start. I started looking for jobs and found
this one,” Annabelle finished in a rush.
    He owed this moment to chance. He was
grateful she’d found this job, otherwise he might never have had
the opportunity to know her. That would have been tragic. Then what
she’d said really sunk in. “You’ve only been with one man.”
    Were all the men she’d known crazy?
Suddenly, he was glad they’d all missed the gem hiding in their
midst. A feeling of possessiveness welled up within him. He’d found
her and he was darn well going to keep her.
    Annabelle’s cheeks turned a light pink after
he made his rather blunt statement, but her gaze was calm and
steady. “Yes. And I wasn’t very good at it.”
    Mike could only stare, completely
dumbfounded by her admission. She was one of the most naturally
sensual women he’d ever met. The way she’d responded to his kisses.
Her little moans. The way she unconsciously rubbed herself against
him. His cock flexed to life and he shifted in his seat to find a
more comfortable position. If she were any sexier, he’d have burned
to cinder.
    She’d glanced away from him and was now
fidgeting with the spoon she’d used to stir her coffee.