The Forgotten Path

by Marci Bolden

  She leaned back, lightly traced his lips with her fingertips, and smirked. “I’m pressing my luck here. I can’t do that if you don’t play along.”

  He exhaled a shaky breath. “This just might kill me.”

  “So be it,” she whispered and then kissed him again.

  Instead of crazy heat engulfing them, a slow simmer started low in her stomach and spread through her, leaving tingles in its wake. His hands moved lightly over her, caressing instead of groping as he’d done the night before.

  After several soft kisses, she took his hand and led him from the kitchen. Inside the bedroom, she closed the door behind them. It was dark in her room, darker than it’d been in the living room the night before. Annie almost regretted that she couldn’t see his face, but she was also relieved that it eliminated the element of him seeing her when she wasn’t quite as confident as she was letting on.

  She pressed her lips against his one more time before lifting his shirt up. He helped her remove it, carelessly tossing the material aside before his hands fell on her hips again. She touched his bare chest. His skin was so warm, it reminded her of how he’d felt as the sun beat down on them as they’d walked along the beach earlier in the day. Even though it had been chilly, he’d looked sun-warmed and sexy as hell as the breeze mussed his hair. Leaning in, she gingerly put her hands on his waist and rested her forehead to his chest. She was more than familiar with his cologne by now, but inhaling it directly from his skin made the spicy scent even more alluring. Breathing him in soothed her, quieted the few lingering doubts in the back of her mind, and made her heart beat harder and faster.

  She never knew that simply smelling a man could twist her insides around so tightly. Brushing her nose over his chest, she placed light kisses on his skin as she slipped her hands from his sides, found the button of his shorts, and released it with trembling fingers. The sound of his zipper opening filled her ears, and she had to remind herself to breathe.

  This was happening. Really happening. Marcus was in her bedroom. Ready and willing to love her, and she was actually going to let it happen. The thought was frightening and thrilling all at the same time. She couldn’t quite grasp the reality of it.

  Then his shorts fell, and he lifted the hem of her shirt. She swallowed hard as, a moment later, her bra dropped away and then the remainder of their clothes. They stood in the dark, naked with nothing but his hands on her, and her mind finally let go of any remaining reservations.

  He ran his hands down her sides, over her hips, and to her thighs. She gasped when he lifted her, one leg on either side of him, and then he sat on the edge of the bed—her straddling his lap, chest to chest, with her legs around his waist and his body pressing against hers. Heat and desire chased her fears and her breath away. He was there—right there—just waiting for her to take him.

  She pressed her mouth to his and raked her fingers through his hair as she rubbed her body over his. Rolling her head back, she silently begged for him to kiss her neck. He did and then leaned her back farther and kissed lower. She nearly exploded as he cupped her breast and sucked her nipple into his mouth. He licked for a moment before moving his kisses back to her lips.

  She shifted her pelvis, bit her lip, and whimpered as he entered her. Dear God, he felt like he was made to be inside her. He put his hands to her hips but simply held on while she moved—a slow rock that gradually quickened as instinct took over.

  Finding his mouth, she kissed him hard and deep as her body tensed around his. His arms wrapped around her and a moment later, he had them flipped over, her on her back with him on top, without even leaving her body. It wasn’t the most graceful move, but it was efficient.

  She dug her heels into the mattress, pressing up to meet him thrust for thrust as he gripped her hair and gently nipped her shoulder. She fisted the blankets in her hands and cried out as an orgasm crashed through her. She was still reeling from the sensation when Marcus leaned back, pulled her hips off the mattress, and rammed into her until he, too, made a primal sound and then fell onto the bed beside her.

  Marcus was looking forward to waking up next to Annie, but when the alarm rang out, scaring him from a dead sleep, he was alone in her queen-sized bed. Damn it. He’d set his alarm early, making sure he had enough time to get home and shower before work. For some reason, he thought that would ensure she’d still be asleep. He rolled onto his side, swiped his phone to turn off the annoying buzzing, and then sighed and dropped his head on the pillow as his eyes closed again.

  “Well, that was obnoxious.”

  He lifted his head and found Annie crossing the room, wearing a long lilac-colored satin robe and carrying two cups—presumably filled with coffee. If she really loved him as much as he hoped she did, it would be coffee. Morning had come way too soon, and the disappointment of waking up without her was all he could take this early.

  Sitting next to him, she set the mugs on the nightstand. “You should at least have a soothing sound to wake up to. It would ruin my day if I woke up to that screeching every morning.”

  “That screech makes sure I actually wake up to turn it off. Tell me that’s coffee.”

  She leaned down and kissed his cheek as she ran her hand down his back. “Freshly brewed.”

  “I love you,” he said on a long exhale.

  She kissed him again. “Did I keep you up too late last night?”

  “I’m just not a morning person.” Pulling her down to him, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her satin-covered shoulder. “I should have warned you about that when you begged me to shack up with you.”

  She chuckled. “You also should have warned me that you have dragon breath in the morning.”

  He laughed as she buried her face in his chest. “I bet if you hadn’t already had a cup of coffee, you would, too.”

  She leaned her head back and grinned. “I’ve slayed many a knight the morning after.”

  “I don’t want to hear about them.”

  They shared a quick kiss before she pulled away. He sat up, leaning against the headboard. He sipped from one of the mugs she’d set down as he watched her walk to her closet and disappear inside. She reappeared a moment later with white slacks and a yellow top. She held them against her, clearly debating.

  He swallowed a bit more of the coffee. “Have you showered yet?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s a damn shame and a waste of my perfectly good morning.”

  She smirked. “I suppose you thought we’d be doing that together?”

  “I had high hopes.”

  “That’s what you get for sleeping in.”

  “Sleeping in? It’s”—he looked at his phone—“quarter till six.”

  She grabbed some underclothes and carried them with her to the bathroom then closed the door behind her. He took another drink of his coffee before tossing the covers aside and joining her, not bothering to knock.

  Pulling her robe closed, she gawked at him. “What are you doing?”

  “We had sex last night. Remember?”

  She diverted her eyes, looking adorably embarrassed. “Yes.”

  He yanked her to him and then kissed her firmly on the mouth as he lifted her up and sat her on the bathroom counter, all while she held the front of her robe closed. She grunted, leaned to one side, and pulled a tube of toothpaste from beneath her.

  She held it up to him. “You need to use this.”

  “Don’t move.”

  She sighed loudly and looked away when he walked to the toilet. “When did we get comfortable enough to pee in front of each other?”

  “I’m more than comfortable enough, and I really have to pee. Apparently it’s your comfort level we need to work on. You don’t even want me to see you naked. Don’t move,” he said when she started to get off the counter. To his surprise, she actually stayed put.

  She didn’t look at him again, though, until he had flushed the toilet and was washing his hands.

  Stepping to her, he h
eld her gaze. “Are you trying to hide your body from me?”

  “I’m not twenty anymore.”

  “Neither am I.”

  “Well, my not being twenty and your not being twenty are two completely different things. Your body hasn’t…” Her words faded as she gestured aimlessly with her hand.

  “Don’t ever become a mime. You are terrible at it.” He grinned when she playfully swatted his arm. Stepping away, he grabbed the toothbrush he’d left sitting out the night before and the tube of mint-flavored paste. “My body has changed plenty in the last thirty years.” He stuck toothpaste-covered bristles into his mouth.

  “I’d rather you imagined me…perkier.”

  He chuckled as he scrubbed the coffee and morning breath from his mouth. A quick rinse and he was patting his hands and mouth dry on a towel then moving back between her legs. He pushed her satin robe aside at the knees and pulled her to the edge so their bodies were nestled against each other.

  “Marcus,” she softly chastised even as she slipped one arm around his neck.

  “Never, for one moment, have I ever considered anything about you to be perky.”

  She laughed as she shook her head at him. “You are in a mood this morning. Is this what having sex does to you?”

  He kissed her firmly on the lips. Now that he had fresh breath, she didn’t pull away from him.

  After breaking the kiss, he put his forehead to hers. “Are you really planning to spend the rest of our lives hiding your body from me?”

  “Maybe.”

  “That seems silly,” he whispered. “I think you’re beautiful. I think everything about you is amazing. Including your body. Especially your body,” he breathed. He dipped his head and kissed her deeply as she dug her fingers into his hair. He pushed his underwear down and lifted her thighs around his hips. One thrust and he was inside her.

  She rolled her head back, exposing the sinful temptation that was her neck. He didn’t think he’d ever pass on a chance to taste her there. He dragged his tongue along her jaw and then pushed it between her lips. She kissed him back, just as hot and wet and demanding. He moved his hand from her hip to her breast, squeezing the plump flesh and rolling her nipple between his fingers until it stood out.

  “Open your robe,” he breathed. “Let me see you.”

  She held his gaze for several long seconds before finally slipping the satin off her shoulders, letting it fall around her waist. He moaned his approval and grabbed her breast again. She leaned back until her head and shoulders were against the mirror. Eyes closed tight, she panted as he moved in and out of her.

  “Look at me, Annie.”

  She grinned slightly. “Don’t push your luck, Marcus.”

  He leaned forward, capturing her mouth with his. Resting his forehead to hers, he gripped her thighs again, holding her as he loved her. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.

  She slowly lifted her eyelids.

  “You’re beautiful. You’re absolutely lovely. Every inch of you.”

  She kissed him as they finished together.

  Chapter Six

  “So,” Donna drawled out with a stupid know-it-all grin on her face as she looked at Annie over the rim of her iced tea. “Did you and Marcus…you know?”

  Annie dropped the lemon into her cup and looked around the café, trying to find Jenna. “What makes you think this is your business?”

  “I’m your sister-in-law.”

  “How, exactly, does that give you the right to know what is happening to my vagina?”

  Donna started to speak and then stopped and watched as two clearly shocked women stared as they passed their table. The women moved on, and Donna looked at Annie. “Did you have sex with Marcus?”

  She immediately flashed to an image of him taking her on her bathroom counter that morning. God, she couldn’t believe she’d let him do that. That was not normal lovemaking for her. What had she been thinking? She didn’t know, but she actually didn’t really regret it. In fact, thinking about it made her stomach flutter with a strange kind of longing. “I’m not talking to you about this.”

  She gasped and opened her mouth wide. “Annie O’Connell, you jezebel. You did.”

  Annie’s eyes widened as well. “Did you just—”

  Donna was so excited about this turn of events, she practically squealed as she leaned forward. “How was it?”

  “Excuse me. Do I ask about your sex life?”

  “I am married to your brother. Asking me about my sex life would be icky.”

  “Trust me, so is this. Some things are meant to be private, even between sisters. I’m not having this conversation.”

  Donna giggled and sat back. “Fine. Don’t tell me. The fact that your face is as red as the ketchup bottle says all I need to know. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Because you presume I had sex?”

  “Because it’s about damn time you let that man have sex. Can you at least admit you are a couple now? As if you haven’t been since the day he started working for you.”

  “We haven’t been.”

  “Please. You have dinner several nights a week, lunch on the days you don’t have dinner—”

  “We both have hectic schedules. Dining out is a much easier option most nights.”

  “Oh, and he just happens to be there in the office, so why not dine together? Every day.”

  “Why not?”

  Donna smirked. “Whatever. Besides all that, he tolerates you.”

  “I hear that a lot.”

  “Because it’s a huge deal. It takes a special kind of affection to be able to put up with all your bullshit.”

  Annie finally caught Jenna’s attention and gestured for her to come take their order. “I hope sometime in between asking about my sex life and analyzing my dining habits you decided what you want. I’m in a hurry.”

  “Have an appointment?”

  “No. I’m just really hating our conversation today.”

  “What would you rather talk about?”

  Annie ordered a chicken sandwich while Donna requested a burger. After passing off her menu to Jenna, Annie sighed. “It was a lovely wedding. I’m happy to see Paul and Dianna married. Once they get home from the honeymoon, they can get settled into their life together. Everything has fallen into place for them. It’s wonderful.”

  “Yes, it’s good to see two of the three O’Connell siblings happy.”

  Annie stared at Donna. “Why is everyone giving me such a hard time lately?”

  “Because it’s fun.”

  Using a straw to stab at a lemon slice sitting at the bottom of her glass, Annie sighed. “Marcus…” She drew a breath and looked at Donna, who had her eyebrows raised, impatiently waiting. “He was just joking but…he said we should elope.”

  “What?”

  “He’s just kidding,” Annie insisted. “But it…” She frowned deeply. “I gave up thinking I’d ever get married a long time ago. And I was fine with that. I’ve always been so focused on taking care of my brothers and Mallory. Even after Marcus and I started…whatever we were doing…marriage wasn’t on my radar.”

  “And now?”

  She stabbed the lemon harder. “Now, all of a sudden, I’m… God. What’s wrong with me, Donna?”

  Her face sagged. “Nothing.”

  “No. Something. It shouldn’t be this hard to admit that I want things like a relationship with Marcus and marriage and a normal life. But I just… There are women who had it way worse than I ever did. So my dad was worthless. Mallory’s dad was worthless. That doesn’t justify this absolute terror I have at the thought of intimacy. And I don’t mean physical intimacy,” she said before Donna could get confused. “I mean love. Why the hell am I so scared of loving him? I don’t get it. He’s a great guy. He’s perfect for me. When I’m with him, I don’t feel so…emotionally disconnected. But then he pushes, and my defenses go up before I even know it.”

  “Why are you scared?”

  “I don’t know.�
� She closed her eyes and exhaled. “You know how I am. I like things to go as planned, and Marcus is a huge monkey wrench in my life.”

  She smiled. “You need a monkey wrench, Annie. You need something to shake you up.”

  “I don’t like it. I had my life figured out.”

  “And it was a great plan. On paper. Work sixty hours a week until you retire. Sell the business. Sell the house. Downsize to one of your rental homes. Travel. It’s all nice when you spell it out. But what about you? What about your emotional needs?”

  She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Emotional needs?”

  “Yeah, honey. Everybody has those. Even the ever-practical Annie O’Connell. You dumped that energy into Mallory for so long, but she’s grown now and about to move away. You have to redirect it somewhere.”

  “I should get a dog,” she muttered.

  “You could. But I bet Marcus would be more fun.”

  Annie smiled slightly, but it didn’t last. “I can’t imagine what he sees in me that has kept him trying to break through my defenses for so long.”

  “Stop cutting yourself down, Annie. There is plenty to see in you. You are funny and strong and courageous. Maybe you are careful who you give your love to, but when you do, your love is fierce and it runs deep. I don’t think it’s wrong that you are wary of who you let in, because when you let someone in, you do so completely. You are not as tough or as cold as you keep trying to pretend to be. You just hold back until you know someone deserves your love. There is nothing wrong with that.”

  She sagged in her seat. “Look at what Dianna went through. Her husband cheated on her, left her broken, and she jumped right into a relationship with Paul without hesitation.”

  “Well, that’s not true. They both danced around things for a long time.”

  “Not five years.”

  “No. Not five years, but just because you don’t move at the same pace doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. Listen, Matt was younger when your parents passed. He was a bit more resilient. But Paul had issues. You know he did. He blew through two marriages before figuring himself out, and he probably wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t met Dianna. They straightened each other out. You have to give yourself a break here. Give yourself and Marcus a chance.”