Finding Anna (Hidden Duet Book 1)

by LM Terry

  She stands there fuming and bends over to pick up a handful of mud. She flings it right at my face. Neither of us move. It’s like a western movie where both cowboys are waiting to draw, tension fills the air.

  “Anna, Anna, Anna what have you done? First you run and then you throw mud at me?”

  “What are you going to do? Drown me?” She bends down and picks up another handful holding it as a ruthless smile appears.

  “Don’t you fucking dare sweetheart.” I realize she is messing with me. She wants me to chase her. I warned her what would happen, she is inviting me.

  She flings it and turns to run. I kick off my boots swiping my hand over my face. I take off chasing her. She slips a little and throws her arms out to catch her balance, as she does I hurl myself at her knocking us both down. She crawls out from under me and picks up another pile, slinging it at me catching my shoulder.

  “You’ve been a very bad girl, Anna.” I pick up a large handful of the sludge and throw it directly at her splattering it all over the front of her chest.

  She looks down and then back up at me and laughs, not a cynical crazy laugh like before but a genuine happy fun laugh. The sound is music to my ears. Her face is so lit and alive. She is beautiful even in the mud. I will never let her go. I crawl to her as she laughs harder trying to stand to make her retreat, but I grab her ankles bringing her down to the ground.

  She is flat on her back as I creep over the top of her. She the prey and I the predator. She becomes quiet, watching me as I slowly crawl my way until I am over her, my wet hair drips down on her face. She blinks as her breathing picks up, her chest rises and falls faster with each second that ticks by.

  She reaches up brushing my hair away from my eyes and lifts her head, kissing me lightly before laying back down on the muddy ground. “Please don’t ever leave me.”

  My heart explodes. She is mine and I am hers. Nothing is perfect. We are lying in the mud in the middle of a thunderstorm. Two broken souls but in this moment I know my life is about to change forever. Good or bad we were destined for each other.

  ∞∞∞

  Anna

  Why did I ask him to never leave me? That was so stupid! He is looking down at me with a strange look. I shouldn’t have said that. Stupid. Stupid Anna. I’m just shook up over the phone call from Oliver and when I am with Dylan, he makes me forget.

  “Anna, I will never leave you, you are mine,” he says wiping mud away from face.

  I wish I could believe him. I wish we could stay here forever. I wish Oliver wasn’t lurking around the corner somewhere...but he is.

  I’m safe with Dylan. When I heard him walk up behind me at the stream, I knew it was him. I could sense it was him before I even turned. There is something that draws me to him.

  “Anna, what is wrong? Did anything happen while I was gone? You seem like you’re a million miles away.” He looks deep into my eyes trying to bring my focus back to him.

  Just as I am about to tell him about the call a loud clap of thunder causes us both to jump. He laughs and pulls me up off the ground with him.

  “We better get inside, let me grab my boots,” he says jogging back over to them.

  I watch as he tugs them out of the mud. He is so damn sexy. Maybe I could wait until tomorrow. If I tell him now, he will just stew over it and spend all his time setting up the security he talked about.

  I’m thinking crazy, but I need just one night. One night to be his. I don’t want Oliver to be my first. The thought makes my stomach turn. I trust Dylan for some unexplained reason. I think it is more than him being Sophia’s brother, I can’t shake him.

  He called me brave today. Am I brave enough to let him take me tonight? When we were in the shower I forgot everything. I want that again. I crave it. He is getting under my skin.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here before we’re zapped,” he says.

  He smiles, his teeth look brilliantly white against his muddy face. I accept his hand as we jog up to the porch. He guides me around back by the pool, shifting so he is a barrier between myself and the water.

  He takes me to an outside shower stall. “Let’s rinse off baby, we don’t want to get mud all over your beautiful cabin.” He winks at me as he peels off his clothes.

  I follow suit and remove my clothes rinsing off all traces of mud. My eyes roam over his body. He is solid muscle. My hands itch to touch him. He looks up and I shyly glance away as my face heats.

  “You can look at me Anna, I like to watch you too, nothing to be embarrassed about.” He hangs our clothes over the fence and then pulls me into his arms holding me tight.

  I close my eyes. It is so peaceful in his embrace. The smell of rain mixed with his masculine scent and the rumble of thunder. Perfect. A stark contrast to my surroundings just a few weeks ago, I shake away the thought. He places a light kiss on the top of my head.

  “You're awfully quiet, let’s get inside and warm up. I’ll unload the car. We can have leftovers, then we can talk.”

  After dressing, Dylan starts a fire in the fireplace. I head to the kitchen to heat our dinner while he hauls in several large boxes and bags. He pulls out a bottle of wine from one of the sacks and hands it to me.

  “You can’t have leftovers without wine.” He winks and heads back into the living room to unpack a few things, moving stuff out of the way, hauling some upstairs.

  I decide that we should eat closer to the fire. I’m chilled after being in the rain. I’ve never had a fireplace, I’m dying to sit next to it. I set plates, silverware and wine glasses down on the coffee table placing the wine bottle in the middle. Viola, meal for two.

  I crouch down near the fire and put my hands out to absorb the heat. I’ve decided to wait and tell Dylan about Oliver’s call in the morning. If I have nothing else, I want tonight. He might not make a move but if he doesn’t I have a plan.

  One thing I’m learning about him is he is an open book. A what you see is what you get sort of guy. I like that. It is so different from how Oliver was, I never knew what to expect with him, and that was scary. Dylan is scary but in a sexy way. This morning I felt pain, but I also felt pleasure, something that confuses me, it feels dark, forbidden.

  “Is dinner done?” he says from behind me.

  “Um, yes. Sorry I was just getting ready to call for you,” I say with a nervous laugh. I take a seat on the couch. My heartbeat picks up as he makes his way down the last few steps.

  “It smells delicious,” he says.

  “Yes, it does, doesn’t it? Too bad I didn’t make it.”

  “Tomorrow night you will help me, and you’ll see that it’s not as hard as you're making it out to be. If I can cook, then so can you,” he says sitting down next to me.

  I give him a warm smile. “Okay but consider yourself warned. I am a lost cause. Anyway, I hope it’s alright that I set us up here in front of the fire? It’s just too inviting to resist.”

  He leans over and kisses me hard then he pulls away, smiling. “Just like you, too inviting to resist.”

  A blush creeps over my face as he reaches for the cork screw and opens the bottle. “I’ve never had wine before. Everything is new to me.” I take the glass after he fills it.

  “It’s okay baby. We will take everything nice and slow.” He takes a sip gazing at me over the top of his glass. He reclines on the couch and rubs little circles down my lower back.

  Flip-flop goes my stomach. I’m not sure what to do. Do I really want this? Yes, I think I do. At least my body does. I’m so freaking awkward, I have never dated. I haven’t even spent much time with people. I slowly let out the breath I’ve been holding and focus on the calming motion of his hands.

  He seems satisfied that I am a little more relaxed and sits forward to pick up his fork looking expectedly at me. I pick up mine and take a bite of chicken. It is just as good as the night before, it melts in my mouth. I close my eyes savoring the flavor. When I open them, he is starting at me, fork loaded midair.

/>   “You are so beautiful,” he whispers.

  Somehow we finish our meal, a tension slowly builds, swirling around us. The combination of the fire, wine, food, sound of the storm and him. Mostly him. I can’t stop staring at him. I love how he makes me forget. Please make me forget, I silently will him.

  I swear he can read my mind because he gulps down the rest of his wine then pushes my glass up for me to do the same. As soon as I finish the last drop he picks me up and carries me upstairs.

  It’s happening. I would have inspired him to chase me if he didn’t make a move, but it looks like I won’t have to provoke the beast. He is trying very hard to keep himself in check. He sets me down gently on the bed then steps back and unbuckles his belt. He drags it out and folds it setting it down by my feet. I shiver, am I in for more than I can handle?

  He seems to be able to read my mind. “Anna, do you want this?” He stands there unmoving, the belt lying between us. I get its unspoken meaning, he said himself that a beast lives inside him. He will hurt me, he will tear me apart and put me back together again. He is giving me a choice. I shake my head yes.

  “Words Anna, use your words.”

  I freeze. He is not Oliver I repeat over and over in my mind as I tremble.

  He climbs up on the bed beside me and pulls me into his lap. “Baby, I want you to use your words to talk to me. What if you are turned away from me and you need me to stop or need to tell me something, I might miss it. I don’t want to hurt you that is all.”

  What he is saying makes sense. “I’m sorry. Oliver used to say that to me. I’m sorry.” I try to scramble out of his arms, but he reaches out pulling me close.

  “I’m not Oliver. Yes, I like things a little kinky, but my intent is not to harm or humiliate you.” He turns my face to his forcing eye contact. “I will not allow him in here with us. Do you understand?”

  I am about to shake my head in acknowledgement, but I catch myself. “Yes.”

  “Good girl,” he says nudging me off his lap. “Now are you sure? Maybe we should wait. There is no hurry, we have forever.”

  We don’t though, Oliver is coming. No amount of my silent willing him to stay away will make that happen. “Yes, I’m okay. I don’t want to wait.”

  He pulls my shirt over my head as his hands run over my breasts. Slowly he makes his way down, gently grabbing my shorts tugging them down along with my panties.

  “Scoot up baby.” I push up higher on the bed and lay my head back against the pillows. He picks up my hands guiding them to the poles in the center of the headboard. “Hold on right here, don’t let go until I tell you.”

  I get the impression he would like to tie me up but after the incident at the hotel I appreciate that he is concerned about scaring me. He stands never taking his eyes off me. He backs up to shut off the light. The room becomes engulfed in darkness. I almost take my hands off the headboard but then he turns the bathroom light on closing the door so a little sliver peaks out. Just enough so we can still see each other but dark enough I’m not as self-conscious being naked and on display.

  I watch as he grabs the bottom of his shirt lifting it up over his head dropping it to the floor. He slowly unzips his jeans and pushes them off his hips. His erection is begging to break free from his boxers. My excitement builds. He pulls his boxers off, his dick springs out proudly as he shoves them down.

  He moves towards me. I push away my fear, struggling to remain calm. He takes my feet in his large hands and rubs, gently massaging them. He trails up to my ankles, calves…to my stomach. He leans in placing tiny kisses around my navel. I feel like I’ve been in a coma and he is bringing every cell back to life, a brand-new awakening I never knew existed.

  Slithering up my body he engulfs me. He is so big that it is intimidating. He hovers over me, my hands still griped to the headboard. He nibbles my ear, his palms run over my breasts as he devours my neck. I groan as he starts his wonderful torturous game with my tits. My nipples turn rock hard, loving the tease. He kisses me slowly, his lips soft against mine.

  He smells good. Manly. Mostly him with a hint of cologne. I moan into his mouth as he tweaks my nipple harder. He leans back and smiles at me, slowly drifting down until his head hovers over me. He pushes my legs apart, so he can see me. I let go of the headboard to stop him.

  “Hands on the headboard Anna, I will not hurt you I promise.”

  I stare up at the ceiling, reluctantly willing my arms to resume their position. I’m sure I will die of embarrassment having his face that close to me, it is so intimate. I jump when he licks me. One long lick right up my clit. I gaze down at him. His expression shows me how much he wants this. He does it again his eyes never leaving mine. I throw my head back into the pillow. What kind of heavenly torture is this?

  He groans, his deep voice vibrates against me. Oh. My. God. He moves his hands to spread me, so he can devote every ounce of his tongue to my pleasure. He nibbles, licks and sucks. Bringing me to edge then tearing away just as something crests inside me. He kisses my thigh rubbing the stubble of his beard against my leg. He allows me to catch my breath before beginning again.

  My legs quiver. I can’t take much more, it is too good. “Fuck,” I scream out.

  “Feeling a little frustrated baby? What do you need?”

  I want to rip my hands off the headboard and grab his head, force him to take me where I need to go. I’m so close.

  He runs his tongue up again and flicks it against that delicious spot, pausing waiting for me to answer. He looks at me with hooded eyes. “Tell me Anna.”

  “Please,” I say as my entire body vibrates with need.

  “Please what?” His breath whispers against me as he speaks.

  I’m so embarrassed. I know he will not give me what I want…what I need until I ask for it. “Please,” I moan loudly as he lightly bites at my swollen clit. “Fuck, Dylan please let me come.”

  With that he devours me. I erupt hard and fast as he holds my waist tightly to prevent my retreat as my body convulses. He brings me to the brink again and again with no reprieve. I close my eyes, drifting into the darkness where only my soul and his exists.

  He crawls up me and positions himself at my entrance. My eyes fly open. He reaches up to move my arms from the headboard. “It’s okay baby you can let go now.” He runs his thumb over my cheek and stares into my eyes.

  I panic. I feel myself drifting to Sarah. He must be able to sense my fear, sense I am slowly leaving him. He kisses me hard. I taste myself on his lips, bringing me back momentarily.

  “Look at me, baby. Don’t look away. Don’t hide. It’s okay I will go slow. It’s you and me, no one else.”

  Gently he presses against me. I try to close my eyes, but he reminds me to keep them open, to stay focused on him. He slowly slides into me. He leans over placing small kisses on my temple, looking deep into my eyes. He presses as far as my body will allow and then takes my face in his hands. “It will be over soon baby, just a little pain and then it will get better.”

  Before I can ask him what he means by that, he pushes into me hard and fast ripping past my barrier, making me his. I cry out and bury my face into his neck. My nails drag across his back as I struggle to stay with him. He is so large he fills me completely.

  He holds himself still, giving me time to adjust to the invasion. A surge of pride spurs through me as I lay there with him inside of me. He took me, claimed me, made me his. Oliver can never take this away from me.

  He leans back and looks deep into my eyes. “You good baby?”

  “Yes, I’m okay.” I smile up at him.

  I see something pass across his face as he smiles down upon me. Slowly he draws back then thrusts in again. It hurts, and yet it is oh so amazing.

  “Fuck Anna, you are so fucking tight and wet for me.”

  I watch him braced over the top of me. The veins on his arms pop out along the muscle, showing the restraint he is taking with me. Will I be able to handle him once he releases t
he beast? I know that he is holding back, this is his gentle.

  He picks up speed and reaches down between us to gently torture my clit, pounding into me. I climb…climbing…climbing, an orgasm slowly warms me moving up through my body till I fall. I hear him groan loudly above me as he pushes all the way inside. I feel him twitch deep, his head falls and rests under my chin. I never want this to end. I need to be his…forever.

  We stay like this for a long time, the sweat from our bodies keeping us glued together, him still inside me. Tears force their way out of my eyes, my throat tightens. He glances up suddenly looking concerned.

  “Shit, did I hurt you?” he says wiping tears away from my face.

  “No, well a little but no. It’s…” I stop, I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy and yet so sad. I can’t explain it.

  “What is it? Talk to me baby. Was it too much too soon?”

  “No. I just don’t want it to end.”

  He frowns. “Never, I’m not leaving Anna, I understand why that is hard for you to believe but I won’t. I’ll show you.”

  He gets up to shut the light off then pulls me into our usual sleeping position. But tonight, I turn around in his arms and bury my face into his chest. I curl into him as closely as I can, I want to memorize everything about this moment, his smell, his warmth. He tugs me closer. He slides his arm under my head running his hand along the back of my hair as his other drapes across my hip. I revel in the lingering ghost of his touch everywhere on my body. The heavy pull of sleep tugs at me as I glide into oblivion.

  Chapter Twenty

  ∞∞∞

  Dylan

  I lie awake listening to her breathe. She is sleeping soundly. I love having her next to me. She surprised me today, something has changed in her. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of that, but she was so willing. I’m screwed now. I can never let her go. I thought once I had a taste of her that maybe the notion would subside. It didn’t. I want more, much more.

  She seems to enjoy the little bits of pain I give her along with the pleasure. I have a darkness in me. I think it started with my need to punish someone. I couldn’t hurt the man who killed my mother and took my sister, so I found willing partners. Turns out a lot of women appreciate the dark. I never thought I would find someone like Anna though, she responds to my touch unlike anything I have ever experienced.