Page 69 of Wife After Wife

“Look.Ais for Ana. Open wide,” he said softly.

His eyes were the same deep blue as the loch at Kindrummon. She couldn’t look away. She was Mowgli inThe Jungle Book, hypnotized by Kaa the snake. Her lips parted, and he put the cake on her tongue. His fingers stayed still, and she closed her lips around them.

He withdrew his fingers slowly, not taking his eyes from hers.

“More?” His voice was husky.

She nodded, and swallowed.

He broke off another piece. Again he placed it on her tongue, and his pupils dilated as she closed her lips around his finger.

Her last vestiges of resistance crumbled as Harry’s finger slowly left her mouth and then traced a path down her jawline, coming to rest under her chin. He tilted her face up, and Ana closed her eyes as his lips met hers with the softest of touches.

A shock wave raced through her body. The kiss deepened, and it was like none she had ever known. It was like dancing with the devil; it was wrong, but she was helpless, her defenses breached. A tsunami of longing swept over her. Of their own accord, her hands reached up, her fingers entangling themselves in his hair, making sure he couldn’t leave, would never end this kiss.

Then the phone rang.

“Leave it,” whispered Harry.

Ana wasn’t sure she’d have the strength to pick it up. Her limbs had turned to jelly.

The phone continued to ring, and Harry finally pulled away and grabbed it.

He spoke a few words, then replaced the receiver. “Megan and Charles are downstairs. I’ll just nip back to the office.” He stood up. “I’ll meet you back here in five.”

How could he be talking like nothing had happened? Her world had just been turned upside down.

He noticed her stupefied expression and perched on the edge of her desk. He reached out, stroked her hair. “Our lives are about to get pretty complicated,” he said. “But we’ll find a way. You’re the one, Ana.”

She was grateful for the time by herself, and sat breathing deeply, trying to compose herself. But her mind was racing and her body fizzed with desire that had nowhere to go.

“Coming?” Harry was back and holding out his hand to her.

She collected her bag and went over to where he stood in the doorway. Her knees went weak at his closeness; she felt like some vaporous Victorian heroine. He wrapped her in his arms and the kiss was fierce and hungry, leaving her limp and breathless.

“Come on,” he said, slipping an arm around her waist. “This will have to wait. If that’s even possible.”

“Harry, I can’t do this. I can’t come out with you tonight, not like this.”

“Sure you can. It’s my thirtieth! You can’t say no to a man who’s having a milestone.”

The lift arrived and Harry pushed the ground-floor button, then took her hand. “We should be discreet tonight, though. I think Charles may have twigged I’ve got a thing for you, but I’m not sure about Megan.”

He released her hand as the doors opened.

As Ana focused on the group of people in front of her, she received another shock. Standing in the reception area with Megan and Charles were Harry’s wife and daughter.

Katie visibly flinched as her eyes flew from Harry to Ana.

“Daddy!” cried the little girl, flying across the polished floor toward him. She was all bouncing curls and big blue eyes, and was wearing her very best dress for her father.

The night guard smiled. “Happy birthday, Mr. Rose!” he called.

“Thank you,” replied Harry, sweeping his daughter up into a hug. “Hello, Miss Maria. And what are you doing in the big city at this time of night, hm?”

“We’re going to the Hard Cafe!” she said. “For burgers!”

“The Hard Rock Cafe, darling,” corrected Katie. “We thought we’d surprise Daddy, didn’t we?”