Page 36

DANIEL

I lean back against the cool kitchen counter, watching Anya as she tries to navigate the chaos unfolding in front of her. She’s got her recipe book open, but she seems to be fighting for her life while chopping those vegetables. “Okay, let’s see,” she mutters, scanning the page. Her brows furrow in concentration, and her tongue peeks out like it always does when she is focused. The chopping of vegetables is less rhythmic now; it’s more like she’s battling them into submission.

“Anya, you could hurt yourself. That’s not the right way to cut cauliflower,” I say. My brows furrow.

“I saw it in a reel,” she says. “Besides, isn’t life just one long attempt to avoid dying anyway?” She shrugs. Wow, what a philosophy. I shake my head. A few stray pieces tumble off the cutting board and she sighs in frustration.

I stifle a laugh. She turns around and glares at me. “Don’t laugh at me.” She raises the knife at me, a mock threat. I bring my hands up in surrender.

“But seriously, you don’t have to cook,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. “We could order takeout or something.”

Her eyes narrow and I can see the determination in her expression. “No, I have decided I want to cook, so I will.” She pushes a strand of her hair away from her face. “And I swear I am not that bad,” I stand up and walk out of the kitchen. I take a right to enter my bedroom and open the drawer on the side table. I rummage around for a moment before grabbing a scrunchie.

I return to the kitchen and find her still wrestling with the vegetables, a frustrated pout on her lips. “Here,” I say, holding up the scrunchie. “Let’s get that hair out of your face, now that you have decided no one can stop you,” I say, standing behind her.

“Are you calling me stubborn?” She narrows her eyes at me.

I chuckle and kiss the top of her head. “Even if you are stubborn.” I gather her unruly hair in my palm and pull back gently, brushing the tendrils away from her face, making her lean back. I place a gentle kiss on her exposed neck, a soft sigh tumbling from her lips. “You are mine.”

“God,” she exclaims. “Your friends are right. You have become cheesy.” She shakes her head, but I can see the small smile forming on her face.

“Maybe. But you like it, Firecracker.” I wink at her. Her earlobes turn red as she turns her head slightly to look at me.

“Shut up.” She huffs, shaking her head.

I turn her around. I lean in closer, my hand finding the nape of her neck as I pull her gently against me. Her breath hitches as our lips finally meet. The kiss starts soft and tentative. She melts into me and everything feels right. I can taste the carrot she must have eaten when she was chopping it. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, and I deepen the kiss. My hands slide down her hips, gripping tightly. She moans, making my dick hard. Pulling back slightly, she smirks.

“Why are you hard?” The million dollar question.

“Your existence is enough of a reason, I feel.” I shrug and capture her lips again. She exhales deeply. I groan as her hand travels down to my crotch. Her hand grazes over my crotch, a jolt of electricity running through me. My breath hitches as her touch is soft and teasing, and it’s driving me insane.

“Anya,” I whisper against her lips, my voice hoarse with desire. She looks up at me, her eyes mischievous like she knows exactly what she’s doing. That smirk, the way she teases—it only makes me want her more.

“You’re so easy to rile up,” she murmurs, her fingers playing with the waistband of my sweatpants. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen from our kiss, and she is panting lightly. I run my thumb against her bottom lip. She’s so pretty; I can’t ever get over it.

Sometimes, I want to throw a fit just to make her realize how much power she has over me. It’s like she’s taken every part of me and wrapped it around her finger without even trying. The worst part? I’m not mad about it. I’m grateful and maybe that’s what scares me the most—how easily she can undo me with just a look, a touch, or even that quiet sigh she makes when she’s lost in thought. She doesn’t see what I see. She doesn’t know how she turns my entire world upside down without even trying. It’s in the way she’s standing here, flushed and beautiful, not realizing that she’s the most breathtaking thing in this room—hell, the most breathtaking thing in my life.

I pull her towards me, kissing her forehead before resting mine against hers. Our breaths mingle. “Stop teasing me, Firecracker,” I say quietly. I place a soft kiss on her jawline.

“Why would I stop? It’s too much fun watching you squirm,” she says, her voice a melodic whisper.

I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Only with you,” she counters, the softness in her gaze making my heart race.

I frown and sniff. “Is something burning?” The smile on her face disappears, a look of panic taking over.

Anya quickly turns towards the stove and gasps. “Oh no! My veggies!” she exclaims, swiftly turning off the stove and fanning the air to disperse the smoke.

I chuckle at the sight of the blackened mess in the pan. “It’s all your fault. You distracted me.” She crosses her arms over her chest, scowling at me.

I step closer to her. Grinning lazily, I bend down slightly, wrapping one arm securely around her waist and the other beneath her knees, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

Anya lets out a startled scream. “What are you doing?!” she cries, arms going around my shoulders instinctively.

I smirk and carry her into my room. She swats my chest but I do not react. I push the door with my leg and it closes with a bang.

“Now that you have burnt my dinner,” I whisper in her ear. “You owe me a meal.” I throw her on the bed. “And I am about to collect.” I grin.

Anya lands with a thud on the soft mattress, her hair fanning out around her head. She looks up at me with a mock glare, her face flushed. I lean down, my body hovering over hers. Her breath hitches as she takes me in, her eyes roaming over my face and body. They seem hazy, weighed down by desire.

“You could’ve just asked me normally,” she whispers, her voice low and husky. “No need for caveman tactics, captain.”

I chuckle my heart pounding in my chest. “Where’s the fun in that, Firecracker?” I say, my voice low and teasing. I run my hand along the side of her face, brushing her soft skin, and her lips part slightly in anticipation. Her chest rises and falls faster, and I can tell she’s trying to play it cool, but I can see the effect I’m having on her .

“I don’t need to ask when you want exactly what I want,” I murmur, my thumb brushing over her bottom lip. She bites it softly, her eyes darkening as she looks up at me through her lashes. Her hands find the front of my t-shirt and fist it tightly as she pulls me closer to her. Her breath quickens. “Anya,” I whisper, her name escaping my lips like a prayer. Her fingers tighten their grip on my shirt, pulling me down until our foreheads touch, the tips of our noses brushing. I can feel her breath, warm and shaky against my lips. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss against her lips, slow and deliberate. She melts into the kiss, her body arching up to meet mine. My hands slide down her sides, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath the thin fabric of her top. She sighs into the kiss, and that sound–that simple sound–makes me feel like I’m unraveling.

Her hands move from my shirt to my hair, tangling in it as she deepens the kiss, her nails grazing my scalp, sending a shiver down my spine. Anya runs her tongue along the seam of my lips, and I let out a groan. Her legs wrap around my hips, pulling me even closer. My hand grips her hip tightly, the other finding the hem of her top. I sit, pulling her up with me, and take off the top in one swift motion. She takes off my t-shirt, throwing it on the floor.

I reach out, my fingers tracing the delicate line of her collarbone, then drift lower, tracing the curve of her breasts over the fabric of her bra, watching the way her body reacts to my touch. She bites her bottom lip, her eyes fluttering shut for a second before she opens them again, her gaze, brimming with desire, meeting mine.

I press my lips to the hollow of her throat, my hands gently kneading her breasts. Her breath hitches, and she clings to me as I slide my thumb over the lace, teasing her sensitive skin. I can feel her pulse quickening beneath my lips, her heartbeat a frantic rhythm that matches my own. “ Daniel,” she whispers, her voice breathy and filled with need. Her hips roll against mine, making it hard for me to think straight.

“I need this out of sight,” I rasp. I grab the delicate lace and tear it away, the fabric ripping easily under my hands.

Her eyes widen in surprise, a gasp escaping her lips. “Daniel!” She breathes, her voice a mix of shock and need.

“I couldn’t wait,” I whisper. “I am a starved man, Firecracker.” I lower my head to capture her lips again, my hands roaming over her bare skin. The feel of her, warm and soft beneath my touch, sends a jolt of electricity through me. Her chest arches up, pressing against me, and I can’t help but groan at the sensation. She’s driving me insane, and she knows it.

Her hands are in my hair, pulling me closer, urging me on. I trace the line of her collarbone with my tongue, then dip lower, taking my time as I tease her, letting the anticipation build between us. Anya’s breathing grows ragged.

She’s squirming beneath me, her body reacting to every touch, every kiss, and it’s intoxicating. I press my palm flat against her stomach, feeling the slight tremble in her muscles. I finally reach her breasts. I take one nipple into my mouth, sucking gently at first, then harder, drawing a moan from her lips. Her fingers tighten in my hair, pulling me closer, and her legs wrap around my waist again. I groan against her skin, loving the way she responds to me, the way she’s completely undone in my arms.

“You’re perfect,” I whisper against her skin, my voice hoarse. “So beautiful.” She shivers at my words, her body reacting to the raw need in my voice.

I take a moment to look up at her—cheeks flushed, lips parted, eyes clouded with desire. There’s something about the way she looks at me that makes my heart race. I slide my hands down her sides, fingers grazing the waistband of her pants. Slowly, deliberately, I hook my fingers around the fabric and pull, watching her carefully to see every shift in her expression.

Her breath catches and she lifts her hips slightly to help, eyes never leaving mine. I take my time, savoring the moment, wanting to feel every second of this. She’s looking at me like I’m the only thing that matters in this world and God, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more alive.

“Get on your knees,” I command, my voice low and rough with need. She bites her lip, a playful glint in her eyes, but she does as I ask, shifting onto her hands and knees, her back arching beautifully. I kneel behind her, letting my hands trail along the smooth curve of her back, and I spank her ass, a breathless gasp escapes her. I kiss the area as it turns red. My hands tremble as I roll on the condom. “God, Anya.” I breathe. “You are a work of art.”

I position myself behind her. I grip her hips, my fingers digging into her skin as I lean closer, kissing along her spine. She shivers under my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. I slowly slide into her, the sensation overwhelming. She gasps, her body tightening around me. She lets out a sweet cry and I grunt in response. She pushes back against me as if urging me to move. I thrust my throbbing dick in her, rougher this time.

Her grip tightens on the bedsheets as she rotates her hips. “Fuck,” I curse breathlessly. “You feel so fucking good.” I reach out and circle her clit.

“Daniel,” she cries out.

Our ragged breaths fill the room, mingling with the sweet gasps and moans escaping her lips. My hips slam against her with each thrust as I wrap my arms around her middle, pulling her up and close to me, making her arch her back until her weight rests on me. My hand trails from her chest and settles on her neck, turning her head to get a glimpse of her face. “ Look at how beautiful you are,” I rasp as I kiss her earlobe, “Look at how perfectly you take me.” I groan.

She shudders at my words. I can feel her body tensing, knowing she’s close to her release. My hand tightens slightly around her neck, pulling her closer to me. A loud moan escapes her, and her eyes roll back as she shatters under me. The sound of her pleasure drives me wild, and I move faster, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Her whimpers, each one more desperate than the last, fuel the fire within me. The way her body tenses and responds to each thrust, I feel myself getting closer, the tension in my muscles tightening. My own breath hitches and I can feel the heat building in me before I finally lose control, my head falling back as my release consumes me.

She collapses on the bed as soon as my arms slacken around her. I chuckle and brush a strand of her hair away from her face. I take off the condom and dispose of it. “I am hungry,” Anya whines.

I snigger. “I know that.” I smile softly at her as I lie down next to her, pulling her into me. She snuggles against me, a content sigh escaping her lips.

Her hand traces a lazy pattern on my stomach. “I am ordering food. What do you want?” I kiss the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair.

“Chinese would do.” She yawns and her eyes flutter closed. Someone is super tired.

“I have to feed you first, so don’t sleep, okay?” She lifts her head and nods, her eyes still closed. I peck her nose, and she smiles softly.

“Did you know you have a freckle right behind your ear?” I snuggle closer to her.

“Did you know you have twenty-two freckles on your body?” She smirks.

“How do you know?” My eyes widen. “Don’t tell me you counted them all. ”

“Of course, I did.” She shrugs and nuzzles into my neck. I chuckle. I think I love her. No, scratch that. I do love her deeply. I think I have loved her for a long time. It just took me time to admit it to myself. This woman is my whole world.

∞∞∞