Their arrangement was simple.
Well, as simple as arrangements could be.
They would meet.
And they would, in layman's terms, fuck.
And as all arrangement go, there were rules in their strict conclave.
Just two.
One, it's imperative that they're the only ones who had to know.
And two, no talking.
He met her at his godmother's annual soiree almost seven months ago. As it was the appointed theme of the night, she was wearing a black ensemble. Her slender arms and defined collarbones exposed to his hungry eyes. The sheer cut of her top assured a delicious peek of the smooth expanse of her stomach. Her hair, a river of shiny midnight curls down her back. She had been talking to his brothers, an air of amiability around them. He knew he was ogling behind his drink. But to anyone, they regarded him with a wave of dismissal since it was common knowledge that he likes keeping his notorious brothers in check. Colin had laughed at something she said, when he finally noticed him. Benedict followed suit, cheering, beckoning him, clearly inebriated. The woman's eyes finally descended on him, challenging and yet he could tell that she knew he had been watching her. She raised her flute to her lips, licking them as he made his way to them. Her eyes anatomized his approaching figure without a hint of timidness. He clenched his jaw in mild restraint, willing his body to keep moving, step after step.
He took her proffered hand, warm and soft under his.
"Hi." She smiled, a hint of mischief and cheekiness- his go-to approach whenever he charms a woman. It surprised him, already liking the way she reflected him. "Hi. I'm Kate."
"Anthony." His sudden intake of breath allowed him to get a gulp of a floral scent exuding from her.
That night, he got off, as if he had any other choice. His dilemma had been bothering him since he set his eyes on her and lasted until she kissed his cheek goodbye. Her scent lingered in every crevice of his mind and in his hand. On that account, he pressed that same hand against his mouth and under his nose the entire time.
He had been staring at her number for two whole days before he decided to just frig it.
The minutes of silence after sending an affable 'Hello, Kate. It's Anthony, Colin's brother.' Was excruciating, he almost tore his own hair out. But she took him out of his misery after a grueling fourteen minutes.
In his existence, Anthony had never been this excited about dinner before.
No one could dare accuse him of wavering from his intentions that night.
Because, technically, he did eat.
Anthony had stood up when he saw her enter the restaurant where they agreed to meet up. Taking her ensemble— a tweed top and short skirt, Kate looked immorally stellar. He's surprised he hadn't swallowed his tongue. She kissed him on his cheek in greeting, the redolent of that maddening scent wafting over him. Anthony, very subtle, yet not subtle enough— judging from her dilated pupils and sharp breath afterwards— took a shameless sniff.
He knew he couldn't last for more than an hour. Let alone twenty minutes. And for some reason, she knew it too. Still, he thrived. He was a gentleman. Until the sommelier came and asked the wine they would like to drink. They argued for a long time, not even noticing the abrupt leave of the confused sommelier. She was pinching her lips, her sharp jaw twitched with every sense of exasperation. But then, her eyes fell down, to his lips and something sinister, luscious passed over her face. Anthony felt his ears ringing and popping, but thankfully heard her when she said, Let's go. Now. Anthony was a gentleman after all, so he behaved accordingly.
His place was closer. And despite her ministrations, he managed —barely. He figured, he ought to be rewarded. And her tongue flickering his ear. Her hands palming him through his trousers. Her, sighing her appreciation for him were more than deserving. She leaned across the console. Her knees rested against the leather of the passenger seat. Anthony moved his arm to accommodate her. Involuntarily, his hips bucked when he felt her warm breath near his growing erection.
He could feel her hot tongue licking him through the polyester, whimpering his name. Anthony was afraid he was gonna rip them in two. Her other hand disappeared underneath her skirt and a second later, her moan vibrated on his lap. He heard how slick she was, all because of him. Anthony gripped the wheel with both hands, groaning.
"Are we there yet?" She asked, her voice breathless against his torso.
He shook his head before he croaked. "Not long."
Kate purred, her palm resting on his bulge again. "I beg to differ." And decided to bite him through the fabric. She continued to tease him for the next eight long minutes.
As soon as he killed the engine, they both jumped from the car. He parked it out on the street, too occupied to press the button for his garage door. He'd rather press another button to be quite honest.
Kate looked ethereal under the street lights and the moonlight. Her lips glistened, her cheeks flushed. A lone curl escaped her do and dangled on the side of her face. Anthony rounded the car and reached her, pushing her in an instant. He kissed her then, devoutly, savagely as if he had never kissed anyone before in his entire life. And for some reason, with her, it felt like it was. Kate circled her arms around him, closely, desperately. As if she couldn't bear the small distance between them. His hand dove under her skirt and cursed when he felt her drenched undergarment. He dipped his middle finger experimentally. And he's rewarded by her loud moan which echoed the empty street. Anthony clutched both her calves and wrapped them around his waist. He started to walk towards his door while Kate rubbed herself on his belt. Her fingers crossed behind his nape. Her eyes on his lips.
It didn't take long before he was on his knees, Kate, on his dining table.
"Oh my god… Anthony." Her sultry voice was like a balm to his depraved soul.
Her long legs were wide and spread for him. The sight of her— skirt around her waist, top buttons undone, her mound wet from his mouth and her essence— was almost his undoing. Her fingers raked through his hair, pulling him deeper into her. Her hips gyrating against his face in a dirty dance. She kept her eyes on him, her mouth spewing a litany of curses and praises for his tongue. He grumbled, dragging her closer to the edge as his tongue probed and invaded the sweet territory. Anthony snuck a hand on his trousers, pulling his erection free, giving it a tight squeeze. At his groan, she sat up. Her attention zeroed in on his manhood, unwavering. Kate grabbed his free hand and shoved his middle finger in her mouth, moaning as she did so. And a man could only take much. Anthony stood up and crushed his lips to hers again. Their combined moans of pleasure shook him beyond belief. He ground his pelvis against her as she busied herself with removing the rest of their clothing. Once off and her glorious breasts were bare, Anthony grumbled another curse.
He nipped at her earlobe as his thumb and finger teased her nipple. "You're beau—"
Kate violently pulled at his hair that he couldn't help but moan. "No talking." She said, her lips hovering over his. "There would be no talking."
He stared at her, studying emotions in her eyes. Anthony nodded, acquiescing her request, understanding the need to control. He held her hips, the tip of his manhood nearing the promise land. Kate whimpered, grabbed her purse resting on the table and shoved a rubber in his hand. Anthony couldn't help the smirk on his face.
"My, my. Miss Sharma. You knew this would happen?"
Kate raised an eyebrow at him. Her features sharp yet playful. "Didn't you?"
"Oh, I did." He chuckled darkly. "The very first moment—"
Kate sat up again, pulling his face onto hers and biting his lower lip. "What did I say about no talking?"
"My apologies, my lady."
His head fell back on his shoulders, just as she did, upon the entry.
Anthony rested his forehead against hers. Kate kept her eyes on the juncture of their thighs, biting her lip. Her nails scratching his shoulders. Her pointed heels dug the back of his knees. A trickle of sweat ran down from her cleavage down her sternum. With another groan, he leaned down, licking it off her. Their labored pants and the salacious slapping sound of their bodies rung his ears. Kate cupped his face with both hands. Her large, brown eyes emotive and gripping. He felt his own heart smote before him. Anthony piston-ed his hips against hers. His arms rested against the creaking table to keep it from sliding against his floor. Kate was loud in her fervor. She doubled her efforts, her own devilish movement of her hips. Her walls clamped on him and she threw her head back with a shout of his name. Anthony bit his tongue to keep from uttering how beautiful she was. He made a promise after all.
Instead, he conveyed his burgeoning attraction through his movements. Her heaving body fell back on the table. Her arms stretched out as she gripped either side. The seats beside them toppled from their frenzy. Anthony placed her shins on his shoulders and kept the relentless pace. Her heels pricked his shoulder blades with every hard stroke. Anthony grunted, leaning down to capture one breast in his mouth. The floral scent was stronger than ever. Kate raised her hips off the table, grinding against him. He closed his eyes, the impending wave of pleasure close now… too close…
Their bodies jerked upon completion. Anthony burrowed his face in her neck, An arm still wrapped around her back. Kate's fingers combed his hair again, humming.
And after a moment, she giggled— a melodic pitch powerful enough to pull the corners of his own lips.
If he wasn't screwed then he knew he was, most definitely, unquestionably screwed now.
Kate personalized his ring tone so, she could never ignore it.
To give him credit, he remained true to his word.
He never contacts her.
She never contacts him.
Excepts on lonely nights.
And now, boring lunch meetings.
Nigel Berbrooke had droned about logistics for over two hours, making Kate so bored out of her own mind. After the first hour, she sent a picture of her legs under the table. Within minutes, Anthony replied with a picture of his hand, all protruding veins, resting on his desk. She felt her face flush a deep red. Kate had always found his hands attractive— among many other things. Kate sent him a couple of emojis of what she wanted to do with those hands. Still mindful of their "No Talking" rule. Emojis weren't words per se, right? They're still pictures and thus still abide their rule. However, not for the first time, Kate found this particular rule… folly.
Not a few minutes later, the familiar ding of her phone indicated a new message. And Kate, being the klutz that she was almost dropped from her seat.
The picture was taken from the top angle. She could see the insides of his working desk.
The cuff of his navy suit visible. His hand stretched on his lap and the evident bulge of his arousal took most of the screen.
She swallowed a squeak and crossed her legs, trying to alleviate the sudden aching throb. She sent a quick and short, Mmm..
(It's an onomatopoeia, so, she figured, it was still okay.)
What followed was another picture of his trousers. This time, his hand was clutching his shaft, still encased in that dark slacks.
Kate bit her lip and made a quick excuse to the loo. Simon, her long-time friend and colleague gave her an amused shake of his head.
In her defense, her brain was seconds away to malfunctioning when she decided to call him. Thus, breaking her own rule.
"Anthony." She panted, as she locked the door and rushed to the nearest cubicle.
After a few seconds, his gruff voice greeted her.
"Kate."
Her heart started pounding.
"Oh my god." Kate hiked her skirt and leaned her back on the door. Her finger swiped the moisture gathering in her core. Her fingers dipped beneath her folds. "How are you doing this to me?"
A beat.
A sharp intake of breath.
A shuffle of clothes.
The rustic sound of zipper.
"What? What am I doing to you, Kate?"
"What do you think?" She scolded, another finger entering her. The intrusion making her moan.
"Yes, let me hear you." He gasped. "God, Kate."
"You turn me on so much."
"Ditto, baby. Where are you?"
"Office… bathroom."
"I wish I was there."
"Tell me… Tell me what would you do if you… if you were…" She whimpered, her hips chasing her hand.
He chuckled a dark chuckle and Kate felt the goosebumps lining her skin.
"I'm going to have you face the mirror as I sink my fingers into you."
"How… How many?"
"As many as you want." He hissed.
She pinched the nub at her core. "Mmmm.. Four?"
"Bloody hell… Kate."
"It'll fit. It'll fit. " She added desperately. "I'm so wet."
"I know, baby. You always are."
She shook her head before remembering that he couldn't see her. "For you." She admitted. "Only for you."
"That's right!" He gave an indecorous gasp. "That's bloody fucking right. Oh god, Kate."
Her knees were starting to shake. "What else? What are you going to do?"
"I am going to make you watch in the mirror as I slide into you."
She whined, imagining that one particular devilish thrust of his. "Slow?"
"Very… Until you beg otherwise, of course."
"I do not beg." She bit her lip, digits working furiously now.
"We both know that's not true."
She would've admonished him for that, if she wasn't teetering on the edge. Still, she managed a playful scoff. "As if you never."
"Oh, that was never in question, Kathani." He crowed, panting. "You make me mindless with need. Primal. Possessive. It is maddening how much you consume everything in me."
She exploded at the sincerity in his voice.
It was a purely coincidental when she saw him.
And honestly speaking, it was more than welcome.
She was browsing books on the Sunday flea market. A handful of fruits and vegetables already filled the canvas bag she brought. The amiable and cheerful vendor pointed the haul of second-hand books stacked on the far end of the table. She squatted and studied each bind, mouthing the titles as she read.
"Kate?" Said a gravelly, soothing voice behind her.
She would know that voice anywhere.
Kate stood up in haste to face him.
"Anthony."
The man's face softened as he smiled and Kate's heart almost leapt out of her chest at the sight. He was gorgeous, without a doubt the most handsome man she has ever seen. He also had a faint blush on his cheeks, his eyes bright, and almost shy.
For fear that he could hear the staccato beat on her chest, Kate inquired, "What are you doing here?"
As soon as the question left her mouth, she felt stupid. Anthony pursed his lips, keeping what she knew would be a jibe to himself. She didn't know whether to roll her eyes or kiss him for it.
"My siblings…" he then gestured towards two chestnut-haired teenagers. To a boy and a girl with the same shade of hair bickering at the ice cream stand behind him. "I always take them out on Sundays. You?"
Kate raised her books and canvas bag. "I shop here."
"Oh, I see." He nodded, looking charming as ever.
"Your siblings, what are their names?" She continued, wanting to keep him beside her a little longer.
"Oh, that's Gregory and Hyacinth—"
"Ah, G and H. The youngest ones."
"Yeah." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. His sturdy arms and chest protested against the material of his shirt. Kate swallowed the saliva pooling at the corner of her mouth.
"Pesky little troublemakers."
"I would be surprised if they weren't." She teased, smirking. "You're their brother all along."
Anthony cleared his throat, his faint blush blossoming into a full-blown now. "Do you… Do you want a cone?"
"Oh. No, no, no. I'm good." She shook her head, putting up her hands.
"Please, I insist." He pleaded, his handsome face sweet and endearing.
And who was she kidding?
Kate had learned since she met him that, despite her prejudice, she had finally accepted that she's helpless to one Anthony Bridgerton. Besides, she was already letting this man do unspeakable things to her behind closed doors. Why and how would a simple ice be any different?
"Okay." She nodded, beaming at him.
"Okay!" He repeated, his smile, wide boyish and dazzling that she felt that tug on her stomach again. "Flavor?"
Kate thought back to the tub of ice cream she licked off him three days ago.
His eyes darkened, as if he could read what she was thinking.
"Chocolate Chip?"
"Chocolate Chip." She confirmed, her eyes trained on his parted lips.
She watched him go, admiring the way his trousers strain against his legs and arse.
"Are you ready to buy, now?" The vendor asked, breaking her out of her lusty reverie.
Kate felt her neck grow hot. "Ah yes. Yes." She handed him the two books she was eyeing on before Anthony came. "Thank you."
Just as the old man was wrapping her books with brown paper, another voice hollered from the crowd.
"Kate! Kate!"
She stiffened in recognition and prayed that he would go away. Kate ignored the man calling her and paid for her books. With one last smile to the vendor, Kate left and went the opposite way from the voice. She didn't want to raise suspicion so, she kept her leisure pace. Until a shadow fell in front of her.
"I knew it as you!"
Kate tried to school her features and offered the man in front of her a tiny smile. "Kevin."
Her ex boyfriend smiled sheepishly at her, as if he hadn't cheated on her multiple times over a year ago. "How have you been, Katie?"
Kate almost gagged at the nickname. She told him during their relationship that she hated being called that.
"Good." She replied, short and quick. She took a side step to avoid him, but he blocked her. "Would you move out of the way, please?"
"Not until you agreed to have coffee with me."
Kate blinked at him owlishly, as if to wordlessly say, are you bloody serious?
"When did I ever drink coffee, Kevin?"
"Oh. Shit." The idiot tried to redeem himself. "Tea, then."
"That was not an overture, Kevin." She sighed, impatient.
"Well—"
Before he could finish his sentence, however, Kate was abruptly turned around her spot. The line between Anthony's brows was the last thing she saw before her eyes closed on instinct and he kissed her.
Kate felt herself melting in his arms that she dropped her bags and threw her arms around his shoulders. Her surroundings, forgotten as he licked her lips reverently.
With a groan, he pulled away first, his forehead rested against hers. He whispered, "Are you okay?" To which she nodded a little vigorously, her arms still locked around him. The hand that wasn't holding her ice cream tightened around her waist as they both acknowledge the man bothering her.
"Hey, mate." Anthony said through gritted teeth and clenched jaw. "Everything all right in here?"
"You… You're…" Kevin stammered, his mouth gaping like a goldfish. "You're Anthony Bridgerton."
"Yes." He said, a little threateningly. "And you are?"
Kate bit her lip to keep from laughing at Kevin's stunned face.
"I'm… I'm leaving." Kevin muttered before turning away briskly.
"Thought so." Anthony muttered as he left, still keeping her in his embrace.
Kate giggled at the sober look on Anthony's handsome features.
"What's so amusing, Miss Sharma?" He asked with flared nostrils, his tone clipped and hard.
Kate chuckled again, curling her hand on the coif of his hair. "You."
Anthony exhaled a ragged breath before she felt the tension leave his body. She scratched her nails along his scalp and reveled in the grumble from his chest. Slightly pulling away from his arms, Kate took her ice cream from his hand and gave a few purposeful licks. She kept her eyes on him as she enclosed the cold dessert into her mouth.
"I have to drop by siblings back at my mum." He said, his eyes glued to her lips. "Otherwise, I'm free for the rest of the afternoon."
"Alright." She smirked, happily licking her dessert.
His voice dropped to that low, knicker-dropping whisper. "Do you still have some of that ice cream in your flat?"
"I reckoned I finished it. It was so hot last night." She teased, licking the glob of confection she intentionally left on her lips.
Kate saw him gulp.
An hour later, Anthony arrived at her doorstep with a bag of every ice cream flavor imaginable. Needless to say, they finished three tubs of ice cream in one night with Anthony licking them off her body every hour.
"Oh, fuck this shit!" He heard Colin angrily mutter. Anthony looked up from his phone, trying to assess what irked his brother so.
"MUM!" Colin stood up and walked towards the archway connecting the drawing room from the rest of their mother's house. He hollered, "MU-UUUUUM!"
"Oi, lunatic!" Anthony chastised. "Frannie's sleeping in the next room. Stop screaming!"
The nincompoop ignored his warning and continued. "MUM!" An accusatory finger pointed at him. "He's doing it again! Come see!"
"What? What did I do?"
Colin stared at him a moment too long before he poked his head out of the archway again, screaming at the top of his lungs. "MUUUUUUM!"
Anthony sat up, hissing. "The fuck is wrong with you?! Are you bloody high?"
"It's your face." Benedict answered lazily, from his slouching position on the armchair across him.
"Why? What's wrong with my face?" Anthony raised a reflexive hand on his week-long stubble, thinking it must be it. But Kate liked it; she told him that the burns he left on her thighs lasts for days on end. So, he kept it. And to hell with anyone who disapproves.
"You're…" Colin actually shuddered. "Smiling. Again. It's terrifying, it's like the end of the world is near."
He scowled at him for good measure. "What are you talking about? I'm not—"
To contradict him, Benedict suddenly whipped the sketchbook he's been doodling on for the past hour and showed it to him. It took Anthony no more than ten seconds to realize what he was seeing.
The sketch was uncanny. The form, the shade, even the wrinkles on his clothing. It displayed him moments ago, lying down the length of the their mum's settee. Ankles crossed, one hand behind his head, the other, staring voraciously at the screen. A gleaming, almost unrecognizable smile on his face. He had been texting Kate. She had sent him a scenic view from her hiking trail, an activity she did this morning with Edwina.
He felt his neck and cheeks grow hot, much to the obvious eyes of his brothers.
"That's erm— that's very good, Ben."
Benedict's eyebrows raised all the way to his forehead and snatched his sketchbook back into place. "That's lot number…" He flipped through his pages, counting. "Thirty seven. If you want to know."
"Fuck!" Colin pinched a handful of biscuits before settling down his seat again. "Never thought I'd live to see this special day."
"Fuck you. I smile." Anthony grumbled. "A lot."
"Nah, mate. You grimace. That's different." Colin managed to say even with his mouth full.
"And you brood." Benedict added. "You've been...different."
"I'm not!"
His two brothers exchanged a sneaky look before delving into a peal of laughter.
"What?" Anthony demanded, looking at either of his brothers. "What?!"
"He has no idea, hasn't he?" Benedict surmised, placing his sketchbook on the table, talking as if he wasn't in the room. But the idiot was looking directly at him, his father's crooked grin in place.
"Nope." Colin said, stuffing a slice of cake in his mouth. "Not a single fucking clue. But I'm not gonna tell him. Would you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Oh, no, no, no! It'll come…" Benedict folded his arms in front of him, head undulating as he decide on his judgment. "Eventually."
Both his brothers giggled like two school girls.
"Tell me what?!"
Everything started to come to light one stormy night.
So distracted was she of his attentive hands, that precise angle of his hips, his reverent kisses, she forgot to check the weather forecast.
She lie on the bed, staring at one discolored point in the ceiling. Anthony was beside her, sleeping on his stomach. The duvet covering his naked torso. His head turned the other way. Just as well, she didn't want to wake him for something as petty as this.
Kate finished counting to a thousand, yet her breathing was still erratic. After one loud clap of thunder, she bolted from the bed and paced around the room. She needed to get out. She needed to get away. Far away from here.
A blinding light from the windows and a crack of thunder woke him from his peaceful slumber. He smiled to himself, the room, his pillows smelling of lilies, of her. Anthony grappled his hand only to find the empty and cold space. He burst upright on his bed, swallowing the panic rising in his chest. He felt it mildly diminish once he saw her purse and her phone. Her shoes, undergarments and dress were also strewn unceremoniously on his bedroom furniture. The only clothing missing from the pile was his shirt. Anthony got up and retrieve his joggers, wondering where she went. He checked his closet, his bathroom, and the spare bedroom, unsuccessfully. Finally, he noticed the door to his office slightly ajar. With careful steps, he called out her name.
And then he saw her under his desk and his heart shattered into a million pieces.
Anthony pulled her to his lap and rocked her through her tears. The weather continued its violent onslaught. For a moment he wished he was some sort of deity so he could stop this raging tempest. He had been partial to storms as far as her could remember… Until now. Until her. Anthony Bridgerton then realized that he could live the remainder of his life contentedly without storms. For her, anything for her.
When finally it dialed down to a light pattering on his window pane, Kate told him the story of how she came to fear storms. She expound the stories of her father and her wonderful childhood in India. Encouraging him to do the same. How they spend every summer at Aubrey hall. How he's terrified of bees. How his father had been the center of his world until he died and how he was the best man he'd ever known.
"Look at us," She whispered with a weak chuckle. Her hand caressed the side of his face as she continued. "Both emerging slightly victorious from the same trauma."
"We'll get there." He promised, giving her a small nod. "Anthony and Kate, against all odds."
"Why should your name be the first?" She admonished, sounding more like herself by the minute. Anthony finally allowed himself to smile. "If anything, it should be Kate and Anthony." She corrected with finality.
Kate and Anthony.
He liked the sound of that.
The idea that she was first and foremost in his life was more than a little appealing.
"Well, 'Kate and Anthony' it is then." He said with a roll of his eyes, his lips twitching with barely concealed amusement.
She titled her chin, a proud gesture. Her eyes, though still wet, were twinkling with pride. And Anthony suddenly became aware of another simple fact:
I love you.
For far too long Anthony avoided attachment, He thought it bothersome, a nuisance. Something that would inevitably end in heartbreak. Love was a fairytale for those who are brave enough to find it and keep it. However cruel his previous dispositions were, the realization that he loves Kate came as an indescribable relief.
He loves her.
He loves her!
Anthony felt the corner of his lips quirking up in a face-splitting grin.
"What?" He heard her utter. Her eyes, wide and beguiling. Her parted lips so close to his that whenever she took a breath, he felt it on his. Her scent wrapping, shrouding him in its warm embrace. Anthony swore he could also hear the stampede in her chest. His voice constricting, wanting to declare himself.
I love you.
But Anthony shook his head instead, "Nothing."
She had never wanted, needed anyone like this.
There was something about the soft look he was giving her right now that made her snap. The searing need to possess him, claim him, mark him as hers finally reached its tipping point.
With the heavy and desolated tension behind her, Kate finally allowed herself to just... feel. But then again it wasn't a difficult venture, not with him. Never with Anthony.
At the first light touch of his lips, Kate was adamant that she would never feel like this for anyone else.
Kate shoved him softly, away from their hiding spot under the desk. Anthony was already reaching for her. She straddled his hips, grinding dementedly. He gasped against her lips, holding her down, letting her the effect she had on him. He gave a mind-numbing thrust that lifted both their bottom half off the floor. She moaned against his mouth, grabbing the back of his head. "Anthony…"
"I know, baby. I know."
Kate bit his lip at the nickname, feeling the quiver of lust between her legs.
He moved them towards the sectional at the center of the room. Their lips and pelvis attached as sinfully close as possible. Kate rubbed herself on his joggers, her wet folds drenching the cotton. Anthony held her hips, undulating them in a wicked, crazed rhythm. As soon as she removed his shirt off her body, Anthony wasted no time in worshipping her breasts. Licking, sucking, murmuring his reverence for them.
"You're so good to me." Kate wriggled her hips. One hand stretched behind her grasping his knees for support. "So fucking good."
He groaned her name as he raised his torso, freeing his pulsing member from its confines. The searing need to have him in her mouth was making her head spin.
With great effort, she pried her mouth from his and dropped on her knees. Kate removed his track pants and threw them behind her. Her hands glided upwards—from his knees, to his thighs, around his buttocks and up his chest and back down again. His determined and glassy eyes were on her the whole time. Kate stole another deep kiss as she covered his manhood with one shaking hand. She nibbled on his lower lip as he moaned.
"Do you have you any idea what you do to me, Anthony?"
He shook his head, his hips humping her hand.
Kate smirked, sucking the sensitive skin of his jaw. Her hand ever so diligent in her task. "Would you like me to show you?"
He was nodding vigorously now, still bereft of coherent speech.
Kate felt powerful.
"You have to be good…" Her thumb spread the moisture from his tip. Her breasts enticingly rubbing against the tuft of hair on his pectorals. "Can you be good?"
"Yes, yes." Anthony was still nodding, his breath in furious rasps. "Please."
Kate gave him a filthy kiss—one he was more than greedy to reciprocate. Her tongue slid down, from his chin, his sternum, the prominent divide of his abs, to his abdomen.
Anthony's arms stretched on the back of the couch, on either side of him as Kate teased the pronounced veins on his prop. His mouth synchronously fell with every area she covered. She hallowed her cheeks, her hand aiding her as she reached the hilt. His head fell back with another groan of her name.
"Oh my god, Kate."
Inch by delicious inch, she devoured him. And yet, it wasn't enough to stave her hunger.
She grasped his hips, encouraging him to plunge himself on her mouth. His fingers raked her curls as he did. His hips rose from the couch with every thrust. Kate whimpered, diving her fingers in her heat.
And yet, still.
Kate pushed off him and he fell on the sofa with a squeak of surprise. Only to be replaced by a resounding moan that vibrated straight to her core. His hands instantly clutched her waist as she settled on his lap again.
Kate wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her hips dangling, tantalizing the very tip of him.
"Kate… The condom… It's in my bedroom. I don't have… I don't have anything here—"
Her heart warmed at his thoughtfulness. "I'm alright if you are."
His eyes almost bulged out of its socket. "Are you… Are you sure?"
The first hint of insecurity reared its ugly head. In a small voice, she said, "I mean, do you want to?"
Anthony's eyebrows furrowed in obvious annoyance.
"I uh… I'm clean. Mary insists that me and Edwina have monthly check ups after Mary's sister, Edwina's aunt died of ovarian cancer." She rambled, shifting farther from his body. And only mildly aware that she shouldn't talk about morbid things not during this. "I haven't… I haven't with anyone since we… It's okay if you don't—"
But Anthony wasn't swayed from such topics.
"If I don't…" Anthony sputtered, looking and sounding offended. "If I don't?!"
She looked away, red in the face for a whole other reason now.
"Kate." Anthony said softly, tilting her chin back to him. "Please, look at me." She swallowed, melting at the avid and hopeful gleam in his brown depths.
"You have no idea..." He shifted them into positions. "How with only a thought of you..." She felt his hand moved beneath them. "...Drives me to insanity." Kate felt the blunt head of him swirl around her entrance. "You've taken so much from me..." She gaped at him, her heartbeat clamoring in her ears. "And I never wanted them back."
His eyes bore into hers with such sincereness and adoration that takes her breath away. "I want you. Every part of me wants you. I want you so maddeningly that I can't breathe."
She gaped at him, his words swathing around her like a warm, thick blanket on a winter night.
Kate established the 'No Talking' rule precisely for such sentimental confession. His sweet words cemented itself on her ever traitorous heart, words she craved but felt undeserving of.
Before she can reprimand him for it, a hard plunge from him and she cried out in ecstasy. All thoughts evaporated until all she could feel and hear and see was him. She dug her nails on his shoulders, mindless, delirious with need for more.
He was hot and massive, felt hot and massive. Then again, he always was. But this, everything with them seemed more serious now… More… real. And yet, she couldn't find it in herself to listen to the long-running warnings she conceived in her head. Not now, not when he's looking at her like she put the stars and the moon in the night sky.
Anthony kissed her closed eyes as he began to move. "You're perfect, Kathani." He gasped, searching her face with that funny look in his eyes. "So goddamn perfect for me, baby." He cinched her hip and ground it the filthy and opposite way he was. The ridges of his shaft caressed her walls, probing, claiming raw space no one has ever done before.
"I have never…" she trailed off, distracted by the way he was circling his pelvis. "It's never been this good."
Anthony grunted an agreement before diving headfirst to her breasts. Her fingers trawled his sweaty chestnut curls, yanking him as he sucked bruises on her skin. The slow and savory pace he set had her teetering on the edge. Kate humped him shamelessly, calling out his name until her body shattered.
"Yes, that's it, Kate. Let go." He gave her a sweet kiss at the corner of her parted lips. "Let go for me, baby. That's it." Still keeping that leisurely pace, Anthony rained kisses and murmured prurient annotations on her ear.
Anthony leaned back on the couch, held her hips as he drove deeply into her. Kate wailed, holding on the back of the sofa, loving the lecherous sounds between their bodies. Anthony's lips fluttered explicit compliments on how she felt around him. How good she was at taking him. How he always daydream about fucking her on every horizontal or vertical surface. How the pictures she had always sent him makes him ejaculate within minutes. How her lily scent drive him to lewd distraction, and how he thinks about her every moment of every day.
Kate, still reeling from the emotion from his first confession, felt her heart burst into flames.
The underlying fact was that she's terrified. The ambiguity of her feelings for him during the length of their acquaintance was pivotal already. His sweet demeanor and actions were heart-stuttering, what more were his words? Kate was frightened out of her wits that if she let him on her feelings, her thoughts, she'd be powerless. But Anthony Bridgerton was proving to be more and more a nuisance in this endeavor.
"Fuck you, Anthony!" Her voice broke, a whine forcing its way instead. "I said…" she emphasized each word with a bruising kiss. "I said, no talking!"
"Why? It's the truth!" he rebuked.
"Shut up!"
"You… You and your bloody rules!" He scolded, licking the length of her throat. "Stop ordering me around!"
"What are you… What are going to do about it, then?" She challenged, teeth clamping down his lower lip, her hand closing around his neck and jaw. Kate squeezed lightly.
His features darkened, seemingly resembling a predator in the wild. He sidled a hand and kneading the nub between her legs.
Kate's arms weakened, and with a curse she fell on his chest. "So good."
A guttural moan rumbled from his chest. His slow rhythm started to pick up. "Yeah?"
"Yes!" She squealed, meeting him thrust for thrust. "Yes! Ant—Please!"
Stars bursted her vision and she slumped like a sack of coal against him. And yet, Anthony carried on, with renewed gusto and determination of a man on a sacred mission. After a few minutes of respite, she was back up again, tightening her walls around him. Sweat beaded the tips of his hair, dripping down the side of his face and neck. She reached in and licked every drop.
With another animalistic groan, Anthony got up, pushing themselves off the sofa. Kate squeaked, hanging on to him like a koala bear. He laid her on the carpet and lunged at her again in breakneck and nonstop speed. She held onto him, feeling the white wave of pleasure approaching again. Kate fought the strong urge to faint.
"Kate… Kate…" He wheezed, the air whistling between white rows of teeth.
Kate cupped his face on her hands as they both implode, coating their torsos with dampness she never knew she was capable of.
Anthony was engulfed with a sense of calmness and contentment as they lie on his bed. Kate was snoring softly. Her beautiful head resting on the pillow facing him. One hand on her cheek, the other, under the pillow she was resting on. Her thick eyelashes cast shadows on her cheek. The mole on her nose dainty and charming. Her lips, appealing and puffy from his kisses. They were a few— okay, a lot— of fresh love bites on her neck and collarbone. Almost copying the same patterns on his own body. He twisted one unruly, ebony strand from the flock and tucked them behind her ear. His thumb lingered on her face, following the defined line of her jaw. She snuggled closer to him, sighed contentedly, warm breath fanning over his face, his heart.
Anthony's sonorous heart beat around his ears but still managed to whisper, to declare,
"I love you."
"It's Anthony, isn't it?"
Kate coughed, spraying the chai she was consuming on her laptop and on the table. Her head turned to see Edwina with a knowing, playful look on her innocent baby-face.
"What are you talking about?" She asked, still between coughs.
"The fellow you're dating." Her sister walked towards where she was sat and rested her elbows on the island bar.
"I'm not dating anyone." She replied, already grabbing the napkins to avoid Edwina's persisting query.
"Mmm… So, when you go out every other night and come back at the crack of dawn… You're just doing what, Didi?" Edwina's tone was light, teasing and when Kate met her eyes again, her sister was holding back on her smile.
The lie felt dry on her mouth. "Working."
Edwina hummed again, reaching for the kettle and teacup. "So, you're giggling like a school girl for the past few weeks… " She poured. "Working late, dutifully…" adding three cubes of sugar. "Because after 8 long years of settling, you are finally…" she stirred slowly. The metal spoon hit the ceramic with an almost hypnotizing ring. "Finally loving your accounting job?" Edwina sipped her prepared tea, lifting a suggestive eyebrow at her.
Her jaw twitched as the blush crept on her chest. "Ye-yes."
"I see…" Edwina gave a curt nod, her tone was still enthused and keen. "So, you had nothing to do with the lilies that Eloise said Anthony was keeping all over his house and office of recent? And the same brand of your lily body wash on his flat?"
She shrugged helplessly. The man was an idiot and clearly unhinged. Once he realized that that was the scent she uses, he bought a box of it and makes sure he always has a fresh bouquet. She found the gesture surprisingly sweet. "I want to be surrounded by you. Metaphorically, literally and sexually speaking." He had impishly said when she questioned him about it one night.
"One, it's a very popular flower in London, bon. Two, I'm sure the body wash was a coincidence." She took a sip of her tea to deflect. "We're just friends."
Edwina chortled, setting down her drink. "Didi, I've seen the poor fellow almost snap his neck because you entered the room or had heard you laugh. He hangs on to your every word like everything you say was sustaining him. He follows you around like you had him on a lead. And I've only ever seen that loving adoration with Newton.
Kate chuckled, knowing Anthony's tense relationship with her beloved dog.
"See?" Edwina clapped a hand against the counter. "You're doing it again!"
"Like what?"
"Looking all lovey-dovey!"
"I'm smiling because of Newton!" She defended, lied.
Edwina tilted her head and pursed her lips. "Ri-ight."
Kate took another sip before she realized, "What's Eloise doing in his shower?"
"She had her reasons." Edwina flung an invisible debris on the counter. "But you and Anthony look so good! What's stopping you from going after him?"
"Nothing's stopping me. We're friends. I don't even like him ninety-nine percent of the time."
"What about the one percent?" she asked, hopeful.
With a sigh that slackened her entire body, she said, "You're overthinking this, bon."
"May be." Edwina's eyes turned serious, concerned. "But so are you."
The implication was loud and clear.
It was the start of the month, and after having spend the entire weekend with just them out in Kent, Anthony wasn't ready to let her out of his sights just yet.
He didn't want her to go.
He never, ever wanted her to go.
Kate quit her accounting job over two weeks ago and secured another job as an art gallery assistant. He was proud of her, happy for her that she was finally allowing herself to live the way she wanted to live, meant to live.
And so, come early Monday morning, he rushed in and offered to drive her to her new job. They stopped at his flat first because she left her laptop.
It was only necessary to offer her the best of luck on her first day. He has impeccable manners and was a gentleman after all.
"Oh my god." Kate sighed above him.
He was kneeling on his polished garage floor. The suicide door of his BMW swung open. Kate was writhing on the leather back seat. Her black stockings chafed his ears as he bestowed another way to show how proud he was of her.
Anthony sucked her bundle of nerves and sank two fingers into her. Kate squirmed, tugging on his hair.
"Anthony, I don't want to be late for work."
"You won't." He assured her between savory slurps. "We still have a solid one hour to spare."
"Mmmm… A lot can happen in an hour." She said suggestively. "Oh god, you're going to be coming to my work, aren't you?"
"Of course." Anthony chuckled, kissing her inner thighs. He loved how her new work was only a fifteen-minute walk from his office. "I'd like to see how you fare."
Kate hummed as he continued nibbling her. "I've always liked you in a suit. I get off it."
"You do, huh?" Anthony smirked, making a mental note of adding more suits in his wardrobe.
She nodded, moaning as he let the wiggled of his tongue between her folds. "At my previous job, whenever I lock myself in the bathroom... I daydream about you bursting through the door and bending me over the sink. You're still wearing your suit and tie."
Anthony thought he was gonna pass out from being overly turned on.
"On your hands and knees, please Kate." He stood up, pulled down his zipper and bent his knees. Kate assisted him by scooting closer to the open door until her heart-shaped arse was glinting under the fluorescents.
"I don't want to jeopardize your new job... But you can come by my office and may be we'll do something about that fantasy of yours."
"Mmmm… That depends."
A single nudge and he's blissfully covered in her heat. "On what, baby?"
"Is your office sound proof?"
Despite the cloud of lust fogging his brain, he chuckled. Oh, how he loves her.
"It is, my lady." He gripped her dress, bunched up on her waist and gave a single hard thrust for her teasing. "And a double lock. We can be as loud as we want. We can be at it for hours and no one will bother us."
Kate tossed her hair hanging like a curtain from the side of her face and glanced at him through her shoulder. "Promise?"
Fuck.
She's insatiable. Delectable.
He'd die first before he lets her go.
May be, possibly, not even then.
"Promise."
Anthony slowed down, stalling. Kate swiveled back at him, bouncing, grinding the way that always assured his sudden release.
That will not do.
He gave her a light spank on one cheek, Kate yelped and moaned in turn. His hands slid up towards her dress until he reached her shoulders. His palms closed around the balls of them and forced her body down to endure every hard, punishing thrust.
The sound of her nails scratching his leather seats had never been sweeter.
He wanted her to soak his seats with her essence, have it reek of her. But overwhelming desire to hold her as she comes was stronger, more appealing. With effort he hadn't know was in him, he pulled away and said, "Kate… Kate, come here."
Kate clambered up and out of the car and proceeded to kiss him. Anthony closed the door before pinning her on it, her back to his front. His hands clutching her thighs as he entered her again. "Have I told you how fucking hot you look in this stockings?"
"Yes." Kate's laughter filled the once-empty cavity in his chest. "If I recall…" She circled her arms back around him, her fingers combing the strands on his nape. "It's what got us in this position in the first place."
He bit on her earlobe and massaged her breasts through her dress. She arched against him, pushing them deeper in his hands. "Are you complaining, Miss Sharma?"
Her lips quirked into the smug smile he loved. "Never."
Anthony visited her at work two days later. He almost wanted to break his rule of not fucking her at her new job when he noticed the black tights and pointy heels. To make up for his harrying distraction, he bought two small paintings and a sculpture.
He got his when two days later, she dropped by his office to personally deliver his purchase. She wore a blue silk dress he hadn't seen her wear before, with nothing else underneath.
Suffice it to say, he could never concentrate and work in his office the same way again.
There was no way around it.
It felt like her world's been spun off from its regular axis.
No matter how much she tried not to, no matter how many mundane task she take on, the feeling never went away.
She missed him, misses him.
Stupidly, terribly, paralyzingly.
Charlotte, the gallery director had sent her to Scotland for a grueling ten-day negotiation for an art piece they wanted to get on loan. It's been twelve days since she last saw him and Kate, for all her independence found herself feeling inadequate. Like a part of her was missing. Kate found she had no control over it, nor she, had lately realized, could ever want to. It was discombobulating.
Kate scrolled through the Bridgerton sibling's social accounts.
and looked at his snaps scattered over their accounts. Family vacations, debates, Sunday brunches, art exhibits, piano recitals, sport events. Anthony has been a lingering and supportive presence in all of them. Once again, Kate couldn't help the sudden gust of excitement and affection for the man in question. Anthony probably was the kindest, most loving, most vexing person she had ever known. No one had ever made her blood sing and boil at the same time.
Kate managed to hold back said emotions for a good week until she couldn't bear it no longer.
Her heart leapt when he answered on the second ring. And it leapt even higher when he said her name in that soft, aching voice of his, making her feel like he missed her too.
They conversed for what felt like ten minutes but in actuality, was an hour and forty minutes.
So much for "No Talking."
As he said his tenth and final 'Good night', the haunting yet beautiful words came unbidden,
I love you, Anthony, you stupid idiot.
Kate didn't know how to act now.
So, she did what she does best. She stayed at the corner of the refreshment table and watched the spectacle of life in front of her eyes. Until she felt the familiar prick of his attention honing on her.
When she arrived at Colin's despedida, it was on full swing already. Violet spared no effort in transforming their residence into an auspicious display of their elegance. She greeted the Bridgertons, all of whom engulfed her and Edwina into a giant hug. All too sensitively conscious of someone missing from the group. For an hour, Kate mingled with the few people she knew. Until she saw Gregory and Hyacinth trying to entertain themselves at the far corner of the garden. She sat with them and they huddled together. They taught her the latest dance craze online and made a video out of it. Kate was having fun, until she wasn't.
He arrived in yet one of his unbuttoned dark suit, looking impeccably handsome and ravenous. His hair, flopped and combed. A hint of stubble on his cheeks and neck. His eyes went straight to her, but he didn't move. She didn't move. They just stood there, staring at one another. Stuck in time. Her attention slid down to his tie- navy blue and silk- resembling the fabric of the dress she wore when she first went to his office. The same tie they use to blindfold or tie each other up.
The man was clearly playing with fire. And he bloody knew it.
Kate stood her ground and only acknowledge him with a jut of her chin.
The bastard smirked.
Anthony!" Hyacinth shouted beside her before she and Gregory ran towards their eldest brother.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach as his attention swiveled back and forth, trying to catch up to his siblings' ramblings. A dazzling, proud paternal smile shone his face. But then, a brunette woman in a tight crimson dress yanked his shoulder. The woman hugged him, her lips attached on his cheeks the entire time. And Kate felt a swarm of violent bees replaced the butterflies in her stomach. Gregory, having noticed a distracted Hyacinth nabbed her ribbon and began to run around the lawn. Enraged, Hyacinth gave a hearty chase. And Anthony's left with the crimson dress woman.
Anthony stole a surreptitious glance her way before the woman turned his cheek to wipe the lipstick mark she left there. As if to add insult to injury, Anthony engaged the woman in a small talk that her giggling and touching his arm.
Kate felt an epic and colossal dose of jealousy enshroud her, drown her to the point that had her sending daggers to him. A server walked passed her and she immediately snatched his shoulder to get a drink. The poor bloke almost stumbled but landed on his feet, indulged her with three shots before he went away. Anthony was looking at her now, downright ignoring the woman as she showed her something on her phone. He was studying her, biting the insides of his cheek to keep the smug grin from cracking.
Oh, she's going to kill him.
Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of anger, Kate stomped back to the house to gather herself and disappeared from everyone's view.
The sound of the huge doors she entered a moment ago creak open. And a new set of footsteps echoed around the marble floors. Their stiff and rapid strides matched the intensity of her emotions— emotions he invoked.
Kate noticed an oak door left ajar on her left and proceed towards it. Anthony followed. She entered a library. Rows of leather-bound books lined neatly against the wall shelves. An untouched hearth at the center. A large wooden desk perpendicular to it. Expensive-looking armchairs and couches littered everywhere and a decanter by the window.
A short, heavy and ominous silence.
A determined lock on the door.
And they were alone.
After almost three weeks. The farthest they've gone without seeing each other since this whole ordeal began.
She was standing at the center of the room, her back to him.
He stayed at the door like some evil, mysterious character in Edwina's books.
"Kate—"
"Who is she?"
They both began.
"You're..." Anthony chuntered. "You're jealous." His whole face lightened up in recognition she wasn't sure that bodes well for her.
"I am not!" She countered, livid at him for being right.
He leered, squinting his eyes at her. "Are you sure?"
She turned at the pompous inflection in his tone. "I am not jealous!"
"You don't look like it." He said, cheekily.
"I am not!"
Anthony's jaw twitched as he reigned in his mirth. But his resolved changed the longer he studied her.
Kate was still seething, fighting for her breath when he clarified, "She's no one."
"She's no one, Kate." He repeated, softer this time. "Don't, even, just for more than a second, think that I want anyone… need anyone but you."
"I…I…" Kate stammered. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted to kiss him until she forget about everything else. She wanted to…
"I can't… I can't do this."
Anthony tilted his head in clear misbelief and stage-whispered. "Are you serious?!"
"Kathani." she hated how her full name shape the intonations of his voice. "You cannot be jealous of something or someone that you don't truly want."
"What?"
"You really are the most exasperating woman in existence." He leered, looking boyish. "You're a coward—"
"What?!" She fumed.
"—And so am I." He finished. "But no more."
"What does that mean?!"
"I know you know what it means, Kate." He retorted with a sober look on his face.
"I don't." She said, unyielding.
"I know you know what this is. You're just too bloody stubborn to admit it."
Kate felt the familiar aggravation expelling out of her skin. Her stomach started churning. her felt planted firmly on the ground, her arms, rod-like, fists clenched, her mind ready for the battle. For who were they if they weren't ready to tore each other's throat out?
"So, you're pinning this on me?"
Anthony placed and crossed his arms behind his back. "Well, yes." He regarded her with complacence that never fails to make her see red. The vestiges of her control peeled away like an old, crusty wallpaper as they both stare at each other.
"I was merely helping you uphold your reputation which I've just witness a while ago—"
"Ah—" he interrupted, eyes drifting away from her. She could feel him shaking.
"—The womanizer of the 21st century! Anthony Bridgerton whose charms topple the female population—"
"I don't want the world's attention! Yours is enough—"
"—Whose life's mission is to lead them on—"
"I'm not leading you on. I have never—" he looked dumbfounded, wounded.
"—Oh, you do!" Her voice cracked. Her heart, her pride disintegrating into smithereens. "I told you that we shouldn't..." she shook her head to chase away the tears. "That we should just fuck… And never-"
"Talk? And thus, never catch... feelings?"
"Well, yes!"
Anthony took a step forward. "So you, admit it?"
Her dilated pupils to meet his— brown, eloquent orbs that always seem to tether her.
"Admit to what? I am not admitting anything!"
"You just did!" He sounded frantic now, vexed.
"I did not say anything!"
"But you did!" Anthony barked, fraught with alarm. His nostrils flared as he took another step towards her path.
His chest was heaving, matching hers, as though they've been running. And for a bizarre reason, it felt like they were. Had been.
Anthony rubbed a hand on the side of his nose, turning on his heel in his agitation. He faced her. He took a step forward. She remained where she was. as he said, "I'm going to tell you something I have never told anyone in my life. And I don't want you to say anything until I've finished."
Kate opened her mouth to protest.
"No, I'm enforcing the rule you so stupidly love, now. No Talking, Kate. Not from you."
"That's not how it works." she frowned.
"Tonight, it does."
His angry gaze dropped to her lips. Anthony closed his eyes and exhaled loudly.
"No, it-"
"I LOVE YOU!" Anthony's body dwindled as if the words had set him free. It definitely was in her case.
Her entire world stopped spinning.
Was she still breathing?
Does she still exist?
Kate returned his gander, steady and unfaltering. Unlike the air sibilating from their lungs.
His eyes were teary as he continued, "Ever since I met you, no one else has been worth thinking about. I never wanted more until I met you. Even the shortest conversation with you makes me so senselessly happy. You are the most complicated woman I have ever met, Kate. And I don't care how it gets even more complicated. I will still want you. I will always want you…"
"Rules used to be my anchor. But I hate it with you. But I love you still. I love you always. And I know you feel it too. You have to." He finished with a hand to his heart.
In their acquaintance, Kate relished the competitive streak between them. It had been the highlights of her week. She prided herself in being vocal and forward. Her quip were always more than ready, all saved up to outshine and surpass his riposte.
Up till now.
Love was inexplicable stupid.
She was inexplicably stupid.
"I don't know what to say." She admitted, her eyes blurring. "I have a tendency to ruin the greatest things in my life with my mouth."
Anthony smiled, taking one final step towards her. "I would consider it the greatest honor of my life to be ruined by you, Kate."
She steeled herself for her next words, feeling the warmth of it cloak her into bliss, safety— him. "But I love you too. I didn't want to. But I do. It's like trying to stop time, impossible and hard. I have no control of it. I don't want to evercontrol it. I love you Ant—"
His name died on her lips as Anthony pulled her in for a long, hankering kiss.
It was heady how much she wanted him and finally knowing how much he wanted her back.
"You're mine!" Kate whimpered against his lips, her arms and thighs caging him. "Mine!"
Anthony laughed at the possessiveness in her tone. "You seem to think that's still up for debate— it's not." His lips descended down her jaw as her fingers fumbled with the fastenings of his trousers. He swept the stuff off his desk before depositing her on the edge of it. Her breasts felt like heaven against his.
She cursed, nibbling on his lips as she shoved his trousers and boxers down his knees using her foot. "You and your words!"
"You love it!" He pointed out, stepping out of his clothes.
She panted, taking a pause from sucking another hickey on his neck. "I love you!"
Anthony grunted, dazed and so fucking relieved that she felt the same way. "Fuck, say that again." He pleaded with his eyes closed, his forehead on hers. "Say it again, please."
Her hands cupped his jaw. "I love you, Anthony." Her voice, a mere whisper against his lips. I think I've love you far longer than I became aware of it."
He groaned before crushing her lips, her body on his, cursing the little distance between them. Anthony felt like his body and soul could burst into flames. His fingers burrowed themselves in her heat again. Kate careened herself to him, one arm stretched behind her.
"I need you now." She squirmed when his his third finger pierced her. "Anthony, please."
His fingers jerked. Kate held them on her hips, intertwining them as they take a moment.
It was funny. Anthony never gave too much thought about eyes before. For him they were all the same; hazel, blue, grey, green, brown, just that. Colors not unlike the crayons or paint in the nursery.
But his desk was near a large window, the last glints of daylight beaming down on them. Anthony felt the familiar thud in his chest as her brown eyes penetrated him. But the brown had melted and Anthony found himself getting more pulled in the more he stared. They were like pools of stolen sunlight, gold, rich and deep. Their beauty was inimitable, incomparable to Aubrey's picturesque view- a view he had loved his entire life.
His hand moved in their own accord. It drifted to her cheeks, then to her jaw. "You are mesmerizing."
She expelled a hot breath. "Anthony—"
He adjusted his stance and dragged her to the edge of the table. "You own my heart, Kate."
"As much as you own mine. May be even more."
"Impossible." He smiled.
"Do you always have to be so competitive?"
Anthony, crazed by this novel and wild need to make her feel good, feel loved by him, finally pushed.
"Yes."
"Oh god." Kate's head stretched towards the ceiling. He kissed her throat as they fell into a familiar yet torrid rhythm. He kept his forehead on hers, their eyes both open as he rammed into her. Her mouth dropped with each new thrust, her nails scratched his back, his shoulders, his chest. With one hand, he held her thigh on his side, the other was digging her lower back, embracing him to her.
"Oh fuck! Oh Jesus. Fuck yes, right there! Anthony!"
He bit down the pulse point on her neck. "Try to be quiet for me, baby. Can you do that?"
Kate took her lower lip in her mouth and nodded.
"Good girl." He rolled his hips, rooting deeper into her. "You feel so good like this baby. Always so fucking good. Jesus Christ."
Their bodies made obscene squelching noises as the poor desk rattled beneath them. Her curls tumbled with every move he makes. Her knees locked themselves around him, they wound even tighter as she came.
His voice, deep and gentle and urgent, solid in his resolve. "Kate—"
"Let go, baby." She quivered under the assault of his renewed thrusts. Kate pulled him for another deep, fierce and dirty kiss, ending it with a hard bite on his lips. Then she said sincerely, lovingly "Anthony, I love you."
Anthony cradled her to him as he felt the last traces of his restraint vanquish with her words.
He had fetch a warm blanket to wrap themselves in as they snuggled on the lounge chair.
She nestled between his thighs, his front pressed against her back. He was playing with a strand of her hair, marveled at how the helix springs back whenever he so much as unfurl it.
"When you're both done..." Benedict's voice echoed from behind the door. "Anthony, Mum's looking for you!"
She heard snickers, another male voice joining him. "And hi Kate!"
Kate tensed but relaxed once Anthony wrapped an arm around her abdomen to keep her in his embrace. "Piss off, you two!"
"Please sanitize everything before you leave. The children read in there."
"Go away!"
The sound of their laughters ceased and Kate moved to get up. Only for Anthony to reel her back in.
"Ignore them." he muttered, kissing her temple. "Stay."
She settled back in his arms, already loving the lazy air surrounding them. "That depends."
His mirthful chuckle reverberated on her back. "On what, darling?"
"Depends on whether you'll make it worth my while."
Anthony laughed heartedly, making her glow with warmth and pride that someone like him could ever love her.
"You are an insatiable woman, Kathani." He tilted her chin over her shoulder and snatched her lips with. "I fucking love you."