Touch Me

Anna’s POV

I didn't wait for an answer. I rushed out of the room.

The night air whipped across my face like a splash of ice-cold water.

I collapsed onto the wooden steps of Tania's back porch and hugged my knees to my chest. The cool breeze cut right through my sweater, but inside, I was burning up.

Why couldn't he just kiss me?

A hot, humiliating tear slipped down my eyelashes. He protected me like a pet, but never touched me like a woman.

The screen door creaked behind me. Heavy, hesitant footsteps echoed on the floorboards.

I didn't need to look up to know it was him. His scent of cedar and leather enveloped me even before he sat down beside me.

"Anna," Anthony said softly.

He settled on the step below me and turned to look for my gaze.

"What got into you earlier? Why did you drink all those shots? You know you can't handle your alcohol."

"Go back inside, Anthony," I muttered, staring out into the darkened yard.

"No," he answered gently, reaching out.

His fingers brushed my knee, and a wave of heat spread through my entire body.

"You're mad at me. I saw it in your eyes when you drank those shots. What did I do?"

I let out a bitter laugh, choked by tears.

"What you did?"

I turned my head toward him. The porch light brought out the worry in his hazel eyes and the delicate curve of his lips. He was breathtakingly handsome.

"You drank half a bottle of tequila to keep your lips from touching mine," I blurted out in a hoarse, trembling voice, with that brutal honesty only alcohol could give me. "That's what you did."

Anthony froze completely.

"What?"

"Don't act like you don't understand!"

I hit my knee with my hand, while the tears finally began to flow freely down my cheeks.

"Everyone was watching us! They all know you think I'm ugly! You'd be ready to fight the whole room to defend me, but the thought of kissing me makes you want to vomit!"

"Anna, stop..."

"No! I've had enough!" I cried out, awkwardly wiping my cheeks with my sweater sleeve. "I'm sick of being your charity case! I'm sick of watching every girl in school throw herself at you while I stay in my corner like some pathetic loser following you everywhere! I didn't come to this party so you could protect me, Anthony!"

When he remained silent, I stood up abruptly.

"I'm going home."

Before I could even take a step, Anthony sprang up. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me firmly back.

I stumbled against his chest. His arms wrapped around my waist like iron bands, pinning me against him. The heat of his body burned right through my thick clothes.

"You think I drank that tequila because I didn't want to touch you?" Anthony growled in a husky voice, the vibrations echoing against my chest.

I tried to push him away, but he didn't budge an inch.

"Let me go..."

"Listen to me!" he snapped harshly, his fingers tightening around my waist to the point of sinking into my flesh. "I drank because those assholes were making fun of you! I wasn't going to let them watch you kiss me like you were just some vulgar dare in their stupid game!"

I froze and looked up into his dark, stormy eyes.

"Tell me if you want me to stop."

He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

My eyes widened. The kiss was fierce, desperate, electrifying. A gasp escaped me, and he used it to deepen the kiss, his tongue tangling with mine, tasting of tequila, mint, and pure desire.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulled him closer, and buried my fingers in his soft hair.

He groaned against my lips, then tightened his grip to press my hips against his pelvis. I felt the firm pressure of his erection against my stomach, and a shiver ran down my spine.

"Anthony..." I moaned against his mouth.

He pulled back slightly and pressed a kiss to my forehead, looking at me as if I were the most important person in the world.

"You're cute. Let's go back inside."

I held him back.

"No. Not like that."

He understood what I was getting at and shrugged.

"It'll be fine. It'll pass."

I bit my lower lip hard and took a step closer to him.

"I... I want this," I whispered, grazing his crotch with my fingertips.

A moan escaped him.

He stepped back.

"No, Anna. I can't do this to you."

I touched him again and applied gentle pressure, taking his breath away.

"You can. Please, Anthony. I want you."

He took my hand and led me down the porch steps toward his dark sedan parked at the edge of the lawn.

He unlocked the back door, opened it, and helped me in before climbing into the driver's seat and speeding off.

We didn't exchange a word until we arrived at his place and went up to his bedroom. The room smelled of cedar and clean laundry.

Before I even had a chance to look around, he kissed me fiercely again, then broke away abruptly.

"This is your last chance, Anna. Tell me to stop."

His voice was hoarse. I knew he wanted me, too.

I held his gaze as I pulled my t-shirt over my head, then unhooked my bra. My breasts were freed, heavy and firm, their tips hardened by the cool air and the way he was looking at me.

"Touch me, Anthony. I want you to touch me."

His throat tightened.

"After this, Anna, there's no turning back."