Chapter Five
Seth leaned back on the blanket and looked up at the stars. “When do you think it’s going to start?”
“The card says in another fifteen minutes.” Anna had remembered that Mary had mentioned she was going to the fireworks that night, so they headed back to the Borcher booth and asked for a ride out to Klein Hill, a spot just outside the town. After a quick stop home to get a blanket and some food and to tell Lucie where they were going, they were off. Now they had set up camp in a little out-of-the-way patch of grass, shielded by a large oak tree and a couple of bushes, but still able to enjoy the night sky.
The spot was perfect for viewing, and according to Anna, the town spared no expense when it came to the display.
Seth loved fireworks. Going to Navy Pier in Chicago in the summer was one of the highlights of his youth. There was something magical about seeing colors explode in the sky. For one brief moment in time, the world seemed quiet, and everyone was in awe over the wonders that mankind could make.
Anna had no idea how much fireworks meant to him, of course. How could she? He had never spoken of it, and she had always been working over the fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, when the fireworks were in town.
He found he wanted to tell her about it now, though. He wanted to share more of his childhood and himself with her. He wanted to strengthen their connection because he couldn’t shake the feeling he was losing her. Losing her to her family, to this town. He wanted to chain her to him so she’d stay. He was happier when she was around, more at peace.
Because of this, he didn’t say anything. Seth knew it was wrong to force her to do something she didn’t want to do. In the end, she would just resent him. In the end, it was her decision, her choice. He just had to focus on the here and now, and enjoy the moments they had left together.
Anna leaned back and settled her head on his chest. “Admit it. This is pretty good.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” She sat up and turned until her chin rested on his chest. “Maybe?”
“Okay, it’s . . . nice.”
“Nice.” She rolled her eyes. “We’re at one of the most beautiful spots in town, where we can see almost all of the city, and it’s . . . nice.”
He brushed a stray hair from her temple. “There’s still a crowd.”
She rolled her eyes. “You and your crowds. I never would have thought that you were such an introvert from your job at the spa.”
He shrugged. “That was different.”
“How?”
“It was a job. Most of the time I prefer being away from the crowd.”
“Why?”
He hesitated then decided to tell her the truth. “In my foster home, when we had visitors, it normally meant trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
He shrugged. “They drank a lot. Sometimes people got violent. Even when they weren’t violent, they were loud.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s over now.” He threaded his fingers into her hair and pushed it from her temple. “It’s the past.”
“Yeah, the past.” She turned her head and rested her cheek against his shoulder.
“Most of what I did at the spa was an act. It wasn’t really me.”
She lifted her head and stared at him. “Even with me?”
“You were different.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “You are different.” He let out a long breath and dropped his hand. “I know I can be difficult sometimes, Anna. It’s just I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Like what?”
“Like this.” He waved his hand between them. “A relationship. I feel like I’m constantly screwing things up.”
“No, not screwing things up.” She slid her fingers over his chest. “If we had more money, things would be different.”
Maybe, but then there would still be this town and the pull it had on her soul. The longer they stayed in Sapphire Falls, the more he felt as if he was losing her. He wished he knew the magic words to say so she could understand his fear.
“We’ll figure it out, Anna. We always do.”
Just then the fireworks started. Seth wrapped his arms around her as they oohed and aahed with the rest of the crowd at the colorful bursts in the sky. The explosions were loud, but his heart was quiet. For once, he wasn’t worried about the future or where their next rent check was coming from. He was just living in the moment, and it felt wonderful.
When the workers took a brief break to reload the fireworks, Seth threaded his fingers in her hair. “Anna.”
“Yeah?” She turned to face him.
He wanted to tell her that his heart was full, that he understood why she was drawn to this place and these people. He wanted to tell her that his life could never be this simple, but all his words got stuck in his throat.
So instead he did the best thing he could think of. He slipped his fingers around to the back of her head and pulled her toward him. “Come here.”
Anna never could resist his kiss. Seth eased forward, forcing her to lean back on the blanket. She leaned on her elbows as he slid his fingers up underneath her shirt.
“Seth, we’re in public.”
“There’re bushes around us. We’re fine.” He undid the buttons of her jeans as he kissed a slow, sensual trail down her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back as desire stirred in her lower abdomen.
“I love you, Anna,” he whispered against her neck. “I always have.”
“I love you, too.” She slid down until her head hit the blanket. Lifting her hips, she allowed him to pull off her pants and underwear until she was completely exposed to him.
“So beautiful,” he whispered as he lifted her knees and placed them on his shoulders. She gasped as he kissed her mound then slowly worked his way down to her opening.
“Seth, I—” She squeezed her legs around his head as he slid his tongue over her slick folds. Fisting the blanket, she let out a high, feminine sigh as he slid his hands underneath her ass and pressed his tongue into her center.
Oh God. Pleasure burst through Anna’s core. He knew that this was her kryptonite, her undoing. The evil man was trying to distract her with his tongue. To make matters worse, it was working.
“Seth.” She tilted her head up and threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close as he alternated between her opening and her clit. The man had the most amazing tongue. Just one swipe and she was racing toward oblivion.
“You’re such an addiction, Anna,” he whispered against her skin. “I’ll never get tired of tasting you.”
“I hope you don’t.” She widened her legs, allowing him better access. He slid his wicked tongue down her center, collecting the moisture forming there.
“I want you to come for me,” he whispered.
“Yes.”
“I want to hear you scream.”
She widened her eyes and glanced around. “But the other people—”
“Forget about them,” he said. “Right now there’s only you and me.”
As if to emphasize his point, he spread her folds apart with his fingers and slid his tongue deep into her core. He flicked in and out with rapid, hummingbird-like movements, driving her wild with need.
She curled her fingers in his hair as her muscles wound tight with desire. She felt herself climbing higher and higher until she was hovering on the edge of something vast and amazing.
As if sensing her tension, he moved faster, pushed deeper. Anna leaned her head back and whispered his name as the tension and pressure grew.
“I’m close.”
“Let yourself go, Anna. Let me taste you.” He slid his tongue up and flicked her clit, an action that sent a bolt of ecstasy through her core. The change in sensation was enough to push her over the edge. She called out his name as pleasure swirled around her body, turning her muscles to water.
He continued to stroke her center, first with his tongue, then with his finger, until every last drop of her orgasm had rolled through her. Spent, she let go of his hair and fell back onto the blanket, exhausted.
“That was amazing,” Seth said as he eased her legs back down on the blanket and moved up to kiss her mouth. Anna immediately wrapped her legs around him, loving the feel of his weight on top of her.
“You’re amazing,” she said.
“Even though I’m not a country boy?” he asked.
“You keep saying that you don’t belong here.” She brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. “But I think you’re wrong.”
He frowned. “I don’t belong in a small town.”
“Have you ever tried living in one?”
“Well, no.”
“How do you know you don’t belong unless you try it?”
He frowned. “I know what you’re doing, Anna. It won’t work. I’m a city kid, plain and simple.”
He started to pull away, and she clung to his shoulders. “Okay, I’m sorry. You’re a city kid.”
“I’m not staying in Sapphire Falls.”
“I know.”
“I have a life back in Chicago.”
“I do, too.” She nibbled her lower lip and avoided his gaze. She had a life, but she had problems there, too. She and Seth did nothing but fight in Chicago. Here they were happy. They had fun and connected on a deeper level than they ever had before. Why couldn’t he see that?
“Why do I sense a ‘but’ there?”
Instead of answering, she leaned up and brushed her lips against his. “Look, let’s not talk about the future. Let’s just enjoy the moment.”
He twisted his lips in a half smile. “Agreed.” He shifted his hips, and she felt his erection rub up against her through his jeans.
“That feels good,” she whispered.
“Does it?”
She nodded. “But I know something that would feel even better.” She slid her hands down to his zipper.
He raised his brow. “Do you, now?”
She grinned and slowly pulled down the zipper to his pants and reached inside. When she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, he moaned and closed his eyes.
“Better?” she asked.
He nodded. “Much.”
She eased him out of his confining clothes and raised her legs. “I need to feel you inside me, Seth.”
“I want that, too.” He opened his eyes, and the intensity she saw there took her breath away.
“I don’t want to lose you, Anna.” He pulled a condom out of his pocket.
She took it from his fingers and opened the packet. “You won’t.”
He closed his eyes and hummed his approval as she put on the condom. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” She eased him toward her opening and slid him through her slick folds.
“Anna, I . . .” He pressed his hips forward, and they both groaned as he slowly drove deep into her core.
“Yes,” she whispered as his hips tapped against hers. “That’s better.” She wrapped her legs around his.
They moved together, and as the cool breeze blew over their bodies, Anna had never felt so free or so wanton. Back in high school she had heard of other couples coming to this place to make out and have sex, but she had never done so herself. Doing this with Seth felt right. With each push into her center, he was telling her that her past no longer mattered. The insecure high school kid was a thing of the past. All that existed was him, this moment, and how incredible he could make her feel.
As the world around them faded away, she focused on the moment, on him. The primal slap of their bodies coming together filled the air, making her feel even more daring. She clawed at his back, at his ass, digging her nails into his flesh as if she could mark him as hers. Faster and faster they moved until she felt herself hovering on the edge once again. She spread her legs wider, allowing him to penetrate her deeper. Then, when she could no longer hold in the pleasure, she burst like a thousand starbursts, and joy poured through her body, filling her with bliss.
Seth tumbled quickly after her, and she held onto him tight as he whispered her name and followed her into oblivion. As ecstasy rolled through his body, she felt the connection deepen between them, and she knew that, no matter what happened, she didn’t want to lose the precious man who had grown to mean so much to her.
When the fireworks were over, they hitched a ride back into town with some more locals Anna knew from high school. Anna marveled at the carefree and giving nature of the people in Sapphire Falls. There was no way any of this could happen in Chicago. Not that Chicago was a bad place. It was just different. A good kind of different.
The more time she spent in Sapphire Falls, the more she wanted to stay. She didn’t know what she was going to do at the end of the week when the car was fixed and Seth wanted to return to Chicago.
As soon as they were dropped off in her grandmother’s driveway, Anna pushed the dark thoughts from her mind. They waved goodbye and, as the car drove off, the lights on the porch went on, and two beady little eyes peered at them through the living room window. It was all Anna could do to keep from laughing.
“Has she stayed up to wait for us?” Seth asked.
“I think so.”
“Am I going to get in trouble?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” She glanced over at him. “You nervous?”
“Of your grandmother? No.” He stared at the eyes for a moment before continuing. “Although you have to admit, it is a little creepy.”
Anna laughed and squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Come on.”
They hurried up the steps and Anna keyed them in the front door. “We’re home, Grandma.” Anna flicked on the light and saw the elderly woman huddled in her armchair, shivering.
“Oh my God.” Anna rushed over to her. “Are you all right?”
Her grandmother stared at her for a moment, and Anna got an uneasy feeling.
“I’m so cold,” she said.
“Here.” Seth picked up the handmade crocheted blanket from the back of the sofa and tucked it around the old woman. “How’s that?”
“Better, thank you.”
“I got you that package you wanted,” he said as he held up the bag.
The old woman stared at it as if she had no idea what he was talking about.
“Maybe you should put it in the kitchen,” Anna suggested. As Seth left the room, she returned her attention to her grandmother. “Are you feeling okay, Grandma?”
“Yes, dear, I’m fine. I’m just waiting for my dear Debbie to come home.”
Anna’s entire body went cold, as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on it. When she had talked about Anna’s mother last night, it was easy to dismiss it as a dream, a moment of confusion in an old woman. Now, hearing it again, Anna knew that there was something terribly wrong.
“Who’s Debbie?” Seth asked as he came back from the kitchen.
“My mother.” Anna squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “Debbie isn’t here, Grandma. She left to travel the world, remember?”
She turned her focus to Anna. Her face looked sad and worn. “Frankie will be so disappointed.” She turned toward the window. “He should be home any moment now from the doctor’s. I’m waiting for him.” She shook her head. “I hope he hasn’t been drinking again.”
“What is she talking about?” Seth asked. “Who’s Frankie?”
“I think she’s talking about my father, but he’s been dead for years.” Anna sat on the sofa and rested her hand over her grandmother’s. “Grandma, I’m here. It’s Annabelle.”
The old woman narrowed her gaze, as if studying her face.
“Daddy died in a car crash, remember?”
The woman frowned.
Anna brushed a stray gray hair from the woman’s head. “He never saw a doctor. He was driving into the city for his work. He was drinking on the job again and got into an accident.” The words were hard to say, and Anna blinked back tears as she tried to keep her voice steady.
Lucie pressed her lips together as if she was concentrating.
“I’m sorry, dear. What was your name again?” she finally said.
“I’m Anna, Grandma. Anna Richards. Your granddaughter.”
The woman frowned for a moment then a spark flashed in the depths of her eyes. “Anna! You’re home!”
“Yes.” Anna let out a long breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Yes, I’m here.”
“It’s so good of you to visit me. Wait until Kendra hears that my granddaughter is in Sapphire Falls!”
“Perhaps we should get her to bed,” Seth suggested.
“That may be a good idea,” Anna said as she held out her hand. “Let me help you up.”
“But I want to hear all about your life in Chicago.”
“There will be time for that tomorrow. I think we’re all tired and could use a good night’s sleep.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
Seth and Anna helped her into a standing position. Seth handed her the cane leaning in the corner of the room.
Lucie smiled and patted her arm. “It’s so good to have you home, dear.”
Anna glanced at Seth. “I’ve got it from here.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I’ll call if I need help.”
Anna kept her thoughts to herself as she helped Lucie to bed. When she returned to the living room, she collapsed on the couch next to Seth. He immediately put his arm around her and pulled her close. For several minutes they sat in silence, each digesting what had just happened.
“That wasn’t normal,” Anna said.
“No,” Seth agreed. He paused for a few moments. “Perhaps your grandmother is sicker than we thought.”
Anna turned on the couch so she could face him. “She thought my father was still alive, Seth. She said that he went to see a doctor, but he never did.”
“How do you know?”
She turned in his arms. “What do you mean?”
“I mean how would you know? You were in high school at the time, right? I know a lot of parents who keep things from their kids, especially when they don’t want their kids to worry.”
Anna rested her head on Seth’s shoulder. “Maybe.” She thought about all the nights her father had gone out drinking after her mother left, and how it was her grandmother who had watched out for her and made sure she had gotten to school when her father had been too hung over to bother.
“Do you think my grandmother was covering for him?” she asked.
“It’s possible.”
“But that doesn’t explain what happened tonight.”
“Once thing’s for certain.” Seth slid his fingers over her arm reassuringly. “We aren’t going to get any answers tonight.” He patted her shoulder and eased off the couch. “Let’s go to bed. I’m sure we’ll find out exactly what’s going on in the morning.”
“Okay.” Anna slid her hand into his and followed him upstairs to bed. As her head hit the pillow and Seth’s arms wrapped around her, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding.
“Seth?” she asked once the lights were out.
“Yeah?”
“You saw her downstairs. She couldn’t remember me. Why couldn’t my grandmother remember me?”
“I don’t know, Anna,” he whispered. “I don’t know.” He pulled her closer and nuzzled his face against her hair. “We’ll find out tomorrow. Sleep now.”
Soon Anna could hear his rhythmic breathing, indicating that he was asleep. Anna knew that she needed sleep as well, but couldn’t seem to calm her brain down enough to rest. There were so many questions, so much emotion. As the minutes turned into hours, she knew that she was going to be in for a long night.