Brushing her teeth had been a good excuse to run off before the stupid tears started running. Wonder had been so sure she looked sexy and desirable, but apparently it wasn’t enough.

Or maybe it wasn’t about that at all. Maybe it was about not wanting a woman who was still thinking about another guy.

What was the perfect moment Anandur was waiting for?

And what did he want to do at that moment? Tell her that he changed his mind? That he didn’t want to be with her until she’d gotten Esag out of her head for good?

She should’ve never admitted to remembering more. That must’ve been what had caused Anandur’s change of heart, and her comment about not being sure she’d loved Esag had apparently done nothing to mitigate the previous one about remembering having been attracted to him.

It had started so promisingly. After Anandur had made that comment about eating her up after dinner, she’d gotten so excited imagining all the things he was going to do to her.

Had he changed his mind after that comment? Had he regretted making it?

That was what he must’ve been thinking during those long awkward moments of silence that had stretched between them over dinner. She’d convinced herself that it was nothing, and that Anandur was too hungry to carry on a conversation, but apparently his mind had been churning over Esag.

Sometimes, honesty wasn’t the best option. She should’ve kept her mouth shut.

Damn it, she’d been so close. Now she would be going home the same as she’d left.

A virgin.

Ugh.

Grabbing a towel, she wiped her mouth. It was all minty fresh, except, much good that was going to do for her. It wasn’t as if kisses were on her horizon tonight. The only question was who got to sleep in the big bed and who got the couch.

When the bathroom door opened, she expected Anandur to tell her that coffee had been delivered; she hadn’t expected him to grab her elbow and turn her around.

“Come here, lass,” he said as he crushed her against him and planted a hard, closed-mouth kiss on her lips. “I was looking for a perfect moment to say this, but I realized that any moment is a good one for what I have to say. I love you.” He looked into her wide open eyes. “That’s it. I said it. Now I’m taking you to bed.” Anandur lifted her up and swung her around, so she was cradled in his arms.

For several seconds, Wonder was too stunned for words. Anandur loved her? That was what he’d been trying to say throughout the evening?

How had she misjudged his intentions so completely?

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered, “I love you too.”

He grinned down at her. “Good.”

“That’s it? Good?”

“Aye. I love you, and you love me, and we are going to make love. That’s good, true?” He laid her down on the bed and sat next to her. “I know it’s a pathetic declaration of love. I wanted it to be special, but it didn’t work out. I planned a romantic candlelight dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, and a relaxing massage, but you wanted none of that.”

Gods, it was all her fault. In her rush, she’d spoiled Anandur's plans.

She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I’m sorry. Do you want to do all of that tomorrow? We can wait another day.”

He chuckled. “Who’s stalling now, lass?”

She lowered her eyelids and smiled. “I don’t want to wait.”

“Good, then take off this nightgown and lie on your tummy. I promised you a massage.”

Oh, gods. It was finally happening.

“Okay.” She pulled the nightgown over her head, tossed it on the floor, and flipped around to lie on her belly.

Anandur’s big hand rested on the small of her back. “I’m going to unclasp your bra.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He popped the clasp open and slid the shoulder straps down her arms. “Can you take it off for me?” He moved her hair to the side and kissed the back of her neck.

Without lifting up, Wonder pulled the bra out from under her, and then let it flutter down to the floor. All that remained were her panties, and that wasn’t much coverage at all. Although not a true thong, the strip of lace in the back still left most of her butt cheeks bare.

“And now these.” Anandur hooked his thumbs inside the elastic on both sides. “Lift up your beautiful bottom for me.”

She did as she was told, feeling both incredibly exposed and aroused. It was good that her face was buried in a pillow. If she had to look at Anandur, she would’ve lost her nerve.

As he pulled the panties all the way down her legs, caressing every inch on the way, his strong hands were gentle. For such a big man, his touch was incredibly tender.

“Fates, just look at you,” Anandur rasped as he cupped one butt cheek. “Perfection. I have never seen such a gorgeous ass.” He cupped the other one and kneaded it lightly. “Guess which part I’m going to massage the longest?” Now both of his hands were cupping and kneading her cheeks. “There is a lot of tension here that needs my attention.”

Regrettably, he had to abandon her bottom to squirt lotion into his palms. “I’m going to warm it up a bit.” Bending down, he kissed each cheek, at the same time rubbing his hands together.

As she waited for them to return, Wonder bit on her lower lip.

She should’ve felt embarrassed about lying naked with her lady bits on full display for Anandur’s eyes, especially since he was still fully dressed, but she didn’t.

Wonder felt sexy, desired, loved, and more than ready to take this all the way to completion.