Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) by Annette Anders (best books to read for knowledge .TXT) 📕

He heard the fear in her voice and wanted to comfort her. “I agree with you, but don’t forget, Revan is tough.”

“I know, but still…” she said, and his heart jumped when she snuggled closer.

Twilight had turned to night, and stars glittered in the dark sky. David pointed up. “There’s Polaris. I can’t tell you how many times I looked at it and wished I was with you.”

He touched her charm bracelet. “When I saw you’re still wearing this, I began to hope it wasn’t too late for us.”

Instead of answering, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him. “I never took it off.”

They took their time strolling back to his hotel. Before they entered the lobby, Stella saw the lined-up taxis and said, “I’ll grab one of those after I get my purse from your room.”

“I’m coming with you. I don’t like the idea of you being alone with a stranger who might not speak English,” he said.

“You don’t have to, but I won’t say no,” she smiled.

In his room, she picked up her purse and the rose. “The first flowers you gave me were yellow roses, do you remember?”

“I do. The florist around the corner from you recommended it as the color for friendship, but also for joy and caring.” He didn’t take his eyes off her as she traced the petals with a fingertip.

“And today? Did you ask for this color?”

“Yes. Because it also conveys gladness and affection, as well as good luck, welcome back, and remember me.” He kissed her. “Aren’t you impressed with my knowledge of the language of flowers?”

Her carefree laughter was music to his ears.

“I am. And thank you. Umm… What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Seeing you, I hope. Do you have anything planned?”

“Julia and I keep talking about visiting the Louvre. Would you be interested in meeting us there?”

“Do I really need to answer?” He tightened his arms around her.

The kiss started out slow and patient, but soon he couldn’t keep himself from deepening it, and their tongues met. Her hand came around and cupped his neck. He took the rose out of her hand and placed it on a table.

“It doesn’t have thorns, but I’d rather not be distracted when you’re in my arms,” he whispered.

She dropped her purse on a chair and stretched to reach both hands behind his head, pulling him down to kiss his eyes.

“When I saw the anger and the fire in your eyes earlier, I knew you were serious about regretting what you did. Don’t even think about pulling something like that ever again.”

“I promise you, baby. I’m not about to make the same mistake twice,” he said, and kissed her again.

Coming up for air, he said, “We didn’t have dessert yet. Would you like to have something before you have to go?”

“I can’t eat anything, but maybe...” Stella started to unbutton his shirt and followed each button with a kiss on his bare chest.

His body responded in a flash, and he knew she was aware of every hard inch of him. He stopped her teasing fingers with one hand.

“Stay the night. Please. I’ll take you back to your hotel as early as you want in the morning,” he begged as he skimmed a hand up and down her back, pulling her closer.

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes or a toothbrush,” she said.

“I always travel with a whole set of new toothbrushes. And the hotel has courtesy kits. Do you need anything else, any umm…woman stuff?”

“No, I have enough ‘woman stuff.’ Why can’t men use the proper terms? Repeat after me. Tam-pon,” she said and wiggled her eyebrows. “But I didn’t bring anything to sleep in.”

“You can wear one of my T-shirts, although…you might not need it.”

“Do you want to sit on the sofa and look at the moon?” Stella asked. She pressed her body against his, from hip to chest.

“No,” he growled. “I want you in my bed. In my arms. I’ll be happy to just lie there and hold you.”

“Okay, then. I’ll text Julia to let her know I’ll be back very, very late.”

“Why Julia and not your BFF?”

“To avoid too many questions. It would take away time I’d much rather spend with you!”

“Then, by all means, please text Julia.” Laughing, he walked into the bedroom. “Let me get you a toothbrush and a fresh T-shirt.”

“Done!” Stella announced a moment later as she put her phone away, then took out her cosmetics pouch and followed him into his bedroom before she disappeared into the bathroom.

When she emerged, she looked so damn sexy in his shirt he wanted to take her right there, and the flash of dark purple underwear he glimpsed when she climbed into bed next to him was almost the last straw.

Yeah, this would be a rather uncomfortable night. But it was worth it.

Stella snickered as she snuggled into the crook of his arm. “Wait until Naomi finds out one of her new panties made it on the catwalk today.”

David almost choked on his saliva. “You’re wearing Naomi’s panties?” He lifted the hem of the T-shirt. “Why?”

“Because she made a big deal about buying them last weekend and said maybe they’d see some action. She doesn’t know I stole this pair. I wanted to feel sexy when we had our big talk.”

“I can assure you, you’re sexy as hell. And not because of the lingerie, though it’s a pretty bow on a gorgeous package. But a gentleman knows when to shut up and appreciate what’s so beautifully presented.”

Her hands trailed up and down his chest and abs, where she made little circles with her fingertips.

“Baby, you better tell your hands to behave or my boy can’t sleep.” He had a hard time talking. Or breathing. And concentrating well enough to do breathing exercises was impossible right now.

“Okay, then I’ll sleep now. Goodnight, love.” She tapped a fingertip on his erection, then kissed him on his mouth and snuggled her face against his chest.

He