Page 13 of My Ex’s Dad

I am hungry, and I smile a little at how amused Anton was when my stomach growled. Like it was one of the most natural things that could happen.

Roman’s pickiness about my shape and size was a form of bullshit I regret putting up with for as long as I did. He was anal about what I ate and grimaced whenever I let on that I was hungry. Watching calories was a chore with him. Having to fake that I was good with tiny meals wore on me.

Instead of rolling his eyes that my stomach growled in hunger, like Roman did, Anton invited me to eat with him.

Someday, I’ll let myself see how different it can be. Comparing Roman to literally any other man on this planet is something I’ll put in the category of things to do later.

Right now, though, as I exit the room and head down the stairs to catch up with Anton walking that way, I decide to escape into this moment. To be present.

“Comfortable?” he asks, noticing I’m heading the same way.

He’s dressed down, too, and now I’m caught up wondering where he changed and how close he was to me when he did. “Yes. It’s nice not to have snow down the back of my shirt.”

I bite my lip at how he’s tracking my every move. Just as I reach the step above his, the lights cut out. The dark isn’t the problem so much as the shock of it, and I step too far forward.

I trip.

I pitch forward, right into his strong arms.

He secures me against him, twisting so neither of us goes down.

The lights flicker back on while he keeps me in his embrace. His hard, hot body pressed against me. A generator probably restarted the power, and the lights come on slowly, one after another. It’s just enough light for me to gaze up at him. To be mesmerized by the lines on his rugged face, the darkness of the stubble on his jaw and chin.

And the thrill of him lowering his head toward mine.

He’s as caught in the moment as I am—as hooked on holding me as I am on the way he’s looking at me, like resisting isn’t an option.

I lick my lips. My heart hammers and my skin is electrified as he brings one hand up to cup my face. He drags his thumb over my lips, and desire spikes through me.

I hold my breath as he dips in closer, his eyes hooded with lust as he aims to close the distance between us.

6

ANTON

Dinner is waiting for us.

Liliana is hungry for a meal.

As she watches me and reaches up to present her lips to me, I concentrate on this hunger instead.

Unable to think of a single reason why I shouldn’t, I lower my head until my mouth crashes into hers, sealing a wet, brutal kiss. Heat races over my skin. Air can’t fill my lungs fast enough. A delirious need to devour everything this woman can give me takes hold of me.

She grunts, a sexy sound of need I won’t ignore. I hold her close, still slanted from catching her when she tripped, but as she brushes her mouth over mine and kisses me harder, I fail again to find a reason why I shouldn’t.

There isn’t one I care about enough to stop.

Sliding my hands over her back, I twist to hold her tighter. She lifts her arms to cling to me, her hands on the back of my neck as I straighten her on the stairs. I cinch my arms around her, and still I can’t get her close enough. Can’t pull her in any more. A deep, sudden desire controls me, sparks flying between us from the first touch.

A couple of steps up, she’s almost level with me. Not as tall, but just the right height for me to overpower her.

Before I can, she stumbles. That’s all it takes for her to wrench her mouth away and suck in greedy gulps of air. “Anton.” A breathy admission of shock and intrigue and confusion, and it makes me harder instantly.

She licks her lower lip and swallows, her blue eyes impossibly dark and swirling with a storm of need. Wide-eyed and alarmed, she watches me like I can explain.

I kiss her again, parting her lips and seeking her tongue.

Her response tells me enough. Whatever her lack of experience, the hunger in her kiss matches mine.