As Eric's hand clasped hers, Ana felt her lower body begin to thrum in anticipation. "How wet are you, Ana?" he asked in a low growl as he pulled her closer.
"It's trickling onto my thighs," she answered weakly, trying to concentrate on staying upright. Her legs felt like jelly, and Eric's pace was so hurried she could barely keep up with him. "Where are we going?" she asked breathlessly.
"To take care of you," he informed her huskily.
Ana sighed in relief. There was nothing she wanted more in that moment than for him to 'take care of her,' but when he came to an abrupt halt, she crashed into him. "Hey, Chris!"
Ana felt her gaze narrowing at the raven haired beauty blocking their path; a sharp stab of jealousy assaulted her, and Ana nearly growled at the woman.
"Are you trying to break the bones in my hand?" Eric asked dryly.
Ana immediately loosened her grip; her glare, however, remained fixed on the young woman in front of her. Apparently her glower wasn't threatening enough, because the young woman beamed back at her. "You must be Ana!" she said excitedly as she stepped forward to give Ana a big hug; she was nearly as excited to see her as Kate had been. "Mom told me all about you!" She let go after a quick squeeze, then proceeded to give Ana the once over.
"Ana," Eric said dryly. "This is my sister, Mia. Mia, this is Ana."
"Oh," Ana said in surprise; it didn't escape his notice that he'd successfully avoided explaining who she was to him.
Eric had spoken of his sister before, but Ana had never seen a picture. "It is so nice to meet you," she said genuinely. And a damn good thing you're related to Eric, her mind silently added.
"Mia," Eric said, his tone softening. "Welcome home."
"Thank you," she said enthusiastically. "I missed you!"
"I missed you, too," he said as he let go of Ana's hand and hugged her tightly. "I swear you've grown a good five inches."
Mia laughed. "I have not grown at all," she insisted. "And let me tell you, that was no easy feat with those French pastries surrounding me day in and day out."
Eric grinned down at her. "You look beautiful, Mia," he said tenderly.
"Thank you," she returned, then looked from Ana to Eric. "Where are you going?"
"I was going to give Ana a tour of the house," he said smoothly as he reached for her hand.
"Oh. Well, there's plenty of time for that later," Mia said with a wave of her hand. "Mom asked me to let you know dinner is ready. You're sitting at the table that has the center piece with the shiny blue Christmas balls."
Ana's eyes widened as her hand once again tensed desperately around Eric's. He gave her a reassuring look, and then led her to the formal dining area.
"Were those claws I spied back there, Ms. Thompson?" Eric asked in amusement as he pulled Ana's chair out for her; he moved it closer to his own as he did so.
"Indeed they were, Mr. Miller," she whispered huskily.
"I like them."
Her brows arched as she met his gaze. "Then perhaps you'll leave me unbound one time so I can drag them down your back," she suggested as she sat down. He could almost smell her arousal, and had to force back a groan at the thought.
Glancing around at the others at the table; he noticed Kate and Elliot were seated across from them. To their left were Dr. and Mrs. Holmes, then the Jacksons on the other side. There were eight tables spread throughout the room, and typically his mother seated at least one Miller at each table. She must've put him and Ana with Elliot and Kate in hopes to make Ana more at ease. He'd have to remember to thank her for that later.
Eric picked up the wine glass the waiter placed in front of him and drank deeply, trying to tamp down his desire. If the raging hard-on between his legs was any indication, he'd grossly overestimated his self-control. Assuming he'd be able to make it through the evening, he'd forgone climax in favor of the anticipation. He was realizing now how much of a mistake that was.
"Excuse me."
Everyone's eyes were drawn to his mother, standing before the microphone on the stage at the front of the room. "I apologize in advance, but there's been a slight delay with dinner," she explained. "The first course should be coming around in approximately twenty minutes. Please, enjoy each other's company in the meantime."
Eric intended to do just that.
Ana tried to feign interest in something the man who'd been introduced as Dr. Herby Holmes was saying, but she was having a hard time. The ache between her thighs was escalating, and she couldn't find a relaxed position. Doggie style, her mind taunted. She nearly whimpered at the thought. She tossed a smile Eric's way when he reached underneath the table for her hand, but instead of lacing his fingers with hers as she'd fully expected him to do, he pulled her hand toward his lap.
She swallowed past the sudden lump of desire, trying to appear casual she glanced over. Her breath caught in her throat when he placed her palm between his legs and moved it back and forth; she could feel him throbbing beneath her touch. His hand let go of hers to open his button, and she reached for his zipper.
Eric drew in a sharp breath as Ana eased his zipper down inch by agonizing inch. She pushed her hand tentatively beneath the waistband of his boxers and wrapped it around his cock. Her eyes met his, and he gave her a nod he was certain only she'd noticed. She pulled her hand up, teasing the sensitive flesh of his tip with her thumb before drawing it back down; her fist tightened on it's descent, and he grit his teeth to keep from groaning.
Clearing his throat, he leaned toward her and placed a soft kiss on her temple. "Do you remember where the potted plant is?" he asked in a low voice.
She nodded in return.
"If you go down that hallway, the third door on the right leads to a bathroom. Excuse yourself and wait for me," he ordered.
She let go of him and pulled her hand away, then stood. She looked around the table. "Please excuse me," she said with an apologetic smile.
Eric zipped his pants, and then buttoned them as he watched her retreat. The next seven minutes were going to be a bitch.
"I should probably go check on Ana," Kate said five minutes after her friend's departure.
"I'll go," Eric insisted as he stood. His tone came out harsher than he'd intended, but he didn't propose to spend the next few minutes apologizing. Instead, he turned on his heel and strode toward the direction Ana had taken when she'd left.
Ana started at the knock on the door. "Just a moment," she called, waiting.
"It's me," Eric hissed.
She hastily stepped forward and unlocked the door. Eric walked in and promptly shut it, locking it behind him. "I want you to finish what you started at the table," he commanded.
She nodded as she reached for his waist, her eyes locking on his as she slid his zipper down. "Fuck, Ana," he bit out as he reached for her. His hand clamped the back of her neck, hauling her face to his. His lips were rough, his kiss plundering as his tongue stroked hers. He abruptly pushed her away, his hands clutching her shoulders. "We will never be separated for that long again," he informed her firmly.
"Yes, Eric," she said obediently as she pushed his pants and boxer briefs down over his thighs. When she reached for him, he grabbed her wrist and thrust it away. "Use your mouth."
With no hesitation, she dropped to her knees before him.