Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 94874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Oh, hey.” Good. That’s the perfect amount of disinterest. Play it cool, Summer. No need for him to think you’ve been sitting here, waiting for him to show up and make your day.
A smile simmers around the edges of his lips.
Have I mentioned how seriously kissable they look?
Or that I’m dying to feel them sliding over mine?
His tongue peeks out to lick at his bottom lip before biting down on the plumpness.
Holy hell. Liquid heat pools in my core, and a small sigh slips from my mouth.
Oh God, please tell me that didn’t just happen.
Cautiously, my gaze darts to his to determine the situation. The smile curving his lips turns decidedly cocky. That, coupled with the knowing glint in his eyes, makes me realize that he’s well aware of the effect he has on me. If I were smart, I would pull the plug on this disastrous interaction by gathering up my stuff and vanishing inside the house.
The only thing getting me through this unfortunate moment is the knowledge that I’ll never see him again. It’s not like we live in the same city. Or go to school together. He’s a random guy on the beach.
See? I feel better already.
He tilts his head as his dark eyes dance. “Any chance you’ve been waiting for me?”
“What?” I force out a disbelieving chuckle. “A little full of yourself, aren’t we?” I grab the book from my lap and hold it up as proof. “I was reading.”
“Hmmm.” My guess is that he doesn’t believe me.
Apparently, we can add intelligent to his growing list of attributes. It goes right up there with gorgeous and muscular.
“That’s too bad, because I was hoping to see you again.”
Be still my heart.
I blink. Did he really just say that?
This dreamy hunk of a guy was actually looking for me?
Me? No way.
I’m pretty sure my brows just slammed into my hairline with disbelief. Wait a minute. I’m supposed to be playing it cool. I need to pretend like hot muscly jocks talk to me all the time.
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” he steps closer, “I was planning on taking my boat out today and was wondering if you wanted to join me.”
Is he kidding?
Hell yeah, I do!
Instead of jumping out of my chair and straight into his arms, I keep my ass firmly planted in place while tapping a finger against my lips. “Hmmm, I don’t know. As you can see, I’ve got a packed day planned out.”
His lips tremble. “You do look busy.”
“Give me a moment to consult my calendar.” Before he can say anything further, I continue. “All right, I’ve checked it. If I shift around a few things, I can squeeze you in.”
“Wow.” His broad shoulders shake with silent laughter as humor fills his eyes. “I really lucked out, didn’t I?”
“Right?” I give him an overly bright smile, finally feeling like I’m on even ground with a guy who could easily be mistaken for a Greek god.
Just like in the movies, he stretches out his hand and I almost squeal in delight—but keep all the joy trapped deep inside where it can’t stoke his ego—before placing my fingers in his. Once his hand closes around mine, he pulls me effortlessly to my feet.
So.
Many.
Muscles.
I grab my canvas bag which contains my cell phone, towel, coverup, sunscreen, sandals, and a bottle of water. All the necessities for a day on the water. I toss the book inside before hoisting the straps over my shoulder.
Voilà. I’m ready to go.
He glances toward the tiny blue house. “Do you need to tell your parents you’re taking off?”
What does he think I am?
A baby?
“Of course not,” I scoff before fishing around in the bag for my cell. “But I’ll shoot them a text, so they don’t worry.” My fingers fly over the keyboard as I fire off a quick message before tossing it back inside the oversized tote. “Okay, all set.”
“Cool.” A smile curves his lips as he shifts his weight in the sand. “Should we get moving?”
“Definitely.”
We walk for about fifteen minutes and pepper each other with light questions. As we head north, the houses continue to get more gigantic until they look like the beach version of a McMansion. We stop in front of a massive gray two-story with bright white trim painted around the windows.
With his hair blowing in the wind, he jerks his head toward the house. “This is me.”
“Wow.” I’m sure my face registers the shock coursing through me. This place is easily three thousand square feet and sits on prime lakefront property. I can’t begin to imagine what a house like this costs.
We walk up the sand path that cuts through the wild grass that grows on the dunes until we hit a manicured lawn with a diamond pattern mowed into it.
Fancy.
There’s a rectangular-shaped pool of crystal-clear water and a hot tub near the back of the house. The patio has a massive stone fireplace and an inviting gray wicker couch with plush blue cushions. An oversized umbrella shades the seating arrangement from the sun. I can almost imagine curling up there with a good book.