Page 2 of Summer with a Daddy

Confusion followed by a grin crosses his face. “No, no one else with be with us. It will just be you and me. Alone.”

Huh.

We stare at each other, the tension between us something I’ve never felt before when my dad breaks in. “I’m going to let you two make plans and get ready to make my speech.” He kisses my forehead as he passes, and I fight to not roll my eyes like a teenager.

“He’s very proud of you.” Luke steps closer to me, so close I can feel the heat coming off his body. I almost sway toward him so I can feel our bodies touch but catch myself and stop.

“I know, but sometimes…” I don’t want to finish that thought, but Luke is looking at me expectantly. “…he still treats me like a kid.”

Luke slowly lets his eyes drift down my body and then back up to my face. “There is nothing childlike about you, honey.”

“Um, thank you?” I stand there, unable to move away as my dad begins his speech. I want so badly to ask Luke what he meant, but his attention is now on the front of the room. Slowly, I turn and face my dad and try to listen. There’s movement out of the corner of my eye and I can feel Luke’s gaze on me, but I don’t look back over at him.

It’s going to be a very long summer.

CHAPTER ONE

NATALIE

Saying I’ve taken the long way to Love Beach, South Carolina would be an understatement. I left home five days ago for a drive that I could have done in one or two days. It’s not that I don’t want to reach my final destination, I’m just nervous about what’s going to happen once I get there.

A month ago, spending my summer with Luke Ashford sounded like a dream, but since then, I’ve convinced myself it’s the worst idea ever. How am I going to hide the insane crush I have on Luke?

After spending a day in both Memphis and Nashville, I’ve been in Charlotte for the last two days. When I woke up this morning, I knew it was time to make the last four-hour drive of my trip to Love Beach.

With a deep breath, I drive up to Luke’s beach house. It’s huge and beautiful, exactly what I pictured, and right on the beach. Turning off my car, I open the door and breathe in the salty sea air. I love being at the beach. I may have been born in a landlocked state, but my heart has always belonged to the water.

Before I can even make it out of my seat, the front door of Luke’s home opens and he walks out. Damn, he looks good. Every time I see him I think that he can’t look as good as I think he does and when I see him he’s even better.

I give a small wave and try to regulate my breathing. Be normal, Natalie. Luke doesn’t want some twenty-two-year-old woman fainting because she’s in his presence.

While I was talking myself down, Luke walked down his front path and to my car door, surprising me when he reached in to help me out of my seat.

“Luke!” I yelp. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were there.” I let him help me out of the car. His hand warm against mine.

“I thought you saw me. I’m sorry I scared you.” Luke says with his deep, sexy voice. “I wanted to help you with your bags.”

I nod. “I have a few.” I tried to pack light, but I’m staying for a few months and it’s hard to know what to pack for that long. Plus, I did some shopping at all three of my road trip stops. I hit the button on my keys to pop the trunk and walk around the car.

Luke laughs when he sees the full trunk. “You sure do.” He lifts the two heaviest as if they barely weigh anything. I had to roll them out to the car and it took all my effort. “Let’s get these two in and dropped off in the guest room and then I’ll come back for the rest. I know you only drove in from Charlotte, but I’m sure you need to refresh before we do anything.”

Is he telling me I look bad? “Um, sure.” I grab my computer bag, purse, and one of the smallest suitcases, leaving only one more bag in the car, and follow him into his house. I’m trying to look at everything all at once, but as we go up the staircase my eyes become glued to Luke’s ass and I can’t look away.

When he turns into a room, I almost run into the doorframe. I have got to get it together before I make a huge fool of myself.

“Is this room, okay?” Luke asks as he sets my suitcases on a bench at the foot of the massive bed in the middle of the room. “There’s another room down the hall, but this one has the best view.”

“This room is amazing, Luke.” Wandering over to the window, I look out at the ocean. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Yes, it is,” Luke agrees, but when I turn, he’s not looking out the window. He’s looking at me.

* * *

LUKE

Beautiful is an understatement. Natalie is fucking gorgeous and I’m in deep shit. As she glances at me over her shoulder, questions in her eyes, I want to grab her in my arms, throw her to the bed, and make love to her for hours.

Instead, I get the rest of her luggage from her car and make sure she has everything she needs. “I’ll let you get settled in. I’m going to cook out some steaks and we can eat by the pool.” I start to leave her room but turn back to get one more look at her sweet face. “I was thinking we could take a swim after dinner if you wanted to. It’s been another hot day and I promise the pool feels amazing in the evening.”

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