Page 31 of The Summer House

“Perfect.There’s that word again. Why is it so hard to give up?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. Because it’s not real? Maybe we all chase illusions. Maybe they’re safer.”

Mandy didn’t know how to respond to that. Before she could figure out an answer, Rick rose and held out his hand.

“Dance with me?”

They were both still casually dressed from their day at the aquarium. Their dinner would be arriving any second and the dance floor was small and exposed. Still Mandy stood and placed her hand on his, allowing him to lead her to the edge of the restaurant. When he turned toward her, she slipped easily into his arms.

The sun had set an hour or so before, and the moon rose behind them. She could see the first fingers of moonlight drifting across the ocean. Then Rick pulled her close and it was so much easier to close her eyes and let the world drift away.

They swayed together to the gentle rhythm of the music. Nothing else mattered but being close. His heat surrounded her, as did his scent. Her skin began to tingle as her heart rate increased. Desire swept through her. Over the past couple of weeks, she’d managed to keep her attraction to him at bay, but it suddenly burst free, threatening to overwhelm her.

She became conscious of their skin touching—bare legs brushing as they swayed together, his fingers laced with hers. Every movement, every breath became an erotic counterpoint to their slow dancing. Her breasts swelled. Between her legs, wanting grew.

What was wrong with her? Why was she reacting like this? Why now? The urge to run was strong, but the need to stay in his embrace was stronger still.

She was so caught up in trying to stay in control she barely noticed when they stopped moving. Rick cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.

“I know we’re not supposed to do much more than find closure. I agree that your plan is sensible. The hell of it is, I want you more than I want my next breath. Touching you like this…being with you. I’m on fire, Mandy. I figured I’d better just tell you, because I don’t think I can stand sharing that suite with you tonight. Not without coming on to you, which I know you don’t want. I guess my point is we need to drive back to Santa Barbara after dinner.”

His words nearly blew her away. She saw desire tightening the features of his face. Tension hardened every part of his body and she didn’t doubt that if she swayed a little closer, she would find physical proof of his arousal.

Yes, she’d come up with the rules and they were really sensible. Only a fool would risk taking things to the next level, just when they were—in theory—trying to finish with each other.

Wasn’t sensible highly overrated?

She leaned close and brushed his mouth with hers.

“I’m not really hungry,” she said. “Are you?”

He didn’t speak. Instead he stared at her as if unable to believe what she was saying.

“So maybe we should just go upstairs,” she continued.

“And pack?”

“No. And stay.”

His pupils dilated. “Mandy, are you sure?”

“Not really, but I know that I want you. As you seem to want me…” She cleared her throat. “I could go the ‘we’re both sensible adults route’ but the truth is this is crazy. I’ll admit it. I’m guessing you will, too. Let’s be crazy together.”

He grabbed her hand in a death grip and pulled her toward the table just as the waiter appeared with their entrées.

“Something’s come up,” Rick said, then grinned at his own pun. “Charge dinner to the room.” He gave the waiter their room number, then tugged her toward the exit, calling back, “Don’t forget to tip yourself.”

Then they were in the elevator. Even before the doors closed, Rick pulled her close and began kissing her. She felt the pressure of his mouth on hers, the heat of him. He licked her bottom lip, then when she opened to admit him, he plunged inside.

He tasted of wine and desire. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed against him, desperate to be as close as possible. Her hips arched forward, bringing her belly in contact with his hard arousal. At the first second of contact, her knees went weak. She dropped a hand to his rear and, before she could stop herself, she drew him even closer and ground herself against him.

His breath caught, then he broke the kiss and swore softly.

“I’m about five seconds from losing control,” he confessed. “How do you do that to me?”

“I’m not doing anything.”

He moved both his hands to her rear and pulled her tight. Then he rotated his hips, grinding himself against her.

---