Page 24 of Summer Swoon
Max’s heated stare had me tingling in places that have been dormant for a long time. Imagine what he could do if the rest of his body joined in. The problem is, while the desire is there, I’m in unfamiliar territory here.
I picked at the label on my empty bottle, then looked down at it, as if it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.
“Eve?” I glanced over at him. “Are you okay?” I nodded. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t.” He raised his brow. “Not really. I’m just–” I gestured as I searched for the best words to explain. “I started dating my ex-husband when I was eighteen and we were married for twenty years. It’s been a long time since I dated anyone, much less done anything else.”
He placed his bottle on the deck and shifted to better face me.
“Eve.”
His voice was low, intimate. The husky sound arousing in its intensity. My gaze met his and I lost myself in his chocolaty depths. Part of me wanted to look away, but I was too mesmerized. He moved closer and continued to speak.
“I really like you and from the moment we met, I felt drawn to you. I’d like to get to know you better, see where this can go.” Reaching out, he stroked my cheek, using just his fingertips. “But I hope you know I didn’t invite you here expecting anything.”
From anyone else, everything he’s saying would sound like pathetic lines, but I feel like Max is being honest. It’s only fair that I am too.
“I felt that connection too,” I said. “And even though I don’t think you asked me here because you expected anything to happen, I wouldn’t mind if something did. I just might need you to be patient with me.”
I put my head down to escape his gaze. Max leaned closer and the arousing combination of his warm skin and sea air drifted to my nose. He took the empty bottle out of my hand and placed it on the deck floor next to his.
“How about if we just take this slow and see where it goes?”
My heart raced and I nodded, not wanting to risk speaking in the breathless voice I was sure would emerge. Placing a gentle hand under my chin, he lifted my mouth to his.
The quick, powerful kiss nearly melted me in my seat and I wanted more. He must have read my mind, because in the next instant, his mouth covered mine again. Summer Shandy lingered on his palate, but as our tongues tangled, I finally got to taste his true essence. The man is delicious.
Max said we should take it slow, but instead I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and held him close. When that wasn’t enough, I threaded my fingers through his hair and curled them into his scalp.
He moved closer, pressing his mouth more fully to mine. I felt him shift and stir, then heard his chair creak. In the next instant, he was on his knees directly in front of me. Easing between my thighs, he wrapped his arms around my lower back, pulling me forward, until our hips and chests touched.
As he continued to feast on my mouth, I felt all his want and need, and gave all mine to him. It’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed, but I don’t remember it ever being like this, so raw and consuming. It felt like he was making love to my mouth and I was about to turn into a puddle.
Max broke the kiss, giving us a chance to take a much-needed breath. He looked directly into my eyes, seemingly asking permission to continue. I stroked my hand down the side of his face, enjoying the feel of the stubble that rasped the soft skin of my palm. The corners of my mouth lifted in a small answering smile.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more positive of anything in my life.”
“Thank fuck.”
He leaned forward and tossed me over his shoulder fireman style, then stood and carried me inside as my screeching laughter echoed around us.
* * *
Max
Instead of depositingher on the bed, I placed Eve gently at its edge. My hands traced every contour and curve of her body before settling on either side of her face. Her blue eyes darkened as she met my gaze.
“You make me crazy, you know that?” I gave her a quick peck and pulled back before it could get out of control. “Since the day I saw you standing on the porch in that Grumpy nightie, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“That was so embarrassing.”
“It was adorable.”
I punctuated my words with another kiss. This time, I didn’t pull back. We devoured each other, our lips and tongues stroking and savoring, as we gave in to the hunger that we’d kept at bay all day.