Loving Summer Read online

  She blushes again. “Eat. It’s good,” she says, and I grin at her, picking up the pizza taking a bite. It’s good, but it’s not New York good. After finishing her pizza, she stands.

  “What do you want to try next? There is a fried chicken that’s to die for,” she says.

  “Fried chicken it is,” I say following her lead.

  We must have tried five different things before she was ready to go. We also talked about every fucking thing under the sun. She is everything I have ever wanted in a woman and more. Even before I moved here, it’s been years since I’ve been on a date, let alone slept with anyone. She makes me want more. She makes me want everything.

  “I was going to take you dancing,” I state while we walk to the car.

  “Dancing is overrated. We could get a drink,” she offers instead. “There is a little bar right by my place.”

  “Sounds good. We might just make last call.”

  “We just might,” she says. When we get to my car, I realize we have not stopped holding hands for most of the night.

  After our drink, we stand at her door talking for a while, neither of us ready for the night to end.

  “I had a lovely evening.” She says, smiling shyly.

  “I’d like to do this again. Tonight?” I ask, looking at my watch. It’s three-thirty. Where did the time go?

  “I have to work tonight. How about you come in for some coffee or something?” she asks, her voice is thick with desire. Fuck. I imagine sinking into her pussy, claiming her, owning her. My cock hardens at the implications “coffee” suggests.

  “Coffee sounds good, but if I come in, coffee will be the last thing we’re thinking about. Are you ready for that?” I ask. When she hesitates, I already know her answer. I step into her space, backing her against the wall next to her door, and comb my fingers through her hair long thick hair that she wore down tonight. “Baby, I’m not rushing you, there’s no reason to.”

  She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, and I about lose my mind watching that plump bottom lip. I groan and realize I’ve waited too long to taste her. Like a deprived animal, I take her mouth in a hungry kiss, driving my tongue into her hot, waiting mouth. I’m not thinking, I’m going on instinct. She tastes sweet, and I can’t pull away from her. I need Summer like I need oxygen. Her lush body pressed against mine is driving me mad, but then the temptress slips her hands down my chest and up under my shirt. I’ve known since the moment I saw her she was going to be my woman, going to make me a husband, and would carry my babies, one day. I’m done waiting and judging by the way her tongue is curling against mine, she’s done as well. One day is starting today.

  Fuck, this is the best first kiss I’ve had in my life. Pulling away from her mouth, I kiss down her neck to the swell of her breasts, and she moans, pushing them against my mouth. Her soft hands trail up my stomach, then around my back. Her little fingers slip under my waistband and knead at my ass, pulling me toward her center. I was trying to be a gentleman, but my woman isn’t having any of it. When her hands come around to my front, and she tugs at my belt, I step back. The lust starts to fade, and I’m left looking at the most beautiful woman in the world all tussled up from our kiss. The look in her eyes about kills me, but I know this is for the best.

  “Go to sleep, baby. As much as I want this, I know you need a good night’s rest, especially if you’re working tonight. I’ll talk to you in a little while.”

  She bites that damn lip again and using my thumb. I tug it from her teeth and soothe the bite away with the pad of my thumb. “You drive me wild when you do that. Now go inside and dream about everything I’m going to be doing to this sexy body real soon.”

  “Good night, Drake.”

  “Sweet dreams, Summer.”

  She unlocks her door and walks in. I wait until I hear the lock slide closed and the chain against the door. I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave her again. It goes against my instincts to have her anywhere other than beside me where I can keep her safe.

  Three

  Summer

  I slip out of my four-inch heels, kicking them into my closet and wiggle out of my dress, all the while wondering why Drake didn’t accept my invitation to come in. Did I do something wrong? When I go to the bathroom, I take my makeup off and then braid my hair, so it’s not a mess when I wake up. I stare at myself in the mirror and smile. My lips are bruised, and he left red marks against my neck and chest. I can still feel his lips on me, the scruff of his facial hair against my skin, and the way his fingers dug into my hair and moved me where he wanted me. As far as first kisses go, we nailed it. I’ll be thinking about that kiss for a long time.

  I sigh, turning the light out in the bathroom and walk back to my bedroom. I take my bra off and throw it toward my closet and collapse in bed. I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking over everything that happened today. It’s so crazy that we ran into each other at the beach, but what’s even crazier is that he asked me out. I guess the crush I’ve been harboring for him hasn’t been one-sided. God, what was I even thinking inviting him in? I wouldn’t know what to do. I have no experience with men, he was my first kiss after all. Drake was right about slowing us down, but that kiss he left me with and the pole digging into my belly while he devoured me lets me know he’s definitely interested. Once I close my eyes, it doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep to dreams of sexy kisses.

  “Tell me everything!” Tori pleads while we’re taking our lunch break. We’re sitting outside at one of the picnic benches near the garden. This is one of my favorite places to escape to whenever I need a moment to myself or get a chance to take my lunch. Usually, we’re so busy I’m eating on the go, but today there were a couple more people on the schedule.

  “I already told you everything that happened. You do remember calling me and waking me up, right?” I laugh at Tori’s hopeful expression.

  She waves me off. “I can’t believe he kissed you like that and then he just left. There’s more to the story, there has to be more.”

  I laugh and throw a grape at her face. “Sorry to let you down Tor, but that’s it. He said he would talk to me later today.”

  “And?” She asks, drawing it out impatiently.

  “And nothing you goof. I haven’t heard from him.”

  “Maybe he’s busy,” Tori suggests, telling me the very thing I’ve been telling myself since I haven’t heard from him all day.

  I shrug. “Maybe.”

  “Don’t do that, Summer. Don’t be that girl who lets a guy get away because of a misunderstanding. You have a phone, you could text him you know, take the bull by the horns and-”

  My eyes get big, and I start coughing, choking on the grape that’s in my mouth. Tori jumps up and comes around the table. “Oh shit, Summer. Don’t choke.” She starts slapping my back but stops when she realizes I’m fine and what has shocked me in the first place. Drake is walking up with one of his friends, wearing his Hilton Head EMT uniform and carrying a bouquet of pink roses in his hand.

  When Drake spots me, he turns in our direction and gives me that cocky smile from the night before. “Hey, baby,” Drake says and hands me the flowers he was carrying, then leans in close and kisses my cheek.

  “These are beautiful. Thank you, Drake.” I smile and inhale the scent of the sweet flowers.

  Drake introduces me to his friend Chase who hasn’t stopped staring at Tori since they walked up. I recognize him from the beach yesterday, but what’s weird is Tori hasn’t said a word, even when he asks for her name she stares at him blankly. I have no idea what is going on, but this is very unlike her.

  “Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to call you today. There was a five-car pile-up on Route 278 early this morning, and I was called in to assist.”

  I should know better, it’s what we do, but I feel better now that he’s told me why he’s been silent. “Yeah, we heard about the accident when we first got on shift. Those in the accident were transported here.”

 
“How are they doing?” Chase asks.

  “Most of them are doing fine. They just needed to be checked by a doctor and have been sent home. I know there is an older couple that are both in critical condition in ICU. It would be terrible if one of them made it, and the other didn’t.”

  “If it were me in that situation, I wouldn’t be able to go on without her.”

  As soon as the words are out of his mouth, I know I would do anything to be the her, he’s talking about. Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me or the soft timbre of his voice as he speaks to me as if no one is around. A shiver runs down my back as I picture us spending the rest of our years together only for us to be torn apart at the end. I wouldn’t want to go on without him either.

  “Sweet Summer. What time do you get off tonight?”

  “Twelve-thirty.”

  “I want you to call me when you get home to let me know you got in safe and are all locked up.”

  “By the time I get home, it won’t be until after one.” I hedge, not comfortable about waking him up. “I’ll just send you a-”

  “If you’re about to tell me you’ll text me, you can shut that shit down now. I don’t care how late it is, just call me. I need to know you are home and safe, and I need to hear from you before I fall asleep.”

  I can’t really argue with that, now can I?

  By the time I make it home and pull into my spot in the parking garage, it’s well past one and creeping up on two. The thing I love most about this apartment community is the security it offers. I get in at crazy times, and I feel secure knowing I’m safe. I ended up staying a little late checking in on the older couple before I left. Thank god they are doing better. My phone lights up in my purse, and I notice I have several texts and a missed call from Drake. I roll my eyes and get out of my car and head to my apartment.

  When I turn down my hallway, Drake is standing by my door looking ready to kill.

  Four

  Drake

  As soon as I see her walking down her hallway, I can breathe easy again. I know it’s crazy and I’m an asshole for showing up at her place in the middle of the night, but I couldn’t sleep until I knew she was safe. I don’t know what it is about this woman and my instinctual need to protect her from the world. Except that I do. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that she is mine.

  There are so many terrible things I have seen growing up in the city. Hell, my sister, Addison, was almost killed by a stalker a few years ago. Thank god her now husband Crews came along and took care of that fucking creep. Crews is a scary mother fucker that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy but is a complete teddy bear when it comes to my little sister and their daughter.

  "Hi," she says softly as she inserts her already out key into the lock. It pleases me that she is safety conscious.

  "Hi," I respond.

  "You coming in?" she asks over her shoulder. I push off the wall and follow her inside, closing and locking the door behind me. I watch her set her bag down then kick off her shoes.

  "You're late," I throw out, no longer worried for her, but still pissed that she didn’t answer my messages. I’m only used to worrying about my sister, and these days she doesn’t need that.

  She looks up at my sharp tone and crosses her arms against her chest. "I stayed to check on that older couple from the accident this morning. You know what, why am I even explaining this to you?” She throws her arms up in the air and starts pacing in front of me. “I hadn’t even realized you called me until a few minutes ago. I was going to call you as soon as I took a shower."

  Immediately, I picture her in the shower, the hot water sluicing down her curvy body. Fuck. There is no hiding my hardness in these sweats. “Get over here, Summer,” I demand.

  “I don’t think-”

  “Get your cute little ass over here before I come and get you,” I growl, in no mood to play games. The way she’s making me feel has got me in way over my head. She doesn’t move from the spot she’s standing in. Having had enough, I march over to her and throw her over my shoulder. She squeaks, but stays silent, holding me around the waist as I walk in the direction of her bedroom. I throw her on the bed and lean over her, so our faces are inches apart. I intended to talk to her, but now that we’re this close, I lose my control. Resting one hand on the bed, I wrap my free hand around her head, pull her lips to mine, and take what I’ve needed since I last tasted her sweetness. She moans the minute my tongue caresses hers, and I realize at this moment, she needs this as much as I do. I pull back from the kiss but stay just inches apart, my forehead leaned against hers, both of our breathing coming out choppy. “Do you want me, Summer?”

  She smiles, but I don’t think she understands what I mean, what she’s asking for by being mine. When she goes to answer, I press my finger against her lips. “I’ve witnessed too much horror in this world. If you agree to be mine, I won’t be an easy man. I’ll demand more from you than is fair, and while knowing that, I won’t relent, I can’t. I know this is a lot to ask for, especially since we just met. This thing between us started the moment I spotted you that first night ready to help. Even still, it’s fast by anyone’s standards. I know that you’re the woman I’m meant to be with, but I’m giving you this one chance to walk away. If you agree to be mine, there’s no turning back.”

  Summer is silent, weighing everything I’ve said. I can see the wheels turning and love that she’s not just giving into me or throwing me out. This can really only go one of two ways. One she submits, and we both get what we need. Or two, she shows me the fucking door, and I’ve lost out on the only woman I could ever love. I stare at her for a long time. I have no idea what’s going on in her head, and it’s killing me.

  Finally, she clears her throat and looks away. Fuck, this is it. She’s going to toss me out on my ass. “Please move.” Her forceful tone shocks me, but I do as she asks, and my stomach sinks, as my heart-shattering. She stands and walks to the attached bathroom, then she peels her scrub top over her head and tosses it behind her. "Are you coming?" she calls over her shoulder.

  I step out of my runners and lose my shirt. When I round the corner into her bathroom, she is standing completely naked, testing the water she just turned on. I almost swallow my tongue.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I manage to say.

  “What do you mean?” she asks, looking crestfallen. I move over to her quickly, losing my sweats as I go.

  “Fuck, baby. You are a goddess. I can’t believe my luck that I get to see you like this.” She smiles big, and her eyes widen as she eyes my cock bobbing towards her. Leaning down, I kiss her. Her little moan makes me growl. Her arms go around my neck, and I lift her into my arms as her smooth legs wrap around my waist. I walk us into the shower and pin her against the wall. Kissing her lips, I work my way down her long neck to her chest, pulling one of her taut nipples into my mouth. I reach my fingers down and slide them into her slick pussy. “You’re so fucking wet for me, Summer.”

  “Oh, god. Please. I need more,” she begs, and I have no choice but to give her what she wants.

  With one hand I steady her against me and the wall and with the other I grab my cock, lining it up with her opening. I slip into her slowly, but when I feel her virginity, I look into her eyes. “Do it,” she moans, pushing herself down as I thrust up further into her. I slam in and out of her, over and over. Her nails claw into my back, and her moans get louder and louder until I feel her clench around my cock. I grunt like a fucking animal as I fill her with my seed, hopefully breeding her here and now. I slowly pull out of her and set her on her feet.

  Pushing wet locks of hair out of her face, I hold her in the palm of my hands. “Did I hurt you?” I ask.

  “No. Not at all. Wow,” she breathes.

  “That about sums it up,” I agree, making her giggle.

  We finish up in the shower and crawl into her small bed.

  “Are you off today,” she asks sleepily, drawing lines over my skin.
r />   “Yeah. You?”

  “Yes, thank god. I need to sleep.”

  “That sounds like a plan, baby.”

  “You’re staying, right?”

  “You’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me now.” She sighs then yawns. It’s just about the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

  “Good,” she says as she snuggles deeper into my chest.

  I know that I’ll never be able to sleep apart from this woman again. I feel content. Somehow she's become every damn thing to me. With her in my arms, everything I’ve ever wanted is finally within reach.

  Five

  Summer

  Waking up with Drake plastered against my back is pure heaven, but I need to pee. Unsuccessfully, I try moving out from under him so I can do my lady business and freshen up before he wakes to my morning breath and wild hair.

  “No,” he groans, in a sleep muffled voice and pulls me even closer.

  Unsure of how to navigate the morning after the best sex of my life, slash the first sex of my life, I nudge him back with my ass, only to be met with his very awake cock. “Oh my god,” I whisper.

  He laughs, and oh my freaking hell it’s the sexiest laugh I’ve ever heard, then grips my hip hard. “That’s not God, Summer, it’s my dick.”

  “Yep, I figured that out all on my own.” I sass back.

  “Watch your mouth baby girl, or I’ll have to put something in it to keep you quiet.”

  I know I should balk at how he’s talking to me, but it’s really working for me and my tingling pussy.

  Drake slides his hand up my rib cage and cups my breast and places open-mouthed kisses against my neck. “Hurry back,” he demands. He rolls over onto his back, the sheet barely covering the hard-on beneath it. When I reach the bathroom, I look back at Drake, who’s watching me intently. Hurry, he mouths, sliding his hand under the sheet. I take care of my needs quickly, knowing what awaits me when I’m done.