Page 20 of Sultry Summer

She smiles and taps my cheek. “And I love you too. And that’s why I want to see you happy.”

“I’ll talk to him in the morning, Fee.”

She cradles me against her shoulder and smiles. “Good. And then he’s coming to dinner before Monroe hunts him down to give him the third degree. I don’t think he’s gotten to put anybody under the bright lights in awhile. He’s missing it.”

“Ugh!” I shrug her off of me and punch her shoulder. “Keep your man in line, cuz.”

“Only if you do what I told you to do.”

I nod my head. “I will. First thing in the morning.”

She stands up in one fluid move and I groan, practically falling over as I stand up. I glare at her. “I think you’re inhuman sometimes. How can you not fall over when you do stuff like that? You make it look so damn easy.”

“Practice. And lots of stretching with Monroe.” She giggles and I gag, covering my mouth.

“Stop it. I don’t want to hear things like that.”

“I suggest you don’t walk in without knocking at my office door or the house then. You never know what you could walk in on.”

She winks at me and then practically dances out the door, leaving me just a little traumatized.

Nobody wants to think about their cousin like that. Ugh.

I make a face and then pad upstairs to my bedroom and get ready for bed. The sheets feel cool as water on my overheated skin as I picture Hunter’s long fingers strumming the guitar.

And close my eyes and dream about what else his dexterous fingers can do. And hope that he’s happy when I talk to him in the morning. Hope that I haven’t already fouled up our love.

CHAPTER 12

Hunter

Ihaven’t seen her for two days and it feels like I’m detoxing from a drug that I need more than I need to breathe.

“Are you sure that she’ll be here?”

Ryan rolls his eyes. “I swear you doubt me more than my wife. Yes, I talked to her cousins and they’re going to make sure that she’s here. Front and center. And then you’re going to pull her onstage and sing. And she’s going to melt into your arms and you’re going to live happily ever after.”

I shoot him a narrow-eyed glare. “I know you’re making fun of me, asshole. But I’m gonna let it slide this time.”

He grins at me, his fingers dancing on his phone, making another deal, I’m sure. “I am terrified.”

“Right.”

I grab my guitar and start working the strings. Ryan studies me. “I don’t think I’ve seen you look so happy playing in a long time.”

I nod my head and close my eyes. “It’s because of her. She’s my muse. My one.”

“I’ll take your word for it. I just can’t believe she doesn’t want to leave this little place.”

“It’s not that small. Besides, all of her family is here. Her cousins. And she took business to work with them. This is a major change.”

“Change is good sometimes.”

“That may be. But it’s still scary if you’ve already got your life mapped out.”

“Okay.” Ryan eyes the screen. “She’s here. You ready? They’ve got the makeshift stage set up and the sound system is ready.”

I nod my head. “I’m ready.”