Page 3 of Sultry Summer

CHAPTER 2

Hunter

“Please tell me that you’re done with all this and you’re coming home soon, Hunter.”

Sighing, I shove my fingers through my shaggy hair. “I’m not coming back yet.”

“Is it because of the songs? Because I can rustle up some songwriters for you. It’s not necessary for you to do…well, whatever the hell this is, my man! Just come home. I guarantee I can fix this.”

“You don’t even know what this is! So how do you think you’re going to fix it!” I snap, my voice a low rumble, trying to keep it down. I glance around me at the diner, keeping my eyes open for any sign of recognition.

I’ve changed since I left but if somebody really looked at me I’m not sure that I will pass without notice.

A ragged sigh comes through my phone. I wish I could tell him that I was on my way home. That all this…that it’s over.

But what if it never is? What if I can’t…?

I shut that shit down fast. I just need a change. Something to take my mind off the mess my life has become.

Thanks to her. My phone buzzes in my hand and it’s another damn text message from her. Snapping, I grip the damn phoneso tight it’s a wonder I don’t crack it in half. I can hear it creaking in my hand and apparently so does Ryan.

“Man, is she still texting you?”

A grim smile touches my lips. “Yeah. She wants to explain what happened.”

He snorts. “I’m sure she does.” He pauses and I can hear the pain in his voice when he says, “I’m sorry that I introduced you to her.”

I nod my head. “I’m sorry too.”

I’m not sure what for. I didn’t do a damn thing. But before I can say one more word, she comes strolling through the door. Five foot three inches of sass in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt in a vivid shade of teal that brings out the aqua of her eyes. My lips curl when I see what it says.

“I’ve got to go,” I mutter under my breath, keeping the beautiful brunette in my sights. Her eyes dance when she sits down at a table and a waitress walks over and hands her a menu. She doesn’t even look at it. Just orders.

I stand up and stalk over to the table, standing over her when the waitress walks away with a sharp glance at me. She doesn’t say a word but a frisson runs down my spine. Her eyes narrow and I duck my head, tugging my hat down over my eyes.

My damn eyes that have been all over every freaking magazine in the modern damn world.

But I push all those thoughts away when she looks up at me and flushes wild rose. My whole body goes taut and my dick stirs like a predator waking up and finding food right in front of it.

He fucking wants her. So do I. Like my next meal. But I shove all that shit down and grin at her. “Florists Do It In the Mud?”

She rolls her aqua eyes and they darken when they trace down my body. “Have you ever heard of a pun?”

“Have you ever heard of begging for it?”

She blows out a raspberry and grunts. “Do you know how many times I’ve heard some version of that particular line?”

I can’t help myself. I throw my head back, laughing so loud that people all around us look up and grin. I slide into the booth on the other side of her and she lifts a dark brow at me. “Did I ask you to join me?”

“Nope. I didn’t ask you to do whatever you’re doing to me so we’re even.” I pick up the discarded menu and peruse it, my eyes fighting the urge to look up at her pretty,youngface.

I should be ashamed of myself for even looking at her. I’m probably at least fifteen years older than she is.

But there’s something about her that just…I can’t explain it. It’s like I’m attached to her with these invisible silk ropes to my soul. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since I met her yesterday.

“Can I ask you something?” she says and then waits when the waitress comes back and I give her my order. She walks away but she’s back within a minute with my black coffee.

Aspen’s lips turn down in disgust and I sip it happily, enjoying the face she makes.