Page 4 of Sultry Summer

I wave my hand at her when we’re alone again.

She cocks her pretty head and her dark curls cascade over her shoulder like the richest silk. “Why do I feel like I know you from somewhere?”

My lips purse and I choke on my sip of coffee, sputtering and coughing. She just watches me intently while I brush my lips with a napkin.

I lean back and set my coffee down, crossing my arms over my chest. Her ocean blue eyes narrow on my chest and arms and a little tingle of pleasure runs up and down my spine.

That flush on her cheeks, that glance at my body. She’s not immune to me. My cock stirs again, pushing against the teeth of my jeans like a monster aching to get free and take her.

“Maybe it’s fate. I’m meant to be yours.”

She huffs and moves back slightly as the waitress brings her breakfast, grinning at both of us like she’s figured something out.

I sure as hell hope it’s not me.

Two golden-brown pieces of thick, cinnamon french toast sit on her plate and she groans, grabbing the heated syrup in the glass syrup dispenser. It flows out, rich and smooth and the tip of her tongue slides along her perfect pink lips.

I almost moan out loud. Instead I take a deep drink of my hot coffee, burning the hell out of my throat and not giving a good god damn.

I sit back when my food is brought out and she eyes my perfectly-cooked, over easy eggs and crispy bacon with one brow lifted. I can see the judgment in her stunning eyes and it hits me below the belt again.

I ignore all of it and shovel a forkful of eggs into my mouth, Perfectly cooked and creamy, I don’t regret my choice at all.

I wave the fork at her. “So tell me all about yourself, Aspen.”

She rolls her eyes and slips her lips over the bite of french toast on her fork. I shift in my seat. I don’t think I’ve ever come from watching a woman eat but something tells me if I don’t get my ass together, I may be walking out of here with a wet spot.

“Well, I just graduated from community college with my business degree.”

And just like that, it’s like a bucket of cold water on my cock. Because she’s even younger than I thought. Sixteen freaking years.

And I’m a dirty damn old man just for looking at all that youth and wanting to tarnish it with my body.

I’m not a good man. But for once, I might just have to let better angels keep me from making a mess out of both of our lives just to feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time.

Alive.

CHAPTER 3

Aspen

It’s been two days since I saw Hunter at the diner and we talked. I thought there was something there.

But I get the feeling that he’s not one to get involved with someone when he passes through.

And he is just passing through. I heard it from no less than ten people that he’s already set the date for his departure. A week from today. Just one week.

I sigh and settle my chin on my hand, rubbing my palm across my forehead with my other hand.

“Are you alright?” Fee asks me. She came back yesterday and she’s been watching me like a hawk watches a mouse. Just waiting to strike.

My shoulders tense and I glare at her. “I’m fine. Stop asking me that.”

“I can’t do that. You’re like my baby sister. It’s kind of my job.”

I straighten and glare at her. “I’m not a baby. Stop treating me like one!”

And then I storm off to the antique side of the business like a…well, like a baby throwing a temper tantrum.