Page 8 of Hot Summer Nights

“Fine. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

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After dinner, Channing prolonged the anticipation by suggesting a walk on the beach. He knew he was dying a slow death, but giving Brooklyn the impression he only wanted her for sex wasn’t in his plans. Though he’d had his fair share of women over the years, what his grandmother had taught him all those years ago still sat deep in his bones. Cherish a lady, you’ll get a wife. Degrade her, and she’ll ruin your life. It took Betsy Regan in eighth grade to prove how true that was. Ever since, he didn’t chance it.

“I’m glad I took this trip.” They walked hand in hand, heading toward Brooklyn’s cottage on the far side of the island. “I had fears about leaving work and having the whole world crash while I was away, but this was worth it. Meeting you was worth it.”

Channing dropped her hand, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her to him. Even if their dinner was perfect and their sexy game a teasingly delightful treat, he still wanted to be with her. It was almost as if he couldn’t ever be close enough.

“Tell me about your job. You’re a workaholic, I recall.”

“True. I’m a reporter turned anchor woman. I host a popular Boston news show on the CBS affiliate. I’ve wanted to do this since I was a little girl, and now my dreams have finally come true.” Brooklyn wrapped her arm around his waist. “What about you? Tell me about your job, about photography.”

Channing stared toward the horizon. How did he tell someone he photographed people having sex by their request? “I’ve been a professional photographer for ten years, but my grandmother got me my first camera when I was six. I’ve hopped along from job to job, photographing weddings and stuff. A friend finally landed me the job here on the island, and that’s where I’m at today. I’m contracted to work the entire summer.”

He glanced down at her, hoping that satisfied her questions. Photography was his passion, though it was never his desire to open up his own studio. He liked the freedom his job offered, even if the stability was questionable. He liked taking beautiful pictures of beautiful places or beautiful people.

“What do you photograph here? Couples in intimate positions like the picture hanging over my bed?”

He chuckled. “Some. I do whatever is requested. That includes snapping pictures of couples having sex.”

Brooklyn stopped and stared at him. “Wow. People have that fantasy?”

He nodded.

“What do they do with the pictures?”

He shrugged. “Whatever they want.”

He didn’t know what was going through her pretty little mind, but the cool wind made her nipples peak, distracting all his thoughts. They were a mile away from her cottage and he suddenly wished they’d taken a cart instead of walking the quarter mile.

“That’s a pretty interesting fantasy,” she finally said. “But not one I think I could participate in. I’m not into someone watching me have sex.”

“Will you let me photograph you?” He didn’t mean to blurt it. The question had been on his mind all day, and he honestly didn’t want her to say no.

“If my body isn’t revealed too much, yes.” She grabbed his hand and continued walking. “I like the art of tease.”

She grinned, and his heart skipped a beat. Brooklyn was the last thing he’d expected to meet when he’d come to this island, and the all-too-real reality hung over their heads that she would be leaving tomorrow night. The weekend simply wasn’t enough time, and now, here he was finding he’d developed some kind of connection with her.

None of it made sense and his head felt full of mud when it came to relationships and feelings, but something was there right now, and he knew, when she left, everything in his life would change. Channing pushed those thoughts away. Focusing on sex was the best for both of them. A no-strings, casual affair—that was what this was supposed to be. She hadn’t signed on for a relationship and neither had he.

“Tease, huh?” He squeezed her hand and smiled half-heartedly. “Sounds like you’ve done this before.”

Brooklyn snorted. “My life is incredibly dull and boring. The only teases I give anybody are previews for the next day’s show.”

When they finally reached the front of her cottage, Channing stopped and wrapped his arms around her. Brooklyn’s face was highlighted with a soft glow of moonlight when she looked up at him. He couldn’t believe she was real and that a woman such as Brooklyn existed in the world or, more importantly, came to Exotica Island to meet him.

“Well, how about we hone your skills tonight?” Channing asked, referring to her teasing. He brushed his fingers along her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. “You are hardly dull and incredibly beautiful. You’re teasing me right now.”

Her lips were warm against his own despite the cool temperature surrounding them. He pulled her closer, pressed her body against his hard cock so nothing was left unsaid. She’d joked earlier at dinner about there not being a next time, but they both knew that was impossible.

Channing picked her up and started for her cottage, entering and locking the door behind them. He carried her to the bedroom, dropping her in the middle of the large bed. He began to fumble with his belt buckle before Brooklyn pushed his hands aside. She snapped the button and eased the zipper over his cock.

“You seem distracted. What are you thinking about?” She pushed his pants to his knees and glanced up at him.

“I was just thinking about your last day on the island being tomorrow.” And how after that, there really will be no next time. He gave her a small smile.

Brooklyn reached out and brushed the tip of his cock with her finger. “Stop thinking, Channing. Just feel.”

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