Page 64 of Summer Kisses

I thought back to the night we finally kissed for real. "I think it just built up to that point. I bided my time, waiting for the right moment. But I also needed her to see me as someone besides her best friend."

"How did you do that?"

It was the first night in my bedroom when she was feeling awkward. "I needed her to see me as someone she could be attracted to. Not just a friend."

"Ah. I see," he said, but I don't think he did.

"You got a girl you're interested in?" I asked him, wondering why he was asking about this.

Shep took a step back, shaking his head. "Of course not."

He was back to his usual self, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was genuinely asking how he'd let the girl he was interested in know he liked her.

"Thanks for the car."

"Don't wreck it," he grumbled as he turned and headed toward the front door.

I'd leave my truck here for the night and maybe even the weekend. I liked the idea of driving Hazel around the island in style. It was the first time I saw the draw of the car.

Shep used it to attract women, but I only wanted the admiration of one. The best part was that she didn't care what I wore or if I showed up in an expensive car. She just wanted me.

I tried not to let the nerves get to me, but I was worried that the night wouldn't be what she was expecting. I hoped she'd enjoy dinner in a library, or I was in trouble.

By the time I parked at my house, I was a bundle of nerves, unsure if this was the right move, certain I was going to screw everything up. I'd built this evening up too much in my head.

I knocked on the door, feeling a little weird doing this at my house. A few seconds later, the door opened.

I was vaguely aware that Max was sniffing me, probably wanting to know why I was knocking on the door of my house and standing on the porch like I was a guest. But my attention was on the woman who stood in front of me.

She wore a short red dress with silver heels.

"You look gorgeous." There weren't even words for how amazing she looked. The short skirt flirted high on her thighs, and I wanted to see if she was wearing panties. Was she already wet for me?

I mentally shook my head. "Are you ready to go? I have reservations for us."

She grabbed a black clutch and shooed Max inside. "I'm ready."

I held my arm out for her, and she drew up short when she saw the Mustang. "What's this?"

"I thought we'd drive in style tonight."

"Oh, fun." I opened the passenger side door for her, assisting her inside. "Isn't this Shepard's?"

"He was generous enough to let me borrow it tonight. With strict instructions not to crack up his car."

"No pressure, right?" Her hand moved over the dashboard, and I wondered if she'd touch me with such reverence later tonight.

I had to make it through this part of the evening before I could be truly alone with my girl. "I planned a night for you to remember."

"Is this what we'll say is our first date?" she asked.

"Yeah, but we'll tell them it was a while ago. Not tonight."

"Right."

I wondered if she thought this was just to satisfy the game-show part of the engagement party. I wanted her to believe that I'd planned this for real and with her in mind. "I wanted this to be a night we'd both remember. Something we'll enjoy."

"I can't wait to see what it is." She looked out the window. "The anticipation is killing me."

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