Page 8 of Patio Lanterns

“That tracks,” she said. “I mean, you look like you’re still in great shape.”

He grinned because she’d noticed, and not just because she didn’t tack on for a guy your age. “I guess part of it is conditioning, but I try to stay active. You know, biking, swimming, working around the cottage.”

She swallowed down another gulp of beer. “Swimming?”

“It’s good exercise and easy on the knees. Football was murder on the ol’ hinges.” He instantly regretted reminding her that he was a creaky old fossil, especially after she had been polite enough not to mention it. “You like to swim, Robin?”

“Me? Swim?” She brought her beer up to her lips and tipped it back. “Sure. Doesn’t everyone?”

“Actually, I just got back about half an hour before you came over,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “So, that was you.”

“What was me?”

“I think I saw you down at the lake. Only I didn’t know it was you,” she said. “I was just relaxing by the water and then suddenly, there you were. In all your glory.”

“In all my…?” An intense heat burned in his chest, quickly flaring up to his neck and face when he realized what Robin meant. “Oh Jesus, I’m sorry,” he said, choking on an embarrassed chuckle. “I didn’t realize anyone else was around. I’m usually pretty careful about checking first.”

She smirked. “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything wrong. I was the one who was gawking.”

“No, no, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I mean, I should’ve been more aware of my surroundings…” He stopped himself. “You were gawking? At me?”

A sly grin played at one corner of lips. “I couldn’t help myself,” she said, giving him the once over.

Rick’s heart skipped. He was flattered by her approval, yet, embarrassed for having been so oblivious about drawing a captive audience.

“You don’t bother to wear swim trunks?” she asked.

“Well, yeah, sometimes I do,” he admitted. “I guess it goes back to wanting to feel connected to nature, but I find it liberating to go swimming wild. To have nothing between you and your surroundings. It’s pretty exhilarating to move through the water with minimal resistance.”

“Swimming wild? I like that,” she said. “Bet it was refreshing on a night like this.”

“It was,” he said.

“Stimulating too, I bet,” she added.

“Absolut—” He stopped when he realized what she’d said.

“I’m only teasing.” She shrugged. “I swear, I didn’t see anything. Or much of anything. Well, maybe only a little, but what I did see was definitely quite, um… well defined.”

He quirked his eyebrow. “Well defined?”

“Like I said, you’re still in great shape,” she said. “So sue me for noticing.” Her eyes twinkled as she bit the corner of her lip, making it clear that she was enjoying his discomfort a little too much.

His eyes met hers, and he sensed the air between them crackling in a way it hadn’t until that moment. Was she actually flirting with him? It may have been a while, but it sure felt like there was a spark of sexual tension.

He blinked first. Time to get up and check the coals. They had ashed over and were now white with burning red tips, so he carefully poured them out of the chimney and spread them evenly on the bottom grate. “How do you like your steak done, Robin?”

“I like it however the chef wants to cook it.”

“Medium it is,” he said, walking across the deck to retrieve the steaks in the kitchen. He stopped at the door. “How’s your beer? Want another?”

She held up her bottle. He could see it was nearing half empty and was impressed that she was keeping up. “If you are.”

“Two steaks and two beers, coming right up,” he said, going inside and closing the door behind him. He took a moment to collect himself, reeling from the unexpected rise in heat. Down boy. You’re reading far too much into this. She wasn’t coming on to you, it was just harmless flirting. I know it’s been a long time, but she’s too young for you. Way too young. Like so young she’s never dialled a phone or had to be kind and rewind a video. So cool your fucking jets and just relax.

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