Page 101 of Tempting Me

I know a back room.

My heart races at the idea of sneaking around. We’re already doing it, but here in town, it would be different. Riskier.

Shay

Okay.

I stuff my phone into my back pocket and get to workhanding out flyers. According to the feedback I receive, the locals are eager to be back at The Marina, and asI head for the bookstore, my heart is full with the excitement of Beach Bum Day. Now I just need to make sure it’s so successful that everyone is talking about it and word somehow gets back to my parents.

I open the door to Sips and Stories, welcoming the breeze from the air conditioner. I glance around to make sure no one is here, then slowly make my way to the back of the store. The wall that opens up to the bar shows very few customers.

None of them are paying attention to me.

I walk down one aisle and peek around to spot Luca, but he isn’t here yet.

My palms start to sweat.

Am I here just so he can steal a kiss?

More than a kiss?

Surely, he doesn't think we are going to full on have sex in a back room somewhere, right?

I’m starting to second-guess this plan when a hand grabs my wrist and pulls me back. Tucked in a nook, Luca hugs my body to his and kisses my neck.

“It’s one thing when I know you’re at The Marina and I won't see you until dark, but it's a whole different thing to see you this close in broad daylight and know I can’t do a single thing about it.”

He nips kisses over my shoulder, and it feels so good. Having this moment with him is unexpected and exactly what I needed.

I wish we could see each other whenever we want, too, but it can’t happen yet.

“It sure seems like you’re doing something about it.” Mywords are breathless as he smooths one hand down my stomach, his pinky sliding under the waist of my shorts.“Luca.”

“God, the way you say my name drives me crazy. You sound so needy. I love it.”

He spins me quickly, then his lips are on mine. His tongue slips into my mouth, dancing with mine. I grip his shirt and pull his body closer to mine on a moan.

The sounds of Main Street grow louder, a clear indicator that someone has opened the door to the bookstore.

I break the kiss, my chest heaving as I quietly catch my breath. Luca turns us so that my back is against the wall and his body blocks me from anyone's view.

He rests his forehead against mine as we wait to be sure that whoever walked in doesn’t walk this far inside the store.

My heart thumps.

Who is it?

Is it someone we could trust?

Then I hear that street noise again, just long enough to indicate that whoever it was has left. I push Luca back.

“That was risky.”

He nods, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck.

I know exactly what he’s thinking before he even says it.

“I will tell them,” I admit. “I just don’t want to do it over the phone, and I don't want them to hear it from someone else before I have time to explain.”

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