Page 5 of Summer Nights

"We had sex. That tends to be an intimate act." One that requires emotion, whether she believed that or not.

She snorted. "I thought we agreed that this meant nothing."

"We did."

She lifted her chin. "Then why are you trying to make it something it's not?"

I didn't respond because she already knew where this was going, and it wasn't back to her place or mine.

She straightened her skirt, then worked the tiny buttons on her silky shirt. It was white over a pale pink lace bra, the color of her skin. I couldn't believe I was only just now noticing what she wore. My biggest regret was that I hadn't even gotten to see much of her breasts much less taste her nipples.

I wasn't ready to let her go, but then again, I never really had her. I just hoped I hadn't made a huge miscalculation.

Ivy glanced out the window. "The rain stopped. I have to get going."

"I'll walk you out."

"That's not necessary." I didn't point out the obvious that I was on my way out when the rain started.

She walked ahead of me, grabbing her purse from the kitchen island and doing her best to comb her tangled hair with her fingers.

When she reached for the doorknob, I stopped her with a hand to the door. She turned slowly, facing me. "What are you doing?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." I cupped her chin, wishing I had more time to get under her skin. Even though I’d promised her it was a one-time thing, unraveling the mystery of Ivy was becoming a top priority in my head.

Her lips pursed. "I'm fine."

"Of course you are." She'd never admit that she wasn't. "I don't regret what we did."

She barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. "I don't either. Now can I go?"

I dropped my hands, stepping back.

She was free to walk out the door at any time. But she was the one who'd chosen to kiss me. The one who'd gotten undressed and said she wanted me. I wouldn't forget that anytime soon.

She opened the door and walked outside. The rain was still dripping from the porch and a nearby tree.

She hurried to her SUV. I suspected she drove a nice vehicle and wore expensive clothes to hide where she came from. A lot of people might have forgotten, but I remembered her coming to school in too-small clothes and getting the free lunches.

I remembered her being embarrassed if anyone pointed out her circumstances. And I remembered clearly when she came back to town after college and set up her business. I was impressed with her.

I'd only gotten the opportunity to be alone with her during the inspections. She gave into the attraction as the storm raged around us. I didn't delude myself into thinking that this wasn't a rare occurrence for her.

I wanted to know more about her, but I wouldn't get answers by forcing her to stay with me. I needed to let her go. That was her first instinct when anyone got close. I had to comfort myself with the knowledge that I'd been the only one who'd gotten this far with her emotionally.

She talked about dating tourists, men with a timeline to leave. She needed to keep her distance from everyone. Our friends might not have noticed it, but I had.

I'd always been intrigued by her but never thought anything would happen. But now that it had, I wasn't going to let the idea of her go. She was under my skin, and I couldn't shake her.

Many times, I'd dreamed of the way she felt and ached to taste her. She might try to forget that anything happened between us, but I didn't think she'd be successful.

Or at least, I hoped she wouldn't be. I didn't want to be one more easily forgettable man who entered her life and left just as quickly.

I didn't know what I wanted beyond possessing her. But there was that moment when I realized the storm had shaken her, that I wanted something more. I wanted to protect her. I'd never felt that way about anyone outside of my family.

It was a new feeling. One I wanted to explore.

She opened her door, and when she was behind the wheel, she looked up at me. I shoved my hands in my pockets but kept my gaze locked on hers.

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