Page 25 of Charm

In a sense, that’s true since the only thing I have on other than the dress is a pair of black panties.

I take my time walking across the tiled floor to reach the door.

I’ve been nothing but eager since I met the man. I’m way past the point of playing hard to get with him, but it can’t hurt to make him ache for me for an extra few seconds.

I swing open the door, and there he is. The dark-rimmed eyeglasses he’s wearing are new to me, and a very nice touch. “I like your glasses.”

He pushes them up the bridge of his nose. “You do?”

“Very much.” I nod in appreciation, my gaze tracking over the black V-neck sweater he’s wearing. He’s paired that with charcoal gray pants and shiny black wingtip shoes. “You’ve got a naughty professor vibe going on.”

His head falls back in laughter. “Why does that sound so hot coming from you?”

“Why do you look so hot dressed like that?” I counter, smiling brightly.

“I am hot.” He pinches the neckline of the sweater to tug it away from his skin. “It’s too fucking hot out for me to be wearing this many clothes, but I have big plans tonight.”

Trying to shield my disappointment, I nod. “Big plans?”

I almost laugh at myself. What the hell kind of question is that?

He tilts his chin up. “Work plans.”

“So, you do work from here.” I jerk a thumb in the direction of his house. “You live here full-time, don’t you?”

His gaze skims my face, but before he can answer, his phone starts ringing.

“Dammit,” he whispers. “I need to go, Summer, but I wanted to check in.”

“Check in?” I question as his phone quiets.

He nods. “I wanted to make sure you have everything you need until we hang out again tomorrow.”

Smiling, I tap a finger against my lower lip. “I have absolutely everything I need for tonight.”

“Good. So, about tomorrow…”

“What time were you thinking of getting together?” I interrupt before he can finish.

Call it eagerness, or a lack of patience, but I want to see him again as soon as possible since I need to head back to Manhattan tomorrow.

“Martin mentioned swinging by in the morning to double-check that the pump in the pool is working as it should.” He chuckles. “I told him three times that it is, but Martin never takes my word for it.”

“Come here for breakfast as soon as he leaves,” I blurt out.

I really want to tell him to stop by tonight on his way home, but he’s the one who brought up getting together tomorrow. I take that to mean he’s not interested or available to spend time with me tonight. Naturally, I’m disappointed, but this weekend has already been a dream.

He nods. “Should I bring anything?”

“Condoms,” I say with my gaze locked to his. “Don’t forget those.”

He leans forward to kiss me softly on the mouth. As he pulls back, a groan escapes him. “If this meeting weren’t as important as it is, I’d cancel it in a heartbeat.”

As if on cue, his phone starts ringing again, luring him back a step.

“You need to go,” I remind him.

“I need to quit my fucking job.” He laughs.

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