While I am getting angrier and angrier, I see his gaze drop from my face to my chest. The white tank top is drenched and clinging to me. My white bra just as see through.
“Damn it.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at the guy.
He steps closer and my pulse starts to race.
“You’re hurt.” He reaches out his hand towards my forearm but doesn’t quite touch.
“I’m fine.”
He looks up at my face, concern in his beautiful hazel eyes. His own shirt is clinging to one very well built, wild, muscular chest. I’ve already noticed the washboard abs, the fact that he has a little bit of dark hair across his chest that forms a narrow path leading down further past his belt line.
But it is those hazel eyes that really have an effect. His brown wet curls, pushed back off his face. A strong jawline and nose. Nice lips. All of it is devastatingly handsome. His direct gaze watches as I lick my own lips. And then, right in front of me, he pulls off his soaking wet t-shirt. Taking my wrist he wraps his shirt carefully around my cut.
“We should go get this looked at.” His voice is calm and gentle. His touch makes my pulse race. His words feel like warm hands on my body.
Okay. He is attractive. But he is not for me. I don’t need some prince to rescue me. I pull my hand away from him. “It’s fine. I’ve had my tetanus shots. I’ve got bandages at my Aunt’s cafe.”
He looks out towards the Boathouse Cafe. “Ava is your Aunt? I’m surprised we haven’t met.”
He is about ten years older than me. He is a Kingsley. We don’t run in the same circles. But still, his words make me angry.
“We have met. We might not have talked but I’ve seen you around. I was at your house just last night. You’re probably just too stuck up and arrogant to notice people.”
“You were at the party last night?” And then. “It was a big party. My family does like to throw the first party of the season.”
I shrug. “I was a waitress. I take on extra jobs throughout the season.”
He looks at me for a long time. As though waiting for an answer to a question. And then he says, “Well it’s nice to meet you…”
“Summer. My name is Summer.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Summer.”
I like the way he says my name. Like he is savouring the taste of it. We are standing close. Looking into each other’s eyes. He is shirtless. I can’t help wondering what it would be like if he drew me to him. To feel my body pressed up against all that hard muscle. Our wet clothes warmed our body heat. The feel of his lips on mine. To be kissed by him.
Holy mountains. Okay. I can totally understand why so many women are chasing after this man. But I don’t want to be one of them. We are worlds apart. Nothing in common. I can not fall for Ridge Kingsley!
Chapter 4
Ridge
I watch Summer walk away, holding her wrist to her chest, her wet clothes clinging to her body. Three blonde women are tapping their way down the jetty in their heels, exclaiming that they thought I had drowned. They ignore Summer, moving around her on their way to me and I don’t like that. Summer is the one who fell. She is the one who is hurt.
I turn on my heel and walk away, heading towards the large stone mansion my family owns here on the lake. I don’t like that Summer was here at my house last night and I didn’t know it. Am I that withdrawn that I don’t even notice the wait staff at the family parties anymore? I’ve gone through life feeling like I don’t quite fit in and there is something in Summer’s defensiveness that I recognise all too well.
But how could anybody miss Summer? With her glorious red hair that shines like fire in the sun? Her freckles that cover her nose and cheeks? Her curves? Her cleavage that makes a man’s hands ache to touch her? The way her green eyes flash when she is angry?
These are the questions that plague me for the rest of the day and well into the night.
The next day I woke knowing I wanted to see her again. Yesterday I had headed towards the Boathouse Cafe trying to get away from all the women. Today I go there knowing there is just one girl I want to see. I can’t explain it. I don’t want to over analyze it. I just know that I want to see Summer again. Maybe learn more about her. Maybe see her laugh or smile.
I enter and immediately feel good. I’ve always liked this place. Stuffed full with antiques, it has an old worldy feel that makes you feel at home straight away.
“Hey Ava.”
The old lady smiles. “Hey there Ridge, you keeping out of trouble?”
“Trying the best I can.” I’ve always liked Ava. She’s had this place as long as I can remember and she was always happy to let me sit and draw for hours. And she used to give me extra cookies when I came in on my own.
