Page 14 of The Summer Plans

She closes her eyes and tilts her face, waiting for the aloe. I pause, heat curling low as I commit her to memory. Her lips are slightly pursed, and faint smile lines frame her mouth. I kick myself for not being the one to put those there. Tiny freckles dot her cheeks and nose, and I silently wish I could kiss each one. Thick lashes frame her eyes, and even though they’re closed, I know every shade of blue in them, how the right one is slightly darker than the left, but the left one has three tiny flecks of green close to her iris. The way her slender nose turns up slightly at the end makes me want to spend hours tracing its slope. She’s still so fucking beautiful.

Delicately, I spread the aloe, taking my time to worship each line and curve of her face since this will probably be the only time I’ll get to do this.

“You’re all set,” I say, putting the lid back on the jar. “I’m headed to bed.”

“Are you staying in Sophie’s room?” She scoots to the middle of the bed and crawls under the covers.

“Nah, teenage girls don’t want to bunk with their dads. I’ll probably sleep on one of the loungers on the porch or on the beach.”

“What? RJ, that’s nuts. You can’t sleep outside.”

Her words stop me in my tracks. I saw the look of horror on her face when I suggested sharing a bed, so I’m surprised by her about-face. “Former Scout. I’ve slept in much worse conditions.”

Letting out a deep sigh, she moves over and throws back the sheets in invitation. “We’re both adults, we can share a bed. But I sleep on the right. And you better stay on your side. Just be careful with my sunburn.” It seems like the offer almost pains her, but she makes it anyway.

“Are you sure?” Why am I questioning her? Just get in the bed already, RJ.

“No. But I’d feel like a jerk if I made you sleep outside.”

“Okay. I’ll put the aloe in the fridge and grab my sleep stuff.” A few minutes later, I slide into the bed, careful not to disturb her. Normally, I’d sleep in my boxers, but I keep my shorts and shirt on, knowing it’ll make her more comfortable.

Since there’s no way my excited energy will let me sleep, I grab my Kindle and slip on my glasses as she rolls over.

She shoots up, wincing in pain, as she reaches for my Kindle. “What are you doing?”

I hold it up out of her reach. “I’m reading.”

“You wear glasses?”

“For reading.”

Why does she look mad about this admission?

“Give me my Kindle.” She thrusts out her hand like she expects me to hand it over.

“This isn’t yours. It’s mine.” I tilt the screen toward her, tapping on it to open the library to prove it to her.

She blinks in confusion. “Those aren’t my books. What did you do with my books?”

I can’t help it, I laugh. “Summer, I didn’t do anything with your books. This isn’t your Kindle.”

Her mouth opens and shuts several times as she huffs out little breaths.

“Where is your Kindle?”

“It was in the nightstand.”

I open the drawer and pull it out. “See?”

She grabs it from me, clutching it to her chest like it’s a diary full of secrets she doesn’t want anyone to see. Suddenly I’m dying to read everything on the device. What kind of books is she reading that have her acting this way?

We read in silence for a bit when I notice Summer’s fallen asleep clutching a pillow, her Kindle propped up on top. I set mine on the nightstand and turn off the light. Turning my back to her, I will my dick to behave and my heart to calm as I drift off, wishing I could fall asleep next to the woman of my dreams every night.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMER

When I awake the next morning, there’s something hard pressed up against my back.