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“I’m divorced,” she admitted quietly.

He pushed up to a sitting position, instantly hating the idea she’d married another man, but grateful it hadn’t worked out. Sure, maybe that was a little selfish, but he didn’t care. At this point, he really liked everything about this woman, and if she were still married to the idiot who obviously hadn’t known how amazing of a woman he’d had, Lex wouldn’t be there with her at that moment. He wanted to say both thank you and fuck you to the prick.

“Can I ask why it didn’t work out?” Lex didn’t want to push her to talk about her ex, but he was also damn curious.

“A lot of reasons.” She sighed. “I think I knew he wasn’t the right one, but I was forty-two and lonely. I met him while working in Boston and we got married three months later. We barely lasted three years. He never worked a legit job and was always getting involved in some shady enterprise, promising me this time he’d make a fortune.”

“And I bet you ended up financing all his ventures?”

She nodded. “Pathetic, right?”

“No.” He shifted closer. “It sounds to me like you wanted something he couldn’t give you. And you were smart enough to break things off when you realized it.”

“Want to know what’s really sad about the whole thing?” Lex nodded, hearing the resignation in her voice. “I don’t think we ever really loved each other. When I used to look into his eyes, I never saw what I should have.”

“And what’s that?” Lex asked in a low voice, unable to miss the sadness on her pretty face. The way her shoulders slumped forward.

“My home. My happiness. My future.”

“I don’t think that’s asking too much.” Lex lifted his hand and cupped her face. “You, Summer Holt, deserve all that and more.”

Then he closed the distance between them and captured her lips in a kiss he hoped gave her quite a bit of happiness.

Chapter seven

The moment Lex’s lips touched hers, Summer melted. The way his mouth moved against hers, easy yet commanding, told her he liked to take charge and he knew what he was doing. And she needed that. Wanted so much for him to help her feel like a woman again. Most importantly, a woman desired.

His tongue swept past her lips, beginning a slow, thorough exploration. He tasted like strawberries, and she clutched his shoulders, wanting so much more. As he lowered her down to the blanket, bracing his body on his elbows, and continued kissing her, she was more than ready to ditch every one of her rules.

Lex ignited a fire inside her that had been missing for a very long time. Lately, even her vibrator hadn’t been able to get her off, and she was beginning to fear she was going to dry up and turn into a forgotten old prune.

Arching up with a small moan, she slid her hands through his soft hair. Apparently, there was no need to worry about becoming the next Sahara Desert. She was wet as the lake beside them, and if Lex wanted to take a plunge into her depths, she wasn’t about to say no.

Their mouths broke apart. Panting slightly, she looked up into his bright blue eyes and saw a spark of…wonder? Did he feel what she was feeling? Because that seemed like more than a mere run-of-the-mill kiss. It felt like a potential future together.

“I really like you, Summer.” His voice, so low and husky, sent another hot wave of desire sizzling through her. He seemed to hesitate when all she wanted was for him to rip her clothes off. “So, I don’t want to rush things.”

“I don’t mind,” she responded, barely recognizing her own voice because it was so breathy. God, desperate much, Summer? Actually, that would be an overwhelming and very resounding yes. An almost primitive yearning burned through her, and she wanted to know if he was just as talented with his hands, fingers and dick as he was with his tongue. At that moment, she was beyond ready to get laid.

“I’m not looking to just get laid,” he murmured.

It was like he’d stuck a pin in her passion, and she sulked a little as it deflated.

Calm down. Hear the man out. Don’t be such a hussy.

“Right.” She couldn’t hide her disappointment, and he must’ve noticed because he frowned.

“Are you?”

“No,” she answered far too quickly, pushing up onto her elbows. “I mean, I’m not against it per se. But if you want to take things slowly, that’s very gentlemanly of you.”

“No one’s ever described me as a gentleman. Except you.” His lips twitched in amusement, then he turned serious. “I’ve been doing things a certain way for a long time, but you make me want to change up my…ah…routine. Try something new.”

He traced a finger across her collarbone and goosebumps prickled her skin. Anticipation roared through her blood. Images of him tracing other parts of her body teased her mind. That one simple touch stoked a fire deep inside, one that had been a dying ember until he came along.

“I’ve never been very good at relationships,” he continued. “Always jumped into sex with zero hesitation. Zero emotions. Zero commitments. I don’t want to do that with you.”

Oh, lucky me. Summer forced a smile. She should be happy to hear it. Excited that he wasn’t just after a hookup, and that he wanted more. But her body was on fire. Throbbing and pulsing for something he wasn’t going to give her.