AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She stared at Lucas, who blinked at her with wide, innocent eyes. Summer ran her tongue around her teeth. “A ... meal?”
His head tilted sideways, and he gave her what she imagined he thought was his most charming smile. “Sure. Why not? What do you have a taste for?”
“Something hot.” Summer blushed, silently cursing her tongue. “I mean, I like spicy food.”
“Great, then why don’t we—”
“I didn’t say I would go,” she interjected hastily. “I can’t really, but thanks for the offer.”
“I promise we won’t bite,” Chase said softly. “I’d sure like to stare at a beautiful woman rather than this guy’s ugly mug.”
Beautiful? Had he called her beautiful? “I have to get to bed early each night. Baking starts at dawn.” Even she could hear the waver in her voice.
Lucas leaned forward, pressing his advantage. He placed a hand over his heart, expression solemn. “We’ll have you home by nine, Marine’s honor.”
She gave him a level look. “I would drive myself. But—”
Chase startled her, picking up her hand from where it rested on the counter. Just held it, sweetly, the gesture almost old-fashioned. “It’s obvious you work hard. Don’t you think you deserve to be taken care of a bit? Let us treat you. Anywhere you want, lunch or dinner and no hanky panky.”
“Unless you start it first,” Lucas interjected in his silky voice. Except now it was more like molten lava cake chocolate. Gooey, decadent ... an obvious temptation.
When, in her life, had she ever turned down molten lava cake? Never.
By the time the two guys left the bakery a good fifteen minutes later, Summer was sufficiently sweet-talked into agreeing to a date. Not just a friendly coffee or meal: a bona fide date, with the two of them. The second she got home after closing that day, she called Brooke, the girl who helped at the shop part time.
“Sure, I can come in tomorrow. Is everything okay?” Brooke asked with a little concern in her voice.
“Oh, everything’s just fine. I have a date is all. They’re Marines and they don’t have any nights off this week. I don’t wanna make them wait too long. So, I’m having lunch with them.”
“Oh, he’s a Marine? I thought you didn’t go in for those guys since you had a hard time a while back in the bakery.”
“Well, I suppose I shouldn’t let one or two bad eggs turn me off for life. And another thing ... it’s not one Marine—it’s two.”
“Oh my ... Summerlyn!”
Summer laughed and shrugged her shoulders despite being alone and on the phone. “What? No judgements, Brooke.”
“You slut you,” said Brooke, but she was also laughing. Summer knew she didn’t mean it. “Well, I can’t say no to helping now, can I? I would hate to deprive you of so much attention. And to be honest, if anyone needs more attention in that department, it’d be you.”
“Oh, you be quiet,” Summer replied. “Don’t forget who pays your college tuition.”
“Yeah, and I work damn hard for that money. Anyway, thanks for giving me the heads up. I’d be happy to take the shift. You deserve some time off.”
“Thanks! I plan on enjoying it.” Summer thanked Brooke quickly and headed home.
Chapter 5
Summerlyn
Later that night, Summer had intense dreams, naughty dreams, dreams that showed her what could be.
Chase scooped her up in his muscular arms and carried her over to the bed. Her legs crossed behind his waist and she pulled herself closer to him, breathing in his woodsy scent. As he lay her down on the bed, his big body covering hers, she felt Lucas’s weight pressing down onto the other side of the bed.
Chase adjusted himself and started planting kisses on her collarbone, licking and sucking at her neck until he had worked his way up to her mouth, his body propped up on his elbows.
She felt Lucas’s hands on her back, felt him shape her ass and waist. Chase looked at her, raising a brow. She nodded in response to his unasked question and his mouth was on hers not a second later, claiming it with that fierce single-minded focus she’d spent weeks dreaming about.
Only now that they were on the bed, Chase’s body pressing against hers and Lucas’s hands grabbing her ass, it felt a thousand times more intense.
