We walk back to the house holding hands after theadventure. I’m not ready to return to reality after having sex like the cottage was ours. I need a shower, and I know he wants one, too. “We could shower together?”
“You? Naked? Count me in.”
“Dad?”
Daniel’s eyes shoot to mine as his smile falters, but it brightens his cheeks again. “Duty calls. Rain check?”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
He kisses me. “I’ll make it up to you two times over.” Stealing another kiss, he says, “I’ll see you later, baby.”
I feel so grateful and live with a smile on my face. When did life get so good? I might owe those pipes an apology for bringing Daniel into my life. If they hadn’t broken, I don’t know if we would have seen each other again, much less fallen madly in love.
Luckiest girl ever.
CHAPTER 27
SUMMER
TEN DAYS LATER . . .
Starting my day drinking coffee on a patio in the Hamptons is another pinch-me moment. I’ve only had these moments because of the sleepyhead still in bed. I glance back at him. The covers are half off his body, and the slumbering sounds aren’t loud, but I like to hear them.
Daniel brings me a solace I didn’t know I needed.
I slow down with him and smell the roses. I care for him without having to worry about the details. He handles his life without me. I’ve been given the luxury of loving him without strings attached.
As nice as it is to enjoy a leisurely morning coffee in such a beautiful place, I don’t know why I’m not in bed with him. He’s all I want, and the need to make the most of every moment together is strong.
I tiptoe back inside, setting my mug on the coffee tray and shutting the door behind me. It’s quieter without theocean breaking against the rocks nearby, but I prefer the sound of him. I climb into bed and scoot back against my big spoon.
His arm comes around me, though his breathing pace never changes. The man’s sense of me is quite astounding.
Closing my eyes, I ease into a dreamworld that will never be as enchanting as the one I’m living in with him .
“Are you nervous?”I ask, straightening the color of his crisp navy-blue shirt.
“No. Not much makes me nervous. You did.” He smirks. “Before we were dating.”
“Lies. You never once acted less than arrogant around me before we were dating. There.” I’m pleased with my work, though the contribution is minor to the overall outfit he pulled together. The man knows how to dress. I’ll give him that. “Looking sharp. Handsome as always.”
I check my matte red lipstick once more to make sure I didn’t mess it up. It’s not supposed to smear, but my trust issues go way back to the eighth-grade dance, when I walked around with bright pink on my teeth all night. No one told me until my dad picked me up afterward. I got an ice cream out of it to make me feel better. Surprisingly, it worked. I did feel better with two scoops of Rocky Road and Cherry Chocolate Chunk in my belly.
I’m impressed. This lipstick is still exactly where I put it. I tuck it into the pocket of my white eyelet summer dress and make sure the ribbons around my ankles are still tied so my wedges stay on. A Fourth of July party on the lawn of amansion in the Hamptons had me shopping for days, trying to figure out what to wear. I’m happy with the results.
Peeking out the bed-and-breakfast’s window at the water view, I can’t help but compare it to the Cove. They’re similar. The water is a little bluer here, more emerald during the summer than at home. “I’ve never been to the Hamptons before.”
“It’s nice, but I prefer the Cove,” he says, rolling up his sleeves. I grin, hearing his heart grow fonder of my small town. A large silver watch wrapped around his wrist is exposed, those veins causing an ache to forget the party to stay in and make love all night. Grasping me by the waist, he grins as he takes me in. “You look beautiful.” Tilting his head, he looks at me eye level. “Areyounervous?”
“I don’t know what to expect. This isn’t my world.” I flip the lipstick in my pocket over a few times before I ask, “Did I pick the right dress and shoes? Am I the girl from the red carpet or a quieter supporter of yours? Do I tell them where I’m from, or is that embarrassing to you? It is to some people. Jerks, but it’s true.”
“Yes to the dress. Yes to the shoes. You be whoever you want to be. I’m happy with who you are. That’s who I’ve fallen in love with.” He sighs when he angles his head back up. “You’re never an embarrassment, Summer. I tell you you’re beautiful because I still can’t believe I’m the guy who gets to be with you. But that’s notwhyI’m with you.”
Caressing under my jaw, he lifts me enough to make sure eye contact is secured, and says, “You’re driven and so smart that I feel like a dummy around you sometimes. You read a lot and even journal because you have so much going on in your head. But it’s how you care for everyone around you—Roman and me—that did me in. Being loved by you is unlikeanything I’ve ever experienced and a highlight of my day.”
He kisses my cheek and slides the tips of his fingers down my arm, adding, “And you’re so fucking funny. You make me smile like an idiot and laugh more than I knew possible. You keep me on my toes, Sunshine.” He shrugs. “That’s naming only a few reasons I like having you around. So no, don’t lie about who you are or where you’re from. Those are the reasons I fell in love with you. They will, too.”
“You keep that up, and you’re going to have a fangirl situation on your hands.”
