The direct compliment caused a brief internal struggle between her conscience and temptation. The little guy with horns and a tail sitting on her left shoulder, encouraged her to say Thank you, tell me more. While the winged guardian on the right insisted Set him straight. However, the disgruntled hooha riding dead center between her thighs seemed to be honing in on the lead waving frantically saying, Hello, my old friend.

Feeling a bit timid, she tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. Tipping her head to the left, she slyly inspected his strong thighs and firm ass as he stacked the last log.

Fuck, he looked tantalizing.

And he damn well knew it.

Summer sauntered straight toward her. His low rise jeans accentuated his V, framing his package, as if artfully presenting an exquisite meal at a fine dining establishment.

His gaze fell upon her face, slowly taking her in. “Sleep good?”

“Yes,” she gulped a swig of the pale yellow drink. “Did you?”

“Nah. I was lonely.” His eyes smiled from his cheeks. “You’ve stolen my best buddy. She usually sleeps right beside my bed, but she hasn’t left your side since we got here. How’s your smoothie? I added powdered protein, hope that’s okay?”

Protein? Ha ha very funny. Jerk! There was a time in her life when nothing would’ve given her more pleasure than to go down on him, take him in, taste every inch of him. Carrie Ann had always been a fan of oral, but it bordered on an obsession when it came to Summer. She’d never quite understood why she loved it so much more with him, but something about him was insanely divine. They shared a deep sensual connection that penetrated her soul with contentment.

Until he screwed up.

Playing chess with Summer could prove to be far too risky, but the need to put him in check escalated. She countered boldly, mustering a snide, but wispy voice, “Umm, delicious.”

It was a dangerous maneuver, but it was worth a try. Or at least that’s what she told herself. Judging by the satisfaction darkening his eyes, it only encouraged him. His focus locked on her lips sending a pleasant shudder through her.

“Pineapple’s your favorite.” A hungriness flickered in his eyes. “You reminded me several times on the way here. You even grabbed an extra from your place when we stopped to get your things. Insisted we’d be needing it.”

Checkmate.

Fuck! Fuckity-fuck!

Testing the man was like playing with fire. It would only get her in trouble. Trouble she didn’t need. Trouble she didn’t want. Trouble she’d have a hard time turning down.

Backing off a bit, she waved aimlessly at the log cabin and surrounding property. “How long have you had this place?”

Understanding shone in his eyes. Damn him. Damn him for knowing me so well.

“Okay, then. We’ll table the discussion of the flight here. For now.” Aspen drug the football, which was nearly as big as her, to his feet. He gave it another toss. “I bought it last year. Do you remember Redford from college?”

She could scarcely breathe. “This was Redford’s place?”

“It was his grandfather’s place. His health isn’t good, so he had to give up flying a few years ago. Luckily for me, he finally decided to let go of this place.”

“Why do you want a place in the middle of nowhere? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. But being so far removed kinda limits the time you spend here, doesn’t it? How far is…”

Her words trailed off watching as he held his hands under the rain cascading off the roof, using it to remove the dirt from his arms.

“I love being in the middle of nowhere. The cabin is kinda small, but I think that’s part of its charm. Everything is top of the line. The barn’s more like a guesthouse. It’s got plenty of rooms for friends or family to stay.” A proud catch in his smile bared a thread of satisfaction. “Plus there’s a natural mineral pool. This place gets me away from all of the bullshit. I feel like I can breathe here. I need the balance in my life, everyday situations where people aren’t fucking catering to my every whim. Believe it or not, it’s nice to wash my own dishes, do my own laundry. Being normal is kind of a victory.”

Carrie Ann couldn’t manage one word. The vision of him cupping two hands beneath the waterfall, and splashing it on his face made her feel as if she were in the middle of a very vivid dream. He raked his fingers through his thick short hair, leaving it in glossy chunks. Chill bumps raised across his skin. Water streamed down his glistening torso in silky ribbons.

“When Tommy and I first started collaborating on the film he told me about this shack he’s got in Bora Bora. Let’s be honest…it’s Tommy, so I’m sure it’s no shack. It’s probably the most badass beach bungalow in French Polynesia. But, it’s a private island, totally off the grid. He swears it’s like stepping away from the world and leaving your worries with it.”

His eyes glazed over, drifting off to some faraway place in mind, exposing a vein of adversity that came with fame and fortune. A ping of empathy knocked at the door to her heart. Living in the public eye undoubtedly came with its own breed of difficulties.

“God, the way he describes it…total privacy, no media, no TV, no internet, no interruptions. Just nature at its finest…” Muscles near his eyes relaxed, softening the fine wrinkles. “And a woman he loves more than life by his side. Sounds like heaven. They love it.”

His words carved through her heart, striking with precision. Her head slowly twisted side-to-side, taking in a full rotation of the vast dreamy piece of real estate before landing on her feet.

Her feet planted on his porch in his private little piece of heaven.

Carrie Ann frowned warily. Suddenly, the dampness saturating the air clung to her skin like a wool blanket on a winter day. He can’t possibly think that…

“Then I ran into Redford one night at dinner. One thing led to another. A month later it was mine.” His tan muscular arms folded across his chest. “I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up. Or call back.”

“I remember,” she admitted quietly, shifting from one foot to the other. Over the years she’d ignored several calls, expecting to find an intoxicated Summer on the other end of the line. The risk of not being able to turn him down left her far too vulnerable. She didn’t trust herself or him for that matter. “Why did you call me?”

“I was just thinking about you. Wanted to bring you here.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.” He seemed shocked by her surprised reaction. “Remember when we drove up to Big Sur for the weekend? We stayed at that great little cabin. The one with the hot springs?”

The skin between her brows pinched into a deep groove. She definitely remembered. Big Sur was only one of many amazing weekend getaways they took, but it was the first time he told her that he loved her. A small smile warmed his face. Summer’s steady relaxed gaze lingered, provoking her responsiveness.

“Maybe you should’ve considered bringing someone else instead of me.”

He moved closer, lowering his face to hers. “Who would you prefer me to bring? Hmm? Tell me, Red. Because that’s not the tune you were singing on the way here.”

Her common sense ignored the double question, yet her knees still wobbled. Tightening the safety net around her heart, she laid on a heavy dose of insinuation and sarcasm, bolstering a rejection. “Oh, I don’t know, Summer. Maybe a real girlfriend! Not one you had to kidnap.”

He recoiled at her harshness, but quickly recovered. “You wanted to be here. And other women all have the same fuckin’ problem, Red.”

“Let me guess. They’re all after your millions?”

“That’s not the problem I’m referring to.”

“Too beautiful? Too thin? Too crazy like that one voodoo chick you dated?” There was no need to go into detail. He knew exactly who she meant.