“You’ve had days…”

“Can you please come over here so I can talk to you?” she asked, waving at the pavement like an idiot.

“What’s the problem?”

“I can’t step over that line. Will you please just come over here?”

Summer’s nose wrinkled in bewilderment. Stepping over the streak of darkness, he asked, “The shadow?”

Nodding hotly, her body pitched forward, leaving only inches between them. She tangled her fingers into the sides of his t-shirt. Summer remained sullen making it perfectly clear he’d been tortured enough. His patience had been pushed to the brink.

If there was a move to be made…it was going to have to come from her.

Carrie Ann raised her chin and released an excruciatingly long breath. Gripping tightly to the cotton hem, she tugged, crushing him against the length of her body. Her heart began a steady stampede, picking up pace, charging through her veins. The hard terrain of his frame was a perfect match for her curves.

A small flicker of hope and happiness brushed his lips.

“Summer, I’ve missed you more than words can ever explain. I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass the last few days. I was scared. I was being stubborn and shitty.” She managed a breath between rambles. Her chin trembled, wetness leaked from her eyes into her hairline. Letting go of his shirt, she slipped her hands over his wide shoulders. “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go home. I want to try again.”

A brief pause. “Feel better getting that off your chest?” She began nodding before he’d finished the sentence. “Thank, God.”

Finally, she felt the relief of his arms circle around her hips, gripping and coasting, showering her with passionate touches. Carrie Ann frantically pulled him to her mouth, but he held back. Summer wasn’t breathing well. Tremors roped through his muscles. He rested his chin atop her head.

“Carrie Ann, before this goes any further. I need to know…” He held her outward. The seriousness in his tone startled her, awakening an internal panic button. “…that you believe me about that morning. The woman in my room. I’ve never lied to you. If you can’t trust me after all this time then there’s no reason to even try, Red. We need to be honest with each other. We’ll never make it with lies between us.”

At that precise moment, she realized he was opening a door for her. Summer knew she’d been hiding something from him. Carrie Ann needed to disclose the truth, but she just wasn’t ready. She’d craved this for so long, his kiss, his touch, his comfort and friendship, she refused to give up the moment. One door at a time.

“I believe you.”

“I mean it, Red.” His lips moved in a whisper along the side of her face to the edge of her mouth. She gasped at the scruff of his beard tickling all the way to her toes. “Not another word about it.”

“Not another word. I promise.”

On her declaration of assurance, Summer pushed his fingers into her hair. As his mouth descended over hers, contemplations of her admission faded to the back burner and delight burst to the forefront.

Every ounce of his being took control, kissing her with infinite finesse. Subtle searching slowly building into a long-awaited, vigorous grappling of hands, mouth, body and soul. Her pulse skyrocketed. Needing more, she explored roughly with her tongue, digging her nails into the flesh at the back of his arms.

“Miss me?” he murmured between their open mouths.

“Yes,” she whimpered.

Summer’s control began to slip. He crushed his mouth to hers, greedily licking into her mouth. One arm came around the small of her back, forcing an upward arch. His other hand brushed teasingly along the tender dip of her hip. The tips of his fingers stole beneath the waistband of her shorts, closing over the fullness of her bottom and grasping firmly.

The severity of time lost became all too clear and feelings of loss bowled through her. Sobs quaked inside her chest. Carrie Ann lifted to her toes. It wasn’t enough. Her leg hitched around his hip, grinding desperately against the hard pressure of his erection. The slippery friction of their kiss, rhythmic and ravenous, guiding her in one direction.

Looping a finger through her belt loop, Summer hoisted her around his waist. She marveled at his strength, sweeping her hand over his biceps. Carrie Ann hooked her arms and legs around him, snuggling her nose to the slope between his neck and shoulder. She clung to him, breathing in the sunny scent, needing more, holding tighter as if her life depended on him.

Suitcase in tow, he started for the cabin. Aspen whined, trotting along beside them.

“It’s okay, girl.” The reassurance was meant for the pup, but it calmed her soul.

“She loves you…you know.”

Carrie Ann nodded, removing his sunglasses and hooking them on the front of her blouse. Lust coated his eyes, feasting on the deep valley between her breasts. Holding the bar of his forearm beneath her bum, he lifted her higher, nibbling and kissing her voluptuous cleavage.

The sun shined down on the intimate act. Her lips parted, panting, watching as he grabbed the edge of her white bra between his teeth. Navigating the lace downward, Summer circled his tongue over the tight pink bud. The scorching heat of his mouth, licking and sucking, drew a low pleasure cry from her throat.

Desire saturated their mingled breath. Carrie Ann slipped her fingers inside her bra, freeing her other breast. Discarding the luggage, he gently pinched the damp nipple, rolling it between his fingers, as his mouth made haste with the other. It was stunningly erotic, being outside in the middle of nowhere. Not a soul in sight. Completely uninhibited, all modesty cast aside.

Pressing her body to his, her hips rolled, settling heavily against his groin as she clung to his shoulders for support. A hungry low groan hummed from her chest. Carrie Ann wiggled and squirmed, prompting his fingers to take action.

Slipping his fingers beyond the frayed edges of her shorts, he gently sunk his teeth into her shoulder, murmuring, “Carrie Ann Lowell, you’re not wearing any panties.”

“I’m on vacation.”

Grappling to fit closer, she kicked out of her shoes, hooking her ankles at his spine. His lips traversed the slope of her neck, nibbling and kissing, nipping the lobe of her ear between his teeth. He shoved at her clothing, moving it aside, skating a fingertip over her slick center. Clasping tighter to his neck, she bucked and writhed, begging in a breathy voice, “Yes. Oh, yes. Touch me. Please, Summer.”

“Hungry, Red? Hmm?” Summer’s voice lost to sounds of pleasure. His fingers claiming her center, circling, teasing, working her into a frantic, quivering hot mess. She was on fire.

Gathering the mass of her dark hair, he tugged her head back, persuading a response. “Oh, fuck yes. Famished. Starving.”

Whimpering, she devoured his mouth. Savoring the sweet minty taste of his kiss. He dipped a finger into the syrupy heat, drawing a long purr from behind their lips. Her knees clamped tighter, digging into his sides, moving, riding, propelling her higher. Her heart beat wildly. Carrie Ann locked her gaze on his warm amber eyes. He slid another finger inside, thrusting with purpose.

“Cum for me, Red.” His raspy voice moved over her open lips in a demanding groan.

She began to tip, rolling and arching her body. The immense pleasure vexingly good as he pumped steadily, with wicked precision. Her toes curled, muscles flexed as she shattered.

He consumed her cries of pleasure with hungry kisses. Her chest heaved laboriously. Wrestling with his t-shirt, she yanked it over his head.

Summer brought his fingers to his lips, tasting her sweetness. A smirk ticked the corner of his wide, firm mouth. “You’re getting a little easy with age.”

“We’ll see who’s getting easier with age.” She touted, tossing his tee on a patch of tall grass. Un-hinging her legs from his hips, she stretched her toes to the ground. The soft straw-like meadow grass bent beneath her feet.