Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)

He wandered through the main part of town, stepping around tourists going in and out of the stores. Morgan’s Books had a big crowd for a signing for Liz Sutton’s latest mystery. He thought about buying a copy for his mom, but didn’t want to wait in the line.

He couldn’t figure out what was wrong. He should find a quiet bar, get a beer and watch a game, then call it a night. Instead, he checked his phone for messages—there weren’t any—then kept walking.

About a mile later, he stopped in front of an unfamiliar house. It was small, with a nice yard and well-tended flowers. He hadn’t been there before, but somewhere he’d picked up the address. He knew who lived there and he was clear on what would happen if he knocked.

He wasn’t indecisive. He knew exactly what he wanted. What kept him from acting was the consequences. Because sex complicated everything. The better the sex, the bigger the complications. Because wanting Annabelle was driving him crazy but having her might be another level of hell.

Still not sure what he was going to do, he stood on the sidewalk and stared. After a couple of minutes her front door opened and Annabelle stepped out onto the porch.

It was light enough for him to see the details. She wore white shorts and a green T-shirt. Her feet were bare, her long red, wavy hair was loose. She looked young and pretty and sexy and he knew then he had to have her. There was no longer a choice.

“One of my neighbors phoned. She said there was a strange man staring at my house and asked if I needed her to call the police.”

He glanced around and saw an old lady peering at him from behind a half-drawn curtain. He waved and she drew back into her house.

“Didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said.

“What did you mean to do?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet.”

* * *

ANNABELLE WATCHED SHANE watching her. He looked good, standing there. Tall and male, his hair still damp from a recent shower. She read the intent in his eyes and knew why he’d come by.

It would be so easy to tell him no. To simply say she was busy and go back inside. He was the kind of man who would accept her polite no. If that was what she wanted.

There were a hundred reasons not to give in. At least a dozen scenarios that would result in having her heart broken, her life disrupted and her living with regret for a long time to come. But she also knew that Shane had a good heart. And if she never took a chance with another guy, especially one who made her knees weak from his kindness and from raw desire, where would she be? Stuck in the same rut.

The man was her personal fantasy. Was one night really so bad? So dangerous? Surely she was strong enough to understand what was happening and deal with the consequences.

She turned and walked back into the house, leaving the door open behind her. Once she’d crossed the threshold, she had a quick decision to make. She doubted there would be much idle chit-chat once he followed.

She paused in her living room, then decided there was no reason to be subtle.

She walked down the short hallway to her bedroom. It was still light out and the afternoon was warm. She pulled the shades closed, flipped on the air conditioner, then turned to pull down the covers on her bed. Only she never got that far.

Shane stood behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders, then turned her toward him. She went easily, willingly. Their gazes locked for a single heartbeat, then he was pulling her close or she was surging forward. She wasn’t sure which and it really didn’t matter. Not when he kissed her.

His lips were firm yet gentle, taking and offering equally. Anticipation sweetened the moment as she kissed him back, moving her mouth against his. His arms came around her, holding her tight. Safe.

She rose on tiptoe, wanting to press herself against him. He was all hard muscles and warm body.

He kept the kiss chaste, then drifted to her cheek, then her jaw. He nibbled his way down her neck, exciting her with each contact of lips and teeth. Goose bumps broke out on her skin as heat began to pour through her.

He reached her collarbone, then retraced his steps, finding the sensitive skin behind her ear. He nipped the lobe and then licked that spot, before returning his attention to her mouth.

She parted the second she felt him kiss her again. He swept his tongue inside, circling, tracing, teasing. She met him stroke for stroke, feeling her stomach clench and wanting so much more than just a kiss.

As if he’d read her mind, he began to move his hands up and down her back. They slipped under her T-shirt and she felt strong fingers against her spine. He paused at the curve of her hips, then slid down until he cupped her butt.

Both hands squeezed gently. She sank into him, letting her br**sts nestle against his chest, her tummy pressed against his erection.

She pressed her fingers into his shoulders, hanging on as her legs trembled slightly. Wanting made her insides melt and swell. She knew that whatever happened later, there was no way she could have resisted Shane. Not after that first kiss. That first touch. She was practically quivering with need and he’d barely gotten to first base.

He drew back from their kiss and stared into her eyes.