Summer Lovin' (4 page)

"Well, you know how those young'uns can be."

He stood there, with his hands on his hips, and Mia had to shield her eyes to keep the sun from obscuring all of his manly yumminess. Why had she never realized how sexy a white T-shirt could be? Maybe it was because she'd never seen one emphasize a man's muscles quite like his did. Her face heated, but thankfully she could blame it on the sun beating down on her skin.

She wouldn't mind seeing those muscles without the shirt again. She had been too distracted when she'd first seen his bare chest, and it had been such an effort trying to pretend she wasn't ogling him. And the blue jeans he wore today. . .well, the Smithsonian should ask to have them in their permanent collection. They were just that perfect. Only the perfection was really in what they covered.

Luke cleared his throat.

Dear God
. Mia sneaked a peek at his face, but his lips were tilted up in amusement.

"Why don't you sit down?" she offered. It would be easier to keep her eyes, and hopefully her libido, under control.

"Actually, I can't stay," he said. Somehow she kept from whimpering. "I just came over to see if you wanted to have dinner tonight."

She opened her mouth, pretty sure she should decline, but then he added, "You said how you don't like to cook, and well, I don't mind."

"I couldn't have you do that," she said, but her protest was half-hearted at best.

"It would be my pleasure."

His voice was promising something in addition to dinner, and the expression in his eyes confirmed it. Mia nearly had heat stroke, and the sun was blameless. Her brain insisted this could not be a good idea, not in the long run, but another part of her vetoed all of the rational arguments, focusing instead on pleasure.

"How could I possibly say no to that?"

His grin widened. He leaned forward and kissed her on her shocked lips. "You can bring some wine, if you like. And something to keep Hellboy occupied."

"Okay," she said, surprised she could speak at all.

Luke winked and then headed toward the gate.

Mia and Hellboy watched him saunter across the lawn. Hellboy laid down on the grass, his head resting on his front paws, a little puppy moan coming from his mouth.

She fanned herself with one hand. "You can say that again."

***

They had ended up at the dock again. Luke decided it was a good idea to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak, and this time he made sure Hellboy was surrounded by every toy and food item imaginable back at the yard. Luke figured it gave him at least a solid half hour to enjoy Mia's attention.

And enjoying her was all he could think about.

"I'm glad you had dinner with me," he said, meaning every word.

"How could I say no? You're like a world-class chef or something."

He grinned.

"Oh, no. Are you a world-class chef?"

Luke shook his head.

"Whew," she breathed.

"Not world-class anyway."

Mia's eyes widened, and then she giggled, her wine glass still at her lips. "I thought you were a chauffeur."

"I could be. I know how to drive," he teased.

She laughed, as he'd hoped she would. "Why aren't you cheffing somewhere right now?"

"I'm taking some time off. This is the time of year we usually close down to do a deep cleaning, and repairs, at the restaurant."

"They don't need you there for that?"

He frowned. "Actually, my crew said it was time I took a vacation." He didn't want to admit it, but they had been right.

Luke scooted closer, taking her wine glass and setting it down next to his. He draped his arm around her shoulders, brushing his lips against her hair.

Mia shivered, only he knew it wasn't from the temperature. It was at least seventy-five degrees still, even though the sun had gone down a while ago. There was a light breeze, but it had a sultry feel to it, so he knew her shiver was from their skin touching, being close to each other. He traced his fingers up her arm, relishing each and every goose bump that appeared.

Mia turned her head, possibly to say something, but he could not resist her mouth. His lips were so hungry for her, more than he'd anticipated. He could taste the wine from the last sip she'd taken. He told himself to go slow, nibbling tenderly, but he heard that soft groan from her, and it was like a shot of adrenaline landing right in his lap. He curved his arm, pulling her closer, wrapping his other arm around her so that her breasts were pressed against him.

She reached out a hand, and it ended up on his heart, amplifying the pounding. He could feel it in his ears, his chest, his groin. Every part of his body was alive because of her touch.

"Luke," she murmured. He liked the breathy sound of his name and prayed she wasn't asking him to stop. Her lips opened further, giving him the answer he'd been hoping for.

He kept her tight against him, his fingers stroking her spine, moving closer to the curve of her waist. He let her sounds dictate where he should go next.

Mia broke off the kiss, leaning her forehead against his chest. His heart thudded so hard he expected to see it come crashing through his shirt. He dotted kisses along her temple, moving her hair back so he could give the same attention to the shell of her ear.

"This is going so fast," she said.

"Too fast?"

She nodded. "A little."

Luke tamped down his disappointment. He had hoped they could move things a little faster than they were now. At the same time, her response made him hopeful. He could almost see her being around longer than this little vacation of his. That sent shockwaves through him. He rested his chin atop her head, to keep her close while he contemplated where that wild thought had come from.

He finally got himself together enough to suggest, "Why don't we go inside and watch a movie?"

"I don't know," she said. "I should probably get back home."

She twisted her lips, making him think she was tempted to change her mind. But he didn't want to push, not after she'd said they were moving too fast. Luke curbed his impatience and held out his hand.

"All right. Let's get Hellboy so you can go home then."

She placed her palm in his, smiling up at him in a way that almost made his knees buckle. What was it about her? He led them up the hill toward his house, and he slowed his gait down as much as possible, dragging out that moment when the evening would be over.

Too soon they were standing in front of the gate while he unlatched it. Hellboy came racing over, barking incessantly.

"It sounds like he's blaming me for leaving him here alone," Luke said.

"Actually I think that's his 'I'm excited to see you' bark."

"It's kinda hard to tell them apart."

"That's true. But since he's circling your feet and trying to bite your ankle, I'm gonna go with he's happy to see you."

"Either that or I'm his new chew toy."

Mia laughed. "My shoes thank you for your sacrifice." She reached for Hellboy. "Come on, monster. It's time to go home."

The puppy had that goofy grin on his face again, and he darted away from her outstretched hands. He circled around the yard and came back. To Luke. He even put his front paws up on Luke's shin.

"It doesn't look like he wants to leave," Luke said, in the most innocent voice he could muster.

"You two planned this, didn't you?" Mia asked, but Luke could tell she was amused rather than upset.

He placed his hand over his heart. "I swear. We did not plan anything." He grinned. "But only because we didn't have a chance to."

Hellboy scampered towards Mia, his paws reaching for her with such visible excitement. Luke saw her expression soften, even though she tried to remain stern.

"I'm not really sure—" she said.

He picked up Hellboy and placed the pup's furry face close to his own, so they were both looking at her. Luke began to whimper like Hellboy did when he couldn't get what he wanted.

She laughed, holding her hands up in the air. "Okay, I give up." She headed to his house and then stopped, looking at him over her shoulder. "You promise we won't watch any of those cooking shows?"

"We can watch a movie. Just the three of us." He paused, trying to keep a smile at bay. "Besides, you've got a real-live almost world-class chef here. You don't need to watch a cooking show."

Her smile warmed a variety of places in Luke's very willing body. Including someplace near his heart, surprisingly. He brushed that unexpected sensation aside.

"C'mon then," he said, "let's see if we can find something all three of us can agree on."

Luke tucked the puppy in the crook of his arm and then grabbed the screen door, holding it open for Mia. After she was safely in the house, Luke whispered, "Thanks, buddy. I owe you one."

He dug in his pocket for the treat he'd placed there earlier.

Hellboy licked his cheek.

Chapter 5

Mia rubbed at her nose. What smelled so good? She nuzzled her face closer to the scent, and the tip of her nose rubbed against skin. Her eyes shot open. She stared at Luke's chest, his bare, delectable chest where his shirt gaped open. She tried to sit up, but his arms squeezed her gently.

"Shh, it's all right."

His voice was soothing, yet sexy. Her hormones didn't know what to do with themselves. She was aroused, yet strangely comforted at the same time.

"When did I fall asleep?" she murmured, ignoring her brain's warnings to get up and go home. Instead, she snuggled closer. It wasn't like she was going to do anything foolish. And even if she did, there weren't that many days left before this summer interlude was over.

Her heart gave a little protest pang at that thought.

"We were watching the movie, and you got quiet, and then I felt you twitching." His laughter rumbled in his chest, and she liked the feel of it against her cheek.

"I'm sorry," she said with a laugh. "It wasn't because of the movie. Or you," she hastened to add.

"Maybe Hellboy wore you out."

"That's probably true." She glanced at the puppy sleeping on the floor, in the pile of blankets Luke had brought for him. "How did both of us manage to sleep through all those explosions?"

As if on cue, Hellboy moaned in his sleep, his legs jerking. Luke reached for the remote, muting the TV.

"He's probably chasing expensive footwear." Luke nuzzled Mia's ear, making her shiver once more. "I think he's out for the rest of the night."

"I feel bad," she said with a sigh. "I hate to wake him up to go home."

"Then stay here."

"I can't," she said, though her heart raced at his suggestion.

Luke kissed the top of her head. "I'm not ready for you to go home," he said in a soft voice.

She was so surprised by his response, her heart seemed to be stuck in her throat. She attempted to be nonchalant.

"I can leave Hellboy here to keep you company."

He chuckled, and then scooted on the couch so they were laying side by side, facing each other. Fortunately he had the spot on the outside, because the look he was giving her would have made her fall right onto the floor. She kept her arm around his waist and then sneaked a finger inside one of the belt loops on his jeans. Just to keep her balance.

"Mia, I'm really attracted to you."

"I'm very attracted to you, too," she said. Her breathy voice left no doubt of that.

His eyes darkened, and she heard his breathing speed up. She also felt his body stiffen in the most delicious place, right against the spot that ached for him.

"What should we do about it?"

He nibbled on her earlobe while he waited for her answer. She half expected to hear the
Jeopardy
theme song playing in her head while she contemplated all the reasons why they shouldn't do anything about their attraction. But she wanted to do something about it, and Luke clearly did, too.

Was it a bad idea? It didn't seem like it right now while his lips were warm against her skin, inviting her to explore something she hadn't felt for a very long time.

But she was nervous. What if she ended up emotionally bruised and battered afterward, the way her shoe was when Hellboy finished toying with it?

"I'm not sure," she finally answered, honestly. "I can definitely see pros." His lips grazed hers and she shivered. "As well as cons."

He lifted his head, his mouth puckered in an exaggerated pout. "Tell me the cons, and I'll see if I can turn them into pros."

She laughed. "I'm tempted to tell you the opposite, so you will have to twist them into cons."

"You're a devious one."

He planted a kiss on her collarbone. Mia felt her body soften and harden at the same time. She was turning into a rag doll on his couch, and they hadn't even gotten to second base.

"You're too sexy," she blurted. At his upraised eyebrows, she said, "That's the first con."