Page 17 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Greer

I’m exhausted, but it’s in the best possible way.

After I went into town and grabbed a few essentials and non-essentials, I came back to my weekend retreat with the intention of settling in for a nap that I hoped would last at least two hours.

That never happened.

Instead, I spent almost ninety minutes talking on the phone. I took two very important personal calls, and when those were done, I focused on business for only twenty minutes.

Three quick calls took care of an issue that had popped up that Krista was ignoring. It wasn’t crucial, but I’d definitely label it as important.

Now that it’s all smoothed over, I’m finally ready to enjoy my Saturday night.

A series of quick knocks at the door brings a soft smile to my face.

It has to be Joe. In anticipation of seeing him tonight, I showered after my calls and put on a maxi dress.

It’s a perfect shade of green for me, and the fabric is so lightweight and breezy it feels like I’m wearing almost nothing.

In a sense, that’s true since the only thing I have on other than the dress is a pair of black panties.

I take my time walking across the tiled floor to reach the door.

I’ve been nothing but eager since I met the man. I’m way past the point of playing hard to get with him, but it can’t hurt to make him ache for me for an extra few seconds.

I swing open the door, and there he is. The dark-rimmed eyeglasses he’s wearing are new to me, and a very nice touch. “I like your glasses.”

He pushes them up the bridge of his nose. “You do?”

“Very much.” I nod in appreciation, my gaze tracking over the black V-neck sweater he’s wearing. He’s paired that with charcoal gray pants and shiny black wingtip shoes. “You’ve got a naughty professor vibe going on.”

His head falls back in laughter. “Why does that sound so hot coming from you?”

“Why do you look so hot dressed like that?” I counter, smiling brightly.

“I am hot.” He pinches the neckline of the sweater to tug it away from his skin. “It’s too fucking hot out for me to be wearing this many clothes, but I have big plans tonight.”

Trying to shield my disappointment, I nod. “Big plans?”

I almost laugh at myself. What the hell kind of question is that?

He tilts his chin up. “Work plans.”

“So, you do work from here.” I jerk a thumb in the direction of his house. “You live here full-time, don’t you?”

His gaze skims my face, but before he can answer, his phone starts ringing.

“Dammit,” he whispers. “I need to go, Summer, but I wanted to check in.”

“Check in?” I question as his phone quiets.

He nods. “I wanted to make sure you have everything you need until we hang out again tomorrow.”

Smiling, I tap a finger against my lower lip. “I have absolutely everything I need for tonight.”

“Good. So, about tomorrow…”

“What time were you thinking of getting together?” I interrupt before he can finish.

Call it eagerness, or a lack of patience, but I want to see him again as soon as possible since I need to head back to Manhattan tomorrow.

“Martin mentioned swinging by in the morning to double-check that the pump in the pool is working as it should.” He chuckles. “I told him three times that it is, but Martin never takes my word for it.”

“Come here for breakfast as soon as he leaves,” I blurt out.

I really want to tell him to stop by tonight on his way home, but he’s the one who brought up getting together tomorrow. I take that to mean he’s not interested or available to spend time with me tonight. Naturally, I’m disappointed, but this weekend has already been a dream.

He nods. “Should I bring anything?”

“Condoms,” I say with my gaze locked to his. “Don’t forget those.”

He leans forward to kiss me softly on the mouth. As he pulls back, a groan escapes him. “If this meeting weren’t as important as it is, I’d cancel it in a heartbeat.”

As if on cue, his phone starts ringing again, luring him back a step.

“You need to go,” I remind him.

“I need to quit my fucking job.” He laughs.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Joe.”

“You can bank on that,” he says before he kisses my cheek and darts off down the driveway in a sprint.

My moonlit walk down the beach was everything I imagined it would be. The water was warm as it washed over my feet. I collected a few white rocks to take home with me, and I stood looking up at the moon, grateful for the life I have.

I take one last look at the almost deserted beach before I step back onto Mrs. Frye’s property. The scent of white lilacs fills the air. As soon as I glance to the right, my breath catches.

A smile slides over my lips as tears prick my eyes. I bend down to breathe in the unmistakable smell of the lilac bush that’s next to me. The angel white lilacs move softly with the light wind that’s blowing my hair back.

Their fragrance fills the air, reminding me of summers past, and one late winter day, I thought I’d never recover from.

Closing my eyes, I tilt my chin up as tears flow down my cheeks.

A loud bark in the distance pulls me from my memories.

I look toward the beach to see Wally and Copper walking under the moonlight.

It’s a peaceful sight, and although I’m tempted to join them, sleep is calling my name.

I have a lunch date tomorrow that I need to be rested up for, because I have a feeling Joe considers me his dessert.