Page 5 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)
CHAPTER FIVE
Greer
Why did that sound so sexual?
I didn’t mean for it to, but it sure as hell came out as an invitation to come inside for a lot more than a cup of sugar. I don’t know if he had the same idea in mind as I did when I came up with a plan to ask him if I could borrow some sugar.
All I do know is he beat me to the punch, but I’m not about to complain about it.
The man following me into the kitchen is even more attractive than I thought he was when I first saw him in the pool. That’s saying a lot because I silently rated him a twenty out of ten as he stepped out of the water.
He’s way beyond a fifty now.
His blue eyes are piercing, and as soon as I opened the door, they were locked on me. His hair is thick, dark brown, and peppered with a few strands of gray that make him second-glance worthy.
If I were being completely honest, I’d do a triple-take if I passed him on a sidewalk or saw him in the grocery store.
Since I have no idea where anything is in this kitchen, I open and close numerous cupboard doors before I find a set of sleek silver measuring cups.
I know enough about culinary science to understand the importance of using the correct tool for the job, so I grab the largest cup and head over to the pantry.
It takes all of twenty seconds for me to spot a ceramic canister marked sugar.
“I can help,” Joe says from the entrance to the kitchen.
I instantly conjure up a mental image of him standing directly behind me with his arms wrapped around mine as we scoop sugar out of the canister together.
That’s what not getting laid in months does to a woman.
I shake off the thought and his offer to help. “It’s okay. I can handle it.”
“I know you can.” He chuckles. “You were ready to stab me with an umbrella. I have no doubt you can handle anything, Summer.”
There’s a hint of amusement in his voice as he says my fake name. I can’t help but smile. “Thanks, Joe.”
“What’s your real name?” he questions as he steps closer to where I’m standing.
“Does it matter?”
This weekend is a gift to myself. In a way, it’s a short break from the pressures of life back home. What better way to escape the day-to-day than to pretend to be someone else?
“It doesn’t,” he acquiesces. “I hope we can spend some timetogether before you go back to…”
“The place I came from,” I fill in the blank.
“Right.” His lips curl into a grin. “Right now, you’re Summer from a mysterious place who showed up here to make my Friday a whole hell of a lot brighter.”
“Is that what I’m doing?” I play coy. “I’m making your Friday brighter?”
He runs his gaze over me slowly. “You are. If you give me a chance, I’ll make your Friday unforgettable.”
I offer him the cup of sugar. “You’ve already done that. I’ll never forget what happened at the pool.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He grabs the measuring cup, being sure to brush his fingers over mine.
Heat rolls through me, stoked by the intensity in his gaze. This stranger is seducing me, and I’m not going to stop him.
Maybe Krista is right. Maybe good sex is what I need. I have no doubt this man can supply that.
“You should,” I say boldly. “I meant it as a compliment.”
“In that case, you’re stunning.” He sets the measuring cup on the counter. “Fucking beautiful.”
Hearing that word fall from his lips sends a wave of desire through me. I bow my head because I’m scared I’ll blush like I did back in high school when a boy flirted with me.
“How would you feel about a night swim?” he asks, his voice low and thick. It’s peppered with the same need that is enveloping me.
I tilt my chin up until our eyes meet. He towers over me by at least five inches. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say he’s just over six feet tall. “Make it at midnight and I’ll be there.”
His gaze lowers to my T-shirt before settling on my shorts. “Suits or no suits?”
That’s a subtle way of telling me that I’m setting the pace for our midnight encounter. “Unwrapping the gift is at least half of the pleasure of receiving it, right?”
“I much prefer giving,” he says with a tempting smile. “But, I certainly won’t say no to seeing you in a swimsuit.”
“Bikini,” I clarify.
His eyes darken. “This is pure torture. You know that, don’t you?”
I glance at the time display on the microwave less than a foot from where we’re standing. “Midnight isn’t that far away, Joe.”
“It’s hours from now.” He bites the words out, each slower than the last.
“You’ll survive.” I look into his eyes. “You came over to borrow a cup of sugar, so you must have plans to make something with that.”
“Fuck no.” He laughs. “That was so I could see you again.”
My pulse beats faster. “You’ll see me again at midnight.”
“I’ll think about you until then,” he says in a voice that is deep, dark, and filled with unspoken promises. “I’ll bring a bottle of wine?”
I like that he’s asking, not assuming that I partake. “Red, please.”
His right hand jumps up. I sense he’s about to touch my face, but it drops back to his side in a fist as if he’s fighting the temptation. “Midnight can’t come soon enough.”
I can’t come soon enough, but I’ll forgo my planned bubble bath orgasm and save it for him.
He arches a brow. “Is there anything else I can bring for you, Summer?”
I haven’t had sex with a stranger in… well, never, so I don’t know the protocol if there is one, but I ask for what I want because it’s too important not to. “Protection. You’ll bring a condom, right? I’m on birth control, but condoms are a must for me.”
“And for me,” he adds. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“No, thank you.” His voice lowers a little. “You came out of nowhere to make this night one I won’t soon forget.”
“This weekend,” I say boldly. “I’m here until Sunday.”
It’s presumptuous to assume he’ll want more of me after tonight, but I toss that out there because I already know I’ll want more of him.
His eyes close briefly before they hone in on mine. “Whoever you are and wherever you came from, I’m so fucking glad you ended up here.”
“Me too,” I whisper. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”
I ache to be kissed by him, but he doesn’t give me that. Instead, he rakes me from head to toe like he wants nothing more than to devour me before he turns and walks out of the house.