Page 29 of Charm

Those words pierce me, but it’s in the best way possible. I was his for a short time, and I relished in that.

I turn to face him. Naturally, he’s nude. He has no shame and he shouldn’t given how striking he is.

I’m wearing a plain white T-shirt and leggings. It’s more about comfort than style for me, because I need to do a quick tidy-up before I head back to Manhattan.

“That call you took earlier was really important,” he says as if he can read my mind. “You need to go back to the place you came from now.”

Nodding, I keep my destination to myself. “Someone super special needs to see me as soon as possible.”

That’s an understatement, but this man doesn’t need any details about my life.

He scratches his upper lip. “You don’t have time for one last nude swim?”

Since it’s creeping up on noon now, and I made a vow that I’d be home before dinner, I shake my head. “I wish I did, but…”

“But your someone super special needs you.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “You asked me if I was involved with anyone, Summer.Are you?”

The way his jaw is twitching tells me that if I were seeing someone else, he’d have a problem with us sleeping together. This man has been cheated on. I’ve never had to deal with that, but I’ve seen firsthand how that level of betrayal can impact someone. He doesn’t want another man to experience that pain because of something he did.

“No,” I answer with no hesitation. “I’m happily divorced, remember? I’m also very happily single.”

Nodding, he takes a few measured steps toward me. The fact that his cock is hardening right before my eyes is making it hard to focus on anything but that.

“You’re staring at my cock,” he points out, laughing. “You’re more than welcome to kiss it goodbye.”

I kiss him instead, pressing my lips to his for a slow, sensual kiss.

“Jesus,” he whispers. “You’re something else.”

“So are you, Joe.”

“You’ll think of me from time to time,” he says in a low tone.

I narrow my eyes. “Is that a question?”

“No,” he answers. “It’s the truth. You’ll think of me. I’ll think of you.”

Nodding, I kiss him again. “I will think of you.”

He cups both hands around my face, kissing me again with more intensity. It stirs something deep within me.

“I need to tidy up,” I say, trying to lessen the heaviness of the moment. “I arranged for a driver to pick me up in an hour.”

“To take you to the airport?” he asks.

I tap my bottom lip with my finger. “I’ll never tell.”

He stares deeply into my eyes as though he’s searching for something. His lips part, but before he can say anything, his phone chimes.

“That’s got to be Martin.” He laughs. “I texted him early this morning to tell him not to come around until this afternoon. Leave it to Martin to show up right at noon.”

“Go,” I say softly. “I’ll clean up a bit and head home.”

He bites the corner of his bottom lip. “Take care of yourself, Summer Time.”

“You, too, Joe Campbell. “ I smile. “If I didn’t mention it before, I’m glad we met.”

He drops his hands to my body, wrapping me in his strong arms. “I am, too. I’m also pretty damn grateful you didn’t stab me with that umbrella.”