Page 7 of Charm

“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.”

Hearingthatword 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?”