Summer's Night (12 page)

Night laughed, his eyes twinkling with sensual amusement. Flipping the pancakes with precision, he gathered up a plate to sit nearby. "I take that for a yes."

"No comment." She stuck her burning face back into the cool fridge, lingering a bit longer than necessary in order to snag the juice from the main shelf. Placing it on the table, she picked glasses from the cabinet, setting them on the table's placemats. The pancake syrup soon followed.

"Uh, huh." He scooped up the pancakes and clicked the stove off. With platter in hand, he plopped down in the nearest chair.

A whining at the door caught Summer's attention. Quickly, she headed over, opening the door to allow Murphy back in. "I hope you didn't roll in anything icky." She gave the animal a once over, satisfied when no foul odors or stains marred the stark white coat.

The dog walked straight to the living room rug and flopped down.

Returning to the kitchen, she turned the heat off the eggs and poured out the water. She pulled a hot pad out of a drawer and placed the pan on it, in easy reach when they were ready to peel the shell off the eggs.

Summer sat down in her allotted seat, filling her glass with juice.

Night forked half the small pancakes to his plate before shoving the rest off the platter and into her empty plate.

"That's too many." She spied the tall stack and sighed.

"You need to eat. Can't have you passing out from malnutrition before you get a chance to strip for me and kiss me until I beg."

She blinked. "I think you twisted that a bit. I didn't say I would strip. I said we could play strip poker and you promised to give me a head start."

"Well, damn. I liked the idea of you stripping better."

"Uh, huh." She slapped butter and syrup on her plate then cut her dinner into bite-sized portions. "You can always strip for me, though." She tossed out the bone, not surprised he would chomp down on it.

He took a long drink of milk. "Anytime, baby. Anytime."

Now what have I started?
Her belly clenched at his words and the images they provoked. A hot flash traveled the length of her body and back, compelling her to fan herself with her hand.

Night watched her closely, a grin slowly emerging at her reaction.

The lout.
How was she supposed to eat with him staring at her like he had been marooned on a desert island for years and she was a double dip ice cream cone, with a couple of melted drippings running down the side?
Think of something dull and boring.
One plus one equals two.
She ran math equations through her head.
One of him, one of her. Naked. Together. In bed.

Summer bit back a groan. Night's return stoked her libido into overdrive. Just sitting across from him at the table set her mouth to nearly drooling. His sculpted body drew her attention as those deep blue eyes pulled her in, reading her like an open book. Heck, maybe she was the one on the deserted island since an almost overwhelming urge to lift up his T-shirt and taste those delicious abdominal muscles hit her like a hurricane-force wind. Shoving those thoughts to the side, she focused on her plate, purposely forking a piece and sticking it in her mouth. Maybe if she ignored him, her feminine wants and needs would settle down.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Night asked, pulling her attention back to him.

She considered her schedule for a moment. "Nothing, really. It's Saturday, so I don't have any clients. I need to give Murphy a bath and the outside chores, of course. Maybe some housecleaning, but that's the excitement of the day. Why do you ask?" She tilted her head in curiosity.

He shucked off an egg shell with ease, dropping the crumbs onto his empty plate. "I thought we might spend the day together."

"I'd like that." She pasted on a smile, somewhat disappointed he didn't offer to spend the night with her. Her teasing held a purpose, to feel him out, hint at her wishes for him to stay with her. Obviously, she didn't get the idea across or he didn't share her wants.

"Summer?"

She met his eyes. "Yes?"

He refused to release her gaze even as he dropped the egg onto his plate. "You know that I want you, right?"

She bit her lip. "I think so."

He reached out a hand, clasping hers when she met him halfway. "Have no doubt that I want you, in every way that a man wants a woman."

"I… want the… same." She stammered, unnerved with his intense stare and the intimacy of the conversation. "Why can't we… tonight?"

He puffed out a breath of air. "Because I want you to be sure. I promised myself I wouldn't push you or the relationship, everything had to be mutual."

"But this is mutual," she protested.

Shaking his head, he stood up, using their intertwined fingers to tug her up beside him. "Sweetheart, you've had a rough time lately. And, I just returned. Of course you want me to stay and for us to take that big step together. I get that. But, I need to make sure you won't have regrets tomorrow."

She opened her mouth, but he placed a long finger over it, sealing in her words.

"I want to give you another night to consider what you truly want. You have to be absolutely sure because once we cross that bridge there's no going back. I want this to be the beginning of a lifetime, not just a few days of stroking my ego while you use sex for comforting." He wrapped both arms around her, gathering her close, before using his thumb on her chin to encourage her to hold his look. "Understand?"

Multiple thoughts raced through her mind, not the least the sensitivity and caring that Night showed in his restraint. His mention of a lifetime set her heart aglow while only increasing the already strong feelings she had for him. "Yes." She lifted up to brush her lips over his chin. "But know this. I'll feel the same tomorrow as I do tonight."

"I sure hope so." He smiled.

"You might want to eat a good breakfast then. Can't have you passing out from low blood sugar," she teased, rubbing her palm across his shirt-clad chest, sampling the hard muscles underneath.

He snorted. "Take your own advice. I'm a force to be reckoned with." His hand captured hers, holding it steady over his thumping heart.

"We'll see." She lifted again to kiss his lips, flicking her tongue until he opened beneath her foray. Taking the initiative, she explored thoroughly, inciting a quick game of tag with his tongue.

Night stepped back with a muffled curse. "No more of that. I hate cold showers."

She grinned like a kid holding the candy jar. "Uh, huh. Just remember to bring the deck of cards."

A chuckle escaped his throat as he meandered back toward the front door. "Oh, I'll bring those and a few more things."

She blinked, her face heated once more as the possibilities of what he might bring ran through her head. All of them erotic and sinful.

Night threw back his head and laughed. "Think about that tonight."

"Gee, thanks. Now I won't be able to sleep for wondering what in the world you're talking about." She trailed him to the front door.

"Then we're even." He sent her one more smile, turned, and stepped out the door, trotting to his pickup.

She watched from the entranceway until the headlights on his truck became tiny blips in the night sky. Only then did she shut and lock the door. "Murphy, old girl, I think I'm in deep doo doo."

The dog opened her eyes, lifted her ears, and thumped her tail twice before falling right back to sleep.

Chapter 20

By dawn the next morning, Summer had zipped through her morning chores, cleaned the kitchen, started the dishwasher, dust mopped the wood floors, and tossed clothes into the washer, all in an anxious rush to prepare for her day with the man she loved. The animals even looked at her oddly for being awakened so early. Murphy yawned as she followed Summer outside while the horses lazily left their stalls through the barn door she opened for the day, allowing them to come and go to the pasture as they desired.

She'd tossed and turned all night, too wired to settle down to sleep, excited about the upcoming day. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, she'd woken up several times to check the clock, only to find little time had passed since she'd last looked. Finally, she'd gave up, deciding to get to work on the necessary household tasks in order to help clear her schedule for whatever Night had in mind.

Night.
She sure fell under a lucky star when it came to him. What woman wouldn't want a sexy ex-Green Beret with a large heart of gold and tender hands? Never in her wildest dreams had she considered one would look twice at her, let alone decide they wanted to share a future with her. The fact he did still amazed and thrilled her. She'd even pinched herself that morning just to make sure it wasn't some marvelous dream.

Checking her watch, she decided she could jump in the shower and get cleaned up before he showed up. The night before he hadn't given any indication of when he would drop by, but since he'd mentioned spending the day with her, she expected him fairly early. If his sleep resembled hers, it might be sooner rather than later. Still, sunrise seemed a smidgen early for a date to begin. With that thought, she hurried to the bathroom.

* * * *

Night arrived just after seven, more than ready to start the full day with Summer. Anticipation and a restless night driving him to get up and around earlier than he initially intended. No matter. They could put the extra time to good use. He grinned at the image of what he and Summer could do to fill the vacant hours.

With a quick knock on the door, he peered through the glass storm door, greeting Murphy as she trotted over to see who'd interrupted her morning nap. "Good morning, Murphy. Where's your owner this morning?"

"Right here." Summer stepped around the corner, already dressed in jeans and a white lightweight shirt, her hair still damp from a shower, but pulled back in the usual ponytail. Flipping the lock, she opened the door for him.

"Hi." He greeted her with a smile, already taking note of her soft flowery scent along with the sculpted jeans and shirt that outlined her female assets. All he needed was a couple of kisses and he would be completely primed for loving.

"Hi, yourself." She licked her lips, plucking at her shirt.

He watched her body language closely. "You look like you've been up for a while."

"Yeah. I didn't sleep too well. Decided to get up and be useful."

She sparked with nervous energy, enough to run a small appliance if he could find a way to attach her to an outlet.
Damn.
This wasn't going to work for the intimacy he planned. He questioned his decision to walk away last night, give her more time to consider this big step in their lives. Never did he think she would be wound to the hilt the next morning, a tight bundle of nerves. No. The decision proved sound, however this morning she needed a distraction. A big one. Something relaxing and enjoyable, just enough to take away her jumpiness.

"Have you eaten?"

"No. I wasn't sure… I waited for you."

A sudden inspiration hit. "Do you have a basket big enough to put a few items in?" he asked while marching toward the kitchen.

She trailed behind, confusion laced her voice. "Basket? No. But I have a cooler. Will that work?"

He nodded. "Get it." Yanking the fridge door open, he surveyed the contents before pulling out the eggs, milk, juice, butter, and bacon. With deft movements, he placed those items on the countertop before pulling open cupboard doors until he found glasses, a skillet, and kitchen towels to add to the pile.

Summer returned with a white insulated cooler, softly placing it beside the items. She slipped around him, opened the freezer door, and popped out three ice trays into the small box. Refilling them with water, she carefully set them back in the bottom shelf to refreeze. "What are we doing, exactly?"

"Going on a picnic, of course." He shot her a quick grin as he stuffed the food into the ice, closing the top with a snap. Finding a handful of eating utensils and plates, he slipped them into a plastic sack Summer held open.

"Okay." Her face crinkled as if she stared at a calculus equation with no clue where to begin.

He dropped a quick kiss onto her scrunched up nose. "I know the perfect place. It'll be fun."

In no time, they tromped out the front door, supplies in hand.

A short drive later, they arrived at a small city park surrounding a local river arm. Picnic tables speckled the landscape and playground equipment sat to one side of the large grassy area. Shade trees covered much of the landscape, protecting visitors from the extreme heat and glare of the hot summer sun. Only one other couple used the park, a bit surprising on a Saturday morning, but Night chalked it up to the early hour. By noon, more families would probably filter in, filling the tables and banks, kids running and playing.

He spied the small waterwheel landscaping exhibit and the brightly-painted green table nearby. "That one will do."

Summer followed his gaze. "I like that."

Together they collected their goodies, holding hands as they strolled toward the miniature version of an old mill waterwheel. This one worked the same, softly dropping water as it turned in the pool. The calm river before them added to the scene, slowly meandering along its way. A handful of ducks paddled near the bank while a pair of black swans with arched necks flowed with the current, as if out for a morning swim. Birds chirped in the background, completing a wondrous nature scene straight out of an oil painting.

Night looked over at the small fire pit next to the table. "This should work."

Summer gently sat the plates and utensils on the table. "I've never cooked over an open fire before."

He felt her eyes on him, taking in each movement, sending a charge of confidence rushing through his veins. "Don't worry. I'm fixing breakfast for you."

She blinked.

Unable to resist, he ran his fingers across her cheek. "You're in good hands. One of the first skills you learn in survival training is how to build a fire and cook your own food." He grinned mischievously at her. "If you prefer, I'll taste test it first, just to prove it's edible."

"Oh, I believe you." She lowered her chin, looking up at him beneath long eyelashes. "Besides, if it's not, we drove right past a donut shop on the way here."

"You're going to need more than a donut." He bit off the rest, reminding himself this impromptu outing was to draw their focus away from their impending sexual interlude. Already, she seemed less skittish, a minor success and one he hoped to continue.

Summer unpacked their stuff. "True. One never seems like enough."

"If I fed you a half dozen, you would bounce like that pink bunny." He grinned at the thought.

She matched his smile. "Probably."

He shook his head and checked the small pit area. Sure enough, a few small sticks of wood remained. Adding in a couple more along with some kindling from a small sack he brought along, he struck a match. In seconds, he had a nice small fire burning, enough to set the skillet on the rack over the fire. Reaching over, he grabbed the non-stick spray and covered the dark metal generously before laying out the bacon strip by strip into the pan. Next came the eggs, cracking them to occupy the opposite side of the pan.

Within minutes, he returned to the table, sliding a couple of eggs and strips of bacon on her plate. Repeating the action, he filled his own before setting the skillet on the grass to cool off. By the time he sat down, she'd placed a glass of milk and another of juice in front of him.

Digging in, he watched Summer as she nibbled, checking out the scenery in between bites. Her pretty brown eyes took in everything, an expression of peace and happiness settling on her face. A sigh of relief escaped his throat.

"Look! A deer." Summer pointed over his shoulder.

Swiveling, he glimpsed the doe with a small fawn at her side as they cautiously negotiated the bank to the water's edge for a drink. The adult's gaze constantly scanned the area, but she didn't appear threatened by the presence of a handful of humans nearby.

"So beautiful."

He turned back to Summer. "Yes, you are."

Her face stained crimson. "Not really, but thank you for saying that."

"I'll say it often so you'll believe it." He promised, finding he enjoyed her blushes, a signal of her purity and goodness.

She drained her juice glass but remained mute.

A loud rumble of thunder interrupted their morning picnic. Glancing up, he noted dark clouds promising heavy rain, and soon. "Better finish up quick."

Summer leaped into motion, collecting their items as she crunched the last piece of bacon.

Night followed, shoveling the last bite of egg into his mouth, chewing while he helped to pack as another closer rumble warned of limited time. Together, they raced back to his truck, making it in plenty of time to avoid getting wet.

"Wow. That looks close," Summer said as she tried to catch her breath.

"The question is: can we beat it home?"