Page 13 of Sultry Summer

“If you don’t have the nerve to tell them, they’re never going to know. Sometimes you have to let the people in your life know what’s in your mind. Most people can’t read other’s minds.”

I nod my head, the taste of the rich, sweet pancakes turning into ash in my mouth.

“Yeah. I’ll think about it.”

“You do that.” He waves at my plate, his eyes sparkling. “And finish your breakfast. You’re probably going to need all that energy to explore the resort.”

My lips curl at that word. Explore. My favorite word.

He takes another bite and I watch him chew, my eyes falling to his arms, taking in those delicious muscles, the sinewy ropes that look like they could hold a girl all night long.

And I chew another bite and pray that I don’t do anything crazy. Like bite his forearm, leaving my mark for everyone to see.

CHAPTER 8

Hunter

Iopen my hotel room door and swing it wide. My heart is pounding and I’m breathlessly waiting.

Will she come in? Do I want her to?

“You want to come in and have a drink?” I stop. “Wait, are you old enough to drink?”

Aspen rolls her eyes and steps inside. I follow along behind her like a puppet on her string.

I close the door and immediately the huge room feels tiny and closed-in. Aspen steps over to the huge windows and smiles. “It’s beautiful. I knew that the views were supposed to be the best but I can’t believe how pretty it looks.”

I don’t look away from her face. The soft cheeks, the curl of her dark, thick eyelashes over the aqua blue of her eyes. Her dark hair glistens in the bright light, falling down her back in sleek curls. “Yeah. It’s beautiful.”

She glances back at me and her eyes narrow. “You’re not even looking out the window.”

“I’m looking at something much prettier.”

She flushes bright rose and I desperately want to find out how low that flush goes. Does it run down her throat and paint her full breasts, her nipples?

Or does it end before it touches the creamy mounds that my hands are aching to hold tight.

“So do you want a drink, Aspen?” I ask roughly. “I’m sure there’s some water in the mini bar. And there’s scotch and whisky.

She grimaces and I laugh. “Don’t tell me…let me guess. Not enough sugar for you?”

That pink stains her cheeks again and I move closer, intent on touching her. I reach out my fingers and run one hand along her soft as silk cheek. Her eyes come up and lock on mine, dark and stormy as the Aegean sea as a storm moves in. Lightning flashes and her eyes close on a moan.

“Tell me to stop touching you, sparkles. Tell me to take you home.”

Her hand comes up and wraps around my wrist. My pulse leaps when her tongue comes out to trace her full lips. Her darkened eyes open and I’m pulled into them.

Closer. My feet move closer still and I bend down to run my lips down her silky cheek all the way to her throat. My teeth rake her throat and she shivers. I feel her pulse beating like a wild thing trapped under her pale skin, flushed with desire.

I suck in a breath and then run my tongue along her throat, feeling the salty sweet taste of her skin.

“Fuck, I need to taste you, Aspen. I want to bury my mouth between your thighs and just drink until you’re screaming my name so loud they can hear you on the mountain.”

She shivers and her glazed eyes move to mine. “I-I think I’d like that. A lot.”

“Baby, you need to more than think it. I’m not touching you unless you’re absolutely sure. I won’t be able to let you go if I touch you like I want to.”

Her brow scrunches and then she sighs. “I want that.”