Page 20 of Lex

And for a guy who never went on second dates, the prospect was pretty damn exciting.

“I had a really nice time,” she whispered.

“Me too.” He dipped his nose, teasing it against hers. “What’re you doing tomorrow night?”

“I don’t know. Probably hanging out with Flossie. There’s a documentary I’ve been wanting to watch on Netflix. Or maybe I’ll clean the house…wash my hair…” She cracked a smile. “Why? Are you interested in a second date?”

“Hell, yes. And a third and fourth and fifth. Is that alright with you?” His lips quirked, eyes crinkling at the corners.

“It’s more than alright.”

His thumb traced along her lower lip. “Ever been to a drive-in movie?”

She laughed. “Yeah, when I was six.”

“I was thinking we could take my dad’s old station wagon over to the drive-in a couple towns over. They’re playing one of my all-time favorites—Top Gun.” He smirked. “We can lay down some sleeping bags and blankets in the back, bring some snacks…”

“A vintage date,” she murmured. “I like it.”

Not wanting to leave, but reminding himself that anticipation was key—at least, that’s what all his friends had said, and those fuckers had better not have been yanking his chain—he forced himself to let her go. God knew, he would be anticipating their back-of-the-car date like crazy. Maybe they could have some fun under the blankets. She did offer to return the pleasure, and he wouldn’t have the strength to say no a second time. As long as he was ready and raring to go, there’d be no holding back.

“I’ll text you,” he promised. “Goodnight, Summer.”

“Bye, Lex.” She sent him a glorious smile, and once she was safely in the house and flipping the lights on, he walked back to his Yukon and slid inside.

Along with when he’d graduated at the top of his Top Gun class, today was one of the best days of his life. Starting the car, he headed down the driveway, thinking of all the women he’d encountered in his lifetime and how none of them measured up to Summer. Not even close.

Watching Summer come had been a highlight of their date. But strangely, so had just talking and getting to know her better. It was incredibly ironic to him that the roles had been reversed. While he’d been telling himself to go slow and savor the connection and the way it was steadily building, she’d been vocal about wanting more. He sat up a little straighter, remembering how she’d said she ached for him.

Goddamn, he was pretty proud of himself. He’d taken his friends’ advice and not rushed anything. Instead, he’d listened to her body until he’d discovered what she liked. What built her excitement. What made her moan. He’d tried to make her feel wanted—cherished, maybe? He was still working on that one. But definitely not used. And then he’d satisfied her ache.

Turning onto the road that would take him back to Cielo Springs, he grinned like a fool at absolutely nothing. Summer Holt had gotten under his skin and made him feel things he’d never felt before. Damn, he was practically giddy.

All those years he’d wasted chasing younger women, then the letdown of thinking he was all washed-up… Maybe all he’d needed was a silver siren to show him the way.

He was glad he’d taken her to his private spot by the lake. At first, he’d questioned if it might be too much. Too over-the-top and reeking a little of a man desperate to impress. On the flip side, the spot was very personal. Almost sacred, and he’d never shared it with anyone before. But Summer was different, and he was quickly coming to realize just how special she was. A breath of the sweetest, freshest air. And after feeling stagnant in his love life, and suffering through a gloomy, sad period in his life in general, he wanted to breathe her in and savor her very essence. She settled him. Made him happier than he could remember being in a very long time.

Even though he’d just left, he had the crazy urge to turn the car around and go see her again. Okay, maybe that was a little weird. Slightly on the stalker side. But it was the truth. He couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow, and he would be counting down the minutes until he could kiss her again.

Because his beautiful siren had swept into his life like a brief summer storm, and all he wanted to do was dance in the rain with her.

Hell, she was turning him into a gentleman and a poet.

Chapter eight

Summer shut and locked the door, watching through the glass pane as Lex sauntered back down to his car. Or, more accurately, watching the delightful way his ass swayed in those jeans. Pure sin.

It may have still been summer, but she knew exactly what she wanted for Christmas in July—a bruised cervix. And she knew just the man who was going to give her that particular gift.

With a lusty sigh, she turned around and frowned. Normally, Flossie was waiting by the door to greet her. But her fluffy little cream puff was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she was pouting because Summer had stayed out so late. “Flossie Flosserson? Mama’s home!”

But the dog didn’t come running, and a spike of worry stabbed through her.

“Flossie?” Summer dropped her purse on the entryway table and continued forward, heading to the family room at the back of the house. Flossie had a comfy bed near the sliding glass door where she liked to look out at the chipmunks and bunnies. Maybe she’d fallen asleep and hadn’t heard the front door. Maybe—

Summer stumbled to a halt at the edge of the family room, a scream bubbling up her throat. Two men sat on her couch—rough and dangerous looking men—and she didn’t miss the guns casually laying on the cushions within their reach.

“Look who’s finally home,” the one with the ace of spades tattoo on his cheek said, grabbing the weapon as he stood up. “I was beginning to think we’d have to come back.”