“Then what’s the problem?” I run my hands through my hair to keep them from clenching; I’m so frustrated that we keep ending up back here. I watch Summer as she looks everywhere but at me. Our chemistry is off the charts. We have an amazing physical and emotional connection. I wish she’d talk to me about what’s really going on. I cover my face in my hands and sigh. If she truly believes I don’t want more, why is she still freaked out? She said it works with Logan because he doesn’t want more, so I don’t…Wait! Doesshewant more? Is that it?
My eyes flash to Summer’s and she’s looking back at me with a vulnerable fear. I can feel her pulling away again and know she’s about to run.God, am I right? I need to tell her how I feel.
“Summer, I—”
“I have to go,” she says again, grabbing her phone and keys from the table and running out the door. I chase after her, unable to let her leave. Not even sure how she’s planning to leave. It’s drizzling when I get outside, and despite being half-naked and shoeless, I don’t hesitate in running after her.
“Summer, wait. Please.”
She stops and turns back to face me. “What, Dylan? What do you want?”
“This,” I say, closing the distance between us and grabbing her face in my hands. Her eyes bounce between mine when I stop an inch from her lips. “I want you. All of you.”
I’m not sure who makes the first move, but our lips meet, and it’s nothing like our previous kisses. It’s slow, it’s explorative, it’s perfect. Every feeling I have for Summer is being poured into it. Our bodies stay still, our hands don’t roam. Nothing matters in this moment except for this kiss, and when I finally pull away, we’re both breathless. I touch my nose to hers and then take a step back with a feeling of hope in my chest. I’m graced with the most beautifully shy smile I think I’ve ever witnessed. “Stay,” I say and hope to God she’s feeling the same as me.
She bites her lips and looks at me apologetically. I tense, preparing for her rejection. “I should go. I’ve got a lot happening this week, and I need sleep.”
That’s not an outright rejection. “Stay and sleep. I just want you here.” I take a breath and hold it, waiting for her reply; her answer now could change everything between us.
She looks to the street, then the ground, and then finally settles her gaze on me. “Okay,” she whispers, biting back a small smile.
“Thank you.” I link my fingers through hers as we walk back into the house. To sleep.
When I wake the next morning, I’m surprised to feel her body still curled into mine, reminding me of the first night we slept in this bed. She starts to stir beside me, so I run my hand along her arm and into her hair, pressing a kiss to her head. I can honestly say that nothing beats waking up with Summer in my arms, but I know better than to get comfortable. Even after everything that happened last night, I’d still guess I have three, two, one…
“I need to go for a run,” she blurts, springing from the bed and stretching her arms above her head. The shirt she’s wearing rises to give me a sneak peek of her perfect stomach. “Can you give me a ride home?”
I laugh at her obvious excuse to make a getaway as I sit up and rest back on my elbows.“Of course. Let me grab my things and I’ll come with you,” I say, pretending I don’t know what she’s doing. God, whatever she’s been through really messed her up. She’s scared shitless of any type of emotion.
“Hell no,” she screeches, shaking her head. “I’ve seen you run,andyou’re the fastest on the football team. I’m more of a jogger.”
“Keeping up with my achievements?” I smile and raise my eyebrows.
“Nah, Joel mentioned it at the game.” She shrugs, but I don’t miss the beautiful red blush that makes its way from her chest to her cheeks, and hell, does it get my heart racing. “Point is, you’re not coming,” she states and jumps out of bed, revealing her toned legs that have featured in many of my dreams. I need to get myself an invite on this run, because watching those legs work is high on my priority list.
“What about if I run at your pace?”
“No.”Well okay, then.
“Run backwards while next to you?”
“No.” She laughs.
“Run behind you?”Oh, please say yes to this one.
“Definitely not.”Damn.
“What about—”
“No.” She cuts me off.
“You actually can’t stop me if we happen to be running in the same place, at the same time.” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes.
“True,” she says slowly and then delivers a punch with her next words. “But, I could kick you in the nuts and then make my getaway.”
Ouch!My hands move to cover said nuts instinctively.
Summer laughs again but then scrunches her face up. “Ugh, fine.”