Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I want that, but I’ve yet to admit it to anyone other than myself. Having a child is the brass ring for me. Even though my marriage ended in a bitter divorce, it hasn’t soured me to the idea of taking the plunge again and starting a family.
I’m not in any rush, but it’s something I see on the horizon.
“I’m going to try and sleep,” he says through another yawn. “What about you? Are you hitting the hay soon?”
“Not yet.” I shake my head as I watch him rub a hand over his jaw. “I’m going for a swim right away.”
“Of course, you are.” He laughs. “You’re in East Hampton with a heated pool at your disposal. Why wouldn’t you swim as much as you can?”
I don’t bother mentioning my pool is out of commission, or that I plan on swimming with a beautiful woman.
“Are you free for lunch on Monday?” he questions, his gaze shifting to something beyond his phone.
“Are you asking me that or your beautiful wife?”
His lips split into a smile. “I hear Abby stirring in our bedroom, so I’m off to check on her. You and I are having lunch on Monday. Bring your credit card.”
Before I can say anything, he ends the call.
“Bastard,” I whisper as I drop my phone next to me. “It’s his turn to buy lunch.”
I push up to my feet and head toward the primary bedroom. I need to put on a pair of board shorts and grab a couple of condoms to tuck into one of the pockets. Then, I’ll visit the private wine cellar in the basement to choose a bottle of red that my grandparents stocked there.
They saved hundreds of bottles of the best vintages for special occasions. My midnight swim with the neighbor falls into that category because I sense tonight is going to be one for the record books.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Greer
I didn’t have a lot to choose from when it came to bikinis. I only brought three with me because that’s all I own.
The one I finally decided on is red and fits like a second skin. The thin strings that hold the top up are tied tightly at the base of my neck and not as tightly behind my back. The strings on the sides of the bikini bottoms are secured in loosely knotted bows.
I don’t want Joe to struggle getting me out of it.
I laugh to myself as I gather up two towels and head toward the main living area. I’ve imagined everything that will happen tonight, right down to him removing my bikini.
In my mind’s eye, it’s a slow pull on the strings to reveal everything that’s underneath the material. For all I know, Joe will want me so desperately that he’ll rip the suit from my body.
The laugh shifts into a soft smile on my lips.
I should be nervous, but all I’m feeling is excitement. It’s been a while since I’ve slept with a man, but this feels right.
It’ll be a fun adventure, and I’ll leave East Hampton feeling satisfied and relaxed.
A soft rap at the front door tells me my neighbor is a few minutes early. I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m anxious to get the night started, too.
I swing open the door to find him smiling at me. He’s shirtless and wearing a pair of striped navy blue and white board shorts. When I saw him naked in the pool earlier, I got a glimpse of his bare chest, but up close, it’s hard not to stare. He’s all muscle and tanned skin. I feel like I hit the lover lottery this weekend.
“Summer,” he says my fake name in a voice edged with intensity. “You’re incredible.”
A slow smile spreads over my lips. “Forgive me if it takes a minute for me to get used to you calling me that.”
“Forgiven,” he says with a smile of his own. “For the record, if you want to share your real name with me, I’m all ears.”
I’m keeping that to myself. When I leave here on Sunday, I can do it knowing this tryst won’t follow me back home. My life is too full for a man at the moment. “For the record, that won’t happen.”
A deep chuckle flows from him. “Understood.”
I move aside to let him in. His bare feet pad across the tile floor as he heads toward the kitchen. “I’ll open the wine.”
“I’m not sure where the corkscrew is,” I say as I trail him. “Or the wine glasses.”
“I know where to find them.”
I tap his shoulder right before he reaches the entrance to the kitchen. Just that light touch sends a pulse of awareness through me. It’s enough to make me freeze in place.
He glances back at me with one eyebrow perched in silent query.
“I…um, I…” I stammer through that before I take a deep breath so I don’t sound like a blubbering fool. “I wasn’t aware that you knew where things were in the kitchen. Did you know where the measuring cups were when I was looking through the cupboards earlier?”