I whimpered, sliding my hands around his neck and into the shorn hair at the nape.
“How fucking good your little fingers feel on my skin?” He yanked me tight to his chest, his heat soaking into my skin, the sheer strength of him pressing on me.
“You owe me something,” he growled.
I stared at him.
“Take down your hair.”
I reached up and loosened the clip, letting my hair fall. He wove his hands into it, tugging on the strands and bending my neck back. He dragged his mouth along the column of my throat.
“Sexy,” he groaned. “You are so fucking sexy, Little Dragon.”
He pulled my face to his and covered my mouth. He caressed my skull, cupping my head in his large hands. His tongue stroked along mine, the taste of him overwhelming my senses. I was adrift on a sea of sensation. His body against mine. The sun on my back. His hands in my hair. His low groans. His erection pressed between us. I shifted, wanting closer. Wanting more. He cursed as I rose, slipping my hand under his waistband.
He was commando.
His erection filled my hand—hot, hard, and rigid. He cupped my ass, a low rumble of satisfaction in his chest. He kissed me harder. Deeper. Possessive was the only word echoing in my mind. I stroked him, velvet over steel, running my thumb in circles over the head. He bucked, his mouth never leaving mine, his kiss becoming so desperately erotic I thought I would explode. I had never been kissed so carnally. It was as if he were fucking my mouth, his tongue doing things I had only ever read of.
He said my name. Repeated it louder.
Reality hit me. That wasn’t Hunter talking. The voice saying my name was shouting, and it belonged to my brother.
I leaped back as if I’d been burned. Hunter startled, reaching for me. “What—”
Then he heard it as well and stood. I hurried toward the edge of the bluff and waved at Liam.
“Jesus, Ava,” he yelled. “I’ve been looking for you. Your chair and sunglasses are on the beach, your hat is in the water. You fucking scared me!”
“Sorry,” I called down. “I was returning the dog.” I patted Cash’s head when he appeared beside me. “Hunter gave me a glass of lemonade. I’ll be right there!” I added as he moved closer. This was not the right time for those two to meet. I glanced over my shoulder where Hunter stood, a fresh wave of desire hitting me.
“I have to go,” I said.
He nodded and called for Cash, who trotted over. I waited until they disappeared into the house, and I headed down the incline to join Liam on the beach.
“Sorry,” I panted. “I lost track of time.”
“You’re out of breath.”
“I was playing with the dog. Throwing the ball and such.”
Or playing with Hunter’s balls.
Same thing, really.
“So, we have a new neighbor?”
“Yes,” I said shortly.
“And the dog?” Liam questioned. “He biting your neck and mussing your hair, Ava?”
I tossed my head. “Shut up. Leave it alone, Liam.”
“Whatever. You fucking scared me. Don’t leave your stuff that close to the water and disappear.”
I tucked my arm into his and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”
He flung his arm over my shoulder and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re okay. And sorry if I, ah, interrupted anything.”
I couldn’t tell him what he had interrupted. Or that it was probably best that he had. Things had progressed fast with Hunter. Far too fast. It seemed as soon as we were close, we both lost whatever common sense we possessed.
Still, I felt a small quiver of sadness when I glanced back and saw him standing on the bluff, watching us walk away. I wondered if he was relieved or was feeling the same pang of regret that we were interrupted?
Would he finish what I started?
I had to cover my laugh with a cough.
I might have to ask him next time.
Chapter 6
Hunter
I picked up the building permit Tuesday morning. There was an older woman in the office now, and she was friendly, introducing herself as Milly and answering the few questions I had. I stopped at the pet store, selected a new collar, then bought a few groceries. I sat in my truck, using the information Milly had given me, and arranged for a disposal bin to be delivered by Thursday. I had to start cleaning out the house. It was going to take me a while to go through everything that my grandfather had squirreled away in the place. I hadn’t been kidding when I told Ava the house was a time capsule. I doubted much had changed since I had been there as a child. As fuzzy as my memories were, some things were very familiar as I walked through the house.
I grabbed lunch at the small diner in town. It was still early, and the place was quiet. I decided on the all-day breakfast, and I opened the folder with the lists I had made of everything I needed to do back at my grandfather’s house.