“It’s after eleven. And I’m not yelling.”
“Then don’t take that tone of—wait, why were you going to my place?”
“You know why.”
Her heart slammed up against her ribs, ricocheted around her chest, then tried to land back in place. Yes, she knew why, but she wanted to hear him say it anyway.
He slowly walked toward her. “No matter what happens between us, promise me you won’t go prowling around empty buildings in the middle of the night anymore.”
“This is Whispering Bay, the safest city in—”
“You’re too smart to finish that sentence. Promise me.”
“Okay, I promise.”
“Thank you.” He blew out a breath, then glanced around the buildings. “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here?”
“You’ll think I’m silly.”
“Try me.”
“I came out here to see what the building looked like. And to blow off some energy. And to think about…what happened tonight on the patio.”
He nodded like he understood. “Okay, here goes, I was on my way to your house to apologize to you. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the things I said tonight. You have every right to vote the way you want.”
“Thank you. That was very nicely put by the way.”
“And?” he urged.
“All right, all right. I’m sorry, too.”
He was just a foot away now. Shadowed by the building, it was difficult to see his face. But she could feel him. All six foot three inches of him radiating heat and power and lust. And it was all for her. It was a heady feeling.
“Oh my God, we’re going to have sex right now, aren’t we?”
He studied the wall behind her like he was sizing it up. “Yep.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He began to unbuckle his belt. “Why not?”
“Because we don’t have protection.”
He pulled out his wallet and opened it to produce a condom. “Any other objections?”
She put her palm up in the air. “Hold on while I think of some. Okay, here’s one. Rachel was right. I look like Ronald McDonald. I can’t have sex looking like I’m ready to pimp out the Golden Arches.” She frowned. “Where is Rachel by the way?”
“Asleep in her bed at the beach house. When we got home my mom was there. And I happen to think you look…cute.”
“Cute? Puppies are cute. No adult woman wants to be called cute.”
“Sexy cute, then. Those orange ribbons are turning me on. Bad.”
“Stop. Or I’
ll think you’re serious.”
“How’s this for serious? If we don’t fuck soon my dick is going to explode.” He took her hand and placed it over his erection.