Summer Love in the Forest (Summer Instalove)

He nodded. “That’s good of him.”

“Yeah, most musicians are used to working in bars, so they’ve become accustomed to keeping an eye out to keep women safe.”

His lips slid down the edge of my ear. “I want to be the one to keep you safe, kitten. But when you’re here at work, that’s good to know.”

“I’m sorry I panicked and took off,” I breathed.

Ray murmured, “It’s okay. I’ve got you now.”

“How did you find me?” I asked.

“When we were chatting at breakfast, you mentioned that you worked at your brother’s rehearsal space for musicians. Just a couple of months ago I moved into a huge warehouse space three blocks away from here. When I passed the sign this morning, I thought I’d look around for you on the off chance.” He paused, before adding, “I also got your info from Dan’s guest log. I wasn’t going to let you go completely.”

His arms tightened around me, his entire body pressing against mine. “Kate, please don’t be mad that I dropped in. I couldn’t stand the thought of staying away from you. I tried for a week, but baby…”

He stepped back a bit, holding my hands in his. “I’ve never felt like this before. I love you. I need you.” A shudder ran through him as his eyes closed, while he squeezed my hands tightly. He smelled so good, like cedar after the rain. “Baby, I want to be your boyfriend, and be in your life properly. But if you just want me as a summer fling, let me be that for you. I’ll be anything you want.”

My gut reaction was that I needed to pull him into the nearest alley and rip our clothes off. Maybe it would be better if we had a chat in public for once.

“Come on,” I said, leading him down the street and past the car wash to a gritty, sad little excuse for a park in this industrial area. Once we were seated on the bench, I turned to him. “Ray, I want you, too.”

He exhaled loudly, as if he’d been holding that breath in all day. “Thank you, Kate. Anything else you say, I’m going to agree to it.”

It was unnerving having such a huge, powerful man completely under my thumb. I had to admit, I sort of liked it.

“I think I’m scared by the idea of my life completely changing into someone else’s vision of my life. Do you know what I mean?” I asked.

He nodded. “I’m completely set in my ways as well. Go on.”

“So what if we used our analytical minds everywhere outside of the bedroom?” I asked.

“Yes. Absolutely.” He paused, smiling. “Wait. What exactly do you mean?”

“I mean that we’ll still put our work and projects first. During weeks when we have a lot of free time, we’ll see each other as much as possible. When we’re really busy, it might just be a five-minute phone call. But we don’t make the other person feel guilty about being busy.”

“Absolutely. Yes.” He paused again. “Would it be reasonable to request a once a day check in? Just a quick text.” He looked so hopeful, his gorgeous tan looking even deeper under the streetlight.

“Yes. Good idea.”

“But if you’re songwriting or recording, I don’t want to interrupt your flow. If I text you, and you’re in the zone, just ignore it completely, or respond with the word ‘working’ – don’t feel guilty about it. I’ll know that you’re happy and fine, and you’ll send me a note sometime when it’s convenient.”

I nodded. “And the same goes for you, when you are up to your elbows in wood chips or varnish or whatever.”

He exhaled heavily again. “I’m glad you understand that. Sometimes I go hours without checking my phone, because I physically can’t touch it.”

“I’m not one of those clingy girls,” I said quickly. “I do my own thing. I always have.”

“Me too,” he said, holding my hands in his. “I swear, this is the only time I’ve been clingy and needy in my life.”

He paused, then his eyebrow rose. He slid an arm around me, pulling me against him on the bench. “Kitten, do you like it when I talk dirty to you in the bedroom?”

My breath caught in my throat as my heart began to speed up. “Yes. You know I do.”

“And do you like it when I tell you what to do?” My mouth fell open as I nodded. “How about we divide things up that way, then?”

My eyes flipped back and forth between his sensual mouth and those stunning eyes. If he didn’t kiss me in a few seconds, I might explode. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I will give you complete control over my life. I’ll give you the login for my calendar. I rarely have anything beyond work and making dinner, but if there’s anything you need me for, you schedule it. Anytime you want to see me, or go out on a date, that’s up to you. I will put you in charge of my entire life.”