Turning more toward him, I nodded. “Anything is possible if two people want to try
something new together,” I said softly.
He reached out to run his fingers along the back of my neck, caressing my skin under my
hair. “I like your hair down,” he said softly. “It’s sensible to tie it back during the day, but I like that there seems to be a daytime and nighttime version of you.”
We were both leaning closer, and my breath began to catch as I realized what might be
happening at any moment.
But he paused, looking uncomfortable as he studied my eyes. “Joanna, I’m not rich. I make
a darn good living, and I’m a hard worker, but I’ll never be the kind of man who can provide
flashy, expensive things.”
It was strange that he was warning me immediately. Maybe he’d known too many
materialistic women. “I don’t care. I’ve always preferred experiences to things. Going to a
play, a concert, or just spending time with good people.”
His easy smile made my belly flutter. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Do you care that I’m thirty-four?”
I shook my head, my hair falling slightly into my face. “Not at all.”
His hand darted out to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I know I haven’t been able to stop
touching you,” he said softly. “I’ve been trying like hell, and I just can’t control it.”
“I like it,” I said quickly, hoping it wasn’t too forward. “Maybe it’s a sign.”
His thick arm wrapped around my shoulder, pulling me closer. “A sign that I should touch you more?”
I began to nod as his lips met mine, gliding so softly against my skin that I nearly gasped.
As he held me close, our mouths moving together so gently, I could feel the heat of his huge
body almost overtaking me.
My breath quickened as my lips parted and his tongue darted in. A wave of lust rushed
through me, as if my blood had been spiked with pepper sauce. My arms reached around
his wide shoulders, pulling him close until I was sitting in his lap.
“You’re so beautiful, Joanna,” he murmured, his thumb stroking my cheekbone as he
cupped my face. “I know that you’re young and free, and trying different things this summer.
I don’t want to be the guy that ties you down or holds you back.”
I couldn’t help my sudden giggle. “Are you crazy? Being with a guy at all is a wild adventure