Matt collected his T-shirt and sport sandals from his pickup then climbed back into the passenger seat of Summer's classy little blue sedan. He didn't really care how they spent the day, as long as she let him spend it with her. Sooner or later, he had to believe she'd let down the walls she'd built and remember how good they were together.Of course he also enjoyed the idea of shopping with her to furnish his house. After all, if he had his way, she'd be living there soon herself. She might as well like whatever he bought. Besides, it would be good to see how their tastes coincided.The long, narrow island just off the coast had a Victorian downtown at the far end, giving it a small-town feel even though it was only thirty minutes or so from Charleston. Matt had looked at houses out here, but they were beyond his price range. One thing that hadn't occurred to him was the differences in how he and Summer had been reared. She'd always been wealthy, never done without. Matt had learned
Shopping with Matt was fun. They dropped the kites and toys in her car before walking hand in hand to the antiques mall across the street. It was a huge, old feed store that had been converted so numerous dealers each had areas for their wares. Consequently, the place was piled high with junk and treasures. Summer loved poking around in here because she spotted something new every time, even if she hardly ever bought anything. Her tiny apartment was already overflowing. Seeing the place through Matt's eyes was even more enlightening. He had an appreciation for craftsmanship and vintage technology that she hadn't known about from her - their - dreams. She watched him examine antique tools and machinery with a connoisseur's eye."There's an old workshop in the garage of my house," he said absently. "Maybe later I'll get to building or fixing up things on my own.""I imagine you'd be good at anything you try." Oops! She hadn't intended to say that out loud."Thanks." He dropped a kiss
Once outside in the sunshine, he pulled her closely against his side as they strolled down the sidewalk toward the beach. As it wasn't quite dinnertime, they took their time, window shopping in various little stores. Summer kept pointing out things he'd need to set up housekeeping, and Matt kept grunting. Apparently buying furniture had exhausted his interest in shopping.The sidewalk ended at a small playground right in front of the sandy ocean beach. They stood together for a while, watching half a dozen children playing on the swings and slide. Matt squeezed Summer's hand."You know, we never once talked about kids," he murmured in her ear. "Well, maybe back in high school. But never as adults.""That's because I thought you were a dream," she reminded him. "Didn't seem pertinent. Whenever we were together, we had better things to do than talk.""True." His heartbeat quickened audibly.She was sure hers did too, thinking about the dreams."So, do you want a big family?" His vo
Matt sat on his lumpy hotel room bed and tried to pay attention to the television.His meeting today with Summer hadn't gone as well has he'd hoped, but it had gone better than he had any right to expect. She hadn't told him to take a flying hike, but he was still stuck here while she was in her lonely bed, miles away. At least now she knew he was real. What was it going to take to convince her he was serious about her, about them? He'd spent his whole life falling in love with Summer. He didn't want to wait months or even years for her to fall in love with him.He'd done more walking than usual today, and his hip ached. Since he was trying to keep his use of pain pills to the bare minimum, he went down to the hotel's pool area and lounged in the hot tub for a while, letting the heated jets relax the stiffened muscles. A small spa was definitely something to consider for his backyard. He figured it could be added unobtrusively, without significant damage to the landscaping. That thou
Saturday morning, Matt had mixed feelings about loading his luggage into his truck and checking out of the hotel, but he reminded himself that if Summer threw him out, he could find another place to stay until Monday.As he loaded his briefcase, he picked up a small velvet box and flipped it open. The round diamond solitaire in a gold flower setting winked up at him. He'd bought it in Switzerland a year ago, when he'd been on leave from a posting in Germany. The moment he'd seen it, something about it had just said, "Summer". He'd been carrying it around like a talisman ever since.Wishing himself luck, he stashed it at the bottom of his laptop bag.On the way out to her rental house, he picked up several boxes of condoms, a six-pack of his favorite beer, a big bunch of bright gerbera daisies, and the chicken he'd promised her for lunch. He even bought her coleslaw, along with a green salad for him.Trying not to look too anxious, he drove slowly, not pulling into her driveway unti
It was time to bite the bullet. Summer dragged in a deep breath. "In my room. It's kind of designed for kids, but with three of the others married now, I got last pick." Except for poor Sam, who would be stuck up in the overhead loft on a sleeping bag. At least her room had a full-sized bed, even if it also had a pink canopy and a shelf full of kids' books and toys. If the family grew any larger, they'd have to start renting two houses for their summer vacations."You sure?" His voice dropped to a husky rumble, and all thoughts of canopies and children's books disappeared from Summer's mind.She looked up at him and smiled. Who did she think she was fooling? She'd known from the moment he appeared on her beach that they'd end up in the same bed sooner rather than later. "I'm sure. It's the one at the far end of the hallway."Suitcase in hand, he motioned for her to lead the way. Once inside the tiny bedroom, he laughed. "You weren't kidding, were you? I'm going to hang over three, i
Unable to resist, Summer stepped forward and reached for Matt's cock. Odd that she knew exactly how he liked to be touched. She wrapped her hand around the thick length of his shaft and sighed at the feel of soft skin over steely flesh. A small bead of pre-cum gathered at the tip, and she swooped it up with one fingertip, bringing it to her lips."You know I'm clean," he growled softly. "After a month in the hospital, that's one thing I'm sure of.""I wasn't worried." She should have thought to ask. She'd always been so careful before, but this was Matt. With the tip of her tongue, she tasted the bitter, salty drop, closed her eyes and sighed happily. After a moment of savoring she remembered to tell him, "I'm healthy too. There hasn't been anyone since long past my last annual physical.""I'm not going to be able to go slow, sugar," he drawled, stepping toward the bed. "I want to savor you, but, Jesus, darlin', I've been waiting for this my whole fucking life.""Who said I want sl
When they both ran out of breath, Matt reluctantly pulled out of Summer's snug, wet heat and all but collapsed on his side next to her.She rolled to face him, face glistening with sweat, her eyes gleaming and a smug smile on her face. Reaching up with one shaky hand, he smoothed a strand of hair off her cheek."Wow." She blinked and dragged in a lungful of air. "I always thought the dreams exaggerated reality.""Me too." There was a box of tissues on the nightstand and a trash can beside it so he rolled over and dealt with the condom before turning back to her. "I guess we both learned something new.""Now it's my turn to explore," she said with a wicked grin. She rolled on top of him, forcing Matt to his back.He went without a fight, content to let her have her turn."You're leaner than you were a year ago but still in good shape. Did you lose some weight in the hospital?""A little." Damn, she was observant."And all these new scars." She knelt above him, kissing each and e