Revealing the Diane Collier Erotic Romance Collection by Diane Collier

enthusiasm was contagious.
    He dropped his cooler onto the wooden porch and stepped into the open doorway.
    “Is it safe to come in?” he asked.
    Julia ignored him, choosing instead to open the small refrigerator and make space for any perishables that Roland would be bringing back. Brett leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed, and watched her. She’d showered and pulled on a sundress since the beach and her hair was damp as it hung down her back. She was beautiful, even without makeup and he felt that same old stirring in his loins as she clattered around the kitchenette.
    The cabin really was tiny, one open plan room with an adjoining bathroom. There was a small fireplace on one wall with a cluster of sofas around it. Each sofa pulled out into a sleeper, for anyone who needed to crash for the night. In a cupboard against the other wall were rolled up sleeping mats, sleeping bags and pillows. As much as their mother hadn’t wanted them to take over the cabin, she’d gone out of her way to make sure they had all the things they needed.
    Julia suddenly looked at him, glaring. “You can wipe that smirk off your face.”
    “I’m not smirking, I’m smiling. There’s a difference. And, before you ask, I’m smiling because, for some odd reason, I feel happy.”
    She snorted and turned away. “Wash your hands and come and help me. You might as well be useful.”
    He took her bossy instruction in his stride and was soon standing beside her, washing dishes while she dried and packed away. As he finished up, drying his hands on a towel, his phone beeped.
    “Roland,” he explained as he read it. “He’s got some last minute stuff to do and won’t be finished until late.” He’d also invited Brett to meet him in town later for a beer. Without saying anything to Julia, he replied declining.
    Julia was checking her own phone. “Yeah, he’s taking all the food and drink home and will bring it out tomorrow morning.” Julia stood with her hands on her hips and looked around. “I guess I’ll just stay here tonight. I’ve got everything I need anyway.” She looked across at him.
    Brett felt his heart beating faster. This was his chance. If he dared. “Well, I’d planned to stay too, when I thought Roland was going to be here.” He paused.
    “You can stay. There’s plenty of space and besides, it’s just silly to make that long drive home and then back again in the morning.”
    When Brett got out of the shower, Julia had started making supper for them so he helped. Since they had no TV at the cabin, they sat reading their books after eating, while Julia played some music from her iPod.
    Brett still couldn’t concentrate on his book and finally closed it, dropping it onto the floor next to him.
    “You make me crazy, you know,” he finally blurted out, startling her. “You sit there on the beach, naked and think I feel nothing. Now, here you are. Sitting there on the couch.” He realized he was just ranting and nothing made sense.
    “Huh?” she looked at him with a small smile, confused.
    Brett coughed into his hand. “Sorry. Let me start again.”
    “Please do.”
    “Right. I’ve been thinking about what you said on the beach earlier.” Julia was sitting with her knees up, propped against the corner of the couch. She rested her elbows on her knees now and looked at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. “I like you too Jules. More than just like you, but I don’t know how it will work between us. I don’t think your family will be happy about anything between us.” He stopped, realizing just how weak his argument was.
    “Okay,” she said slowly. “So you like me, I like you but you don’t actually want to be with me? Is that what you’re saying?”
    “Yes. No. Fuck it. I don’t know.” His mind was in turmoil. She’d been tormenting him since he’d seen her on the beach earlier and the almost constant erection wasn’t helping anything.
    “Okay, then leave it.” She