Summer Temptation (Hot in the Hamptons Book 2) by Wendy S. Marcus

way. Well, once a man had come close, but my need had been more emotional than physical and the possible…probable consequences had me turning away. “You tempt me to do bad things.”
    He pulled me closer. “What kind of things?”
    “Sex on the beach kind of things.” Meaningless sexual summer fling kind of things. Things a woman in my possible…condition shouldn’t be considering.
    He smiled. “You tempt me, too.”
    “But I can’t…”
    He lifted his head and let out a frustrated breath. “God, Leigh. No buts. ‘Summer of Fun,’ remember? Two weeks down, only six to go.”
    “I don’t want you to think that because I may be…” I was starting to despise the word pregnant.
    “Knocked up?”
    That would do. “Yes, knocked up. I don’t want you to think I’m easy or that I sleep around, because I don’t.”
    “Honey, the last thing I want to do with you is sleep.” Hair blew across my face, and he carefully pushed it aside. “I want to do wide awake things. Fun things.” He pulled me close and nuzzled up to my ear. “Arousing things.” He let out a hot, moist breath that shot tingles straight into my jaw.
    “And naked things, no doubt.”
    He leaned back to look at me, smiling. “Well, now that you brought it up…” he teased.
    “Mommy, look,” a young voice said. “Ewww. They’re kissing.”
    No, we weren’t, but still. I tried to jump away.
    As if anticipating I might, Nick held me tight. “We’re being watched,” he whispered, not concerned at all.
    “I’m really not into that,” I whispered back, trying to push out of his arms.
    He laughed, still not letting me go.
    “Honestly,” a woman huffed. “You’d think people would be more considerate of the fact there are children on the beach.” I imagined her covering her child’s eyes and dragging him or her away from our indecent public display.
    “It’s late,” I whispered. “Shouldn’t her child be in bed instead of out on the beach?”
    “Children ruin everything,” Nick said in my ear. No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he stiffened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
    “It’s okay.” I twisted, and this time he let me go. “I’m guessing a lot of guys feel that way about kids.” Suddenly cold, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I might find myself saying the exact same thing in a few months.”
    “Leigh. I didn’t mean—”
    I couldn’t look at him. Instead, I stared out at the ocean. “I know.” Even so, his words made my chest ache.
    “Leigh.” He took me by the shoulders and turned me to face him. “Don’t do this. Don’t think about what may or may not happen after the summer. Let’s enjoy the time we have together, right now. Tonight.”
    I wanted to, I really did. But tears leaked into my eyes. Maybe they glistened in the moonlight, because Nick saw them and looked stricken. “I am such an ass.” He drew me into a hug. “I’m sorry.”
    Unable to speak, I nodded, more tears coming. His arms felt good, so strong and safe. I would have liked nothing more than to remain wrapped in his protective embrace forever, but I couldn’t. “I’m sorry, too.” I stepped back, wiping my eyes. “I’m not usually emotional.” Yet, in the short time of our acquaintance, I’d already broken down into tears in front of Nick twice. Not a good sign.
    “It’s okay,” he said. “You’re under a lot of stress.”
    I hoped stress was the only reason.
    “Come on.” He held out his hand. “Let’s keep walking.”
    I looked around, wondering where that awful woman had gone.
    “I think she went that way.” Nick pointed, reading my mind.
    “Then we should go this way.” I took a step in the opposite direction, which happened to be the way back to Storme’s house.
    That’s the way we went, my hand in his, both of us quiet, until Nick said, “There are lots of fun things we can do around here with our clothes on, you know.”
    I smiled. “Like what?”
    “Parasailing, stand up