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

paddle boarding, wave runners. We can go hiking or biking or on a picnic.”
    “Or we could sit around Storme’s pool and eat hot dogs. Or lie on the beach under an umbrella and read books.”
    “Since either one of those activities would give me a chance to see you in a bikini, yes to both.”
    “A bikini? You want to see me in a bikini?” How flattering.
    “Yes, I do. Please tell me you brought one.”
    I’d brought three. “I guess you’ll have to come over tomorrow afternoon to find out.”
    “It’s a date.”
    We reached the portion of beach directly behind Storme’s house way too soon. Rather than turning toward the stairs, Nick turned to face the ocean, positioning me to stand in front of him, so my back rested against his front, before clasping his hands at my waist. “It’s a beautiful night.”
    Yes, it was, made even more beautiful because of the man standing behind me. I rested my head against his cheek. A wave rolled in. When the water receded, my feet sunk into the soft, wet sand.
    “If you had one wish,” he said. “One wish guaranteed to come true, and you could wish for anything, what would it be?”
    So many things came to mind, starting with the greater good: World peace. An end to hunger, oppression, poverty or disease. Then to more personal matters: A negative pregnancy test result, but that would be selfish. Maybe an improvement in Grandpa’s health or an end to Dad’s heart condition.
    “I can almost hear your mind at work trying to decide,” Nick said.
    “There are so many possibilities. I can’t choose just one.”
    “But you only have one wish,” he said, as if he actually had the ability to grant it. If only…
    “I’ll have to give it more thought.” I gathered up some of my hair in my fist to keep it from blowing in his face. “What about you?” I asked. “What would you do with your one wish?”
    He didn’t hesitate. “Make love to you.”
    What? “You’d waste your one wish on having sex with me?”
    “It wouldn’t be a waste.” He kissed my head. “And it wouldn’t be just sex.”
    Not knowing what to say, I stood there in silence, until Nick said, “Do you want to know why?”
    I nodded.
    “You’re the total package, Leigh. Looks and brains, kindness and compassion. You’re something special, and I feel a real connection to you. Under different circumstances I’d have no problem taking it slow and seeing where things might lead. But who knows what’s going to happen at the end of the summer? What if right now is all we have? I want to make the most of every minute of our time together. I want to know everything there is to know about you.”
    He turned me to face him and said, “So I’d selfishly use my one wish to make love to you, sooner rather than later.” He stared into my eyes, the intensity of his gaze warming me. “It already feels like the six weeks we have left isn’t going to be enough.”

    The next day I sat at a table on the deck, under the umbrella, pretending to read on my Kindle, waiting for Nick. It already feels like the six weeks we have left isn’t going to be enough. My heart squeezed. I could really fall for that man…if circumstances were different.
    “You’re awful quiet.” Storme sat down beside me, dressed for town.
    “Just thinking.”
    Kelsey sat down on the other side of me, wearing a bikini with a loose fitting tank. “You’ve been doing a lot of that lately.”
    I had a lot to think about. “I invited Nick over today.” I looked at Storme. “I hope that’s okay.”
    “Of course it is. My house is your house.”
    I smiled, remembering when I’d first met Storme, three freshman squished into a dorm room meant for two. What’s mine is yours , she’d said on that first day . “Thank you.”
    She leaned forward until she made eye contact with me. “You sure you’re okay?”
    I nodded, glancing away quickly, unable to look at her for fear she’d be able to see that I was not okay at all.
    Thank