Lily’s smile widened as she came down the steps and stopped only inches from Chase. The familiar aroma of coconut and vanilla and an undercurrent of dark spices hit Chase hard. The ache in her midsection dropped lower, and her hips tensed. “What are you planning to do with that 4-by-4 in the city?”

“I didn’t buy it for the city,” Lily said.

Chase carefully framed Lily’s face, running her thumbs along the edge of Lily’s jaw. Lily made a sound a lot like a purr, and her lids flickered. Lily’s skin was so soft, her gaze so deep and inviting, Chase trembled. “What are you doing here?”

“Did you get my message?”

“I did.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here.”

“I don’t…I don’t understand.” Chase’s throat tightened, want so fierce her body refused to move. “You said next summer…I thought you meant you’d be back then.”

“Mmm. That too.” Lily threaded her arms around Chase’s neck and kissed her.

The kiss was everything Chase remembered and more, warm and sweet, like the air she breathed, and as wondrous as every dream she’d stopped dreaming. She didn’t want the kiss to end, for the moment to pass, for whatever came next to shatter the perfection. She didn’t move, her fingertips lightly grazing Lily’s cheeks. “Help me out, Lily. I’m out on the edge here without a guideline, and I’d rather not fall.”

“You won’t. I’ll never let you fall.” Lily leaned back, her gaze on Chase’s. “There will always be another summer, and I want to be here for all of them. But I don’t want to leave when summer ends, not as long as you want me.”

“Lily,” Chase said, “I will never not want you.”

“That’s good,” Lily said, “because I love you. And I want you for as long as I live.”

“Ah, Lily.” Chase closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Lily’s. “I love you, baby. So damn much. But—”

“I quit my job, Chase.”

“What?” Chase stiffened. “Lily, no. You—”

Lily laughed. “Don’t worry. I didn’t turn in my doctor card, and I’m not having a midlife crisis. More a midlife awakening.”

“But—”

“I know we have to talk,” Lily said, pressing into Chase again, her breasts tauntingly soft against Chase’s chest, “but I really need you. Can we please talk later and make love first?”

Chase’s inertia imploded on a surge of desire. She scooped Lily up and crushed her to her body. No matter what it took, no matter what she had to do, she wasn’t letting her go. Nothing mattered as much as a life with Lily in it. “Anything you want, Lily, anything. But absolutely that.”

She crossed the porch, pushed the cabin door open with her foot, and carried Lily through.

* * *