She was always thrilled to be with him, no matter what was going on. Odd how nice that was. He scooped her up because it was faster than waiting for her to try to keep up, and they headed off the boat, down the marina, and to his car.

The rain came down steadily, looking like silver sheets beneath the streetlight’s glow. Joe took I-5, heading toward O.B., and pulled into Tooley’s. Before he could get out of the car, Summer appeared at the passenger side. She put both hands on the window, fingers spread wide, then grinned at him. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself.” He came around for her, and bent to open the door, but she had all her weight planted as she leaned on the window. She was staring at her fingers. “You got here fast.”

“I had visions of you deciding to jog home,” he said dryly.

“Nah. I already ran tonight.”

“You did?”

“After you wouldn’t jump my bones.”

He hardened himself to her dubious charms. “I thought you were going to wait inside for me.”

“I knew you’d come fast.” At that she lifted her head and grinned at him again. “No pun intended.”

At that, he had to laugh. “I have no defense.”

“Well, actually, you do. By the time we ended up on my floor that night, we were both charged, lit, and ready to go off like a firecracker.” She grinned. “Hey, you outlasted me.”

“By about two seconds.” Her casual recount of what had been one of the most memorable two minutes of his life, both aroused and embarrassed him.

“Joe,” she said simply, and set her forehead to the window. Then she straightened and leveled him with her eyes. In them there was a lingering amusement, but also a sadness that nearly brought him to his knees. Reaching out, he stroked a wayward strand of hair from her eyes, and then because he was a glutton for punishment, let his fingers trail over her cheek just for the sake of feeling her soft skin.

Closing her eyes, she pressed her lips to the palm of his hand, and then without another word, let herself into his car, where Ashes mauled her with lashes of her tongue.

Joe came around, slid behind the wheel, and hauled the puppy off her. Summer smiled at him as she reached for her seat belt. Her hair lay in soft fiery wet waves about her face, which was slightly flushed. Her eyes were glossy, too glossy, and she couldn’t match up the seat belt fastener to click it in. “It’s broken,” she said.

He took it from her and popped it into place.

“So strong, Superman Joe.”

“Cut it out.” He revved the engine and drove out of the parking lot.

With a smile, she leaned back and closed her eyes. “I love this car. All powerful muscle, like its owner.”