“Because it’s you and I can’t seem to keep the distance you require.”

She stared at him for a long moment. “Let me make sure I understand. You do want me.”

Only more than my next breath. “Yes.”

“But you’re afraid it won’t be just sex? Honestly, Joe, that’s just…” She lifted her hands helplessly.

“Yeah,” he said grimly. “Words fail, don’t they?” With more strength than he knew he had, he got out of the car, moved around to the passenger door and opened it for her. She brushed past him, then turned back. “It doesn’t have to end like this tonight.”

“But what about tomorrow night? Or the night after that?”

“Just so happens I’m free those nights too,” she said.

She was going to kill him. “Red.”

“Right.” She stepped back. “You’re not.”

“Not for this. I’m sorry.”

“No. No, that’s okay.”

Calling himself a fool, he leaned back against his car, folded his arms over his chest and waited for her to get inside.

Halfway to her door, she glanced back. “You’re going to be in your bed tonight, cursing yourself for being alone when you could have been with me.”

“That is the absolute truth.”

She just stared at him for a long beat, then unlocked and opened the front door. She turned the light on inside, illuminating herself like a fish in a fishbowl.

He drank her up, all those long limbs and shiny hair. She leaned back against the doorjamb, imitating his stance.

A face-off. He wouldn’t go anywhere until she was inside, but she didn’t seem to be in any hurry. “Lock the door,” he said, hoping she would before he forgot himself and went after her.

Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “Sweet dreams.”

“I doubt they’ll be sweet.”

“That’s your own fault. I hope you’re aching and yearning and in need of a cold shower.”

“Should I wish you sweet dreams back, Summer?”

She shut the door on that.

Her light went off.

He let out a slow breath, not sure whether he hated her, or still loved her.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Summer slept restlessly. She got up before the crack of dawn and grabbed her hiking gear. There was an early staff meeting at Creative Interiors II, right before the big opening day, but she still had several hours before that, so she drove northeast to Palomar to hike among the towering conifers and oaks.

When she’d finished, she felt better equipped for the day, and smiled as she showered and changed before heading to the new shop. She had the VW’s windows down so that the gorgeous morning could show off its bright sunshine and already warm breeze. She breathed it all in and promised herself another long hike tomorrow.