Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(20)

“You live in a shack in the woods with no running water,” I point out, trying to be delicate. “The night I met you, you didn’t have a quarter for the phone, and you drive around here in a beat-up old truck that hasn’t seen the inside of an auto shop in twenty years.”

Will laughs out loud.

“Like I said, it’s none of my business.” I smile back, relieved. At least he doesn’t have an attitude about it like some guys I’ve dated, the ones who take it as a personal insult on their manhood if you even offer to go Dutch. “We can still have fun. I take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can, darling. But I plan on taking care of the both of us.” He gives me a smoldering look, so I can’t miss the double meaning in his words. Heat slips into my bloodstream, and I can’t help but imagine just what else that mouth can do.

“And just so you know, that shack in the woods is on a hundred prime acres, and I own it free and clear.” Will adds casually, getting to his feet. “That truck belonged to my granddaddy, he’s the one who taught me to service it myself every month. As for not having a quarter for the phone, well, it just happened I didn’t have any change for a hundred that night.”

Before I can react, Will reaches casually for his wallet, pulls out a thick roll of cash, and peels off a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change, darlin’.” He winks at the waitress, and she flushes bright red, scurrying off with her epic tip. Will offers a hand to me. “Shall we?”

I stare up at him blankly, still thrown.

“You never asked what I did in the city,” he continues, clearly loving every minute of my surprise. “I was in finance. Wall Street. I was pulling in stupid money, until I decided to jack it all in and move to the country to turn wood and count the crickets. So don’t you worry, sweetheart, I won’t be skipping out on a check anytime soon.”

I finally get it together and rise, following him out. Will places one hand low on my back, and leans in until his lips brush against my ear. “And since you’re so concerned, the water at my shack will be running by the weekend. Full upgrade, gas tank, the works.”

I laugh and playfully push him away, but only to hide my shiver at the whisper of his lips against my skin.

Call me crazy, but I’ve never found plumbing so sexy in my life.



We play two round of mini-golf, and the whole time, I try to keep that fluttering feeling at bay. But it’s no use. Will has me laughing at dumb jokes and celebrating our high scores, the connection between us so easy and relaxed that it’s not until we’re in the truck heading back to Oak Harbor that I realize the laughter has drifted away with the sinking sun, and now there’s something else shimmering in the dark summer night’s air between us, something charged and electric.

I glance over at him and feel a shiver. Maybe it would be different if I hadn’t kissed him before; if I didn’t know exactly how skilled and certain that gorgeous mouth could be against my lips. The feel of his body; the heat already snaking through my veins. But I do—and now all I want is to feel it again. The images rush through my mind, sensual and tempting, until it’s all I can think about. God, it would be so easy to invite him inside back at mine, for coffee or a nightcap, some other blatant pretext to get him inside—and out of his clothes. It doesn’t have to mean anything, just explore the connection that’s so clear between us . . .

The truck comes to a stop, breaking through my fevered thoughts. “Here we are,” Will says, and then—like I knew he would—he goes around to get my door and walks me to my front step.

“Tonight was fun,” I admit. Will’s face is cast in shadows by my porch awning, the angles of his face so clean and strong. It sends an unfamiliar longing through me, and I have to glance away. “Thank you for dinner.”

“Any time.”

I fumble with my keys and open the door. It’s now or never. If it was any other guy, I wouldn’t think twice before going after what I want, so I turn back. “Do you want to come in?” I ask, straight out, my heart pounding.

Will pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is thick. “I . . . don’t know if that would be a good idea.”

I catch a glimpse of something in his eyes, something that makes my whole body shiver in anticipation.

He wants me.

And desire? That’s something I know how to deal with. It’s not messy, or full of doubts. It can be easy. Simple.

Fun.

I take a step back, into my dark hallway, and give him an inviting smile. “It sounds like a good idea to me.” I reach out and place my hands on his chest, running my fingertips over the smooth, soft fabric of his shirt. Will gives me a rueful smile—but he takes a couple of steps closer, too.

“Didn’t I say something about not making out with you?” His voice is low and sexy, and the look he shoots me is tense with desire.

“It’s OK,” I whisper, hooking my finger over the collar of his shirt and pulling him to close the distance between us for good. Something about him so close makes everything click into place, just right. I lean in and drop a kiss in the spot where his jaw meets the curve of his neck. “Promises are made to be broken.”

I feel him tense. Will pulls away a little, looking down at me with a curious expression in his eyes. But before I can think, he takes another couple of steps, walking me back until I’m against the wall, the lights off, shadows cloaking us in a dim silence.