Straddling the Edge (7 page)

“Umm hmm,” I murmur. Wait, is he trying to get rid of me? Done warming me up? “You don’t have to do this anymore. I’m warm now. I can sit up and give you space.”

“Shhhh,” he says, relaxing his head against the soft cushions of my sofa. “You’re fine. This is nice. I like it.”

“Me too.”
More than you know
. The constant beat of his heart thumps under my ear, and his woodsy spicy scent has all my senses on heightened alert. Clouded by his closeness, I allow my fingertips to rub slow circles over his side. I sigh. “You make me feel warm … and safe.”

“Summer, you’ll always be safe in my arms.” He presses his lips to the top of my head and I could just melt right into him.

“Contrary to what most people believe, I don’t have a lot of experience in this department. But with the few arms I have been in, safe is not one of the feelings I’ve ever had.”

He seems to pull me closer, so much so that there is no space between us. “I’m sorry to hear that. But I’m happy I can make you feel that way.”

“Did it just get weird?” I ask, suddenly worried that this is taking an unexpected and awkward turn.

“Not at all. Like I said before, I like it.”

Again, I raise my head to get a better look at him. So that I can get lost in those eyes—the ones that are zeroing in on me like the crashing waves of the ocean.

His lips are on mine
, and I all but blackout from the sheer pleasure of it all. He doesn’t move his mouth or try to deepen the kiss. It’s just the hard press of moistened lips to lips, and when he backs away, my eyes are still closed and my lips are still puckered trying to savor every second of it.

Dean reaches for the remote, clicks off the TV, and relaxes back into the sofa again. The room is dark except for glowing light switches on the walls. “That was perfect,” he whispers. “Now get some rest.”

“Here?” I have a perfectly comfortable bed in my room that I wouldn’t mind sharing.

“Yeah, you’re warm and safe and
I’m comfortable.” He runs his fingers along my arm, the one that is across his waist. “Good night, Summer.”

“
Night, Dean,” I murmur. And then I doze off, still imagining the sweet taste of his mouth on mine, and longing for more. So much more.

I wake up, stretching out across my bed in all directions, completely rested and full of hope. Something I haven’t had in so long I almost forgot what it felt like. Dean is responsible for that, and I can’t help but smile just thinking about him. It’s been almost two months since Chase and I broke up and I thought I’d never recover. But since that first night when I saw Dean at the brewery, I haven’t cried for Chase once. The sadness and loss I once felt is gone. And it’s been replaced with hope. Lots of hope.

I stretch my arms over my head and point my toes, sighing dreamily at an image of Dean playing in my mind.

Then it dawns on me. I’m in my bed. I flip back the covers and sit up so quickly, my head sways with dizziness from the sudden movement.

My cell rings and I look around. I usually put it on my night stand before I go to bed. It must still be in my
purse, which I left where? Oh, on the kitchen table.

I must have torn off my hoodie in the middle of the night because I’m wearing a baggy black tee and my yoga pants when I shuffle into the kitchen to find my phone.

“Hey,” I say, when I finally find it at the bottom of my bag.

“Yeah, good morning to you too.” Mel is way too chipper in the morning. “How’s Dean?”

“Is that what you called for?”

“Details, baby? I want the juicy gossip.”

“There’s none to tell. I woke up this morning and he was gone.” I noticed the empty sofa on the way to the kitchen. There was a folded blanket on the seat cushion but definitely no Dean. “No, I didn’t sleep with him. We fell asleep on the couch. He must have jumped ship as soon as I conked out. He’s gone.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but
I’m still here.” I look up, and sure enough, he’s standing right there. Every sexy inch of him.

“Mel, I gotta go. I’ll call you back.”

“Did I just hear Dean?” She practically squeals.

“Uh huh, I gotta go.”

“No way … don’t hang up. You gotta …” Before she can say anything else, I end the call and put my phone on the table.

“Good morning,” he
says, his voice even deeper after hours of rest. I don’t say anything at first. I’m distracted by the sight of him. Dean must have taken a shower. His hair is damp, and so is his chest. Oh my. His chest is bare and on display like a buffet of my favorite desserts just waiting to be eaten. Like a Sugar Daddy caramel pop just waiting to be sucked on. His jeans hang low on his waist exposing the most delicious V cut into his mouthwatering hips. I must look like a pervert with my tongue hanging out and drool dripping down my chin.

I blink several times wonderin
g if my eyes are deceiving me … wondering if there really is a half-naked Sex God in my kitchen standing there for my eyes to feast on. When I’m convinced I’m not dreaming, I finally say, “I’m not disappointed. I would have been if you’d left without saying goodbye.”

“Good,” he closes the distance between us and bends down, placing a kiss on the top of my head. “How about a cup of coffee?”

“Sounds great.” He moves through my kitchen like he belongs here. He fills the Keurig with water and places the little cup in the brewer like he knows exactly what he’s doing. He finds two mugs in the cupboard, puts one under the dispenser, and turns on the machine.

“How do you like your coffee?” he asks, as the first cup finishes brewing. He removes it and starts another.

I stand and take a few steps toward the fridge. “I like my coffee all girlie. Lots of vanilla flavor.” I take out the quart of French vanilla creamer and place it on the counter. “How about you?”

“Vanilla is good. I’m a latte kind of guy too. I don’t drink it black.” He places a cup in front of me. “I hope you don’t mind that I used your shower. I didn’t want to waste time going home before we go to breakfast and get your car.”

He remembered. How thoughtful. “I don’t mind at all.” I add the flavor to my coffee and pass the creamer to him. I lean toward him and inhale. “You smell good.”

“I smell like you.” He leans over me and takes a whiff of my hair. “Like sugar cookies.”

“That’s more vanilla. All of my products are scented the same. Boring, I know. But, I can’t do flowery strong scents. They give me a headache.”

He smiles and my stomach flutters. “Cookies are better than flowers.”

“You can eat cookies,” I joke.

Dean winks at me. “Exactly,” he says, and then brings his coffee mug to his lips, his mouth displaying one hell of a sexy grin.

When I emerge from my bedroom, ready for whatever the day has in store, Dean has a wicked sexy smirk on his face. He takes a deep breath, shaking his head.

“What? We’re just going to breakfast right? Should I have put on something more sophisticated?” I look down at what I’m wearing. A pair of denim cropped pants, folded up at the calf, a black loosely-fit cowl-neck tank top, and some small dangling earrings. I guess I could have put on some nice sandals rather than a pair of platform flip-flops, but I felt so comfortable with Dean last night, I thought I didn’t need to put on a show today. I was kind of hoping he might like the casual me. Not the extreme makeover version of myself.

“You look stunning. You don’t have to change a thing.”

Slowly, I walk toward him and don’t stop until I’m an arm’s length away. “Really? Thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to hear you say that.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re gorgeous.” He reaches for my hand and holds it lightly.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m not used to dressing like this. Or not taking over an hour to style my hair and put on makeup.” I just pulled my damp hair into a twist and secured it with a cheap clip, brushed on some mineral powder and mascara, and finished the look with some Buxom lip gloss.

“Why not?” He holds up his free hand. “Wait, don’t get me wrong. You look beautiful at work, all done up to perfection. But the woman who caught my eye was the one at the brewery who was laid back and easy going. The one who just walked out of that door just now.”

“Really?” I squeal. What did I ever do to deserve his kindness? He’s making me blush and making tears flood to my eyes. My heart is touched. And if I don’t watch out, my heart could fall in love with this man if he keeps charming me like this. While I’m sure I’ve moved on from Chase, I’m not so certain I’m ready for an instant relationship again. It’s just too soon, right?

“Yes, really. But hey, it’s up to you. Whatever you’re comfortable in is fine by me.” He pulls my hand up to his mouth and kisses the back of my hand. Every time he does something like that, a little piece of my heart attaches to him, clings to him like he could be the last decent man on earth. “Now, let’s go eat.”

Summer

I have to admit I was a little surprised to get a text from Shelly asking me to meet her and Mel at the brewery. And I also have to admit it made me a little happy. I’m dying to talk to someone about Dean and it’s not like I really want to call my mother.

When I walk into the tasting room, the girls are already there. Where are their babies? I thought once you had a child you were destined to eighteen years of diaper bags and a kid hanging off your side.

“Hey, ladies,” I tell them, a nervous smile on my face. “Thanks for the invite.”

Mike, the owner, steps over and places a dark ale in front of me. “Hey, sweetie, nice to see you. Thanks for bringing in new customers.”

“
Thanks, Mike. So you met the girls?” I ask.

“Sure did. This one is a spunky
little thing,” he says, patting Mel on the shoulder. “I offered her a job.”

Mel laughs. “Honey, I would take you up on that if I
knew a damn thing about beer, but I’m more of a dessert wine kind of girl.”

“Ugh,” he grunts. “Just stab me in the heart with your evil words.” We all chuckle at the display of poor acting as he holds his chest in fake pain. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Will do,” I tell him as he walks back behind the bar. “Already making an impression, huh?”

Shelly nods. “This
girl makes an impression everywhere she goes. Are you surprised?”

“Not at all,” I tell them. “What did you do, Mel?”

“He was talking crap about my wine so I challenged him to a pissing contest. Told him I could piss farther than him so he wasn’t as manly as he thought he was with his sophisticated brew.”

I almost spit out my first sip of my so-called sophisticated brew. “You’re too much.”

“Tell me about it,” Shel says. “Actually tell me how you think you can piss anywhere but straight down. Do you have a magical vagina or something?”

“Ask your brother,” Mel says with a wink.

Oh my. I’d love to be able to drink my beer in peace without spitting it out all over the table, but Mel just keeps them coming and I can’t hold back the laughter.

“All right, all right, let’s get down to business,” Mel says. “Stop spilling your beer everywhere,
Summer, and spill the fucking beans. Inquiring minds want to know.”

Here it goes. I knew that’s why they invited me here, and it’s exactly why I came. Some much needed girl talk.

I start out by telling them how we’d said our goodbyes in the car, but then my run-in with Chase changed that and Dean ended up coming in.

“What the hell is his problem?” Mel shouts. “I don’t get it. He did this shit to Shelly too. He acts like a total dick and breaks up with you, and then won’t let go. Someone needs to knee him in the balls.” Shelly and I just stare at her wondering if she’s done with her outburst. “What? You want me to do it? I don’t mind taking one for the team. I’d gladly bring the bastard to his knees.”

“Ouch,” Mike says, wincing behind Mel. “Can I get you ladies another round?”

“No, thank you,” Shelly answers. “Being responsible sucks.” I’m assuming things have changed for her since she had Noah. She used to drink like a fish. Literally, used to drink out of
glasses the size of a fish bowl. Now, she’s saying no to a second round of beer. Good for her. Mel shakes her head too.

“I’m good. Thank you.” I’ve had enough as well and I don’t even have an infant
waiting for me at home.

When Mike leaves, Shel starts up the discussion again. “I reall
y don’t know what his deal is, but what I did notice is that once I made it clear that I was done with him, he moved on. Maybe that’s what Chase needs to hear from you too. It isn’t enough for him to see you with Dean or any other guy— he needs to know you don’t have the slightest bit of feelings for him before he’ll stop torturing you. I think what I’ve learned on ‘As The World Turns Around Chase’ is that he loves feeling wanted. It doesn’t matter if he wants you back. Most of the time, he doesn’t. He just wants to know that you want him because then he feels better about himself. It’s fucking wicked but I think we’ve all decided the bastard is evil.”