Page 36 of Summer Affair

Dean nodded. “It is. And it’s even better with you.”

Andrea turned to look at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in his eyes. “Dean…”

He leaned in, closing the distance between them. “Andrea, I…”

Before he could finish, a loud cheer erupted from a group of people further down the beach, breaking the moment. They both laughed, the tension dissipating.

“Guess we’re not the only ones enjoying the sunset,” Andrea said, smiling.

Dean chuckled. “Guess not.”

“How about we grill some bratwurst?” she said when she felt her stomach growl.

“I could eat.” He sighed. “What can I do to help?”

For the next few moments, they gathered everything they needed from inside. Dean stood at her grill, turning the brats while she made a quick salad and cut some fruit for them to enjoy.

They ate out on the deck, chatting and laughing until the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deeper shades of blue and purple. As the first stars began to appear, Andrea felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Standing up, she walked over to the railing and looked out at the vast dark sky filled with twinkling lights. The half-moon hung high overhead, letting off enough light that the white sandy beach almost glowed.

“Let’s make a pact,” she said suddenly, turning towards Dean. He’d moved to stand just behind her.

“A pact?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” she said. “If we continue”—she shook her head—“with whatever you want to call it…”

“Trist? Fling? Liaison? Affair?” he offered with a grin.

She smiled. “If we have a summer affair, no matter what happens between us, if this goes somewhere or not, we’ll still be this to one another. We’ll always have this…”

Dean smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. “Easiness between us?”

She nodded, feeling the lump in her throat.

“Agreed.” He moved closer. “Shall we seal this…pact?” His eyes dipped to her lips.

She nodded and felt her heart skip in her chest as Dean’s smile grew.

This kiss held more passion and meaning than any that had come before. His arms circled her, and he held onto the railing behind her. She trembled at the thought of him touching her.

She felt hopeful and excited for what was to come, though fear that being with him would somehow damage her kept her on her toes. She didn’t want to think about the scar he’d leave her for the rest of her life if things turned bad. Like the many tattoos she had covering her body, being with Dean was going to leave a mark.

Time would tell if it was for the best or if she was going to regret the scars and need to cover them like she often did.

For now, for the first time in a long time, the future didn’t seem so uncertain. With Dean, she felt like anything was possible.

Chapter Eleven

He couldn’t seem to control the shaking he felt deep down in his bones when he touched Andrea. Which is why he was keeping his fingers wrapped around the railing of the deck behind her instead of running all over her like he wanted.

It was almost hell holding himself still as she ran her fingers through his hair. It seemed like the hardest thing he’d done in his life.

Why couldn’t he get his body under control?

He was trying his hardest to focus on anything else so he didn’t move too fast, but then she slipped her fingers under his shirt and ran her fingertips gently over his skin, exploring him. The simple touch, however featherlight, sent his body and mind skyrocketing.

“Andrea.” He practically growled her name.