Summer Love at the Beach: Sweet & Steamy Instalove Romance #4 (Summer Instalove)

by Haley Travis

  back to the flashing knife.

  Laughter bubbled out of me for a second. “My friend Laura was trying to tell me that talking

  to guys didn’t have to be so stressful. That people always mess up conversations, and say

  ‘um’ all the time, and nobody notices.”

  I loved watching such a huge man being so graceful and focused in the kitchen. Mitch

  nodded. “It’s true. Also, you’re speaking to me just fine, for the record.”

  He moved to the far end of the kitchen island and looked around. “Oh, hey – could you

  please bring me two lemons?” Grabbing them from the big blue bowl on the table, I stood in

  front of him, wondering if he wanted them on the cutting board.

  “Now hold them over your head,” he said.

  I obeyed him immediately, not knowing why. He grabbed me, his hands sliding up under the back of my shirt while he nuzzled my throat until I was laughing too hard. His eyes latched

  onto my heaving breasts, kissing lower, pulling the fabric down just an inch.

  “Mmm,” he murmured. “You’re delicious, Becca. This lemon broccoli chicken is going to be

  pretty good, but I’m going to eat you for dessert.”

  As he kissed up the front of my throat, I was filled with floating, dreamy heat again. Just as I desperately needed more, he stepped back, taking the lemons from me. “Thanks,” he

  whispered, kissing my nose.

  Sitting back down at his kitchen table, watching carefully as this sexy man cooked for me, it became easier to talk to him. The prickles of nervousness began to dissolve, just like the

  dark clouds out the window that were blowing away and taking the rain elsewhere . Mitch

  was careful to keep the conversation about the beach neighborhood, and the summer

  weather, only occasionally asking me personal questions.

  By the time we ate dinner, I felt like I was really getting to know Mitch. Afterwards, he

  made us coffee spiked with just a drop of Kahlua, and I felt completely comfortable

  snuggling up beside him on the wide bench at the end of his yard, overlooking the beach. It

  was getting pretty dark, and the deep blues and grays made everything feel quiet.

  He reached out to lift my necklace with one finger, examining the string of seven stars of

  various sizes. “I’ve noticed that you touch this when you’re thinking, or you’re nervous. Is

  this a lucky charm?”

  “Um…” I took a breath, not wanting to get so heavy on what was essentially our first date,

  but at the same time wanting to get it out of the way. “My father was never around, and my

  mother died several years ago. It was a bus crash when she was on holiday in Mexico. She

  had given me this necklace the week before she left. She had bought it for herself, but

  realized it looked better on me since my skin is rosier.”

  “Oh, sweetie – I’m so sorry.”

  His arm tightened around me for a moment. “Thanks. I’ve come to terms with it, but every

  now and then I wish that I could ask her a few questions.”

  “I’m glad you have your brother, at least.”

  “Yeah,” I nodded. “I also have four close girlfriends, who are basically my sisters. They

  keep me in line.”

  Looking up, Mitch was grinning. “Are you going to tell them about me?”

  I grinned back. “Maybe.”

  “Send them a photo,” he laughed.

  “Actually, that’s a great idea.”

  Pulling out my phone, we exchanged numbers, then I tucked my head against his shoulder

  and took a selfie. I looked a bit flushed, but Mitch was gorgeous, his dark eyes so intense

  in the dim light. It was obvious from our body language that we were already close.

  Holding my phone so that he could watch me typing, I sent the photo to the four of them at

  once with the caption, “Totally boring out here at the beach. Nothing but seagulls and sand.”

  I loved the sound of his laugh. “Tell me you’re going to send that and not answer a single

  one of their questions until tomorrow.”

  “Yup. That’s what they always do to me,” I said.

  “Do you all send each other photos with your boyfriends, trying to outdo each other?” he

  asked.

  I shook my head, feeling my hair becoming tousled in the slight breeze as I tried to smooth

  it back. “ No, before the summer only one of us had a boyfriend. And it didn’t last long. And it wasn’t me,” I added quickly.

  “I honestly find that hard to believe,” he said, as his huge hand settled on my knee, his

  fingers sliding back and forth lazily across my skin. “You are truly beautiful, Becca. I can’t believe that you wouldn’t have men falling all over you.”

  I felt my nose crinkling as I made a face. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve always been too scared to

  talk to guys, so I mostly avoided looking at them so they wouldn’t make conversation.”

  “I’m incredibly thankful that you’ve taken a chance on me,” he said gently.

  “Me too,” I said, smiling up at him.

  Mitch lifted me so that I was sitting in his lap, as our mouths gravitated to each other’s.

  Kissing him was terrifying, exhilarating, and felt so perfectly right.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  * Mitch *

  I knew that I had fallen for this gorgeous little treasure too hard, too fast. Every warm

  smile, every soft breathy moan when I kissed her, made me realize that I was already in

  love with her.

  Feelings for any woman before Becca just didn’t seem real now. She was an entirely new

  sensation. There was a freshness about her that I found fascinating. It wasn’t just her

  innocence, although that was certainly causing a massive amount of blood to shift between

  my legs. Her easy little laugh and lovely way of observing the world was inspiring.

  I desperately needed to steer the conversation to something that would take the pressure

  off the wave of lust that was building deep within me.

  She had told me earlier about her job as a graphic designer at her brother’s firm, and just

  as I was trying to think of a question to ask about that, she turned her bright eyes up to

  mine. “You said that you used to be a stuntman. What do you do now?”

  “I guess you could say I’m a computer geek,” I said.

  “Really?” She smiled. “I mean, you seem smart. But I can’t quite picture you hunched over a

  computer all day.”

  “That’s why I have a standing desk. Plus I have a gym in my basement both at home and

  here at the cottage. Coding for a few hours, then working out for a while – it’s good to

  switch back and forth.”

  “What sort of things do you code?” she asked.

  I quickly explained my warehouse tracking app, and how it took off as a bestseller. “It made

  enough money that I can take it a bit easier,” I explained. “Now I’m working on fine-tuning a few apps for people I know that need some help. I also have some ideas for some other

  cataloging styles of apps, but they’re still in the sketch stage.”

  Becca reached down to take my hand from her knee. I wondered whether she was

  stopping me from sliding any higher, but she just seemed to want to hold my hand.

  “I guess I should walk you home, so your brother doesn’t worry,” I said.

  “I guess,” she said softly, and I hoped that was a note of reluctance in her voice.

  “I don’t want you to leave,” I said. “If I were in charge of the universe, I would scoop you up in my arms and take you to my bed right now.”

  Her eyes widened as he
r lips curled up in a sassy little smile.

  “It’s probably too early for me to be thinking about that, isn’t it?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “How do these things normally work?”

  Leaning in to kiss her softly, I loved that she pressed against me, cuddling right into my

  chest. “I don’t know what’s normal anymore,” I said gently. “A lot of people meet on those

  dating apps, and hook up just a few hours later.” Her nose crinkled in distaste.

  “Some women have rules about going out with a guy ten times before she’ll get into bed

  with him,” I shrugged. “I guess everyone is different.”

  Becca’s free hand flew up to trace along the stars of her necklace.

  “I don’t mean to make you nervous, sweetie. I just meant that you are incredible, and at

  some point, when it’s right, I want to show you how wonderful you are by kissing every

  single inch of you.”

  Even in the dim light, I watched the slight blush creep along her cheeks. Kissing her slowly, her tantalizing lips glided against mine, allowing me to taste her warmth. She wanted me. If I slipped my hand into her shorts right now, I knew there would be a damp spot between

  her legs. But I’d have to be patient so that I didn’t scare off my darling girl.

  Feeling her tongue in my mouth, feeling her open up to me filled me with relief. She was

  mine. It would take some time to work out the details, but I could feel it.

  Her whisper-soft little moan made my cock lurch in my baggy shorts, and I hoped she didn’t

  notice. “I should walk you home before I start getting naughty ideas,” I said softly.

  Becca’s lips caressed my ear as she breathed, “I think I really like talking through touch

  instead of words.”

  She must have felt the shudder that ran through me, as I murmured, “Me too, sweetie. But

  let’s go.”

  We stood up and I took her hand, leading her through my garden and onto the beach. As

  we strolled past several houses holding hands in the moonlight, I wondered how many of

  the local gossips were peering out their windows, trying to figure out who I was with.

  It was the only thing I disliked about this wonderful little beach town. Many of the women

  were easily bored, and turned to outside drama to give them something to talk about. It

  was ridiculous. I hoped that Becca would not become the topic of the latest wine-soaked

  chatter among those women.

  As we approached Brendan’s house, I asked, “May I make you dinner again tomorrow

  night?”

  “Sure.” She paused, looking up at me with an adorable grin. “Actually, that would be

  perfect. Brendan and Julie are going out tomorrow night, so that would save me from being

  home all alone.”

  “Maybe you should consider staying over at my place, just so that I can keep you safe,” I said. “If you like, I’ll stay completely clothed. But the thought of sleeping with you in my

  arms…” Spinning her as I wrapped my arms around her, her light giggle on the breeze

  made my heart speed up again.

  Becca leaned in for another kiss, and I was thrilled that she was becoming comfortable with

  me. I knew that I was holding her against me too tightly, but couldn’t stop. Her soft breasts pressed against my chest. Her fingers tangled in the hair at the back of my neck. Her

  throaty gasp as I cupped her ass, crushing our bodies together, filled me with an ache that I hoped to take care of tomorrow.

  When I finally set her back down, she looked embarrassed but incredibly happy. “I hope

  nobody is watching,” she giggled.

  “I almost hope they are,” I said. “I want the entire world to know that you’re my girl. Is that terrible of me?”

  She shook her head, her beautiful auburn hair falling into her face. “No, I think I like that.”

  Holding her face in my hands, I trailed my thumb against her cheek bone. “You are

  everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, Becca. I know it’s really fast, but I have all sorts of intense feelings for you that are trying to escape.”

  She nodded in my hands. “I think I feel that too.”

  Planting a kiss in the center of her forehead, I released her. “I’ll see you tomorrow,

  sweetie,” I said.

  “I can’t wait,” she smiled, turning to walk quickly into the house.

  After waiting until she was inside, I turned back to my place, pulling out my phone.

  Me: I miss you already.

  It only took about a minute for her to return my text.

  Becca: I’m pretty sure it’s scientifically impossible to miss someone after only 60 seconds.

  Me: H ey – I’m a computer geek, not a scientist. But if you want, I can call to have

  someone check up on that.

  Becca: You’re a bit crazy. Did you know that?

  Me: Stuntmen are supposed to be a little crazy. Otherwise we’d never take the big jumps.

  Becca: Ha ha.

  Me: I should warn you, in a way, being with you is a big jump. I told myself I wasn’t going to trust anyone for a while, and avoid women. But I suppose when the perfect woman

  shows up on the beach in front of you, that’s a sign, right?

  Becca: Do you believe in signs?

  Me: Sort of. A little bit. Only when it’s something good, I suppose.

  Becca: I think that meeting you is a sign.

  Me: I think so too , beautiful. Sweet dreams. xoxo

  CHAPTER FIVE

  * Becca *

  Waking up with sunlight in my eyes, feeling completely refreshed and energized, I reached

  for my phone and burst into peals of laughter. Thank goodness I had set it to silent

  overnight.

  Kim: Are you freaking kidding me? Who is that guy?

  Kate: Who is the hottie?

  Joanna: Did you really meet a guy? I’m so happy for you!

  Laura: Your body language suggests that you two are already getting very close. Stories to tell?

  Kim: I have to say, you go, girl! Even if it’s just some sexy guy you grabbed off the street for a photo, good for you.

  Joanna: I don’t think she would tease us like that.

  Kate: Does he have a name? Are you two together?

  Laura: You can’t just drop a photo like that and not answer messages! Unless… Guys, do you think she’s staying over at his place?

  Kim: I would be so proud of her if she did.

  Joanna: It might be their first date, if this is the first we’re hearing about it. Come on, settle down!

  Sitting up, I gave my shoulders a stretch, looking out the window to see it was a beautiful

  day with just enough fluffy cloud cover to soften the bright sunshine.

  My feelings for Mitch were so new and fresh that I wasn’t sure how much I could make

  sense of yet. It was awkward sharing things that I didn’t even understand myself.

  Me: You know I will answer every single question over drinks in a few weeks. For now, his name is Mitch, and he lives a few houses down the beach. He made me dinner last night.

  Joanna: That’s fine if you don’t want to share details yet. We are just happy you’re happy.

  Me: Details? It was lemon chicken with broccoli and orange pepper. He’s a great cook.

  Kim: LOL! You’re terrible. But seriously, I hope he treats you like a goddess, and kisses you like a demon.

  Me: ;)

  There was no way to tell precisely what Kim meant by that, but Mitch certainly kissed me with a strange passion that made my lips feel like they were about to ignite.

  Was it strange that I felt more relaxed with him than any other man, after only spending an

  afternoon and evening together? Was it normal to want t
o run over there and beg him to

  touch me any way he wanted?

  I’d never really explored my own sex drive beyond a few sensual bathtimes with myself.

  The tingling that flooded me when Mitch kissed me was wild. Just remembering his lips as

  he skimmed along the tops of my breasts sent prickles down my spine.

  Lounging around the house and the beach most of the day, I avoided Julie. I didn’t want to

  hear her gossip about Mitch. If there was anything I should know, he could tell me himself.

  That was one thing I really appreciated in my group of friends. We were nosy about each

  other’s lives, almost to a fault. But as soon as anyone told us to back off, we did. We didn’t cross any lines with outsiders. Other people’s business was simply not our business.

  Just before four in the afternoon, I heard my phone beep and practically tripped over an

  end table to grab it.

  Mitch: Hey, sweetie. Would you like to come over for dinner at six?

  I forced myself to wait for two minutes before answering.

  Me: Sure, should I bring anything?

  It was adorable that he answered immediately.

  Mitch: Just yourself. And your best slaps.

  Me: ???

  Mitch: I’ve been thinking about you all day and I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself.

  Me: Maybe I don’t want you to.

  The second my thumb hit the send button, I wished I hadn’t. That was too saucy. I didn’t

  even know if that sounded like me.

  Mitch: LOL. Good to know. See you soon.

  I busied myself by taking a shower, making sure absolutely everything was very closely

  shaved, just in case. It was quite different caring for my body when I thought that there was a chance someone else might be touching it soon.

  When my hair was half dry, I put it in a loose braid so that it would tame the volume. By the time I was ready to leave and finger combed it out, it fell around my shoulders in big

  glamorous beachy waves.

  With just a little makeup and a simple sleeveless peach sundress, I hoped that I looked cute but casual. A tiny part of me wanted to wear something sexy and black. I knew that’s what

  Kim would probably recommend.

  But feeling sexy was a brand new sensation for me, so I thought I should take it easy on my

  first try. The last thing I ever wanted to do was draw attention to myself or be