Summer Dreaming (Hot in the Hamptons Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

see.
    Tears and runny mascara.
    Cranking the radio to Train’s song about mermaids, I sung along with abandon trying to drown out the thoughts of my dad. Driving into the parking lot of The Surf Lodge, I admired the large white clapboard house. It looked like the perfect beach getaway. I pulled up next to Sean’s beat up Jeep, wondering if he ever rode it on the beach.
    I grabbed my crochet purse, the contents included a condom neatly tucked away in the zipper compartment. Before I could open the door, Sean did and held out his hand. I was blown away by this gesture as I slipped my hand into his. Despite being in his arms earlier during the rescue, this simple contact sent a delicious hum through my body. I smoothed out my dress as Sean’s gaze swept my body from toe to head.
    Reaching my eyes he said, “You’re beautiful.”
    I tugged at my bottom lip as I did a survey of my own. His large feet were in sandals, his pressed khaki shorts fell just above the knee and a gauzy white shirt had two buttons undone. A brown leather necklace completed his GQ beach look. His black hair was freshly washed but unruly curls escaped the gel he must have applied. He looked manly and boyish all at the same time, making me a jumble of schoolgirl nervous and womanly want. Maybe I should have worn panties.
    “Come on, you look hungry,” Sean said. His predator smile and heated blue eyes revealed his own starvation for me.
    We walked into the lobby and I immediately loved the cool vibe. There was a horseshoe shaped lounge area and behind it a huge piece of driftwood with lit candles perched on top. My artist’s eye appreciated the vivid photography on the wall. It was the perfect mix of clean lines and boho chic. Entering the bar area, my gaze was drawn to the ceiling of wood rafters with colorful surfboards lying haphazardly on top of the beams. The chair-like bar stools matched the color of my dress. As much as I loved the inside, we were led outside.
    Long picnic tables stretched out under a slew of wire baskets. Each one had a light bulb. Dusk was just beginning to settle around us. Additional strings of tiny lights were lit in the lounge area beyond the dining area. A fire pit waited on the sand. It was almost magical. Or maybe it was the boy I was with.
    “Is this okay?”
    “More than okay. Is the food as good as the atmosphere?”
    Sean nodded.
    I took a peek at the menu, relieved to find the prices reasonable. I knew lifeguards didn’t make much money and I’d feel really bad if Sean blew his paycheck on me. The value of a dollar had been instilled in me at an early age.
    Beer is normally my drink of choice but the Endless Summer cocktail, with vodka, chardonnay, lemon, and muddled red grapes sounded too refreshing to pass up.
    The cute waitress took my drink order with a sneer but bestowed a wide smile and a wink for Sean when she asked what he wanted. I wondered if I should be worried about her poisoning my food.
    My drink arrived in a mason jar. I hesitated for a second, but the straw beckoned me to sip. “Ah, heaven.”
    Looking at my lips Sean said, “It sure is.” Then he took a long pull of his beer.
    The waitress cleared her throat.
    I ordered the lobster roll and chips and Sean ordered oysters. Hmmm… I wondered if oysters really did have aphrodisiac powers. Not that Sean looked like he needed any help. He radiated strength and virility.
    “Do you surf?” I asked.
    “Yep. You?”
    “Not a lot of good breaks in Georgia.”
    He leaned forward. “I was wondering where that accent came from.”
    “I don’t have an accent. Y’all have the accent,” I teased.
    “You’re the foreigner here. I’m just a townie.”
    “I don’t think you’re just anything, Sean Dempsey.” I slipped my foot from my sandal and grazed my toes upward along his calf.
    “Damn girl.” He swatted my foot away. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, you won’t like the consequences.” He took another long pull of beer