Summer Temptation (Hot in the Hamptons Book 2) by Wendy S. Marcus

turn them down, but he wouldn’t let me.
    “He really likes you.” Nick kissed the tip of my nose. “So do I.” He slid his lips down to meet mine, so gentle and caring.
    I smiled. “I like you, too, Nick.” So much. I could be myself around him, without feeling like I had to go out of my way to impress him. I could be quiet around him, without feeling like I had to fill the silence with conversation. I felt comfortable around him...happy…content. I hugged him.
    “What was that for?”
    “No reason.” I shifted to my back to look up at the stars in the sky, resting my head on Nick’s upper arm. “Remember how you asked me if I had one wish, what I’d wish for?”
    He nodded.
    “It pains me to admit that I would selfishly wish this summer didn’t have to end. That you and I could stay here in the Hamptons, together, just as we are tonight, forever.”
    “I like that wish.” He took my hand into his and rested them on my slightly rounded belly. “If only I had the power to grant it.”
    If only. “Two weeks left.” Until he went back to his life and I went back to mine.
    “You know we could—”
    “Don’t.” I reached up and put my finger to his lips, couldn’t bear to hear what he had to say. There was no future for us. While I had yet to take a pregnancy test, I could see and feel the changes in my body, knew what they meant. I wouldn’t saddle Nick with a wife and a baby that wasn’t his, an instant family he didn’t want or deserve.
    “But—” he tried.
    “Please don’t.” I cut him off, feeling tears gathering in my eyes. “Kiss me.” I grabbed his T-shirt and pulled his upper body on top of me. When his lips touched mine, worry, sadness and dread disappeared. When his hands caressed my body, I felt beautiful and sexy and desirable. “Make love to me.” Give me memories I will treasure forever .
    And right there, beneath the starry sky, by the side of the pool, he did.

Nick
     
    T wo days.
    I hadn’t seen or heard from Leigh in two whole days, despite sending her dozens of texts and snap chats and leaving a bunch of messages on her voicemail.
    Just before noon on what would be day three, I steered my car into Storme’s driveway, knowing something was wrong.
    Upon seeing Leigh’s two friends arguing up by the garage, Storme carrying a suitcase, I could tell my suspicions were correct. When they saw me, they froze.
    I parked and got out of my car. “Hello ladies.”
    Silence.
    “Leigh around?” I asked.
    Storme glanced at Kelsey, who answered, “No.” With Kelsey’s attention on me, Storme threw her suitcase in the back seat of her convertible, then went to open the driver’s side door.
    “No,” Kelsey said, rushing the few steps to lean against it, holding it closed. “Leigh doesn’t want us there.”
    “Doesn’t want you where?” I asked.
    They ignored me.
    “She needs us,” Storme said. “Especially now.”
    Why especially now? I got a sick feeling in my gut.
    “If she wanted us to go with her, she wouldn’t have snuck out of here before dawn,” Kelsey said. “She wouldn’t have left us a note specifically telling us not to follow her.”
    Storme looked down and wiped an eye. “I feel terrible.”
    Kelsey hugged her. “Leigh is the strongest, smartest, most together person I know. She’ll figure it out. She needs some time alone. You know how she gets.”
    “She’s always been there for me,” Storme said, turning to the car. “I need to be there for her.”
    “You need to come back inside and calm down,” Kelsey said. “Your parents and your fiancé will be here soon, and you can’t go running up to Westchester. There’s too much to for the wedding. Leigh understands.”
    It was like they’d forgotten all about me. I cleared my throat. When they looked over, I waved. “Remember me?”
    “She won’t want you there, either,” Kelsey said.
    “Especially not you,” Storme added.
    “Why?” I asked, possibilities already percolating in my