Baby, they say summer love comes and goes
Comes and goes
Like birds flying south
Tourists leaving town
We've been dancing nights so close under the sky
I see it when I look in your eyes
I'm not sure I can let go of this swing we've found
Can we chase it and never come down?
But it doesn't matter what I'm sayin'
I'm goin' to love you while the sun is hot and the waves are warm
So dance with me, baby, like tomorrow is September
We'll always have the summer to remember
Baby, they say summer love comes and goes
Comes and goes
Like birds flying south
Tourists leaving town
Before you go, give me one more night on the beach
So I can hold you in my arms and kiss you deep
They say summer love comes and goes
Comes and goes
Like birds fling south
Tourists leaving town
The meaning of the words started to sink into my head as he looked directly into my eyes. For a moment, it felt like he could see deep into my soul, but surely that couldn't be? Did he mention their swing in the song, and their nights on the beach? It felt personal and intimate. Almost as intimate as giving her body to him.
No guy had ever sung me a song, much less written one that hit me from all sides.
"He's really good." Emily interrupted my thoughts. "Can you believe he wrote it?"
I shook my head. "He mentioned he played open mic nights. But this? I had no idea."
25
Blake
One full set and an encore later, I retired to the bar to enjoy a well-deserved beer. Or five.
"You were great tonight, man." Cole slapped me on the back. "The girls were loving it."
"Thanks." I settled onto a bar stool and swigged the cool liquid.
"I think I have your two newest fans here. They might want autographs."
"Seriously, Cole? Enough with the fan boy stuff." I saw Sierra and Emily from high school approach from behind my tall cousin.
"You were amazing, Blake," Emily exclaimed. She leaned in for a hug. I hadn't seen her in a long time. I remembered she knew Sierra's secret and had kept it. I didn't know whether that made her a loyal friend or someone I should be wary of.
"Thanks. Good to see you."
For some unexplainable reason, Sierra seemed a tad tongue-tied and nodded her head in my direction.
"Come here, darlin'." I pulled her between my legs. "You look like you could use a drink."
"No Long Island Ice Teas though." She cracked a smile.
"What do you say we have one drink and hit the road?" I asked.
"If we can make it past your adoring fan club," Sierra quipped. "You're quite the local celebrity. Or national celebrity. I'm sort of confused right now."
"Don't get so testy, darlin'," I battled back. "I just like to sing some songs every now and then. No big deal. I didn't even know you were showing up."
"I didn't either. Emily suggested it."
I nodded at her friend.
"Maybe I should head on back," Emily piped in. "You can take care of this one?" She pointed to Sierra.
"Of course. I'll take care of her."
Emily stopped to hug Sierra before she left. I heard them exchange something about trying to keep in touch. I drank my beer and ordered Sierra a drink.
I placed the glass of wine in front of her.
"So are we ok, Blake?" She looked at me.
"Why wouldn't we be?"
She took a sip. "Because of this morning." She stared at me.
"Let's have our drinks. Listen to some music." I brushed the hair off her shoulder. "And then I'm going to take you home."
"So we can finish having this talk?"
I laughed. "No, so I can fuck you properly. Now drink up." I tapped at her wine glass. I was ready to get the hell out of here.
"Well, look at you." I spun on my barstool and came eye to eye with my cousin Alex.
"Hey, man. How's it going?" I slapped him on the back. "Ready for tomorrow?" I asked.
"Wait, is this Sierra Emory?" His eyes landed on her.
She blushed. "Hi, Alex. I haven't seen you in a while. I think you were in middle school last time."
"Yeah, and tomorrow I'm getting married."
"Married?"
"That's right. My little cousin is tying the knot." I hadn't thought much about the wedding. I had the invitation plastered to the fridge with a magnet so I wouldn't forget it.
"Oh, wow. Congratulations. Who is the lucky girl?" Sierra asked.
"You wouldn't know her. She's not from the island. But she's a sweetheart."
"That's good to know. I hope it's a beautiful wedding."
Alex grinned widely. "You're taking her aren't you, Blake?"
I balked in my seat. What the hell? "I didn't think it was a date kind of thing." Nothing on the island was fancy. Clam bakes at Shirley's were as sophisticated as it got around here.
"Oh, no. That's ok. Thanks, Alex. I'm sure your fiancé wouldn't want to add a last minute guest like that," Sierra hurriedly assured.
And with that subtle hint, I felt Sierra slipping back into her shell. Slipping back into that place that made her feel like she didn't belonged here. That somehow she didn't deserve this place and the people who lived here.
"Of course I'm taking her," I spoke up. I grabbed her hand against her knee and grinned. "Sexiest date on the island belongs to me." I winked.
Alex laughed. "Then I'll see you there."
Sierra twisted her full lips together. I could tell I had taken her off guard.
"Yep. You'll see us there."
Alex walked away to join the guys in his bachelor party. He was going to be a groom with one hell of a hangover tomorrow.
"Wedding?" Sierra cocked an eyebrow up.
"What? He looked disappointed. And I need a date."
"And you're sure you want me to be that date?"
My palms lifted to her face, drawing her to me. "I want you, Sierra Emory. You hear me?"
She nodded as I took her lips. I didn't care if everyone in this damn bar saw me kiss the hell out of her. She was mine. And it was time I made sure she knew exactly how I felt. Things had been off today. We had fought. We had fallen back together.
And tonight we would love each other until the sun came up.
I walked with Sierra up the steps to the back door. She had been quiet on the way home. I knew she wanted to talk. But that was the farthest thing on my mind. I stood next to the swing while she fiddled with the keys.
I brushed her blond tresses from her shoulders so that her hair cascaded down her back.
Sierra's eyes closed from the contact.
I looped my fingers through her hair, feeling the silkiness. I breathed into her neck. "You know what I've always wanted to do out here?"
Her eyes fluttered open. "What's that?"
If she thought we were going to have some big talk, I had to shut it down. Talking was not on the menu.
"I'll tell you, but you have to promise me something first."
My hands slipped to her hips. I pulled on the edges of her short skirt.
She nodded. "What's the promise."
"No talking." A mischievous grin spread across my face.
Sierra laughed. "You don't want to talk?"
I pushed my finger to her lips and eyed her. "Do you promise or not?"
She tried to arrange her face to make it look serious. "Ok. I promise."
"Good girl."
My mouth pressed against hers, willing her to part her lips for me. She wrapped her arms around my neck as the kiss in the summer night turned into something primal. She bit at my bottom lip, and then sighed when I crashed my lips harder against hers.
"I've always wanted you on that swing."
She opened her mouth to tell me no. But I cut her off with one glance.
"And tonight. You are mine on that swing."
I didn't know what happened this morning. Why we argued. Why I let feelings get involved. What I did know was that I loved kissing her. Loved how she felt in my hands. Loved sinking into her. I wasn't going to let this night go to waste. Not when I had two left.
My hands gathered the edges of her tank top and tugged them over her head. She lifted her arms. Her eyes met mine as the shirt slid against her stomach, over her breasts, and along her arms. I dropped it on the porch.
My tongue hungrily sought hers, needing to taste the sweetness of her mouth. The tighter I pulled her against me, the more I wanted her. Maybe it was because she wasn't staying. Maybe I was desperate to memorize everything about her. If I kissed her enough. If I fucked her enough. Everything would change.
I wanted her now.
With one hand, I unbuttoned my shorts and let them fall to the floorboards. Did she know what she was doing to me? I felt my whole body ache to possess her, to show her exactly what I could do for her. My fingers reached between her legs, sliding the lace on her panties to the side. She whimpered at the contact and bit her lip.