A Summer Romance by Tracey Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

working on building up a few more
clients, and once I do I’ll be able to get my own place.”
    “So you’re trying to start up your own
landscaping business?” Maggie asked.
    “Well, yeah, I guess. I hadn’t really
thought of it like that. I’m just looking for work,” he said
humbly, and Maggie liked him just a little bit more. He didn’t try
to boast or impress her, he was real, and for the first time in her
life she felt like she’d found somebody that she could be real with
too, somebody who wouldn’t judge her or hold her to an unrealistic
expectation.
    The rain had slowed to a drizzle as they
pulled up to the house. Maggie didn’t really want to say
goodbye.
    “You can just put the bike in the garage,”
she told him as he lifted it out of the back of the truck. She
realized that he already knew exactly where the garage was, but she
led him there anyway, suddenly very aware of her movements as he
walked behind her.
    She entered the dark garage and turned
around to face him. He’d just leaned the bike against the wall. She
took a step closer.
    “Thank you.” She was breathless with
anticipation. This was the moment. This was when she would figure
out if he was interested or just being kind. She had a feeling he
liked her too, but she needed to be sure. She looked up into his
eyes expectantly. Her pulse was racing and her breathing shallow,
but for the first time it was a welcome feeling.
    He looked down at her and she saw the desire
in his eyes. She was sure he was going to kiss her. She wet her
lips. He reached over and gently brushed the damp hair from her
forehead and tucked it behind her ear. It was the simplest gesture,
but extremely intimate. Her breath caught in her throat. Her lips
parted slightly and his gaze fell to her mouth. A pained look
crossed his face.
    “I’d better be going,” he said solemnly as
he bowed his head. He stepped away, his eyes darting up to hers one
last time. She knew he could see the confusion there and she
thought he looked apologetic. Without another word he turned and
left her alone in the garage and it was then that Maggie realized
just how dangerous he really was. If she let him, he had the power
to break her heart.

 
~7~
     
    It had rained for two days. The air was
heavy with humidity but Maggie convinced herself it was a perfect
morning for a walk. She told herself it had everything to do with
being cooped up for two days and nothing at all to do with not
seeing Aaron in that time.
    She walked farther than she ever had before,
the whole time trying to convince herself that she wasn’t looking
for an old barn but daydreaming about what would happen if she did
stumble upon it. As the morning wore on her daydreams became more
daring.
    What she did finally discover was not a barn
but a small lake. At the sight of the glistening water she realized
just how hot it had gotten. The sun burned high overhead and the
sparkling water looked like an oasis.
    She walked to the edge and felt the cool
water. She glanced around at her surroundings. The lake was nestled
between rolling hills dotted with trees. It felt very secluded and
it was surprisingly liberating being so far away from civilization.
She ran her fingers through the water it felt so refreshing against
the heavy heat of the day. She stood and surveyed the area again.
There was no one around for miles. Except for Aaron.
    That last thought stirred something deep
inside her. Maggie reminded herself that she was trying to do
things outside of her comfort zone. She was trying to be more
carefree, more spontaneous. Before she could talk herself out of it
she removed her shirt, then with a deep breath she slid down her
shorts. She told herself that her bra and panties were no different
than a bikini. Regardless she skipped quickly to the water to
submerge herself from view.
    The water felt amazing. It was the perfect
temperature against the hot day. She rolled her head back, dipping
her hair into the water. As she