Free Ready for Love by Marie Force Page A

did to me?” Even as he said the words, however, he couldn’t seem to work up the energy to be mad with her or to resent her for something that’d happened when they were little more than kids. Still, the worry nagged at him and took something away from the thrill of knowing he was going to see her again—soon.

    Remembering how much Sydney liked seafood, he’d made a reservation at the Lobster House. He dressed in pressed khakis and a button-down shirt he left untucked. After rolling up the sleeves, he put on the shark’s tooth she’d admired and slid his feet into leather flip-flops. This was about as fancy as it ever got for him. He hoped it was good enough for her. He hoped he was good enough for her.

    As much as he’d loved being close to her last night, the niggling doubts had him wondering if they were moving too fast. After all she’d been through, after all she’d put him through, maybe they were on a road to ruin. A wise man would dial it back a notch. He liked to think of himself as a wise man, but being around Sydney again made him question whether he was as wise as he thought.

    Still, taking it back a few steps might be the best idea until he knew more about her plans for the future and whether or not they included him. He vowed to go slower tonight, to keep the physical contact to a minimum. That last part was crucial, because the minute he touched her, any resolve he might have would disappear. He had no doubt about that.

    The ride to her house was as familiar to him as anything on the island. While there were only three miles between their homes, a world of difference separated them. His was small and cozy, while hers was large and sprawling.

    When he arrived, Buddy came running out to greet him.

    Luke squatted to give the dog his full attention. “Hey, boy.”

    He was rewarded with an enthusiastic lick to the face that made him laugh.

    “Sorry about that,” Syd said from the doorway.

    Luke looked up as she stepped outside wearing a yellow dress that showed off her light tan. She’d worn her hair up, leaving her shoulders bare. A memory of trailing kisses over her collarbone the night before stole the breath from his lungs. Maybe he was a chump, but he couldn’t help wanting her with every fiber of his being.

    “I think he likes you,” she said of Buddy, drawing Luke out of his thoughts.

    “He’s a good boy.”

    “Let me put him inside so we can go.” She called for the dog and led him into the house.

    Through the screen, Luke could hear her talking to Buddy, giving him orders to behave while she was out. He smiled as he watched her kiss the dog’s face and pat him on the head.

    She came outside carrying a small purse and sweater.

    Luke leaned back against the clean truck and watched her come toward him.

    “What?” she asked, her eyes darting over him in a show of nerves that touched him.

    “Just admiring the view.”

    She smiled and shook her head as if she thought he was full of it.

    Forgetting all his resolve, he reached for her. “I missed you today.”

    Looking up at him, she ran her tongue over her lips, and he went hard as stone. “I missed you, too.”

    Tugging gently to bring her even closer, he watched her eyes go wide when she encountered proof of his arousal. He bent his head to kiss her softly. Her lips tasted like strawberries, and even though he hadn’t intended to linger—hell, he hadn’t intended to touch her—he couldn’t help but run his tongue over her plump bottom lip to get a better taste. “Mmm,” he said.

    With her arms encircling his neck, her mouth opened under his, encouraging him to take more, and Luke was lost. Nothing else could compare to the way he felt when he was with her, and as he kissed her, it became clear to him that there was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do to feel this way every day for the rest of his life.

    “Syd,” he said, his lips still resting against hers.

    Her fingers combed through his hair, sending