“That was amazing,” Lena said as they stood on the sidewalk.

  People were moving around them. Some had stopped to have a smoke. Others stopped just to talk about the show or plan their next moves for the night.

  “The kiss or the show?” Summer teased and reached for Lena’s hips.

  “Both.” Lena giggled as Summer backed her up a few feet into the dark brick wall of the club. “What are you doing?”

  “Kissing you again,” Summer replied. “I’m going for magical this time.”

  She had to wait for Lena to stop smiling before she leaned in to capture those lips she’d been dying to kiss again. It was soft at first. Summer wouldn’t take things any further, since they were in public, but she wanted to. She wanted to wrap herself up in Lena and have Lena be wrapped up by her. She’d wanted to be with this woman like this since they’d met. It had been building inside her ever since. Lena’s lips parted. Summer’s tongue found what it was searching for, and the soft velvet made her whimper softly, as she considered what it might do to other parts of her body. Her hands stayed at Lena’s hips, not wanting to wander too much, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself if they did. Lena’s arms wrapped around her neck as if that was where they should have been all along. Then, Summer’s phone rang in her pocket. She kept kissing Lena though, with gentle pecks, to bring them out of their reverie slowly and paced.

  “Answer your phone.” Lena laughed between those pecks.

  “I don’t want to.” Summer pecked again. “That’s Seth’s ringtone.”

  Lena laughed, and Summer finally relented, but only because the laughter made it difficult to keep kissing her.

  “Answer it,” Lena insisted.

  “Fine. I am going to kill him,” she replied and took out her phone. “What?” she said immediately

  She kept one hand on Lena’s stomach as if to make sure she’d stay there and not disappear. Lena’s arms lowered from her neck but went to her hips where they stayed.

  “Nice to talk to you too, Sum,” Seth replied.

  “I’m a little busy.”

  Summer continued to stare into Lena’s eyes. She found happiness mixed with a little desire in near teal eyes staring back at her.

  “You’re not having sex, are you?”

  “You think I’d pick up the phone if that’s what I was doing?” She watched Lena laugh as she’d guessed what brought on that comment.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I am back in the states, as commanded.”

  “I’m glad. Can I talk to you tomorrow though?”

  “You’re not having sex but you’re about to, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “Seth, you’re impossible. I’m on a date.”

  Lena started playing with the ends of her hair, and as she did, her hands grazed the tops of Summer’s breasts. Whether it was as a by-product or on accident, Summer didn’t know, but she didn’t care. Those brief touches were causing her legs to go a little weak.

  “You are about to have sex then.” He paused as he laughed. “Wait. Who with?”

  “Seth, good night.”

  “I’ll be in the office Monday morning. When are you coming here?”

  “I’m not. At least not now. I’ll come back in a few weeks maybe.” She took in Lena’s eyes and saw their disappointment. “To put the house on the market and check in at the office, but then I’m coming home.” She leaned in and pecked Lena’s lips again and delivered a shy smile. That was enough to bring the happiness back in her eyes. “But I’m still on vacation. You’re in charge while I’m gone. Try not to screw it all up.”

  “I’ll be-”

  “Good night, Seth.” She hung up the phone and tucked it back into her pocket. “Now, where were we?” She leaned back in, wanting to give Lena her undivided attention for the rest of the night.

  “The car’s here.” Lena nodded in the direction of the town car and the driver, standing next to the driver’s side door.

  “I guess we should go.” Summer pulled Lena away from the wall and toward the car.

  “And just where are we going now?”

  “I still haven’t fed you yet. The snacks on the plane don’t count.”

  “Oh, thank God. I’m starving.”

  “I made reservations,” Summer said as Lena took her hand and brought it to her lips. She watched as Lena kissed the tip of each finger. The jolt of electricity it sent through her entire body forced her to clear her throat before continuing on. “I’ve never been to the place, but…”

  They sat in the backseat of the car. Lena intertwined their fingers and placed them in her lap. Summer looked down and realized that her hand was resting now between Lena’s legs.

  “But?” Lena asked innocently.

  “I’ve heard it’s great.”

  “And they’re still open?” Lena asked and turned to face the front.

  “On a Saturday? They’re still open.”

  “I guess I don’t get out that much,” Lena replied.

  “You are so cute sometimes,” Summer said. “Will you do that thing where you put your head on my shoulder? I liked that.”

  Lena smiled and lifted an eyebrow. Summer’s arm went around her shoulder and drew her into her.

  “Better?” Lena asked.

  “Much.”

  “So, what’s the name of the restaurant?”

  “I never said we were going to a restaurant.”

  ◆◆◆

  “We’re at a hotel,” Lena said as she climbed out of the car and observed the enormous building in front of them.

  “We are.” Summer stood next to her and placed her head on Lena’s shoulder, looking up at the building. “It’s a Camden property. It’s one of the oldest, actually. Apparently, it has a Nashville music theme.” She kissed Lena’s cheek. “It also has a well-known restaurant that provides room service.”

  “Room service?” Lena turned her face to the side.

  “I got us a two-bedroom suite. I didn’t want to assume anything would happen tonight. If we end up sharing a bed, I’d be okay with just falling asleep next to you.”

  “Really? You liked it that much the first time?” Lena asked as she pulled away from Summer, choosing to take her hand instead and drag her through the door of the hotel, while their bags were being rolled behind them by the bellboy.

  “The first time?” Summer looked confused and then figured it out. “You knew I fell asleep next to you that night?”

  “I woke up to go to the bathroom, and when I did, I noticed you hadn’t left. You looked adorable in your sleep, by the way. I just fell back asleep beside you.” She paused as they approached the front desk. “I was a little disappointed to see you gone the next morning, but I understood.”

  “You’re a hard one to read. I wasn’t sure if you would freak out if you woke up and I was next to you,” Summer replied.

  “I would have, but not for the reason you think. Well, I did, technically. I woke up, saw you lying there, smiled and thought about touching you, but got scared, went to the bathroom, came back and tried not to wake you up because I didn’t want you to leave.” She paused. “I’ve liked having you around all the time.”

  “I’ve liked being around all the time,” Summer replied and then turned her attention to the front desk agent. “Summer Taft, checking in.”

  “Yes, Miss Taft. We have you in our suite.”

  The man typed something into his computer and Summer felt Lena’s hand on the back of her neck, rubbing the muscles with her fingers and thumb. It was distracting, to say the least.

  “Thank you,” Summer said to him.

  “And we received your call ahead room service order. It should be in your room within the next few minutes.”

  “Thank you,” Summer repeated and took the key card from him.

  They made their way to the elevator that they shared with an old couple as the elevator made its way to their floor. Lena and Summer’s floor was the top one. Once the couple had disembarked, Summer turned around and faced Lena. Her lips were on Lena’s in a second, with Lena returning the kiss once the shock wore off. They both let go of their bags and took hold of each other instead. A few moments later, the distinctive ding was heard, and the doors opened. Lena laughed as Summer pulled her out by both of her hands, forgetting they had bags to grab. Once Lena pulled those through too, they made their way down the hall with purple and blue patterned hotel carpet. The soft lighting from the sconces illuminated the numbers on the dark wood doors. When they found their room, Summer placed the card against the reader. They heard the beep and then the click of the door unlocking. Summer went in first, letting go of Lena’s hand to grab their bags first before watching the woman walk in the room.

  “It smells good in here. What did you order?” Lena asked, and Summer realized the room did smell like food.

  “You’re going to laugh,” she replied with a smile and led Lena into the living room of the suite. It was a musician’s paradise. There were instruments of all kinds on the walls and even what appeared to be a fully functional drum set in the corner of the dining room, where there was a full eight-seater table. On that table was a massive spread and Summer hoped they got the order she’d requested right. “I got us food that I thought would be fun, but I also got real food just in case you needed that.”

  “Real food?” Lena laughed, and Summer took her hand as they left their bags to make their way to the table. “You had them make grilled cheese sandwiches?” Lena asked upon seeing two of the plates.

  “With pepper jack.” Summer laughed alongside her while pulling Lena’s hips to her own. “And I also ordered sundaes for dessert, but they made them ahead of time, so I can’t throw five cherries on top this time. There’s also steak, because I figured we’d be hungry, and the grilled cheeses were mostly just funny.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Lena asked her with a wide smile. “I’m eating all of it.” She pulled back. “Wait. That’s probably wrong to do on a first date. Shove food in my face?”

  “You can shove food in your face all you want. I will still want another date with you, Lena Tanner.” She kissed her cheek and then pulled away. “Have at it.”

  ◆◆◆

  They laughed and ate. Summer was glad she’d ordered all that food because they nearly finished it. She’d only ordered a salad at lunch with Hayden, and since that had been an awkward experience for her, she hadn’t exactly eaten much of it.

  “Really? That night?” Summer asked.

  “Yes, I had that terrible blind date with the loud chewer. I walked into The Lantern just expecting to hang out with my friends. There was Summer freaking Taft sitting next to them.”

  There was music playing in the background, but Summer couldn’t tell you what it was. She had her eyes on Lena’s body, and her ears on every word she was saying. Lena had unbuttoned the top two buttons of the shirt that made her eyes look impossibly brighter, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Summer wasn’t sure if it was because of the wine they’d been drinking or if it was something else entirely, but the blush had crept down her neck and to the part of her chest Summer could see. She’d kicked off her boots, and they were lying on the sofa facing one another. Summer too had kicked off her boots, and she was possibly the most relaxed she’d been in a very long time. She’d relaxed with Lena before, but she’d had these feelings that hadn’t been expressed yet, so there was still tension she couldn’t release. As she watched Lena slide the waves of hair behind her ear and laugh, she was entirely relaxed. Her hand was running up and down Lena’s leg over her jeans, while Lena’s hand was lying over her legs, staying still.

  “Summer freaking Taft? Really?” Summer laughed.

  “Yes, really. I knew Charlie and Hailey knew you, but I hadn’t met you. I walk in, and you’re there. You’re gorgeous, and I felt like crap because I’d had a long day at work before a shitty date. Oh, and then there was Emma.”

  “What about Emma?” Summer laughed.

  “Hailey thought there was something going on with you two. I thought I saw something too. I just pushed my initial thoughts out of my mind.”

  “Initial thoughts, huh?” Summer’s hand stopped moving. “What exactly were those?”

  “You know,” Lena replied, embarrassed.

  “No, tell me.”

  Summer sat up a little more and slid her hand up Lena’s leg, moving her own legs as she did so that she was kneeling on the sofa next to Lena. Her hand stopped at the top of Lena’s thigh.

  “I wanted you,” Lena said with a hitched breath afterward that made Summer’s entire body clench.

  “I wanted you too,” Summer confessed and lifted one leg over Lena’s two. Lena’s body scooted over enough for Summer’s knee to rest as she straddled her. “And nothing was going on with Emma that night or any night, okay?”

  “Okay,” Lena replied.

  Summer leaned down and hovered over her. Lena’s hands went to Summer’s back but remained over her shirt to Summer’s disappointment.

  “Is this okay?” Summer checked before connecting their lips.

  “Yes,” Lena breathed out more than verbalized.

  Summer leaned down and kissed her before sliding her hand up Lena’s side and holding herself up with the other. Then, her phone rang again.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” Summer exclaimed as she pulled up. “Wait. That’s not mine.”

  “It’s mine. It’s just a text. I don’t care. Come back.” Lena pulled her back down, and Summer had to stop laughing to allow her to kiss her again.

  “Wait.” Summer snapped back up.

  “Why?”

  “Can we maybe take this to the bedroom?” Summer stared down at her. “Maybe change and get comfortable and then continue this?”

  “Bedroom?”

  “Or not. We can just stay here and-”

  “I want to go to the bedroom with you, Summer,” Lena interrupted. “And I want to do more than just this.” She tugged on Summer’s shirt.

  “But?” Summer waited for the other shoe to drop.

  “I think I’d kind of like our first time together to be at home,” Lena replied.

  Home. Lena had said home. She hadn’t said her house or her place. She’d said home.

  “How about we change, like I suggested, do a little more of this and just fall asleep? I wouldn’t mind having your head on my shoulder tonight, if you’re up for it.” She kissed Lena’s forehead.

  “I think I’m up for it,” Lena returned.

  ◆◆◆

  Summer climbed into the bed first while Lena changed. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was. She knew they were just going to sleep tonight. Kissing Lena was like a gateway drug. Her body and mind craved more the moment they touched. She wanted Lena tonight. She wanted her under her and over her. She wanted to see the body she’d been pretending not to stare at these past few weeks. She needed Lena, but she knew that she needed it to be right, and tonight was their first date. They just happened to be in a hotel. It didn’t mean they were ready for anything more to happen. She had no problem waiting for Lena. It also wasn’t just Lena that wanted to wait. While Summer wanted her, she’d rushed into things before, and it hadn’t worked. She wanted it to work this time. Lena emerged from the bathroom in a pair of warm red and black flannel pants and a white t-shirt. She was smiling shyly in Summer’s direction as she shoved her dirty clothes into her roller and took a few steps toward the bed.

  “Nope. No way.” Summer waved her hand at her.

  “What?” Lena stopped immediately.

  “You’re wearing a white shirt.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “I can see right through it. You have to change,” Summer said.

  Lena looked down at her shirt and apparently just realized it was basically pointless.

  “Oh, I didn’t-”

  “Might as well not even be wearing a shirt. If we’re just going to be making out tonight, then you’ll need-”

  “What?” Lena interrupted this time and took another step toward the bed. Summer held the blanket up to her chin as if to protect her from the approaching woman. “You can’t handle seeing and not touching?” Lena teased with a devilish look on her face.

  “I like this side of you,” Summer said before thinking. “I mean, not the…” She pointed at Lena’s chest. “I mean, I like that too. I do, and I want-” She took a deep breath, while Lena laughed and slid into bed next to her. “I meant the confident side. The mocking you just did. I liked it.” She turned to her. “It’s hot.”

  “Yeah?” Lena asked.

  “Definitely. You should try it more often,” Summer said.

  “Maybe I will.”

  Summer rolled onto her side and lowered the blanket down a little to move more freely.

  “You should wear that shirt you wore tonight more often,” Lena replied as she rolled on her side facing Summer. “I had a nice show all night.”

  Summer laughed and said, “You did?”

  “When the light hit it just right, I learned you wore a black bra under it.”

  Summer laughed again, reached her arm over Lena’s side and rested her hand on the small of her back, encouraging her to slide over a little closer.

  “Well, at least I had a bra on. You do not. It’s not fair.”

  “I didn’t tell you to put this on.” Lena tugged on Summer’s gray Stanford shirt. “I can’t see anything now.” She gave a false pout that had Summer melting.

  “This is definitely the best date I’ve ever been on,” Summer said.

  “Come on. No, it’s not. I’m sure-”

  “Stop.” Summer placed her fingers over Lena’s mouth. “You seem to think I’ve led this ridiculously exciting life and that I do something like tonight all the time, but Lena, that couldn’t be more wrong.” She leaned in, removed her fingers, and kissed Lena’s lips gently. “Come here.” She rolled onto her back. Lena slid into her. Summer’s arm went around her shoulders as Lena’s head rested on her chest. “Seth and I grew up poor. We were middle class at best. But when our mom got sick, we had a hard time making ends meet with her medical bills. My dad could only do so much.”