The Heat of Summer

by Melissa Tereze

  Slowly making her way towards the iron gate, Summer knew her answer. She would bite Prue’s hand off for the opportunity to live in this area. Nobody around for at least a mile. Quiet. Peaceful. What more could Summer want after the year she’d just had back in the UK? It made sense. Complete sense. The gate buzzed, granting Summer access to the grounds of the villa. The atmosphere was completely different tonight. When she was last here, she wasn’t alone. People milled about, socialising and enjoying themselves in the pool. Tonight, it would just be her and Prue. She wasn’t frightened, per se, but she did have worries as to how this night would end. Stop worrying, Prue is perfect. Summer smiled, watching Prue out on the terrace. Huge candles burned along the edge of the stone floor, illuminating the pool. Soft Spanish music played low through the outside sound system. And Prue…she was breathtaking. Okay, it may not be as easy to leave tonight as I had anticipated.

  Blowing out a deep breath, Summer fixed her short white dress on her thighs and took the steps.

  “Wow.” Prue leaned against a pillar. “You look amazing.”

  “T-Thanks.” Summer blushed, appreciative of the low lighting. “You look…wow.”

  Standing before Summer, Prue wore a long, deep-green evening gown, a split finishing at the top of her right hip. Her underwear slightly visible when she stood a particular way, Summer felt the heat rise through her entire body. This woman was incredibly beautiful. Her black hair fell down, finishing just above the small of her back, light make-up causing her to glow against the candlelight. She expected heels, Prue always wore them, but as she followed the split up the side of the dress down to the floor, she found her barefoot. Summer had gone simple, a short white dress that hugged her thighs, but in this moment…she wasn’t sure if Prue knew what simple meant. There was nothing simple about this woman. Prue was far too good for any of this. For Summer.

  “Follow me.” Prue held out her hand, sensing Summer’s hesitation.

  Summer took her hand, her knees trembling slightly. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “I wanted to spend time with you.” Prue glanced over her shoulder, smiling. “Chicken for dinner. Some glazed vegetables…”

  “Mm, sounds perfect.” Summer focused on Prue’s ass as she walked behind her, her hand pulling her along. “Really good.”

  “The food?” Summer looked up to find Prue staring back at her, smirking. “Or something else?”

  “F-Food.”

  “Sure.” Prue released Summer’s hand, disappointed at the immediate loss of contact. “So, name your poison.”

  “Water will be fine, thank you.”

  “As you wish.” Prue nodded, taking a jug of iced water from the refrigerator. “I was hoping you’d share a glass of wine with me at dinner. It’s a new selection I’ve just brought in.”

  “Of course, yeah.” Summer leaned back against the gigantic kitchen island. Marble and so very beautiful. “So, have you lived in Tías long?”

  “Twenty years, February just gone.”

  “You like it here?” Summer asked, glancing around at the incredible décor and the size of the interior. “I mean, it looks like you’re quite content here.”

  “Tías is my home. It always will be.”

  “Maybe, but that accent is not from around here.”

  “No, it’s not.” Prue smiled, handing Summer a glass of water. “Preston.”

  “Oh, not too far from me then.”

  “You’re over the water somewhere…”

  “I am.” Summer nodded, setting her glass down. “Cheshire.”

  “Beautiful place.” Prue motioned for Summer to follow her outside. “Would you like to sit for a while?”

  “Sure, yeah.” Faced with a huge slouch chair, Summer decided to take it. It was big enough to fit three people easily, and Prue was more than welcome to join her.

  Prue arched her eyebrow. “Room for a little one?”

  “More than enough.” Summer patted the seat beside her, catching Prue’s perfume as she sat down. Calming. Expensive. Intoxicating just like it had been the first night they officially met. “So, what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I saw the man on your balcony…”

  “Right.” Prue narrowed her eyes. “And you’re assuming he’s my husband? I mean, you wouldn’t be the first to think that.”

  “I had thought that, yes,” Summer admitted. “But then you invited me here and I’m pretty sure it’s not so we can discuss the weather.”

  “No, you’re right. I invited you here to discuss the potential lease on the property attached to this place.”

  “Right.”

  Prue caught the disappointment in Summer’s eyes. If they were ever going to move forward, she had to stop doing that. She had to stop teasing Summer. “And dinner with you was a bonus.”

  “Oh.” Summer’s eyes lowered as a heat crept up her face. “I’m sure you have more interesting dinners with people other than me here…”

  “Not anyone I can recall.” Prue crossed her legs, that split in her dress exposing a strong, tanned thigh. “Why are you here?”

  “Because you invited me.”

  “No. Here in Tías…”

  “Oh, I wanted a new start.” Summer smiled. “My life changed in the UK a year ago and I thought moving away could be good for me.”

  “Life changed?”

  Summer shrugged. It was her go-to move whenever she spoke about those who meant the most to her. “My grandparents died.”

  “I’m so very sorry to hear that, Summer.”

  “It’s okay. They were old. I had an amazing life with them.”

  “They raised you?” Prue rested her head in the palm of her hand, propped up by her elbow. “Back home in the UK?”

  “Yes. Tías was always our family holiday so I thought it made sense to come back here.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did,” Prue said. “Did you stay at the hotel with them?”

  “Oh, no.” Summer laughed. “I just wanted to indulge a little before I got back into life.”

  “Well, you can indulge there any time you like.” Prue’s free hand fell to Summer’s knee. “The picture you gave me…”

  “Oh, it was nothing.”

  “It was everything.”

  Summer was taken aback by Prue’s comment. In all honesty, she thought Prue would have thrown it in the bin by now.

  “It’s hanging on my living room wall.” Prue cocked her head in the direction of the canvas. “I had it blown up. It’s too beautiful to not have it on show.”

  “You’ve put it on the wall?” The sparkle in Summer’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Prue. “Really?”

  “The day after you gave it to me.” Prue smiled. “I called a friend. He worked his magic. The rest is history.”

  “Wow,” Summer whispered.

  “You should give yourself more credit. What you captured was superb.”

  “I’m hoping to get something set up here…if the offer is still there?” Summer couldn’t be sure that Prue truly wanted her around. She knew it was likely to only be a business arrangement. The hand on her knee told a different story, though.

  “The offer is most definitely still there.”

  “Prue…” Summer cleared her throat. “What exactly is this?”

  “I don’t follow…”

  “This. Dinner. You offering me a place to live.”

  “What do you want it to be?” As much as Prue wanted to blurt out how she felt about Summer, she couldn’t. At times when they were alone, Summer looked like a deer caught in headlights. “This. Dinner. Whatever else comes with it?”

  “I just—”

  “Before you say anymore,” Prue curled Summer’s hair behind her ear, “I think you’re gorgeous, too.”

  How can she possibly think that? Summer sighed, her eyes fully finding Prue’s. “How?”

  “How what?” It was Prue’s turn to be confused.

  “This. Us. It would never work.” Summ
er’s voice broke. “And I want you to know that I wish it was different, but it’s not. I mean, look at me and look at you.” How could Summer possibly feel attached already? This attraction…nothing made sense.

  “O…kay.”

  “You’re an absolute goddess.” Okay, Prue thought, she’s doing everything for my ego. “I’m just a photographer. I’ve no idea where my life is headed. And you have this.” Summer glanced around at the crystal chandelier hanging inside. “You’ve succeeded in life, you’re done.”

  “Oh, I’m far from done, beautiful.” Prue shifted closer, lifting her hand and trailing her thumb across Summer’s bottom lip. “I’m just getting started.”

  “H-How old are you?” Summer stuttered. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “How old do you think I am?”

  “Maybe forty.” Summer’s eyes burned through Prue. Given half the chance, she would kiss this woman all night long. “Thirty-eight. I don’t know.”

  “That’ll do for me.” Prue smirked. “If you want me to be thirty-eight… I can be that.”

  “Prue, I’m serious.”

  Prue sighed. “I’m forty-seven.”

  “O-Oh.” Summer wrung her hands in her lap. “Well, you don’t look it.”

  “I know.”

  “Look.” Summer held up her hand. “I don’t know what the hell is going on here between us, I cannot for the life of me read you, but I’d like to at least enjoy dinner with you.”

  “I’d like that too.”

  Dinner was over. It had gone by quietly, too quiet for Prue’s liking. She could see the wheels turning in Summer’s head, caught between throwing caution to the wind and doing what she thought was right. Prue had spent the best part of twenty years in business mode, but now that she was here alone with Summer, she felt lost. How could she tell someone so young that they could be together? It wasn’t anybody else’s business, Prue would always look at life that way, but how could she show Summer that she could be what she needed without their careers colliding? Their ages too? Prue wanted her here, there was no question about that, but now that the lease situation had been brought up, Summer may feel different. She already believed Prue was a player, that was clear from the conversation they’d had the last time Summer was at her villa, so how could she change the beautiful, young photographer’s mind?

  “Can I get you anything else?” Prue set her wine glass down. “Some dessert, perhaps?”

  “No, thank you. I’m stuffed.”

  This is it, Prue sighed. She’s ready to leave.

  “Okay, maybe some coffee?”

  “Coffee would be great.” Summer pushed her plate away, the contents of it obliterated. “Did you order this in from the hotel?”

  “No. I made it myself.”

  “Impressive.” Summer nodded. “Better than the hotel.”

  “I was the chef there.” Prue allowed a little of her past to spew out. “It must have been, what? Eighteen years ago…”

  “No way!”

  “The owner was selling up, so I stepped in. I’d always wanted to own something of my own. We bought it, ripped the place out, and now it’s what I wanted it to be. We renovate throughout every five years.”

  “We?”

  “My girlfriend and I at the time.”

  “So, she’s still involved with the business?” Summer asked.

  “No, not at all. I haven’t seen Sarah in at least nine years.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Prue shrugged. “She left me because she couldn’t handle the success. That was entirely up to her.”

  “So, you’re a chef?” Summer smiled. “Do you do this often?”

  “Only for people I care about.” Prue eyed Summer across the table. “You’re the first in a long time. I don’t even cook for my brother.”

  “I feel like royalty.” Summer fanned herself dramatically.

  “I’m not that good.”

  “I beg to differ.” Summer didn’t know if it was the expensive wine going to her head, but she had just winked in Prue’s direction.

  Prue avoided the flirtation. If it continued, she would lure Summer into her bedroom and never let her leave. “Did you want to see the room I was offering you?”

  “Maybe another time.” Summer yawned. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”

  “Whatever works for you.” Prue sighed. “If you want me to call you a taxi, I can do that.”

  “So, no coffee?”

  “Oh, of course.” Prue stood, gathering the plates on the table at the outside dining area. “Give me a couple of minutes?”

  “Take all the time you need.” Summer smiled, her attention turning to the faint waves in the distance, the sun about to disappear. “Hey…”

  “Mm?” Prue turned, her hair flowing around her shoulders.

  “You said you don’t cook for your brother? Is that who the man on your balcony was?”

  “Correct.” Prue nodded. “He comes out every summer for four weeks with the kids. Lost his wife when his youngest was one.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “He gets by,” Prue said. “He knows I’m only on the end of the phone if he needs me. Those kids are his world…mine too.” As quickly as the conversation started, it had disappeared…Prue included.

  As Summer watched her walk away, she had seen a different side to Prue tonight. Yes, she had that mysterious businesswoman vibe about her, but she also had a heart. Take away the teasing and the inability to read her, and she was actually a really nice person. She had been nothing but respectful to Summer this evening, and she appreciated that more than she thought she would. Given half the chance, Summer would ask for a second dinner…potential date, but she would prefer Prue’s friendship rather than nothing at all. If she wanted to excel here in Tías, avoiding a relationship with her soon-to-be landlord would be wise.

  “Summer?” Prue leaned against the open patio doors.

  “Everything okay?”

  “I thought maybe we could enjoy coffee inside?” Prue’s eyebrow rose. “Unless you wanted to swim after it?”

  “Swim?” Summer laughed. “That wasn’t in the dinner plans, was it?”

  “Pool time is always in my plans.”

  “Oh, I don’t have anything with me to change into…”

  “I’m sure I have something you could wear.” Summer noted the smirk twitching at the corner of Prue’s mouth, that mischievous glint in her eyes again. “I usually swim naked, but…”

  “You know…” Summer stood, approaching Prue. “I never know when you’re being serious.”

  “You mean the naked swimming thing?” Prue pushed off the frame of the door. “I was being serious.”

  “Well, don’t let me stop you.” Summer decided to play Prue at her own game. Never knowing when she was bluffing…two could play it. “I can just watch.”

  “Oh.” Prue stepped closer. “I believe there is a name for people like that.”

  “And what is that name?” Summer asked, her eyes trailing Prue’s body.

  “I don’t know, but the idea sounds good to me.” Prue’s breath washed over the side of Summer’s face as she tilted her head and lowered her voice. “There is something very arousing about the thought of you watching me, Summer.”

  “S-Shit,” Summer whispered, her eyes closing.

  “But if you believe this won’t or can’t work, I respect that.” Prue suddenly disappeared from within Summer’s personal space, knowing she was playing with fire. She would never kiss Summer without her approval, but in that moment…she was close to doing exactly that. “Coffee will be ready in a moment.”

  Summer gathered her belongings, hearing Prue thank the taxi company as she booked a car for her. Coffee had been awkward, in some way, but tonight had been everything she could have hoped for. She would have to come back to view the room Prue was offering. Tonight really was ending and tiredness was beginning to take over. She hadn’t quite acclimatised to the humidity here, power naps
often a part of her daily routine.

  “Taxi should only be five minutes.” Prue emerged from the kitchen to find Summer standing in the living room. “I’d offer to drive you, but I’ve had a glass of wine.”

  “Don’t worry. I could have walked.”

  “No, I couldn’t let you do that.” Prue shook her head, shifting uncomfortably. She’d overstepped tonight, she knew that, but she didn’t feel it was appropriate to apologise. The flirtatiousness in her tonight had been energising, but it was apparent that it wasn’t what Summer was into. “Do you have cash to pay the fare?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Summer smiled.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Silence fell between them both, neither knowing what to say to each other. While Prue wanted to take Summer in her arms and hold her all night, Summer looked like she wanted to sprint the entire journey home.

  “About before…” Prue cleared her throat, a sudden emotion surging through her. “I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “I did. You don’t have to lie to me.” Prue appreciated Summer’s forced reassurance, but it wasn’t necessary. “Just… I’ll back off, okay?”

  Summer simply stared.

  “I was going to suggest breakfast together tomorrow, but I believe I may have ruined that chance with you.”

  “I’m not sure I’m around for breakfast tomorrow, sorry.” It wasn’t a lie, but Summer didn’t often eat breakfast. She preferred a pretty sunrise down at the beach when she woke early enough.

  “Perfectly fine.” Prue held up her hand, nodding. She was aware of what was happening. She would end this conversation before being blown off. “Can I walk you to the gate?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.” Summer smiled, heading for the door. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “Thanks for coming.” Prue’s heart weighed heavy in her chest. Moving down the steps and towards the gate, she slowed her pace and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m not sure what you believe my game is, but I didn’t plan to fool around with you, Summer.”