Summer Lovin'

Summer Lovin' -- The End

Chapter 9

"Do you think we should knock again?"

Hellboy tilted his head, but before he could bark an answer to Luke's question, the door flew open.

"Oh, no!" Mia cried when she saw them.

Luke's heart sank. It wasn't exactly the response he'd been hoping for.

She blushed. "I'm sorry. That was meant for the monster. What has he done now?" She glanced around the front yard, as if she expected SWAT teams to descend on the property at any second.

"He hasn't done anything," Luke answered with a lopsided smile. "At least, not that I know of."

"So much for my plan to get him used to staying in his own house. He's completely adopted that mi casa, su casa thing." Mia opened the door wider, her smile lighting up her face, easing some of his worry. "Why don't you come in?"

"Sure." Luke breathed in her tropical scent as he passed, tempted to press a kiss to her lips. Instead, he forced himself to relax, focusing on how best to plead his case.

She motioned him into the living room. "Unless you want to sit outside?"

"No, this is fine."

Mia took a deep breath and blew it out, then smiled as they both sat down. She fidgeted, smoothing her shorts. Even though Luke wanted to admire her sexy legs, he couldn't take his eyes away from her face.

She was so nervous, nibbling at her lip, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

All at once it hit him.

She was nervous. Just like she had been before she'd kissed him the first time.

Luke grinned. In fact, he grinned until he thought his heart would burst from too much happiness. He knelt down next to Mia's chair and plopped Hellboy into her lap.

"I miss you," Luke said.

"Obviously he missed you, too," Mia answered, looking down while getting Hellboy situated. "Especially if he managed to get out of his own yard to find you."

He lifted her chin with his index finger. "Mia. I miss you. You've only been gone for several hours, but it feels like a decade."

She laughed, a little self-consciously. "Luke, I have so much I want to tell you—"

He hoped he knew what she would say. But he couldn't wait any longer. He leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, stopping any further words. She sighed, a perfect sound of contentment, letting him know he hadn't guessed wrong.

Hellboy started fussing, but Mia didn't hesitate. She kept her mouth on Luke's, bending forward to put the puppy on the floor. The monster scampered off, but as far as Luke was concerned, he could tear up the whole house and Luke wouldn't care. He'd pay for the damage. He was too elated in that moment to worry about anything but Mia. He lifted her out of the chair, kissing her the entire time.

She crossed her arms behind his neck. His hands went right to her hips, holding her tight against him. She rocked slightly, and he loved the sensation, as well as the complete bliss on her face.

"Mia," he whispered, nibbling at her ear. He loved the way her skin reacted, goose bumps appearing at the same time he curved his arm around her waist.

"Luke, I tried, I really did. But today I finally realized—"

He braced himself, waiting for news he might not want to hear. Especially when she took a big breath, as if she was about to explain why they couldn't be together.