June forecast: Excessive heat warning, highs near 113, humid with scattered thunderstorms likely.

I closed my laptop with an irritated snap and pushed the sticky, heavy hair off my neck. The last nine hours had consisted of nothing but work and a growing restlessness. In spite of getting a dozen new volunteers on board and hitting almost seventy percent of our funding goal, I felt cross and frustrated. Two cold showers and a lukewarm beer had done nothing to help. I stood up and looked out the living room window into the darkening twilight. Four goddamned weeks had passed since I’d come home. And there was no reason to be unhappy with the progress we were making.

RemedAid Foundation was already bigger than even I had thought possible. In a single month, we’d established a daily mobile food service and a twice-weekly afterschool reading assistance program. We had a full warehouse of donated emergency supplies and clothing, and three massive trucks to get it all onsite. We were up to seven full-timers and almost two dozen volunteers. I should have been the happiest girl in the world… but…

Joe and I had only seen each other a handful of times since the night at the pool. And every time had been the same. I’d been distant, wary. And he’d been the perfect gentleman, polite and courteous. At least until we’d started talking.

“It’s risky and I don’t like it. The aftermath of a tornado can be like walking into a war zone, Maggie. There are people in the world who see events such as a natural disaster as a signal that the rules of civilization simply don’t apply anymore. It’s no goddamn place for a young girl…”

His eyes had burned with almost frightening intensity and taken me completely by surprise. I’d only mentioned the foundation’s new mobile capabilities because I thought he’d be impressed. With the storm season directly ahead, I was proud we were already prepared to respond. But he’d gripped me by the arms and lectured me instead.

“It’s dangerous, Mags. And I won’t have you taking risks, in places where I can’t be there to protect you…”

“I don’t remember asking for your protection,” I’d shot back rudely. “I lived through my father’s death without you. I made it through college intact. And I started an organization to help people who need help, all without you or your charity.” He’d held me a moment longer, staring down at me, taking in every detail. For a moment it had felt…

I shook my head clear of the memory and peeled off the damp tank top I was wearing. God, for a moment, I’d almost thought he had moved closer to me. As if, for a second, he’d allowed himself to consider the one single thought I couldn’t seem to shake. What it would feel like to have his generous, full lips devouring mine… how his big rough hands would feel cupping my breasts or the curve of my ass…

But he’d turned instead, and left me watching in silence as he’d walked away. I’d regretted the words as soon as I’d said them, but I hadn’t seen him again. Now it had been two long weeks, holed up in the cottage with nothing but work, and an occasional dinner with Dean or Ryan. I’d wanted to apologize, but the more time that passed, the more awkward I felt.

I resented that Joe and his brother had grown up with wealth and privilege. But the truth was, Dean and I had benefited from it, too. The cottage had been a safe shelter, keeping our little family together far longer than Dad could have managed. He’d been drunk more often than sober, and it had been Joe who had made sure Dean and I were fed and taken to school.

I peeled off my shorts and panties, but even naked I wasn’t any cooler. The air sat heavily, like a hot, wet blanket. Even a storm would be better than all this aggravating stillness. I threw on a thin silk robe and climbed up the little hill to look at the main house. It stood like a sentinel, quiet and dark. All the lights were off, even the ones that usually lit the patio. What could it hurt? I thought. It wasn’t like anyone would even know…

I crossed the lawn and quietly opened the iron gate that led to the pool house. Seconds later, I was in the water, deliciously cool for the first time in days. I swam a few long strokes and rolled over onto my back to float. I looked up into the night sky, watching as the first stars began to twinkle. Tiny, perfect pinpoints of light. I thought about my father, and about the mother I barely remembered. But as I closed my eyes and let the water soothe the heat inside me, it was only Joe’s face I saw.

I spread my arms and legs wide and let my body bob along the surface. Tiny laps of cold water flickered like a tongue against my breasts… along the inner flesh of my thighs. I pushed the jumble of thoughts and emotions away and focused on the sensation of the water. So delicate and sensuous. Erotic on my virgin flesh… I reached up to touch the cold, tight nipple of my breast… and my eyes shot instantly open. I wasn’t alone… and I had no idea how long he’d been watching me.

“Maggie…”