Summer Nights

By Rachel Van Dyken

#1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken delivers a sexy three-book enemies to lovers, new adult, angsty romance with a Dirty Dancing twist!

The final installment in Marlo and Ray’s story of revenge, love, and the thin line between hate and passion.

They’ll fight until the bitter end.
After all, what is love without a whole lotta hate?
Life has a way of altering a person when you’re forced to face the end of it, and now Marlo and Ray refuse to let the hate win especially since everyone is counting on them.
They’re ready for the final curtain call.
And this one, may be the most important one of their lives as tragedies turn into happily ever afters, and dark secrets are revealed.

Break a leg... right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rachel Van Dyken
• Release date: Jul 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781732142862

Rachel Van Dyken

A master of lighthearted love stories, Rachel Van Dyken is the author of several novels that have appeared on national bestseller lists, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. A devoted lover of Starbucks, Swedish Fish, and The Bachelor, Rachel lives in Idaho with her husband, son, and two boxers. Follow her writing journey at www.RachelVanDykenAuthor.com and www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken.

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Summer Nights

Cruel Summer, Book 3

by Rachel Van Dyken

Copyright © 2018 RACHEL VAN DYKEN

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

SUMMER NIGHTS

Copyright © 2018 RACHEL VAN DYKEN

ISBN-13: 978-1-7321428-6-2

Cover Design by Jena Brignola

Formatting by Jill Sava, Love Affair With Fiction

Table of Contents

Front Matter

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Want More RVD?

Acknowledgments

About The Author

Also By Rachel Van Dyken

To Dirty Dancing and hot Summer Nights.

Chapter One

Ray

Gravel pierced my hands as I tried to stand.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks.

I hung my head as the world continued around me in a frenzy of firefighters and crying campers.

I wasn’t strong enough to do this.

I couldn’t.

I fell in love.

I lost it.

I lost my heart.

I lost my soul to a burning building.

To a blue duffel bag.

I moved to my knees as a paramedic tried to help me to my feet.

I got her. Jackson’s rough voice sounded like alarms in my ears, or maybe they were just ringing from the blast. All I knew was that his arms felt all wrong.

His smell. Wrong.

He was just wrong.

I tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let me as we walked toward an ambulance.

You need to get checked out, he whispered.

I shook my head no, but the paramedic didn’t listen, maybe because I couldn’t find my voice.

Maybe because I couldn’t feel my heart.

It had died with him.

Burned.

The way I burned for him.

Tear after tear streamed down my cheeks in rapid succession. I tasted salt on my lips as my heartbeat picked up for no reason, shock? Devastation?

And then.

We got him! A male voice yelled.

I turned as they pulled Marlo out of the cabin on a stretcher. I stumbled over to him just as he opened his eyes.

Hey there, SP. His voice was hoarse, his words punctuated by several coughs. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard.

I burst into tears over his body while paramedics tried to move him.

Holy fuck, Jackson said from behind me. Could you not ever do that to us again?

Marlo didn’t even look at him, just stared me down like he couldn’t believe I was real.

I clung to his wet hand and then frowned.

They sprayed the building with water the minute it exploded, I got hit with a shit ton of water shoving me back against the closet. He winced. When the fireball from the explosion hit, I was behind a fallen bed frame and the only part of the cabin that wasn’t burning.

I cried harder.

He tried to sit up, but the paramedic gently pushed him back down. Look, I’m fine!

You were just in an exploding building, sir, you’re not fine, He made air quotes with his fingers, then grabbed an oxygen mask. Now let me do my job and examine you.

Marlo smirked, looking sexier than ever with smoke caking his face, against his white teeth and perfect smile. He nodded to me. Can she do it instead?

The paramedic looked less than amused while Jackson chuckled under his breath.

And then Jen was suddenly airborne.

Jackson caught her and stumbled back. What? What’s wrong?

She kissed him so hard everyone with girly parts got pregnant with twins.

Damn. Marlo wrinkled his face as though in pain. I think she broke him with that kiss.

Jackson set her on her feet, wrapped his arms around her body, and pulled her so close my chest ached, in a happy way, for them. It was like once he was unleashed he couldn’t help but love her back.

The paramedic flashed a penlight in one of Marlo’s eyes and then the other.

I smiled as Marlo reached for my hand and squeezed it.

Mild concussion. That same paramedic said as he took his blood pressure and did a hundred other things while staff members kept the campers back. You have someone who can stay with you tonight?

I’m the someone. I raised my hand. What do I need to know?

Not to let him fall asleep for one, the paramedic said in a stern tone.

Don’t worry, sir, we’ve got that covered. Marlo rasped while my cheeks flashed red.

Uh-huh, the paramedic looked between us like he was doubtful Marlo was in good hands. And you’re going to need to take it easy the next few days.

Wait! Marlo tried jumping to his feet and stumbled against me instead, I steadied him. I can’t just take it fucking easy I’m the camp director. I have—

Look, I don’t care what you have to do, you were just in both a burning and exploding building where little things like humans go splat. Who’s your second in charge?

We both looked to Jackson, who was currently pulling at Jen’s clothes in such a frenzy that I almost covered my eyes.

Her. Marlo cleared his throat and pointed to me. She’ll take over.

I gave him a wide-eyed look, ready to strangle him and send him back into the building.

Great, all settled. Mr. Happy Paramedic finished checking out his unhappy patient while I sent seething thoughts Marlo’s way.

All of which, he just deflected with his perfect smile and, well, the fact that he was alive. When the paramedics finally left, I helped him back toward his cabin where I forced him to change so I would never have to look at a burnt staff shirt again.

Marlo peeled the staff T-shirt over his head.

And that’s when I lost it.

Just completely lost it.

I fell into a heap of tears and hiccups.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Marlo gripped my head between his palms. What’s wrong, princess?

You! I smacked his chest. How dare you think you can just run into a burning building and save someone’s life! You’re mine! You’re mine, damn it! MINE!

With each shouted word, his smile grew, and then he gave me a smug look. Are you done?

No! I fisted my hands. I’m not done! I’m pissed! I’m terrified! I love you! I don’t love people, Marlo! I didn’t even have a pet to love! I have you! I need to always have you don’t you get it? You can’t just bare your soul, ask me to bare mine, and then leave me broken! You can’t! You. Are. Mine!

I’m yours. He agreed with a hitch in his voice. I’ve always been yours, even when you didn’t want me. His eyes darkened. But we can’t control the universe so I need to know that if the worst ever happened, if for some reason I drown in the lake tomorrow and you can’t follow me… you’ll be okay.

No. You just have to live forever.

Right. He snorted out a laugh. Well thank you, for loving me so much you control my life, my death, my every waking moment. Thank you, Ray. I don’t think anyone has ever loved me that much. I don’t think I’ll ever deserve that sort of love.

Just… I swiped my cheeks. Take off your clothes already!

Huh?

I tugged his charred jeans down, kissed each bandage on his chest, and then grabbed his shower caddy, a pair of shorts and tossed them at him. Let’s get the smoke off.

All right… he slowly got into his shorts and followed me to the bathroom.

We stopped in front of the same stall we’d had sex in.

I turned on the water.

He stood behind me.

I could feel his heat.

Feel his need.

It almost covered the choking fear still wrapping itself around me.

I leaned my head back onto his chest while he gripped my hips and pulled me against him. He was hard, hot, perfect.

Alive.

If I go in there, I’m not just showering.

If you go in there I’m going to put my mouth on you. I shrugged, peeled off my clothes, and stepped in.

Chapter Two

Marlon

I was trying to be strong for her, for us, but every time I lost focus, I saw her face. Her terrified gaze as she reached for me, as the explosion sent me reeling backward so hard that the next thing I remembered was getting pulled out by the firefighters.

It hit me in those brief moments that felt like forever, while we stared at one another, I would do anything for her. And I’d be lying if I didn’t at least admit that I was petrified it wasn’t real, that she’d consider this a summer fling and move on.

With a sigh, I wrapped my arms around her waist. She flipped around so fast I stumbled