Blown (Elemental Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

destiny at work, there. You might have to get used to having him around.”
    Nate reached behind himself, yanked the extra pillow from the back of the chair, and chucked it across the living room at his friend. “That’s not even funny!”
    Catching the pillow, Kirk’s lips remained grinning and he said, “Maybe I was being serious?”
    Nate groaned, arms hanging awkwardly over the arms of the chair, and said, “Please, no. That’s the last thing I need to think about. And, seriously, what’s with you? I thought you didn’t like him, either?”
    “I don’t,” Kirk assured him, tossing the pillow to the opposite side of the couch. “But sometimes it’s so funny the way you react to all this. Really, I can’t imagine what the four of you will do to the guy she marries.”
    “I take back what I just said,” Nate declared, squeezing his eyes shut. “ That’s the last thing I need to be thinking about.”
    Kirk laughed, stood, grabbed the forgotten soda can, and started for the kitchen as he called, “Please tell me you have leftover pizza or something in here. I just realized I haven’t had lunch.”

Chapter Three
     
    For the next week Nate and Madison had only fleeting interaction. He helped her unload another round of boxes on her final day of moving, and they exchanged passing greetings late Wednesday night as Nate and Logan made their way into the diner for a late dinner. Then it was Saturday, the final weekend of May, and Nate was heading out to his family home for their monthly dinner.
    He made his way to the garage, where his recently restored Ducati was waiting, as he shrugged into his favorite leather jacket.
    Madison was stepping out of the garage as he neared it, and she paused for a beat, startled at suddenly finding herself face-to-face with him. She recovered quickly, however, and smiled as her arm fell to her side and she said, “Hi.”
    Nate stopped as well, coming to rest a comfortable distance from her for his own sake, and offered her a grin. “Hey, how’s it going?” Why did he want to kiss her so badly all of a sudden? Gorgeous or not, she was his renter. And she was fresh off the heels of a bad living situation.
    “Good,” she assured him. She moved out of the way of the door, adding, “I’m sorry. You’re probably trying to get somewhere.”
    “I don’t think a two-minute conversation will make me late,” Nate replied, hooking his thumbs through his jeans pockets. Kissing her would definitely be crossing a line. “Speaking of, isn’t it a little early for you to be getting home?” He had certainly never seen her getting back from work while the sun was still out. Though, after he asked the question, he suddenly felt like a snoop. It’s not exactly my business. Except it sort of was, in the sense that he’d taken it upon himself to keep an eye out for her.
    Another reason to keep his hands off.
    Seeming less than bothered by his inquiry, Madison laughed lightly and replied, “I’m just taking a late lunch break today. Saturdays are busy.”
    Nodding with understanding, Nate said, “I suppose that makes sense. Sorry, sometimes I ask before I think.” Better ask than act. Maybe.
    Grinning now, Madison said, “I think we’ve all had that problem from time to time, so I’ll give you this one.”
    With a laugh, Nate inclined his head, saying, “I appreciate it. Anyway, I’ll let you go before I waste your lunch break. See you around.” He lifted one hand and offered her a casual wave as he started toward the garage once more. It was definitely a good idea to keep some distance between them.
    ****
    Madison watched him until the door had closed behind him and her lips fell into a subconscious frown. Every time she saw Nate she was reminded of her conflicting reactions toward him. He was always perfectly friendly, easy to talk to, and even easier to look at. She trusted him implicitly, and her smile was always honest and immediate when they spoke. It had been years