Burn for Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

against him.
    The words she needed to say rose in her throat. I think you should leave, Tate … we need to talk. This isn’t working …
    Already, her resolve was melting.
    His strength, his warmth, seeped into her body and she closed her eyes, letting herself take all of that in, one more time. Once she said those words, though, that was it . She’d never have him here, in her quiet, dark house while her boys slept and they talked softly. She’d never guide him to her room, never feel his hands on her …
    I’m not ready.
    Sam, the mutt Nolan and Joey had picked out last year, came trotting in and she glanced at him. Traitor . Of course the dogs hadn’t warned her … they never did. They were used to him and never barked when he came in, but tonight, she could have used the warning.
    Blowing out a slow breath, she looked down at Nolan’s small face and brushed his hair back from his face. The sight of him helped her to steel herself. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t ready. It was time.
    She wasn’t just making this decision for herself. Her kids adored Tate and they were already too attached. He wouldn’t ever let anything more come of it.
    It wasn’t fair. Not to them.
    “How did the cookies go?”
    “Well. There are cookies and icing … they went rather well. I think we have a dozen left.” Her heart banged against her ribs as he slid his hand up to her neck, a light teasing caress that sent a shiver through her. As he leaned in and nuzzled her, she had to bite back a gasp. “You can grab some if you want. You know where they are.”
    “I’m not hungry.” His thumb stroked over her skin. His voice had that rich, almost velvety undertone that spoke of a hunger, all right, it was just a deeper, more basic hunger.
    She had to close her hand into a fist to keep from reaching out and pulling the tie from his hair, feel those silken brown strands tumble around her hands.
    This has to stop.
    He was never going to be able to give her more than what he’d already given her and she so desperately needed more.
    Blindly, she watched the rest of the movie, her son asleep in her lap while she mentally rehearsed what she had to say. Her heart felt like it had turned to stone and Tate sat there, completely, blissfully unaware.
    Ending it … now .
    How could she do this now ?
    He was raw, and she knew it, dealing with his mom’s birthday, and the anniversary of his mother’s disappearance hovering just a few short weeks away.
    As Fury was addressing the council and assuring them that the Avengers would be around to kick righteous ass when needed, Tate shifted on the couch and slid his arms under Nolan’s warm, boneless body. “I’ll get him to bed.”
    She stayed where she was, letting him.
    She wasn’t going to watch. Some part of her had clung to hope, seeing how he was with her kids—she knew he loved them and maybe that was why she’d hoped all this time. He loved her kids … but he didn’t love her. Maybe he wouldn’t let himself.
    Once he was out of the room, she rose and headed to the kitchen, calling the dogs. As they came running, she opened the back door, resting against the doorjamb as they disappeared out into the night.
    Pain practically ripped her in two as she stood there, her heart beating in slow, dull beats and bitterness lay like ashes on her tongue. Eyes closed, she sucked in one slow breath after another.
    I have to end this. I have to.
    A warm hand brushed down her spine.
    She just barely managed to bite back the sob as it rose inside her.
    “What’s wrong?”
    She waited a few seconds before she responded, and still her voice was rough and husky as she murmured, “Who said something was wrong?”
    “It’s what you haven’t said.” He slid an arm around her waist.
    That simple gesture twisted her heart in her chest. He pulled her back against him as the dogs came running back inside. She let the door bang shut as he pulled her closer, tucking her against his larger