Burning Up Read Online Free PDF Page B

go when I say you go,” he growled. “That’s how it works, Lily.”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t.”
    He shot her a look that dared her to disagree again. So she did. Arguing with him made her feel stronger. Better. “Let’s see, Jack. This is my property. My house. Oh, and my life.” She ticked her points off on her fingers, watching his eyes flare with emotion.
    He slid forward, deliberately crowding her. One powerful forearm came up, braced over her head. The other closed around her fingers. “I’m not letting you stay in harm’s way, baby.”
    Raising her fingers to his mouth, he pressed a small kiss against her palm. Folded her fingers over the palm of her hand. “Don’t push me on this one. You need to stay safe.”
    He’d been tender-strong that night ten years ago, too.
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    â€œThanks for the ride.” She’d been nervous about accepting a ride from him—everyone talked about how wild those Donovan brothers were—but she hadn’t wanted to walk home in the dark from the swimming hole, either. He’d been the answer to a prayer she hadn’t known she’d uttered.
    â€œNo problem.” He was already sliding out of the driver’s seat, coming around to open the door for her. No one had warned her Jack Donovan could be a gentleman.
    After he helped her out of the truck’s cab, he hesitated. Tipped his head down toward hers.
    He was four years older than she, already in college. He’d come back this summer to work in the local firehouse, and the town had had a field day with his return. He was taller, stronger. Darker. Already, he’d seen things no one here ever would, and he was growing away from them.
    â€œChrist,” he whispered, and he lowered his head toward her. “I shouldn’t do this.”
    â€œWe shouldn’t do this,” she argued, because she was here, too. Jack Donovan wasn’t happening to her—they were doing this. Together. And, God, she wanted him to kiss her. She’d dreamed about it for years, and somehow she knew that this would be the only chance she got.
    So she slid a hand up his shoulder, wrapped her fingers around his neck, and tugged his head down toward her. His dark hair, freshly cut, was deliciously soft beneath her exploring fingertips.
    â€œKiss me, Jack,” she said, and he did. Kissed her with all the expertise and gentleness he had. Slow, hot kisses that had her insides melting and her body wrapping itself around him.
    Then he was setting her away from him, watching her with those devil’s eyes of his. “I can’t stay, Lilybell, not even for you.”

    That had been their first—and only—night of kisses. He hadn’t pushed her for more than she’d wanted to give that night, but they’d both known he was miles out of her league. He’d spent a hell of a lot of time embracing life in the back of that pickup truck he worshipped, and she—well, she’d been a shy, introverted girl who’d been handed a shot at living out a fantasy. She’d taken it—and then she’d moved on. She’d lived her life the way she was supposed to live it. Going to college, getting herself a job. Except that, instead of happily-ever-after with a nine-to-five and a man she loved, she’d found herself trapped in a nightmare.
    Because someone had decided to watch her. Stalk her.
    And then to set fires all around her.
    She didn’t know how long her stalker had watched before he’d set the first fire, but she did know he’d burned the life right out of her. Six months of that, and she’d run home.
    â€œYou tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fix it.” That strong, capable hand cupped her jaw, and she fought the urge to melt into his touch. He wouldn’t stick around, and she couldn’t afford the pain. Not again. “Just tell me, baby.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to tell,