Burnout: A Legal Heat Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

fingers digging into her side.
    “Long dark hair, blue eyes, broad shoulders. Incredibly hot in a rough biker kinda way. Seems to be fixated on you…” Jackie held up a Chelada bottle. “I tried everything except poisoning to get his attention. But now I know what it takes.”
    “You wouldn’t have to poison me.” A young blond biker came up behind Jackie and nuzzled her neck. He was younger than Ace, his features more refined, but damned if he didn’t have the same roguish expression. “I’m here for you, Jackie. Anytime. Anyplace.”
    With a snort, Jackie wiggled out of his grip. “This is Kickstand. Used to be a prospect, but now he’s a full-patch member of the Rogue Riders. Seems to think the patch on the back of his cut is gonna get him into my pants. But I’m looking for a real man.”
    “I am a real man.” Kickstand did an oh-so-manly crotch grab and puffed out his chest.
    “That. Right there. Tells me you’re not a real man.” Jackie sighed. “A real man knows he’s a real man and doesn’t need to draw attention to his real man parts. A woman knows a real man ’cause… well, it’s just something women know.”
    Kickstand frowned. “I’m confused.”
    “’Cause you’re not a real man,” Jackie said. “Real men don’t get confused. They also don’t do relationships.” She leaned over and whispered in Sophie’s ear. “Watch out for Ace. That man is sex on a stick, but he’s not in it for the long haul. He has his fun and moves on. One night is all you’ll get from him. Trust me. I know.”
    One night.
    What would it be like to have a one-night stand? Or better yet, a one-night stand with Ace? Crude and overtly sexual, he was nothing like the men she’d dated after Ryan, and everything like the men she’d dreamed about before Ryan had taught her the hard way that not all dreams should come true. But now that relationships were off her radar, why not give it a try? No strings. No emotional ties. No wondering if he would call the next day or break her heart.
    And, oh God, it had been so long.

Chapter Three
    “A ce.” Jason clapped a hand on Ace’s shoulder. “I need a minute.”
    Fuck. No. “Busy getting acquainted with your sister.” He glared, but Jason shook his head.
    “Now. It’s important.” His strained tone, and the fact he dared touch Ace and even further dared to make demands, drew Ace’s attention away from the beautiful woman he’d been seconds away from ravaging with his mouth.
    “What the fuck?”
    “Over here.” Jason drew Ace to the side of the house. “I just got a call. The Red Dragons are coming for me. They think I double-crossed them ’cause they didn’t get their weapons. I’ve gotta run. My bodyguards are already spreading the word that the party is over. I need to hire you for protection starting now—but not for me. For Sophie. I don’t want to send her home alone. I introduced her to a lot of people tonight, and word will get around that I have a sister. Until this is resolved, she could be in danger. My buyers have done a lot worse than hold a relative for ransom for a shipment of guns.”
    “How long?”
    “Just until I get this sorted out,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “I’m going to try and meet with the head of the Red Dragons after things have cooled off and work out a deal. Hopefully, it should only be a day or two. I already paid Ryder half the protection fee for the weapons I lost. Your MC can keep it as the up-front fee for this protection job, and I’ll pay the other half for protecting Sophie when I’ve fixed this mess.”
    Ace raised an eyebrow. “Messes” involving the Red Dragons were usually only resolved one way. Jason had to have serious pull if he thought he’d meet the Red Dragon head and walk out alive.
    “Yeah. Okay, we’ll take the job.”
    Tires screeched on the road outside and Jason paled. “I gotta go. Just… don’t let Sophie know why you’re there, and especially not what I do. And