Healing Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

will contact us when he can bring them down. The portal gem is lost
and will need a journey back to L.A."
     
    Drystan moved in, wrapping his arms around
her. Pulling her softness back against him, he licked lick the outer shell of
her ear. Jane shuddered in response.
     
    "And while we have this time to
ourselves, my love, I was thinking perhaps our little Joy needs a brother."
     
    ~ * ~
     
    "Please, Mom, can we keep him. I
really, really like him."
     
    Summer winced at her daughter's
pleading tone. The pills had kicked in, and she was feeling much better. Melor
returned to chopping wood while Summer showered and prepared a stack of
sandwiches for lunch. After lunch she was determined to drive her guest into
Fortuna and leave him there, despite his request he be allowed to stay and help
about the property.
     
    "Baby, he's a grown man, not some
puppy. We can't just keep him."
     
    "I know that. He's super nice and
I bet a hundred times more helpful than Mr. Rickshaw."
     
    Rick Rickshaw came once a week and did
two hours of work, smoked nearly all the time and swore. She kept Blossom
inside when his allotted time came and went. She needed the help to keep the
property from falling into disrepair.
     
    Tyler's life insurance policy was
nearly all gone, eaten up by her expensive medical treatment and her drugs to
ease the pain of her right leg.
     
    She couldn't afford much beyond the
wage she paid Mr. Rickshaw.
     
    Sooner or later she knew she would
have to sell the property and move back to Australia. Knowing Tyler loved this
place made her reluctant to let it go.
     
    Melor was dangerous on her senses and
obviously off his rocker crazy, but so far he'd been nothing but polite and helpful.
He hadn't asked about the weapons she'd taken from him either.
     
    It made her wary of his motives. Who
was he really, and what was he up to? She wasn't stupid, nor would she be
played for a fool.
     
    "Pleeeese, Mom, please?"
Blossom used every weapon in her arsenal, making her eyes big and watery. She
pouted her lip imploringly. It was enough to make even the hardest of hearts
melt.
     
    "He can stay just for now, but if
he puts one foot wrong, he has to go."
     
    Blossom's squeal of delight sounded
through the house, making Summer's ears ring. Blossom ran forward, throwing her
arms around Summer's middle, giving her a tight, squeezing hug.
     
    Summer laughed, hugging her daughter
back.
     
    "Did I miss something?"
     
    They both looked across to see Melor
standing in the doorway. The deep caramel of his skin glistened with a sheen of
sweat.
     
    Summer's mouth went dry at the pulse
racing sight. Good lord, how was she ever going to survive such close proximity
to such a tempting man as Melor?
     
    "Mom says you can stay!" Blossom
bounced out of her arms and over to Melor. He scooped her up easily, giving her
a gentle hug before setting her down.
     
    His deep rich chuckle sent a shiver of
awareness down Summer's spine. Her body reacted shockingly; moisture rushed
down between her legs and her lower belly clenched in anticipation.
     
    Summer raised her eyes to meet his
dark gaze. "I thank you, my lady. If you could show me what you need done,
I am at your service."
     
    "Um, uh, yes…of course." Very
glib, Summer. "I've, um, made some lunch. I can show you after. Do
you, um, have any other shirts?"
     
    "All that you found on me I own.
I may have to avail upon your hospitality for more suitable clothing. I need
very little."
     
    "I think I still have some of
Tyler's old t-shirts. They may be a bit tight, but I think they'll fit."
     
    She was giving him her husband's
clothes now? Have you totally lost your mind!
     
    He moved further into the kitchen,
right into her personal space, snatching up her hand. She sucked in a sharp
breath as the heat of his lips brushed the back of her hand. She bit back the
moan his simple touch evoked.
     
    "Thank you, my lady, I am in your
debt."
     
    Summer lost her train of thought,
inhaling his