Heart of Ash Read Online Free PDF Page A

dribbled through him. She knew. She knew the art. The one thing that gave his life some meaning. “Both. But I like fusing the most. I have a kiln.”
    “Really? Which kind?”
    He named a model that made her murmur, “Nice.”
    Naturally. It was top of the fucking line. His whole life was top of the line.
    Judging from her well-worn outfit, an obvious hand-me-down, she came from a very different background. Not that he cared. It hardly mattered. He didn’t have marriage, or a relationship of any kind, in mind.
    “Oh, I see them!” she cried.
    Ash blinked and then followed her gaze. Holy hell. He hadn’t been full of shit. At least, not completely. Several eagles perched on the treetops, ruffling their wings and scanning the woods.
    “They’re splendid.” A sigh.  “Just splendid.”
    Damn. Once he looked at her, he couldn’t look away. She was so goddamn pretty to begin with, but with delight dancing in those wide eyes, she was irresistible. And damn, those eyes. They were an icy blue, ringed with an almost purple hue. Combined with her dark pupils, they were mesmerizing.
    He couldn’t resist. Couldn’t wait a moment longer. He had to kiss her. Now.
    He tipped up her face and came in slowly, giving her a chance to resist, step away, stop him.
    She did not.
    Her lips parted. Her tongue peeped out. A shudder walked through him.
    Damn.
    Damn. Damn.
     
    His lips touched hers. Just a soft brush. A skim. A tantalizing tease. He tasted, smelled, felt wonderful.
    Emily was typically very nervous around men, especially hunky and handsome men who seemed too self-assured for their own good. But something about Ash set her at ease. His smile, his laugh, his slightly reserved approach. She wasn’t quite sure what it was, but she liked him. Trusted him.
    And this tender exploration was far too sweet. She didn’t want it to end.
    So she cupped his nape, went up on her tiptoes and opened her mouth against his.
    His breath hitched, tangling with hers and, issuing a low growl in the back of his throat, he yanked her against him.
    Holy Hannah, he was hard. His chest. His ropy, muscular arms…his groin. A scalding blush crept up her cheeks as she realized exactly what that firm pressure bespoke. Arousal. For her.
    Normally, in a situation like this, when a man rubbed an erection against her like that, her natural reticence would kick in. Fear would flare. She’d back away. Fight free if necessary.
    But no fear flared as Ash deepened the kiss. No nasty memories awoke. Anxiety did not claw at her bowels.
    No. A joy, an elation unlike anything she’d ever experienced in a man’s arms, flooded her.
    Perhaps it was because she really, really liked this man. Or perhaps it was because, even though the kiss was wild and savage, he held her gently, as though she were a delicate China doll. As though he would let her go if she but asked.
    Or perhaps it was simply because everything about this felt right.
    Ash lifted his head and gazed down at her, a muscle working in his cheek. Slowly he released her, though his caress lingered as it slid away. “We—” He cleared his throat. “We should be getting back.”
    Her belly plunged. “Getting back?”
    He looked up at the sky and for the first time, she realized dusk was falling. Ribbons of crimson and amber streaked through the puffy clouds. “Come on.” He laced his fingers through hers and led her back to the dock. He stumbled a few times on upturned roots, because he wasn’t watching where he was going. He was gazing at her.
    Heat crawled up her neck.
    He was so handsome. His hair was blond and sun-streaked. His face was broad, open, tan. His muscles bulged against the fabric of his shirt. Where they intertwined, her fingers tingled. He was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
    They reached the dock way too soon and he released her hand to unlash the Jet Ski. “Do you want to drive back?” he asked.
     “I couldn’t.”
    “Sure you can. It’s easy. I’ll show you.” He helped