Home Is Where the Heat Is Read Online Free PDF Page B

good.”
    “Keep those away from me.”
    “Oops, I forgot.” She set the package at the other end of the table. “What happens when you eat shrimp?”
    He dug into the fried rice and poured some on her plate. “Depending on how much I have, my tongue swells up and I have trouble breathing. The first time it happened, I ended up in the emergency room.”
    “That’s scary.”
    He cast a wary glance at the dangerous appetizer. “I’m not taking any chances.”
    “No kidding.” A stubborn packet of soy sauce slipped from her fingers. “Still… a swollen tongue might not be all bad.” She flicked the tip of her tongue between her lips, and he stopped breathing.
    Fuck me… please. “Keep that up and I’m gonna need mouth-to-mouth.”
    “I’m certified in CPR, so I’d be happy to volunteer.” She grinned and licked soy sauce off her fingertips.
    I’m gonna die tonight. He grunted and stuffed a piece of spicy chicken into his mouth.
    Claire stood up. “I forgot drinks. You want a beer?” She groped toward the kitchen.
    “Yeah,” he called after her as his tongue burned. She brought back two open bottles, and he took a deep drink, letting the cold brew put out the fire in his mouth. “Thank you.”
    He leaned forward to grab a wonton, and the arrowhead slipped from his shirt. She caught the stone in her hand and rubbed her thumb over its chiseled surface. “This is beautiful. Where’d you get it?”
    “I found it back in high school when I worked construction in the summers. One day I spotted this triangle the dirt, bent over to pick it up, and an I-beam swinging around on a crane just missed my head. Saved my life. This old arrowhead’s been my lucky charm ever since.”
    She smiled and tucked it under his shirt again, brushing her warm fingertips on his skin. “Does it work?”
    It hadn’t kept the justice system from ruining his week. “Not today.”
    “Are you sure?” She set her chicken on the table and slid closer, leaning into him as she pressed her hand on this thigh. A soft breast brushed his arm, but Claire bit her lip, a hint of uncertainty lurking in her eyes.
    He tested her, parting his legs so her hand slipped toward the throbbing bulge in his jeans. “Think I’ll get lucky tonight?” He winked, plotting his next move. Open food cartons covered the coffee table, but he could shove the table out of the way and spread her out on the carpet—toss her jeans on the couch and make a pillow out of that sweater. Naked and cozy.
    His bold question seemed to rattle her nerve. She cleared her throat and sat back, but regained her composure with a swig of beer. “Anything’s possible.”
    He laughed softly. What’s holding her back? Is she a virgin? He doubted that. A woman in high heels and a body-hugging sweater, sitting alone in the dark with a forbidden man, had to have some sexual experience. She flirted like she meant it.
    So jump on it… her. He’d kept his hands full of King Pao chicken when he could’ve easily discarded the food and explored those possibilities she’d mentioned, but he sat there with a stupid grin on his face, unable—or maybe unwilling—to endure another failure.
    His date tomorrow night was a sure thing, casual, no obligation beyond the present. Getting involved with this illegal paralegal required committing to her professional safety— choosing to be with her, despite the risks. He sucked at making choices, but this one stared him in the face, daring him to do something .
    Claire beat him to it. “Tell me about your history of disregarding the law.” She picked up her plate and shoveled up some rice.
    The burden of indecision fell from his shoulders… for now. He set the chicken down and grabbed the beer. “It’s a long, sordid history. Sure you wanna hear it?”
    “Most definitely.” Her eyes sparkled.
    He took a drink, deciding where to start. “I was a reckless kid, always in trouble for something: speeding, fake IDs, underage drinking, shit