Hot As Blazes Read Online Free PDF

his broad shoulder and felt his heartbeat against her chest. The rhythm of the surf reminded her of all they’d shared. “Thanks, you’ve always believed in me.”
    Ray’s strength went beyond the physical. Growing up without a father, he had been man of the house. He’d believed in her talent as much as her dad. After her father’s death, he’d insisted she go on to college when all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide. Because of that, she’d been compelled to live up to her family and Ray’s expectations.
    During her darkest days there, she’d dreamt of being in his arms. Now, the safety of his embrace melted her defenses like the familiar rock ballad drifting from the truck’s speakers.
    “Welcome home, Jo.” He guided them over soft sand in a slow dance.
    “This is where I’ve always wanted to be.” Home and in his arms.
    The song ended too soon.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    The song faded. Reluctant to let go, Ray pressed a kiss against her temple. He’d never been closer to her emotionally or physically.
    She sat in the back of his truck and dug her hands into the pouch of his hoodie. “So how’s life besides firefighting?”
    He shrugged at her sudden distancing. “Okay, not much going on.”
    “Weren’t you seeing a doctor from the hospital when I talked to you at Christmas?” She tilted her head to the side.
    He’d only mentioned the woman in passing. Maybe he imagined her coolness. Had she been jealous of his dates all along? Hell, he’d never claimed any as a girlfriend. “You know doctors don’t stay long on OBX. Once they’re done with their residency, they’re off to the land of higher dollars.”
    “I know you don’t give a woman a chance before you’re off to the land of greener pastures.” Her amber eyes narrowed on him, but her comment provided the opening he’d been hoping for.
    Determined to find out if the sexual tension between them wasn’t wishful thinking on his part, he stepped between her legs. “Guess I’m hard to please.”
    She arched a brow. “Noncommittal.”
    Ouch. She didn’t have a clue how faithful he could be, to her.
    “Maybe my heart has always belonged to someone.”
    Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
    She’d believed him a player. Cupping her chin, he let the long held secret spill from his lips. “You, Jo. It’s always belonged to you.”
    Her mouth gaped. “Huh?”
    He couldn’t help but smile at shocking her.
    She started to move from the truck, but he kept her pinned. “You teased me all through middle school. Dated nearly every girl in high school and never asked me out.”
    Her jealousy turned him on. “Wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”
    “You never even kissed me until after Dad―”
    “Have you ever heard me call anyone else Dahlin’?” He traced a finger along her cheek.
    She inhaled sharply searching his face.
    He hoped she saw truth. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to hers, and felt them yield. Sweeping his tongue beyond her teeth, he sparked a delicate spar. She tasted sweet like a dessert he wanted to linger over. Her fingers laced behind his neck and drew him closer.
    In her arms, he was home.
    Deeping the kiss, he reveled at the small tremors coursing through her as his hands explored. Her shapely body he knew well but not intimately.
    He released her mouth. “You can’t begin to know how long and how much I’ve wanted you.”
    “Since when?” Her breathless question revealed her surprise.
    On a warm day in April after she had turned sixteen and emerged from her winter clothes on the beach in a slinky bikini. Other guys noticed, too. For the first time in his life, a little green demon hopped on his shoulder and growled.
    “Let’s just say I’ll never forget a little, lime bikini or its tempting strings.” He ran a finger along the seam of her suit bottom at her hip and tugged.
    Her eyes darkened as her breasts rose and fell with each rapid breath. Her pouty bottom lip caught beneath