Love's Slow Burn [Southern Heat 2] Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t help but laugh. “Aunt Jen, stop it.”
    “She likes me with you. That’s good,” Jake said.
    “Apparently so,” Casey answered.
    “I’ll see you soon,” Jake told her before hanging up.
    “Speak of the devil,” Jenna said.
    “I thought you said you were happy about Jake and me.”
    “Oh, but I am, dear. It’s always good for your man to be a gentleman on the outside, though I can sense a bit of a bad boy in him,” Jenna explained. “Am I right? That’s OK. It keeps things interesting.”
    “I’m sorry. Every time I think I’ve got you all figured out, you throw me a curve ball. Well played, auntie.”
    “I’ve got to keep you sharp, on your toes, my dear. Let me grab my bags. I’ll be with you in a minute.
    Watching her aunt walk off to retrieve her luggage, Casey was pleased to know Jenna approved of Jake, for like her feisty relative, she was also about to embark on a most exciting adventure.

    * * * *

    Being a man true of his word, Jake pulled up to Jenna’s a minute before 7:00 p.m. Casey was sitting on the front porch dressed in an embroidered lace baby-doll dress and a pair of beige ankle-strapped sandals. Sitting in the porch swing, she watched Jake step out of the car wearing a crisp white dress shirt and a pair of boot-cut Levi’s and tan cowboy boots. She spoke not a word, but her eyes were locked on him. The firefighter looked gorgeous, like he had just stepped off the pages of a beefcake calendar.
    “Good evening, Ms. Prentice,” he said with a smile. “You look lovely.”
    “Well, thank you, Mr. Martin. You’re looking quite dapper yourself,” she replied.
    “Did you see Ms. Jenna off safely?” he asked.
    “Oh, yeah, and let me tell you, she and her crew are off the hook when they get together.”
    “You’re kidding?” Jake questioned with a smile and a surprised look.
    “No, I’m not. They were all pumped up and so rowdy. Mark my words. They’ll outlive us all,” Casey said, shaking her head as if she still couldn’t believe it.”
    “They’re in for a good time. Sounds like they’re about to live it up,” Jake said.
    “I hope they have a great time. Have you ever been to Vegas?” Casey asked.
    Shaking his head, he asked, “No. Have you?”
    “Yes, it’s a great place. There’s so much to see and do. It’s a lot of fun. Maybe we can go there together someday?”
    Reaching out for her hand, he asked, “With you on my arm? How can I turn down such a tempting offer? Let’s do it.”
    “So, where are we off to?” Casey questioned, grabbing her purse and a tan tote bag she had stuffed with additional clothes, although she wasn’t quite sure why. She tried to convince herself that her actions were completely innocent.
    “We’re headed out to my place. I’ve got a surprise for you,” he answered.

    * * * *

    Twenty minutes later, Jake pulled the mustang up to his house, a 3,000 square-foot country-style two-story. It had a beautifully landscaped garden and was virtually isolated, providing just the right amount of privacy.
    “This place is simply awesome,” Casey said, exiting the car to get a better look.
    “You sound surprised,” he commented.
    “I really didn’t mean it like that. It’s so beautiful, so peaceful. I just love it,” she replied, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze.
    He wanted to resign that moment to his memory. She looked so pretty, standing there with the setting sun highlighting her locks like strands of gold. She looked like she had always belonged there.
    “Hey, are you all right?” she asked, approaching him quickly.
    “What? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. I was a little distracted.”
    “It’s lovely out here, Jake, but are you going to show me inside?” she asked.
    Smiling at her, he said, “You know it. Are you ready?”
    “You bet. I can’t wait. So this is all yours?” she asked as they walked onto the front porch.
    “Uh, not quite…You see…”
    “Well, Ms. Prentice, I must say, you look like an angel.