Slow Burn Read Online Free PDF Page A

already gone through three male
models, but none had inspired her to create a masterpiece. At this
rate, she’d have to cancel the show.
    She checked the time, smothered a curse and
jumped up from the dresser stool. Grabbing her high-heeled, black
sandals and purse, she hurried down the stairs. She stopped briefly
to scribble a reminder note to herself on a Post-it, slapping it on
the fridge door before she exited the loft.
     
    ***
    Ashley made it to the Noble’s home just as a
silver Jaguar drove through the gate. A tall, buffed guard marched
from behind the security booth, raised his massive arm and signaled
her to stop. The sun reflected on his brown skinhead as he stared
at her suspiciously from above dark glasses.
    “Wait here,” he said when she gave her
name.
    She watched the guard walk back inside the
security booth and resigned herself to waiting. From what she’d
seen while driving, the homes in the area were huge, beautiful and
well maintained. But she couldn’t admire Nina Noble’s home while
she waited. Trees obstructed the house. Sighing, she turned her
attention to the rear view mirror.
    There was a thin sheen of sweat on her
forehead and upper lip. Convertibles were great when they were in
motion, but when parked, the sun was relentless. She turned up the
AC and cool air fanned her face. She would have loved to pull the
top up but she didn’t think her nerves could stand the confined
space—a phobia she could never explain. No need to fret over it,
though. She always found a way around her demons, choosing
convertible instead of a normal car, an airy loft instead of an
apartment, rarely taking the elevator unless she absolutely had to.
The list was long.
    Not liking the direction of her thoughts,
Ashley pulled out her powder and blush to repair damages to her
make-up. It was another five minutes before the guard finally waved
her through. She gave him a stiff smile and drove up the curving
road to the cobbled, circular driveway.
    Several cars were in the driveway, including
a dark green pickup truck. As soon as she parked beside the truck
and switched off the engine, the sound of piano music reached her
ears. If she weren’t so tense, she would have enjoyed the lovely
tune and Nina Noble’s beautiful home. Instead, she gave the
well-tended lawn and colorful patches of flowers a sweeping glance
as she hurried to the pillared entrance. Before she could knock, a
tall brunette in navy-blue pants and a pink shirt opened the
door.
    “Ms. Fitzgerald, Connie Wilkins.” They shook
hands. “Come in, please.”
    Ashley glanced with awe at the two-story
foyer with its gleaming staircase. Two earlier works of Francis
Bacon shared a wall with a Chagall, and preserved plants were
strategically placed around the room. The beautiful music she’d
heard earlier appeared to come from a room to her right.
    “This way, please,” Connie said.
    Ashley followed Nina’s assistant across the
foyer, past an arched entrance and into what was either an
entertainment or a living room. A tall, lithe figure rose from a
chair.
    “Ron,” she whispered. Her heart skipped a
beat, then thundered away.
    Their eyes locked and time seemed to
disappear. An electrifying sexual charge zipped between them. She
struggled to breathe. For a beat, he didn’t move, then his sexy,
quirky smile appeared.
    “Ashley. It’s nice to see you again.” He
closed the distance between them and engulfed her hand with his
large one.
    His scent, musky and male, teased her senses.
Her temperature went up a notch and her breath lodged in her
chest.
    “I didn’t expect to find you here,” she
managed to say. Her voice was steady, thank goodness.
    “I hope you don’t mind. Please, join me.” He
took her arm to lead her to a chair beside the one he’d occupied. A
bottle of Heineken was on a table beside it.
    She turned to thank Connie, but the woman had
long since disappeared. It was just the two of them. The thought
was exciting and a little