Smokin' Hot Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Okay.”
    “I’ll make reservations for . . . six? Six-thirty?”
    “Six-thirty is good.”
    A cool breeze whipped over them. Now that the sun had set, the temperature began to steadily drop. Julia was about to excuse herself to go and get her sweater when Stephen spoke again.
    “My shower is calling me to get rid of this smoky smell.” He drained his glass and set it on the table between them. “I’ll pick you up a little after six.”
    “Okay.”
    She started to rise when he did, but remained in her chair when he motioned for her to do so. “Enjoy your wine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    She watched him walk across the porch and down the first two steps. He stopped on the third one, turned, and came back to her. Placing his hands on the arms of her chair, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
    His soft, warm lips moved slowly over hers, tempting, enticing. Her heart sped up, her breath hitched. She caught the scent of smoke on his skin, mixed with his masculine aroma. The flavor of the wine he’d drunk lingered on his mouth.
    Julia gripped her wineglass to keep from reaching for him. He didn’t deepen the kiss, but he didn’t have to. The gentle kiss sent pleasure zipping up and down her spine.
    Stephen lifted his head so their lips no longer touched, but still close enough for her to stare into his eyes. She couldn’t clearly see the emotion in them due to the dim light, but the sound of his increased breathing proved he had enjoyed their kiss as much as she.
    “Oh, yeah,” he said, his voice husky. “Definitely singed.” He ran his thumb across her chin. “See you tomorrow.”
    Singed? She didn’t understand what he meant by that. Turning in her chair, she watched him walk to his pickup and drive away. She lightly touched her lips with her fingertips. She didn’t think a simple kiss had ever affected her so strongly. If they ever made love, she would probably self-combust.
    Her heart may not be ready for a relationship, but apparently her hormones had other ideas.

4
    S tephen checked once more to be sure his shirt was tucked into his pants before he pressed the doorbell. He fought the urge to run his hands through his hair. He didn’t want to muss it since he’d taken a lot longer with it tonight than he usually did. Normal for him meant washing it and letting it dry however it wanted to. Tonight he’d used a hair dryer and brush to tame the natural waves.
    Normal also meant not bothering to shave but once or twice a week. He’d made sure to shave tonight, wanting his face to be smooth for Julia. If he kissed her after dinner—which he hoped to do, more than once—he didn’t want to leave whisker burns on her skin.
    Two seconds before he rang the doorbell again, the front door opened. Stephen caught himself before his mouth dropped open. A vision from a dream stood before him. Julia wore a sleeveless white dress with splashes of purple, blue, and green in it. The V-neck gave him a hint of cleavage. The skirt hit right below her knees, letting him admire her tanned and shapely calves. Her white shoes consisted of little more than a strap across the top of her foot and around her ankle.
    “Wow,” he breathed.
    Delight filled her eyes, a tinge of pink colored her cheeks. “Thank you. I could say the same thing about you.”
    He dipped his head to acknowledge her compliment. “Think we’ll be the best looking couple at Café Crystal tonight?” he gently teased.
    She smiled, which made her look even lovelier. “I’d be willing to bet I’ll have the most handsome escort.”
    “You’d better stop with the compliments or my head won’t fit through the doorway.”
    Her musical laugh made him grin. “Okay, no more compliments.” She moved away from the door, returning a moment later with a small white purse hung over her shoulder and a silky-looking white wrap draped over her forearm. “I’m ready.”
    Stephen waited while she closed and locked the door, then placed his hand on