Blaze: A Texas Heat Novel by Octavia McKenzie Read Free Book Online

Nell’s finger. Dylan mumbled congratulations but he never took his eyes off Emerson, not for a moment. God help her, she couldn’t look away either.
    Arthur Hickman and Nell embraced. All the while Dylan and Emerson made silent promises to each other that their hearts understood without a word exchanged. Her heart beat wild. Ten years wasn’t nearly enough time to diminish the intensity between them. Emerson finally tore her eyes away from him.
    She smiled at the radiant expression on Gran’s face. They hugged and swayed to and fro. “Will you be my maid of honor?” Nell asked.
    “Of course!” Emerson said happily. She kissed her Gran’s cheek. Tonight was indeed a time of miracles, anything felt possible. After all these years, could Emerson reconnect with her first love?
    “Young Chambers,” Arthur said, “You’re a part of this special night. I’ll never forget it. I hope you’ll come to the wedding.”
    Dylan grinned. “I’d be honored. In fact, you can have the ceremony at Pinehurst.”
    The gardens on his family’s estate were photographed in every major landscape magazine in the country. The vast manicured lawns, lush flower beds in bursts of color and splash fountains would be the ultimate romantic backdrop.
    “Oh my,” Nell said, her face rosy with pleasure.
    “That’s fine of ya,” Arthur said, “Mighty fine.”
    Emerson beamed at Dylan. The young and the young at heart laughed under a swaying canopy of trees and diamond stars.
    Arthur winked. “If you two don’t mind, I’m a’ take my bride for a smooch.”
    Everyone laughed. “Will you please escort my granddaughter home?” Nell asked Dylan.
    “Gran!” Emerson protested. “I’m sure the mayor is busy.”
    “Not at all,” Dylan said smoothly.
    “Well good, it’s settled then, we have some celebrating to do, don’t wait up!” Nell said with a mischievous look on her face. And for a fleeting moment, Emerson could see the beautiful face of her grandmother when she was young. Aw Gran!
    Arthur and Nell walked off, arms wrapped around each other like hormonal teenagers.
    They were alone. Fireflies lit the night and glowed around Emerson and Dylan. The air charged and burned between them. The parking lot was empty, save for Dylan’s sleek black Mercedes convertible. They walked side by side, hearts thumping, palms tingling, bodies humming.
    Dylan opened the door for her. She climbed in and sank in the plush leather seat. He went around to the driver’s side and started the car. Her Gran’s small Victorian was several minutes away. He gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. Alone at last with Emerson Riley. Dylan wanted to reach over, recline her chair all the way back and ravish every inch of her.     Take her home! That’s an order Chambers! A self depreciating sigh escaped him. Dylan drove down Grand Oak Avenue or as the locals called it – Lover’s Lane. Moonlit shadows peaked through the swaying canopy of trees draped with Spanish moss. He resisted the memory of walking with her hand in hand down this same avenue. The car cruised by the park and gazebo where they bonded and talked for hours on end. Dylan set his jaw. He tried like hell not to notice her exquisite profile. Her gorgeous pixie face, button nose and lips that made a man hunger. To distract himself, Dylan looked at the dark antique storefronts on the square. He could feel the warmth of her eyes.
    “Thank you for what you did back there.”
    Her praise meant more to him than he cared to admit. He shrugged. “Thanks,” he mumbled. Eight minutes. That’s how long it took to get from The Dixie Pixie to Nell’s little yellow Victorian. The sight of the diner made him wince. He still couldn’t believe the jealous rage he felt when Donavan taunted him about Emerson. Surely, it’s not natural? This swift intensity between them after all this time apart. He didn’t like it. Not one bit. She made him feel unsettled, totally off balance.
    As soon