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

feel that way about me, get in your car and drive home to your mama. There’s a man out there who will love me so much he’d never let me go,” she said, “I’m going to wear someone else’s ring, sleep in his arms and have his babies. If that’s okay with you, I wish you well Mr. Mayor just don’t expect my vote.” With that, Emerson opened the door and closed it softly in his face.

Chapter 7
    Emerson didn’t believe in playing mind games, she simply went about her business. The fact that Dylan made no attempt to contact her in over a week said it all. There’s your answer , Riley! He desires you but that’s about it . She felt hurt and humiliated that her feelings were so one sided. No matter. If he could live without her she could live without him. Emerson threw herself into helping Gran plan her wedding and decided to go for her dreams with or without Dylan Chambers.
    Dylan gave his fifth interview on autopilot. His mind in a daze over that hot kiss, over that girl. Emerson electrified him. The way she turned the tables, got in his face and let him know he could get the hell on if he didn’t want her. Problem is, he wanted her all right. All he had to do was steer clear of her. Focus on the campaign.
    He noticed the commotion from his office. The campaign staff crowded around a desk near the window facing town square. What’s going on?
    Interns and volunteers munched on cookies from a basket. They moaned out loud, closed their eyes in rapture as if they were having a sensual experience. No cookie was that good! Someone passed him a lumpy treat without saying a word. Dylan took a bite. The warm crumbs melted on his tongue. The flavors burst in his mouth – milk chocolate, coconut, exotic spices. Good God! Dylan fought the urge to suck his fingers one by one. Even his grandmother wolfed down three cookies. Where the hell did these come from? Someone picked up the business card attached to the basket. “Compliments of Emerson Riley, Baker.”
    The woman was under his skin, tying him in knots.
    “Is she single?” Jordan, his campaign manager asked. “I’ll marry her, sight unseen.”
    Several of the men agreed. “Oh I’ve seen her,” an intern said, “Cute as hell, really nice a-”
    Dylan’s icy glare stopped the man cold. He withered and drifted away.
    “Best damn cookie I’ve ever had in my life,” Menerva said. That was high praise indeed, since his grandmother sampled cuisine and desserts all over the world.
    “I’ll order a daily batch for the staff,” Dylan said.
    Everyone cheered. The next day they feasted on chocolate chip macadamia, the day after that, death by chocolate brownies, all still warm, gooey and orgasmic.
    Dylan walked down the square, past the bubble splash fountain, near antique stores, to the rear of The Trusty Rusty. Arthur Hickman had a separate building for his soup kitchen for the homeless. The aroma of pastries stopped Dylan in his tracks. He deeply inhaled. Dylan’s stomach growled in response. He knocked. No answer. The soup kitchen had a fully stocked pantry and an industrial kitchen. That’s where he found her. His mouth watered and it had nothing to do with the food. Emerson had Bon Jovi blasting. She danced as she dusted a batch of cookies with sugar powder. Her hair was stuffed in a cute bun. Tendrils of golden red curls brushed her flushed cheeks. She bit her lip in concentration, humming along to Living on a Prayer . He wondered what she’d look like in bed. For God’s sake Chambers!  
    “Hi,” he managed to say.
    Her head came up. She had a sprinkle of sugar across her nose and a chocolate smudge on her cheek. His heart slammed into his ribs just looking at her. Dylan knew he was in big trouble. What he felt for Emerson simply refused to die. She turned down the radio.
    “Oh hi,” she said.
    “Damn it woman, quit making your cookies, they’re evil.”
    She looked pleased with herself. “Did you try the berry red velvet?”
    “You have