Burning For Claire (The O'Connell Family Book 2) by C.M. Steele Read Free Book Online Page A

forensic accountant and works with me in McAllen.
    “Hey Brax, I know it’s late, but I have a problem with stolen monies from a hair salon.”
    “Really, bro. It’s late. It’s a hair salon. Does this have to do with a murder or some other shit that’s vital?”
    “It’s your future sister-in-law’s salon. Okay.”
    That caught his attention. “Sure. Send me the info tomorrow, and then you can tell me about the woman that you actually want to keep around.”
    I knew it was those broads, but I wanted all my ducks in a row. I wasn’t going to let someone take advantage of my woman. “Sure thing. Thanks, bro.”
    “Night.” He hung up, and I walked back into the apartment. She was standing there looking miserable. Her face was tear stained and her eyes were red, yet to me she was still pretty. Her eyes brightened when she cried.
    “How you doin’, baby?”
    “I just lost forty thousand dollars to people who I thought were my friends. I feel freaking fantastic.”
    “Hey, baby we’ll call the bank tomorrow. I’m sure you could file fraud charges and retrieve your money.”
    “Like the bank’s going to give me my money back. I’ll be lucky if they let me get this month’s twenty grand back. They’ll just think I’m an idiot. That’s all I need.”
    “Babe, I don’t know where you get this self-doubt, but it’s not cool. You’re a talented, beautiful woman who has turned her fledgling business into a success at such a young age. Trusting your friends doesn’t make you an idiot.”
    “Thanks, Travis.” I took her in my arms and gave her a big hug.
    “I’m sorry, but I’m tired, I just want to go to bed.”
    “Um, okay…I’ll leave. Just let me make sure you’re tucked in.”
    “I know I said no sex, but would it be terrible to have you stay the night— to just sleep?” Her eyes begged, and I couldn’t refuse.
    “I hoped you would have asked. I can sleep on the couch, if it would make you feel better.”
    “No. I preferred if you stayed next to me, if it’s okay with you.” I could see her hesitancy. It was a lot to ask when she knew what she did to me.
    The thing is being away from her was something I didn’t care for. Even the couch seemed too far away. “Just being with you is great for me.”

Chapter 6—Travis
    After I made sure the door was locked, we walked to the bedroom. Her room was not huge just like the rest of her apartment, but it looked comfortable. There were pictures of her family all around, and in the center was a king size bed. It took up the majority of the room. And of course the covers like downstairs had a hot pink/purple and black look to them.
    I was actually nervous. She was the first woman to ever mean anything to me. We weren’t planning to have sex, so why was I so nervous? She wasn’t so nervous, but I guessed that was because her mind had been filled with painful and trying thoughts.
    “How you doing, babe?” I said as I looked down at her.
    She’d just pulled the covers back, and whimpered, “I just want to sleep.”
    “Well, tuck your ass in,” I commanded.
    She just gave me a weak smile and climbed in bed. I took off my shirt shoes and belt climbed directly behind her. I didn’t dare get anymore undressed. She might accidentally catch a dick between her thighs.
    Claire didn’t flinch when I slid my body behind hers. She curled up against me when I slipped my arms around her. “Rest, my little lady,” I drawled.
    “Goodnight, my cowboy,” she murmured sleepily.

    It was three in the morning, and I was rubbing my hand in between her thighs. I didn’t realize it because I was having the best and naughtiest dream I’d ever had. Then I was awakened from the sound shattering of glass. It wasn’t the sound of a beer bottle crashing to the ground, but a louder sound, like a window. I pulled my hand away from her goodies. I hurriedly jumped up out of bed. I ran to the front window just in time to see a black sedan speeding around the