Elemental Love by L.M. Somerton Read Free Book Online Page A

was something about the old building that felt safe. Crazy really because Aggie rarely locked her doors. The décor was a mishmash of colors and styles that suited Aggie perfectly. Most of the furniture was reclaimed or gifted from people who’d benefited from Aggie’s home remedies. The walls were adorned with tapestry work, delicate watercolors and detailed oils that glowed with jewel-like colors. Bunches of drying herbs hung from hooks above the window.
    “I wonder why they ran electricity out here, it’s pretty remote.” Dominic eyed the expensive coffee maker on the kitchen counter. He’d never seen Aggie drink coffee the whole time he’d known her. She was strictly a herbal tea girl.
    “My powers of persuasion are world-renowned. Forty years ago there were state grants to connect more remote properties to the grid if you knew where to go. I have a few connections. I like my home comforts. What would I do without my nature documentaries and current affairs programs?”
    “You mean soap operas and thrillers, don’t you?” Dominic knew full well that Agatha was addicted to some daily shows. He’d been forced to sit through a couple of them.
    Aggie cackled. “You know me too well.”
    “I’ve also detected a theme of gratuitous shirtlessness.”
    “I’m old, not dead. Besides, I didn’t see you looking away.”
    Dominic’s cheeks heated. He hoped the blushing could be put down to the warmth of the open fire.
    The light had faded completely and Dominic had started to think about the walk back to his truck. It was far enough to be unpleasant in the cold, and if it rained, it would be downright miserable. He was warm and comfortable so he wasn’t in any rush to venture out. A sharp knocking interrupted his procrastination. The door swung inward with some violence, banging against the wall. A stunning young man, not much older than Dominic, lugging two large paper sacks of groceries, collapsed through the door. Dominic stared in shock. He realized the newcomer must be Aggie’s grandson, Evrain. She’d talked about him a lot and Dominic almost felt like he knew him already, even though they had never met. Her description didn’t do Evrain justice—he was absolutely gorgeous. Dominic’s temperature rose even further. The fact that his cock was swelling rapidly didn’t help. He clamped his gaping mouth shut but couldn’t look away.
    “Some help would be nice, or are you just going to sit there and stare?” Evrain snapped.
    It took Dominic a few seconds to realize that Evrain had directed the comment at him, and was now glaring at him with the most beautiful dark green eyes Dominic had ever seen. Evrain elbowed the door shut behind him. Belatedly, Dominic pushed his chair back, crossed the kitchen with rapid strides and held out his arms for the bags. Evrain shoved them both into Dominic’s grasp with a sigh of relief.
    “That fucking lane gets longer every time I walk down it.” Evrain shrugged off his jacket, slung it around the back of Dominic’s recently vacated seat then sat heavily, claiming the spot for himself.
    “Language, Evrain.” Agatha handed him a mug of tea, then bent to receive a kiss on her cheek. “If you want coffee instead, you can grapple with that demonic machine yourself.” She gestured at the shiny chrome coffee maker.
    Evrain sipped from his mug. “This is fine, thanks. It’s a chilly evening. I need warming up.” He looked directly at Dominic as he spoke.
    “Dominic, allow me to introduce you to my impudent grandson, Evrain Brookes.”
    Dominic swallowed. He was dealing with the thoughts of what warming up Evrain might entail. He pushed the bulging shopping bags onto the kitchen counter.
    “Nice to meet you.” Dominic didn’t look at Evrain, just muttered the greeting under his breath and edged toward the door. In the presence of this charismatic man, Dominic’s fight or flight instincts lurched toward escape with the subtlety of a stampeding herd of wildebeest.