Fighting the Flames by Leslie Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

her hips on him, making him jerk in response.
    He rolled his eyes. “You’re killing me, Jess.”
    She giggled and climbed off him. “We can finish this tomorrow.”
    “Damn right we will.” Ryan dressed quickly while Jess gathered her clothes from the bedroom floor and the kitchen. He ensured she made it home safely before getting in his truck and taking off. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to the next day. He’d made up his mind: he would find out why she’d run away, and then he would do whatever was necessary to make sure she never did it again. Once and for all, Jessie Taylor would be his.

Chapter 6
    J essie stared out her window and watched until Ryan’s truck disappeared from view. She blew out a breath and leaned against the window, a smile plastered across her face. Sex with that man was as incredible as it had always been. She had gone to his house to talk, to tell him she was sorry for running out, but that they couldn’t get involved again. She’d jumped from one bad relationship to another, and it was time to take a break, to focus on reclaiming her independence and finding herself.
    Well, that had been her intention anyway: to explain that the only thing she could offer him was friendship.
    Then he answered the door in nothing but a towel and she knew she was in trouble. His dark hair had been wet and messy, his body lean and damp, beads of water trickled over his shoulders and down his abs. In two seconds flat, she’d gone from a mature woman who wanted to have an adult conversation to a sex-crazed, hormonal teenager who wanted to jump his bones. And that’s exactly what she’d done. It was unsettling how he had such an effect on her. She went inside and saw her sister sprawled on the couch, snoring lightly. Jessie covered her with a blanket and then went to bed.
    ****
    “Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Jessie smiled and handed Lisa a cup of coffee.
    “You’re in a good mood. I take it things went well with Ryan? God knows you were there long enough. I got tired of waiting up for you.”
    “Yes, things went very well—although we didn’t do much talking.”
    Lisa stopped with her cup halfway to her mouth. “You had sex with him?”
    Jessie grinned and sipped her coffee.
    Lisa shook her head in disapproval; her frown morphing into a broad smile. “You’re terrible.”
    “Probably, but Ryan sure as hell isn’t.”
    Lisa laughed. “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about him?”
    “No. Last night was a moment of weakness.” Jessie sighed. “I still just want to be friends.”
    Lisa narrowed her eyes. “You have to tell him. Think with your brain, not your clitoris.”
    Jessie laughed, she couldn’t help it. Her clitoris was exactly what she had been thinking with. “I know, I know. We’re going to spend the day together. I’m going to tell him. Today…”
    Jessie ignored Lisa’s look that said, yeah right, like that’ll happen . “Well,” Lisa set her coffee cup in the sink, “I need to head back. Mark called this morning. He has to go to work. I have to pick up the kids early.”
    Jessie put her cup on the counter and hugged her sister. “Thank you for visiting and for your help.”
    “You can plan on seeing me every other weekend.”
    They laughed and Jessie released her. “You’re welcome here anytime, Lisa. Just make sure you bring the wine”
    “Deal.”
    Jessie walked Lisa to the door and stood on the porch, waving as she pulled out of the driveway and drove down the street. Then she went back inside and looked around. She only had a few boxes left to unpack. She might be able to get most of it done before her date with Ryan. She didn’t, he arrived seconds later.
    “Hey,” she said, stepping into his arms and accepting the kiss he offered before she could stop herself. She hadn’t realized how much she missed him until she was in his arms again. But the last thing she wanted was to be dependent on a guy, for anything,