Firestorm by Ann Jacobs Read Free Book Online

to a bar and grill close to the university. He’s one of the owners of the oil company that bought the leases.”
    “Ooh. I like his name. Do you like him? Is he nice?” Becky's tone had lightened, but Kate was fairly certain her curiosity hadn't abated.
    “‘Nice’ is not a word I'd apply to Jake. He’s obviously well-educated and well-heeled, but he's as tough as you'd expect any roughneck to be.” Heat came to Kate’s cheeks when she recalled just how willing she had been for that particular roughneck to haul her off to the nearest motel. “He's fun to be with. Jake is—well, I guess cynical’s the right word. Of course, he's worried about that explosion I told you about—he thinks Ann Jacobs
    Firestorm
    32
    it's sabotage. And I get the feeling he isn’t comfortable, having to be here. But he's not all tough.”
    “Hey, I'm happy for you. You should get out more, meet more people. It's dumb for you to stay out there in the middle of nowhere. I know you had to take care of your pop, but he's gone now. It's time for you to start living.”
    “I know. But Jake already said he wasn't interested in any more than a one-night stand.”
    “He's not married, is he?” Becky sounded concerned.
    “Divorced.” Kate shut up abruptly. She’d already told her friend enough to keep her speculating for weeks.
    “So? Look at Frank and Gilda. He was married before, and they’re as happy as any couple I know. I hope you told him where to go, though, when he mentioned a one-night stand.”
    “No. I didn't.” Kate wasn’t about to admit to Becky that it was Jake who’d backed off, not she. “He was being honest. Anyhow, I doubt I'll see him again except about the well.”
    It hurt to realize Jake was only a stranger who had briefly touched her life. In spite of the fact that he had made his feelings crystal clear, Kate craved him the way she imagined an alcoholic pined for his liquor.
    “I'm sorry I missed you Sunday. Give the kids a hug for me. I’ve got to go.” Kate needed to end the conversation before she broke down and cried.
    When she hung up, she stared out the window at the place five generations of her family had called home. The place Pop had begged her never to let go.
    He’d die again if he knew she was on fire for a stranger whose traditions were rooted far away from Groveland, Mississippi.
    Kate tried to picture her father, but the image that came to mind was a hard-hewn body with the face of a dark angel, eyes that twinkled with amusement one moment before becoming shadowed with emotions from someplace deep inside him where she couldn't reach.
    Going back to the window to stare at the drilling site, she let herself hope for a glimpse of Jake.
    This yearning was insane. Kate could tell herself that, but knowing didn’t erase the feelings that had begun the moment she’d seen him from a distance.
    She craved the solid thump of his heartbeat beneath her hands, the spicy smell of his aftershave. The sight of hard muscles rippling in his arms and shoulders and the velvety feel of his tongue stroking hers. Even if it was only for one day or one hour, she wanted to enjoy the sensual feast she sensed this man could bring her.
    Ann Jacobs
    Firestorm
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    What is that man doing?
    Seeing a stranger sprinting out of the barn and down her driveway shocked Kate back into reality. Before she could get a good look at him, though, she noticed flames licking hungrily around the empty stable.
    For a moment, she was too stunned to move. Then she bounded outside toward the burning building where some men from the oil well crew were working frantically to put out the burgeoning fire.
    Standing back so she wouldn't hamper the men's efforts, she searched each sooty face. Finally she glanced down the hill. She needed Jake to help her cope. Heeding that desperate need, she took off running toward the well. But he wasn't there.

    * * * * *
    Not caring at the moment whether Blake thought he was enjoying a tantrum much like