Heat Flash by Taylor Anne Read Free Book Online Page A

out details later. We’re still in the planning stage, so it will be a little while before we’re ready to kick this off.”
    Mason poured more wine. Two glasses, and Kendall was saying things without thinking. She really didn’t need another, but she accepted the glass Mason held out to her. Why not? There was no harm in drinking with an old friend, right? A tingle ran down her arm as their fingers touched briefly. Yeah, what harm indeed .
    “Man, I’ll be so glad once we get this going full-time.”
    “Really? I thought you loved the FBI.”
    “I do like the work. I love the work actually. I’m just getting tired of all the red tape. It’s gotten to where there is so much bureaucratic paperwork and incompetency these days. I’m ready to get back to finding and catching bad guys without worrying about endless details. And, I’m tired of all the traveling involved. I don’t see how Bobby keeps everything under control when he’s on the road.”
    “So you want to solve cases without rules. Brute force and no paper trail.” She chuckled. The wine was definitely making her giggly. And it was settling in other parts of her body, warming her. Parts she hadn’t experienced feelings in for quite some time.
    “No, I just don’t want guys who’re a lot dumber than me making the rules.”
    “I see. And, I know for a fact Bobby and Connie have to work hard at raising their family because of his schedule. They’re looking forward to this venture also so he can spend more time with them.”
    Mason became silent, almost brooding.
    “You okay?” she asked. This wasn’t the first time tonight he seemed a million miles away.

Chapter Five
    Mason shook his head. “Sorry, it’s nothing.” He looked around the living room again. Kendall’s warm personality was evident everywhere. The splashes of red reminded him of her independence and security, and her boldness. Pictures revealed the closeness of her family. There were even a few older snapshots that included him.
    Over the years, he had kept up with her life through his contact with Bobby. And tailing her over the last four months, he began to really notice her as a woman, not the gangly teenager he grew up with. She managed her money well, had a place to call her own, and had an arsenal of good friends around. He would probably never tell her this, because although he was damn proud of all she had accomplished, it stung just a little that he had not been part of her adult life.
    Through his observations, he did note that she didn’t have a man around. Kendall didn’t depend on a man for stability or protection. She could take care of herself. She always had. And, while taking care of her own needs, she had a natural instinct to help others. Her caring spirit showed in her willingness to help him and Bobby start up their business. That same sweet spirit scared him away in high school. What he wouldn’t do now to have a chance to change that. He could hang on to the hope that one day he would find a woman like Kendall to come home to.
    “What’s on your mind?” she asked softly.
    “Nothing,” his voice came out rougher than he intended. Normally when a problem arose that he couldn’t handle on his own, he would call Bobby and Marks. Between the three of them, and several pitchers of beer, they could solve the world’s problems. This time it was personal, and he wasn’t ready to discuss the issue with his two best friends. One of whom would not like the idea of Mason having a relationship with Kendall.
    “So, tell me, why is it that some lucky man hasn’t snatched you up?” He knew she dated men off and on, although he never got wind that she was seriously involved with anyone. And since he had been back in New Orleans, he hadn’t seen her go out on a date with anyone.
    At the sudden change of subject, Ken began plucking at the threads on the sofa. She rearranged the pillows, then with shaky hands, poured them each another glass of wine. He didn’t