Heat Flash by Taylor Anne Read Free Book Online Page B

think she was going to answer him. Touchy subject .
    When she did finally answer, it was not what he expected to hear.
    “You know me. Always independent. Don’t need the hassle of trying to please an impossible man.” She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a tray of fresh fruit to go along with their wine. Carrying the tray back to the sofa, she paused long enough to kick her sandals off before tucking her feet under her and settling on the couch.
    “All men are not impossible.” Mason defended his gender.
    “Sure. I guess you’re one of those men who’s not? Is that why you’re still single?”
    With narrowed eyes, he watched as she drained the remains of another glass of wine. Four years ago when they had seen each other last, he’d screwed things up. He’d walked away from her and couldn’t blame her for not returning his calls. For shutting him out. He deserved that for the way he treated her. But that was four years ago. If he played his cards right, he may have another chance. What was it about this woman that every time he was around her, he wanted more? Not for himself, but for her. He wanted to give her everything she deserved. And more.
    Hooking a finger under her chin, he tilted her head up so he could look down into her eyes. “Guess I just haven’t found the right woman yet,” he whispered. He leaned in a little closer. Close enough to smell her sweet scent and hear her breath hitch behind her lips. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth then released it.
    A shadow of loneliness crossed her face. Would she let him be the one to wipe that desolation away and replace it with joy? He groaned before he pulled away and walked over to the fireplace. He ran a hand over his face. Neither spoke. The air between them sizzled with frustration.
    Finally, she broke the silence. “Okay Mason, what’s going on? You’re here one minute and gone the next. Something has you preoccupied.” Hesitantly she asked, “Or is it my company?”
    His gaze focused on her hands nervously twirling the wine glass. He looked up to find her staring into her glass, watching the amber liquid swirl about. She would not look up at him.
    How could she even think her company could be less than ideal?
    “No, it’s not you. You know, I miss how we used to talk about anything and everything when we were in school.” Back then, he wouldn’t have hesitated to confide in her, which he had done on more than one occasion. Sometimes he felt closer to her than to her brother. It was so easy opening his heart to her back then. Or maybe it was the fact that she unknowingly held the key to his heart, even though as teenagers she considered him no more than a best friend.
    She must’ve sensed something was not right. She motioned for him to sit beside her. The second he sat, she grabbed his good hand. “Mason, you can talk to me. I know it’s been years since we’ve seen each other, but we’re still friends.”
    He sucked in a ragged breath before trying to begin. “Remember that phone call I received outside of Bobby’s the other day?” He waited for her nod before continuing. “It was about my mother.” He paused to take a drink, fully aware of Kendall’s intent gaze on him.
    His gut tightened. His emotions were still too raw. The fact that his mother wanted anything to do with him now had his nerves skittering around like jumping beans. It was like a knife had been jabbed in his back and left there for him to bleed out.
    “Mason, what is it?”
    “She was in a car wreck and is in the hospital in Beaumont.”
    “Oh my God. Is she all right? Was she hurt badly?”
    He ran a hand through his hair. “I talked to the doctor. She’s going to be okay, but I’m not sure how long her recovery will be.”
    “Well, you need to go see her. Maybe it’s time to make things right. I hope she gets better soon.”
    The genuine concern and comfort in her voice flipped a switch inside his head. All of his emotions boiled into