Heat of the Storm by Elle Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page A

you?” Sipping his coffee, he eyed both females from the rim of his mug. “I’l admit, it’s not a bad idea.” Hol y grinned. “So when do we leave?” Sighing, he set down his mug and scratched the stubble on his chin. “I’m not saying I’l do it.”
    “Of course you’l do it,” Hol y said. Her grin widened.
    “This is going to be so much fun.”
    Wil eyed the brunette. “Have you spoken to Carson about this cockamamie idea? You know, your live-in boyfriend ? I hardly think he’s going to agree to this.” Hol y shrugged. “Sure he wil . He’s been saying for ages how you need to settle down.”
    “I’m perfectly wil ing to settle down. It’s the woman I want to settle down with who’s not being cooperative.”
    “Which is why we’re going to kick some sense into her stubborn head,” Hol y said breezily. “Trust me, no woman wants to see the man she loves with another woman. The claws always come out when a chick feels threatened.”
    Wil chuckled. “Sure you want to face those claws, Hol? Mac’s a lot tougher than you think.” Hol y smirked. “I can handle her.”
    Next to her, Shelby let out a laugh. “Can I be there when we tel Carson about this?”
    “I stil haven’t agreed,” Wil interjected, reaching for his coffee again.
    But the protest was futile, because they al knew he would do it. Childish as this plan was, he suspected it might be exactly what Mackenzie Wade needed.
    Although he wouldn’t go as far as to say she’d taken him for granted, he did believe there was some truth to that. Since they were fifteen years old, Mackenzie had leaned on him for support. Whether she’d been complaining about her older sister, who’d been appointed Mac’s guardian after their parents died, or upset about the visions, Wil always offered his ear, and his shoulder. He’d watched her date other guys, listened to her talk about her sexual fantasies, and through it al , Mac had continued to ignore the chemistry between them, the feelings they so obviously had for each other.
    But while she’d had no problem introducing Wil to whatever boyfriend she was with at the time, he’d never taken a woman back to Hunter Ridge before.
    And there had definitely been other women, warm, wil ing females with whom he’d passed the time and dated in an attempt to forget Mackenzie.
    What would she do if he brought a woman home?
    Would it tear at her insides the way the sight of her with other men tore at his?
    Would she final y find the strength to admit she loved him as deeply as he loved her?
    He didn’t know the answer to any of those questions, but he was damn wel going to try and get
    ’em.
    He slammed his mug down on the counter and set his jaw. “You know what? Scratch that. I have agreed.” He fixed a determined stare at Hol y. “We leave tomorrow.”
    “You want to borrow my girlfriend?” Carson shouted later that afternoon, promptly dropping the box in his hands. The cardboard smashed onto the floor of Carson and Hol y’s new glorious kitchen with a resounding thunk and the distinct sound of glass shattering.
    “My new plates!” Hol y wailed, immediately sinking to her knees. She ripped open the tape closing the two flaps together and peered into the box then looked up at Carson in horror. “You’re a monster!” Carson scowled at her. “I’l buy you new plates.” The scowl deepened. “That is, if I decide not to break up with you. I can’t believe this was your idea. I told Garrett you and Shelby shouldn’t hang out. The two of you are trouble together.”
    “They’re just trying to help me out,” Wil pointed out, experiencing a jolt of sympathy at the despair on Hol y’s face. He swiftly knelt down and tried to pry her hands out of the box. “Quit sticking your fingers in there, Hol. It’s fil ed with broken glass.” Carson let out an enraged roar. “Don’t you dare console my girlfriend. My girlfriend!” Hol y got to her feet, planting her hands on her hips.
    “Now