Hot Licks by Jennifer Dellerman Read Free Book Online Page A

In bed. After yesterday I mean. And last night. The guarding thing, I mean.”
    Lord, just shoot me, she thought unhappily. What was it about this man that made every word that came out of her mouth sound like and innuendo?
    “I caught a few hours after Porter relieved me.”
    “Oh. That’s good.” And what she wouldn’t give for Melinda’s gift of gab right now. But after seeing those lips of his curl in a sensual smile, Gwen longed for another oral activity.
    With a hard, internal shake of her head, she cleared out a few of the cobwebs spun by his nearness. “Just out and about, seeing what’s new?”
    “Actually, I came looking for you.”
    She stiffened, a little nervous at what he might wish to seek her out about. “Oh? Well you’ll need to give me a few minutes. I’ve got a hike to finish getting ready for and find myself one man short.”
    “That’s why I’m here.” When she raised her head back up to look at him, he explained. “That Dennis kid showed up looking like something the cat dragged in.”
    Alarm shot through her. “What happened?”
    “Said he didn’t sleep well. Might be coming down with a cold.”
    Gwen narrowed her eyes at Rome’s dubious tone. “But you don’t believe him?”
    “The knuckles on his right hand are swollen and cut, and the way he held an arm to his torso makes me think he was on the receiving end of a few gut jabs. Nothing too serious, but enough to make him hurt.” Rome’s nose winkled in distaste. “He also smelled of alcohol.”
    “He was drunk?” She’d kill the miscreant.
    A sharp shake of Rome’s head. “No. More likely he partied too hard last night, got into a fight, passed out, and woke with barely enough time to roll out of bed and drive to work. Dad saw him and sent him straight home.”
    “Shit.” Gwen slumped against the desk. “That doesn’t sound like Dennis. I wonder what happened.” She shook her head. “Well, anyway, I need to talk with Andreas and find out if I can use Porter or Santos as my second.”
    “All ready taken care of.”
    That didn’t bode well. “And?”
    “I’m all yours.”
    That’s what she was afraid of. Her attraction to him was already too intense, as if some irresistible link had been forged between them from the moment he’d touched her. Knowing herself, spending more time in his company would result in one of two things. Either she would find herself irritated by little things he did or said and her interest would die a quick death, or she’d be even more drawn to him. She had a sinking feeling it would be the latter, which meant keeping her thoughts and actions on a professional level could prove difficult.
    Pursing her lips, she looked him over. Ogled him actually. All in the name of professionalism of course. While his boots were serviceable, his jeans slung temptingly low and the brown T-shirt that clung to his torso would have to go. If he planned to play park ranger for the Orchards he had to wear one of their shirts.
    Anticipation at seeing what lay under that taut material licked at her veins as she swiveled to one of the two metal cabinets in the office. “You’ll need a different shirt. To distinguish yourself as an employee. What size?” When he told her, she rifled through the small stack, making a mental note to order more shirts. She found an extra-large and turned to toss it to him, and nearly swallowed her tongue.
    While she knew he’d have to take off his shirt to pull on the new one, seeing his bare chest without any warning was enough to stop her in her tracks. Strong, wide shoulders topped pecs that were hard and flat, leading to a droolworthy set of six-pack abs she could bounce a quarter off. Far from a detraction, the scars that marred his flesh only reinforced what he was, a warrior. He’d suffered horrible pain and trauma and lived to tell the tale. A light spattering of dark hair trailed down to almost nothing before increasing slightly where the top of his jeans hung below