Hotter Horizons by JC Szot Read Free Book Online Page B

so stuck on the idea?
    He and Alec had been up to all hours of the morning
discussing what was next for them and Fern. Alec still warned that they needed
to tread carefully. Levi was more than ready, but the thought of her packing
her little satchel and running out the door petrified him.
    They needed a plan, and by lunchtime he thought he
had one. Levi sent Alec a text and then sat back in his chair, waiting for his
answer.
    His phone chimed. Levi felt his lips ease into a
smile as he read Alec’s text.
    Okay,
but remember … subtle. LOL
    After a few hours of managing scheduled conference
calls, Levi went downstairs for lunch, planning to tell Fern what he and Alec
had planned for the evening. When he entered the kitchen she was leaning
against the counter, his sandwich already made and waiting for him. His eyes
ingested her instead of reaching for his lunch.
    A pair of weathered jeans sheathed her delectable
hips. A sunny, yellow t-shirt clung to her breasts, her feet tucked into a pair
of white Keds . Her eyes caught him making his perusal
when she glanced up from her cell phone. Her mouth tipped into a wide smile.
    “My friend Jada texted me. She wants
to come visit.” Her words rushed on in an excited
breath. “Is that okay?”
    Levi’s libido sank like the Titanic. He was sure to
maintain the returned grin on his face .
She’s too fucking cute!
    “Sure, tell her to come for dinner. Alec is bringing
home lobster and scallops, some over-inventory debacle at the club,” Levi told
her, sitting down in front of his sandwich, realizing food was all he was going
to get to consume today.
    He’d be patient. Observing Fern’s joy was almost as
pleasant as the feel of her kiss the evening before. Levi found it interesting
that she’d leaned into Alec first. He smiled internally at the thought. Alec
always made a good coach for their three-way encounters. He had the gift of
compassion and patience—something Levi often lost when his urges became too
great.
    Fern set a glass of water in front of him, the lemon
slice floating. Levi lifted the glass to his lips, needing to cool down. He
looked up. Fern’s back was to him at the sink, doing the dishes. His voice rang
out between them.
    “I’m glad your friend is coming. We don’t want you
getting homesick,” he said. Fern shut off the faucet and joined him at the
counter.
    “Thank you for allowing her to come on such short
notice. Her schedule is so crazy. I don’t know when she’ll have another
chance.”
    “She can come anytime, Fern. Like I
said.” Levi swallowed, his eyes lowering to the smooth skin of her neck.
“We don’t want you getting homesick. We love having you here with us.” His
admission was a rough whisper.
    He knew he was prodding, feeling her out, but he
kept it contained. Alec would be proud. Her arched brows rose in question as
Levi bit into his tuna salad sandwich.

Chapter
Thirteen
     
    “I can’t believe you brought my stereo!” Fern
squealed. “Thank you so much.” She pulled Jada in for a hug. The sharp angled
edges of Jada’s blonde hair grazed her cheek. Fern held her arms, stepping back
to see her friend’s dark-brown eyes, the color of teak.
    Levi and Alec had just helped them carry the remains
of Fern’s belongings up the stairs, leaving them to visit before dinner.
    “I have a feeling you’ll be staying here for good,”
Jada said, her tone dipping. Her perfectly waxed brows waggled. Fern slapped
her arm playfully.
    “Shush.” Fern giggled. Jada shook her head, tucking
sleek strands of hair behind her ear.
    “You’ll see. I’ve only been here for twenty freaking
minutes. If you can’t see it after a month, you need help, girl,” she told her.
“I love this room, and this widow’s walk is awesome. It must be nice to sit out
here at night.”
    Jada opened the doors, allowing the late afternoon breeze
to move through the room. They walked out onto the perch, staring out into the
front yard lining the quaint, quiet