Lone Heart: Red Hot Weekend by Delilah Devlin Read Free Book Online Page A

trailer door, then strode around to side of the truck. She stepped up on the truck rail, grabbed the bottom edge of the window and leaned inside. “You’re all set? Got the credit card?”
    Drew rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom. I have the card. I’ll call tonight to let you know I got there safe.”
    “You’ve got deposit slips?”
    He patted his shirt pocket. “As soon as the sale’s over, I’ll hit the bank. Stop worryin’.”
    “I’m not.”
    “You’re antsy. And I bet I can guess why.”
    They hadn’t spoken again about the fact she’d be alone with Lonny, but the subject had hung over their heads like a thundercloud all week. There was no use trying to deny the obvious. “Seriously, why are you tryin’ to hook me up with him?”
    Drew wrapped his fingers over hers and gave her a squeeze. “Darlin’, I’ve had some time to think. We didn’t work, Charli. We weren’t supposed to. We’re too much like brother and sister.”
    “That may be, but why would you think it might ‘work’ with someone like Lonny Wyatt?”
    Drew shrugged. “Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. But Daniel wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.”
    Charli rolled her eyes. “This weekend isn’t about finding someone to spend my life with, Drew. He’s not gonna stay.”
    “Maybe he’s just someplace to start.” He cupped her cheek, then ran his thumb across her bottom lip before letting it drop. “Let go, Charli,” he said, his voice soft. “Have some fun. I sure as hell am.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
    His grin was quick. “One of the auctioneers hit on me the last time I was there. Said she’d take me to dinner the next time I came to town.” His gaze dropped to where her fingers still hugged the rim of the window. “Now, you’re keepin’ me from my date and she’s not the kind to wait around.”
    “You tellin’ me the truth?”
    Drew crossed his heart. “Swear.”
    Charli gave him a smile, then leaned through the window and kissed his cheek. It had been the first time she’d offered him one since the they’d slept together. She’d felt too awkward ever since.
    He chuckled and set the truck into gear. “Now, unless you’re plannin’ on bein’ a hood ornament, you need to hop on down.”
    She jumped to the ground and watched as he pulled away. Guilt faded as she realized he’d meant it. He really did want her to move on.
    Turning back to the house, she walked slowly. One weekend, Lonny had said. To let down her hair. Have some fun. Drew sure wasn’t pining for her. She thought she knew which auctioneer he was talking about. A sassy, fast-talking redhead. Tall, well built.
    Charli smiled softly, thinking about quiet, thoughtful Drew holding on to the tail of a red tornado.
    She picked up her pace, her footsteps lighter than they had been. She’d been worried about him, about whether he still carried a torch. Maybe he never really had. Maybe he’d thought she needed taking care of like she had when Daniel died.
    The door to the barn was open, and she glanced inside to find Lonny drawing a halter over his horse’s head. When her feet crunched in gravel, his head swung her way. “Drew gone?”
    She nodded, feeling nervous excitement rising, but still too awkward to know what to say.
    Lonny’s glance slid lazily down her body. “Don’t you need to take care of some things?”
    His sexy, rumbling baritone made a shiver creep down her spine. Charli shrugged. “I always have things to do.”
    He grunted. “I’m talking about girl things. A long, hot bubble bath. I like things smooth, Charli.”
    She swallowed hard, getting his meaning in an instant. Her pussy clenched. “I haven’t said yes.”
    “Wasn’t asking a thing. Just letting you know how I like it, ma’am .”
    Jutting her chin, she gave him a scowl and pivoted on her heel, but she was smiling as she walked away. She hadn’t fooled anyone. She was more than ready to hand over the reins and find some