Slow Burn (The Blake Boys Book 7) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online Page A

snacks.
    “What’s this? Rations for the captive?”
    “They’re a peace offering.” She placed the tray down on the coffee table and set a fire in the fireplace.
    He couldn’t ignore how warm and inviting she looked sitting on the faux bearskin rug sending text messages in her gray sweater and cream leggings. The glow from the roaring fire made her look even prettier as she sipped on a cup of hot chocolate.
    “Updating your conspirators?” He stoked the logs with a poker.
    “No, I updated them after dinner. Everyone says hello.”
    “I bet they did.”
    “They do know you’re not in any actual danger.”
    “Oh? You’re not going to go all Misery on me later and crack my ankles like walnuts?”
    “You are so dramatic.” She put her phone away.
    “Am I? I wake up in a strange state chained to a couch. I think there’s some cause for alarm.”
    “A couch in Seth and Morgan’s living room in Denver.” Michelle corrected him.
    “Did you drug this too? I’m liable to wake tomorrow morning butt naked and feeling used.” Tyler took a seat next to her, surveying the tray of snacks.
    She rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
    “Who else is helping you with this crime? Besides Sam and Morgan.”
    “Isabelle and your mom.” She flashed a cheesy grin.
    “My Momma?” Tyler’s eyes widened. Even his mother was in on it?
    “I told her I would take good care of her Ty-bear and feed you well. Morgan sends her regards and says you’re going to love the Christmas present she got for you.”
    “It better be a big present.”
    “I’m sure it’s something you’ll love. She has a knack for that. I hope she gets the Panini press I want. Especially since I cut out the picture and put it on her desk.”
    Tyler shook his head and laughed. He couldn’t imagine two better friends than his sister-in-law and his captor.
    Morgan’s requests not to hurt her best friend was one of the biggest reasons he’d stayed away from Michelle. He didn’t want to do anything that would hurt her. But now, after she’d avoiding his calls for weeks, he was glad she was talking to him, even if he was in chains.
    He couldn’t help but notice the handcuff keys dangling off her necklace and sloping down into her cleavage. His body involuntarily shivered, remembering the first time he brushed his stubble against the soft mounds of her breasts. The way she moaned when he did it was cause for an ice pack on his crotch.
    She didn’t notice his appreciative looks because she was deep in thought. She looked like she was trying to plot her next move. Maybe he could help her along and stop this foolishness so they could get down to what was on both of their minds: having sweaty sex on the faux bearskin rug next to the fireplace.
    “So, is this part where you use me as your sex toy?” He leaned in close to her face.
    “It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed.” Michelle got up abruptly, pulled a pillow and blanket out of a chest and threw it at him.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Michelle pulled the covers over her head as the blaring alarm flashed three a.m. She could hear Tyler snoring all the way down the hall, but that would soon change. She put on yoga pants and a comfortable sweater and made a makeshift ponytail out of her messy hair, ready to put phase two of her plan into action. She padded into the kitchen and put on the coffee maker, careful not to wake him. If she was going to be up at such an obnoxious hour, she needed caffeine pumping through her veins. She glanced at the clock on the stove, it was now three fifteen. It was time to wake the speed demon in the other room. She retrieved a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. Once she made it to the couch, she surreptitiously dumped some of it on him.
    “What the hell!” Tyler yelped.
    “Good, you’re awake.” She picked up his phone and took a seat in the arm chair across from the couch.
    “I would ask if you’ve come to your senses but I have a feeling you’ve only just