Taking the Heat by Victoria Dahl Read Free Book Online Page A

beer.
    â€œWe’re heading over to the saloon,” Benton said when Gabe returned to the table. “You coming?”
    â€œI just bought a beer.”
    â€œFinish it and come on.”
    â€œI’d better not. I’ve got work tomorrow, and my shift doesn’t start at 5:00 p.m., unlike yours.”
    â€œAll right, man.” Benton slapped his shoulder. “See you this weekend.”
    Gabe relaxed into his chair. If Sunday turned out to be anything like today, he might die of happiness. It was all so...simple.
    But when he glanced up, it wasn’t simple anymore.
    Veronica stood in the opening of the back hall, leaning forward just slightly to look around the room. He realized then that she was part of the reason he’d decided to stay, even if he hadn’t admitted it. Shit.
    After a few seconds of peering toward the bar, she retreated and leaned against the wall, then closed her eyes and drained her drink.
    Gabe watched her, confused by yet another sudden personality shift. She clearly didn’t want to come out, which was odd considering she’d just spent so much time in front of these people.
    She pushed off the wall again and her gaze roamed the room. Her eyes skipped over him, then returned and widened. He smiled and gave her a wave. She waved back but didn’t move. Telling himself he was an idiot even as he did it, Gabe pointed at the empty chair next to him. She hadn’t been looking for him, and he shouldn’t want to spend time with her, anyway.
    But Veronica smiled and seemed to wilt a little, the stiffness going out of her shoulders, and he was glad he’d offered. Relief seemed to glow from her face as she stepped out of the hallway and made a beeline for him.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” she asked as she set down her now-empty glass and took a seat.
    â€œSome friends wanted to see your show.”
    â€œBut not you?” she asked.
    â€œAre you kidding? I’ve been following your live show since the beginning. You want another drink?”
    â€œOh, God, yes. Please.”
    He started to raise a hand to catch the server’s eye, then realized the woman was already headed over with a drink. She winked at Veronica. “The manager says thanks for another great show. There’s more where this came from.”
    â€œKeep them coming!” Veronica cried. When she reached for the drink, Gabe noticed her hand was trembling again.
    â€œDo you get nervous?” he asked.
    Her big blue eyes peered at him from over the rim of the martini glass as she took a long drink. “Nervous?” she finally rasped when she came up for air. “More like fucking terrified.”
    â€œI’m surprised.” That might explain a lot of her odd behavior. “You seem totally confident up there.”
    â€œSeriously?”
    He nodded as she took another drink.
    â€œIt’s all an act. I’m scared to death.” She took one more drink, then set the glass down. Her hand was still shaking.
    â€œHey, it’s okay,” he said. “Anyone would be nervous talking to a roomful of strangers about cunnilingus.”
    She squeaked and covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks went red behind her fingers, but when her shoulders began to shake, he knew she was laughing.
    â€œSorry,” he said. “It was kind of the elephant in the room. That and your small breasts.”
    â€œOh, my God!” she shrieked, her head bowing with laughter.
    â€œNot that there’s anything wrong with that.”
    â€œGabe!” she scolded, and he grinned at the way she made him feel as if he was getting away with something. He couldn’t deny that it was a turn-on having an excuse to talk to this girl he hardly knew about sex.
    He smiled at the top of her head until she finally peeked up, her eyes still crinkled with amusement.
    â€œFeel better?” he asked.
    She sat up straight and shook her head. “I can’t believe