Temperature's Rising by Karen Kelley Read Free Book Online Page A

living room. I’ll get us something to drink. Soda okay?” Conor hesitated.
    “I did want to go over a few things concerning the burglaries.”
    “Soda is fine,” Conor conceded.
    “I think I smell a rat,” Jessica muttered as she watched her father disappear toward the kitchen. “I’d bet my last dollar he’s matchmaking. If you want to sneak out while you have the chance . . .” Her words trailed off when she caught his blatant stare.
    He looked as if he’d never seen her before. A deep, penetrating look that sent waves of heat over her. The walls began closing in, making it hard to breathe. She could almost feel his hands touching, caressing her body.
    When he met her gaze, the spell he’d weaved over her magically vanished, leaving her feeling as if she were a candle that had been left out in the sun too long.
    If just looking at her could cause a meltdown, she wondered what having sex with Conor would be like.
    Lord, she’d love to find out.
    Not that she intended to. She certainly didn’t want to become infatuated with the new cop, even if he did look pretty damn good. She was just sexually deprived right now, and Conor made her think about the kind of sex that left her sweaty and satisfied. She hadn’t gotten sweaty or been satisfied in a very long time.
    He continued to stare.

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    Karen Kelley
    “What?” she finally asked, wondering if she had a smudge of dirt on her face.
    He shook his head. “Nothing. I guess you just seem different from the other day.”
    She cocked an eyebrow. “Cleaner?” He grinned, and her world tilted.
    “You look really nice,” he told her.
    As much as she tried to deny it, his words sent shivers of delight over her. She didn’t know why his opinion mattered. It shouldn’t, but it did, for some odd reason.
    Ridiculous.
    The first time he’d thought she was a down-on-her-luck hooker. Now, with no makeup and her hair pulled back into a ponytail, he was probably thinking she never fixed herself up. Not that she cared. After all, she was comfortable. Absently, she smoothed her hand over her hair and straightened her shirt.
    “Here we go.” Her father rejoined them, interrupting her thoughts. He shoved canned sodas into their hands.
    “Jess, are you planning on keeping our guest in the hall all day?”
    “Listen, Dad, maybe it would be better if you and the officer . . .”
    “Conor.”
    She glanced toward him. “What?”
    “Just Conor.”
    She frowned. Too personal, but it would be rude to call him anything else now. Conor . She did like the name. It had a nice ring to it. Great, next thing she knew she’d be dragging out old yearbooks and scrawling his name across the inside cover.
    “Maybe it would be a good idea if we had supper some other night,” she told her father. The less she was around Conor, the better.
    “Nonsense, come in and sit down.” She hesitated. Why did she even try? She couldn’t win TEMPERATURE’S RISING
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    against her dad. When he got an idea in his head, he was like a starving dog with a juicy bone. She’d have a heart-to-heart talk with him later.
    After casting a warning look in his direction, she headed toward her favorite chair as Conor sat on the sofa.
    “Honey, do you mind if I sit there? That old sofa is so worn out it hurts my back.” He slipped into the cushioned seat before she had a chance to do anything.
    “Dad! Don’t you think you’re being a little obv . . .” Ring!
    “I’ll get that!” Her father vaulted out of the chair, racing to the other room. He didn’t appear to have a bit of back trouble.
    Before she could even sit on the sofa, he returned.
    “I’m sorry, but I have to go to the station. Nothing important, but something I need to take care of. Jess, my car’s been acting funny. Do you mind if I borrow yours?” His words tumbled out and ran together.
    “I can take you.” Conor stood, but that was as far as he got.
    “Oh no, Jess doesn’t mind if I drive her car. I’m not sure how long