Temperatures Rising by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

handle everything and everyone.”
    His brow raised. “What about the Holy Terror? Have the two of you been getting along any better than the last time we talked?”
    With her hand, she waved aside any of her uncle’s concerns. “Everything’s fine,” she lied. “Terrence and I understand each other,” she added, wishing that were true. She and Terrence did not understand each other. After two weeks of good behavior he was back to being difficult.
    Her uncle studied her. “Are you sure? Because if not, I can talk with him.” He smiled. “I think he makes a pest of himself with you because he likes you.”
    Sherri had to refrain from telling her uncle that Terrence didn’t like her, he wanted her. There was a difference. “I doubt that’s true, but like I said, Terrence and I understand each other. Don’t worry aboutanything back here. Just go on to Memphis and work out a good deal with Wilkins. I’ll take care of everything while you’re gone.”

Chapter 5
    J ust when she’d thought her and Terrence’s paths wouldn’t be crossing any more that week, she ran into him, of all places, on the elevator. And to make matters worse, he was the lone occupant.
    “Going down, Sherri?” he asked, his voice lowering to too husky a pitch for her peace of mind. And it didn’t help the situation to know that for some reason he had invaded her dreams last night in ways he hadn’t invaded them before. They had been sexy. Naughty. And in her dreams he had been the one going down. The memory of it had the insides of herthighs feeling damp. Now there he stood, leaning against the wall and looking sexy as all outdoors.
    “Yes.” She hesitated a moment before stepping in and moving to one side, a safe distance away from him. The man was way too much temptation.
    “Don’t think you can control yourself in here alone with me?” he asked in a teasing voice.
    “I’m the one who should be asking you that,” she said, snapping out the words. Too late, she wished she hadn’t when she saw the darkening of his eyes. The look he was giving her had the pulse beating erratically at the base of her throat.
    “Since you brought it up,” he said, his gaze roaming her figure from head to toe, “I was going to be a gentleman and control myself, but now I don’t think I will.”
    She backed up and lifted her chin. “You will force me to do something against my will?” she asked.
    He smiled that sexy smile of his and she knew she’d lost the battle already. That darn dimple did her in. “No, but I may force you to admit something you’re being rather stubborn about. Although our relationship goals in life are different right now, this very moment in time, we want each other and there is no way you can deny it.”
    “I do deny it.”
    “Let’s see for how long.”
    He moved away from the wall and reached out and pushed the button to stop the elevator. Then he took the few steps separating them. She refused to back up, determined to hold her ground with him.
    “I need this kiss, Sherri, so if nothing else, please humor me,” he murmured in a low voice.
    The words he’d spoken had come as a surprise, and despite her reason for not wanting it to happen, she inwardly admitted that she needed the kiss, as well. So she did what he asked and humored him, although when his mouth settled on hers it was obvious neither of them was amused. Instead they were filled with one gigantic need.
    Judging by the depth of their kiss, it was a need they were determined to fill. Just like the two other times their mouths had been joined, what they were experiencing was ultimate pleasure. The kind that slaughtered your senses, sent shudders through your body. As if they had a will of their own, their bodies pressed closer together in a way that bordered on indecent.
    Sherri’s purse fell to the floor when she wrapped her arms around Terrence’s neck and sank even deeper into the kiss. She felt heated sensations all the way to her toes. This