Wild Flame by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page B

one eye.
    Christian was in no hurry to shatter what they had found. He pulled out of her and rolled to the side, pulling her against him as the first drops of rain began to land on the roof of the boathouse.

    ~ ~ ~

    Ivy was the first to wake hours later. The rain was still coming down with the clouds hiding the moon and stars. She remained in Christian’s arms for a little longer, enjoying the quiet and tranquility of the moment.
    There had been no sign of the Hell Hounds, but she knew it was only a matter of time before they came for her. She had no wish to die, but she didn’t like putting everyone helping her in danger either.
    She didn’t know how much time had passed since she’d awoken, but she gradually removed Christian’s arm from her waist and got to her feet. It took her a few minutes to find her clothes and put them on.
    Ivy straightened from putting on her boots to find Christian awake and propped on an elbow, watching her. For once she didn’t worry about what to say. They had decided on things from the start.
    “Awake already?” he asked.
    Ivy smiled and patted her stomach. “In need of food, actually.”
    “Listen, Ivy,” Christian began.
    She stopped him before he could go on. “There’s no need. We agreed to this. We needed each other. But no strings, no ties. No need to make up excuses. It was a one-time thing.”
    “That’s...a first for me.” He flashed a grin. “I’m never very good at the excuses anyway.”
    “There’s no need to worry. I promise not to fall in love with you.”
    There was a ghost of a frown, but it was quickly covered by his smile. “That’s good then.”
    “Want any food?”
    “No, thanks. I’m going to stay out here and listen to the rain without having to be suffocated by the couples in the house.”
    Ivy laughed, watching how his muscles rippled when he laid on his back and placed his hands behind his head. “See you in the morning.”
    “See ya.”
    Ivy walked out of the shed with a smile, but her expression quickly changed. It wasn’t the rain soaking her that made her frown. It was the strange, unnamable feeling within her that suggested she had made a mistake brushing Christian off so suddenly.
    Though she didn’t know why she felt that way. Neither of them wanted any kind of relationship.  
    Right?
    Ivy reached the porch and shook off as much of the rain as she could. She removed her boots before she walked into the house. The blast of cold air from the air conditioning gave her a chill.
    A glance around the kitchen uncovered a dishtowel by the sink that she used to wipe the rain from her face and arms. It was while she was putting the towel back that she realized she wasn’t alone.
    Ivy turned her head and met Beau’s blue eyes. He was at the table with a tall glass of milk and a stack of cookies.
    “There’s food in the fridge,” he said.
    She nodded, feeling as if she were a teenager getting caught sneaking back into the house. “Thanks.”
    “I should warn you that Christian likes women. He enjoys their company and their bodies, but he isn’t the kind of guy who will give you a future.”
    Ivy’s hackles immediately went up, even though she told herself it was just a brother looking out for his family. “No need to worry. I don’t have designs on Christian. He’s a good guy, but that’s where things stop.”
    Beau frowned, his head cocking to the side. “Really?”
    “Really.” She laughed then and turned to open the fridge. She peered inside and found the foil-covered plates. She took one out and set it on the counter. “Even if the Hell Hounds weren’t after me, my life is hectic enough without adding a relationship to the mix.”
    She took off the foil and looked at the large portion of etouffee spooned over rice. Ivy popped the plate in the microwave and heated it, feeling Beau’s eyes still on her.
    “Why?” Beau asked.
    The microwave beeped. Ivy opened the door and stirred the food with a fork before testing the