Read Online Blaze: A Texas Heat Novel by Octavia McKenzie - Free Book Online

have a shot?”
    “No,” Dylan said coldly.
    Jordan looked taken aback by the frosty tone. “Is she seeing someone?”
    “Yep.”
    “Aw too bad.” Yeah, run along Jordan.
    “Well she’s an absolute legend, I’ll be a customer for life.” You do that. Jordan took the hint and left. Dylan found every excuse in the book to linger, he rationalized to himself as he stalled.
    Finally, it was down to Nell, Arthur, Emerson and Dylan. “Young Chambers,” Arthur said, pumping his hand, “Good of you to come out and support little Em.”
    “Thank you sir.”
    “Would you mind staying a spell? Help Emerson close up shop?”
    Say what? Emerson shot Dylan a look of panic. “I’m sure the mayor is very busy.”
    “Not at all,” Dylan said smoothly, “I’d be happy to help.”
    “Very fine,” Arthur said. He wrapped his arm around Nell’s waist.
    Gran looked worried. “Maybe we can all stay.”
    “ The Walking Dead’s on tonight, thought we were gonna watch it together, sugar plum?”
    Gran perked up. She was a diehard fan of the television show. As a result, Nell and Arthur were survivalists prepping for the Zombie Apocalypse.
    “It’s okay Gran,” Emerson assured her. I’m strong. I can resist him!
    Arthur and Nell held hands and waved. When they left, the air felt electric, charged, burning up the air between them.
    “Arthur’s old fashioned, he believes in chivalry, I don’t. I have things to do, thank you for coming Mr. Mayor, you can go, see yourself out.”
    Emerson turned her back on him, walked down the hall and marched up the stairs to her apartment.
    Okay, you know what? All evening long she treated him as if he were invisible. Dylan didn’t like it, not one bit. He followed her. Emerson gasped when he stopped just short of her bedroom. He leaned on the doorframe, never taking his eyes off her.
    “Get out!” she said with a tremor in her voice. “This is what you wanted, for us to be polite strangers, you’re the Mayor, I’m one of your lowly constituents.”
    “I never said that.”
    “You didn’t have to!” she said bristling, “You don’t think I’m good enough, fine, point taken, there’s the door.”
    “Emerson Sophie Riley, you know damn well what you mean to me. I’m not leaving until things are settled between us.”
    Her green eyes threw sparks at him. “There is no us Mr. Mayor.”
    He frowned. “Will you stop calling me that!”
    “Would you prefer your majesty? Well guess who’s not getting on her knees and bowing down to your throne? That would be me.”
    Damn she’s magnificent! “I’m not leaving,” he said with a challenging glint in his eyes.
    Emerson’s jaw set stubbornly. “Fine, suit yourself, I’m taking a shower, out of my way.”

Chapter 9
    Emerson stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door. She furiously yanked her dress off. Who the hell does he think he is? Mister high and mighty Chambers! What did he expect her to do, strip for him? Turn to mush if he touched her? Hell no! Go back to mansion hill and stay there! She turned on the shower. In seconds, steam filled the room. Still fuming, she stepped under the hot spray. Arrogant bastard! Well she showed him!
    The bathroom door opened. Emerson inhaled sharply. She didn’t lock it! Before that thought registered, Dylan opened the curtain and stepped right in the tub with his clothes on. What the?!
    His blue eyes flashed. “Let’s get a few things straight, you are mine.”
    “You can’t just-” she sputtered. Recovering her shock, Emerson covered her breasts with one arm and below the waist with the other. “How dare you, get out, get-”
    “Come here.”
    She was in his arms before she drew her next breath. Dylan cupped the back of her head and kissed her with hot, unrelenting passion. His mouth slanted over hers masterfully stroking her tongue with his until she trembled in his arms. His hands slid down her wet back, up her ribs and cupped both breasts. They fit perfectly in his