Read Online Hot Licks by Jennifer Dellerman - Free Book Online Page A

he’d plainly stated he was going to try and change her mind, it seemed he’d decided to forgo that plan. It was oddly disappointing, and, if she were truthful, she felt a little rejected.
    With a rare flare of temper, she kicked the fence, causing the metal plating to bounce against the chain link.
    A loose screw caught her eye, brought about by the high winds from the storm earlier that week rather than a curious alligator. The Orchards was situated off a bay that curved out and around the estate into a partial cove and continued northeast to become the swamp grounds where the reptiles lived. Though they provided little threat considering their home lay over sixty yards beyond the far northeastern part of the fence-line, it paid to be safe. The Felix’s didn’t want any accidental wanderings from either the gators or the guests.
    Sighing, she reached for the tool kit on her belt and tugged out a screwdriver. Which immediately brought to mind Rome, and the small multitool kit he carried on his belt. Actually, all the Felix men wore one, but it was, again, Rome that came forefront in her thoughts.
    With a sound of frustration, she squatted down to tackle the screw, firmly intending to complete this task and move on to the next without any more unprofessional thoughts.
    That lasted all of five seconds.
    Before she even finished tightening the screw, her brain went renegade, pulling up the memory of Rome as he’d stood in the doorway of her office, his chest bare, muscles rippling with every move. What would have happened had he shown up earlier, or the hike had been scheduled later in the day? Would that sensuous mouth have descended lower to cover her breast, sucking the soft flesh as she arched into him? Would he have moved lower?
    Would she have let him?
    Her eyes went blind. Arousal, a constant companion over the last two days, quickened and she could feel the liquid heat of need dampen her panties.
    Oh hell. She was pretty damn sure she would have let him do anything he wanted to her.
    Letting out a groan, she pressed a thumb and forefinger to her eyes, rubbing gently. She was terribly afraid Rome was becoming an obsession, because in no way was this fierce attraction normal.
    A rough shake of her head sent her braid flying over a shoulder and she stood, looking along the fence line to gauge where Dennis was in his own inspection. With a start, Gwen realized she’d covered more than half the line, and that had been on autopilot as Rome and the subject of sex constantly stole her attention.
    But no more. She would not let one sexy male, with surprisingly soft lips that had nuzzled her neck, invade her thoughts anymore. Nope. She was done thinking about how firm his muscles had felt under her hands, how the press of his erection would feel against her core. Yep. Completely over it.
    Not. Disgusted with herself, she called out to Dennis who was walking toward her, his gait slow but steady. “How are things on your end?”
    “I think it’s time to replace those two rusting critter panels at the far end.” His dark blonde head, liberally streaked with sun-kissed highlights, bent as he ran a gloved hand over another section. “The salt air is terrible on metal. I’d suggest moving to wood, but the storms and humidity would rot it in a heartbeat.”
    Gwen replaced the screwdriver in her hand with a pen and a small notebook she drew from one of her many pockets. “That old cabin in the reserve is wood and still looks decent.” The thought ran across her mind as she jotted down the required repair.
    “Yeah, but all the trees buffer the wind. It’d be good for nothing except the fireplace if it was out here.”
    “Hmm.” Made sense to Gwen. Glancing from her pad she took in his drawn features, the paleness of his skin beneath his tan. She pursed her lips. “You doing all right?”
    “Yeah. Just moving a bit slower than normal.”
    “Uh huh.” Gwen crossed her arms and waited until he moved closer, glancing