Read Online PreHeat (Fire & Ice) by Genevieve Jourdin - Free Book Online Page A

(dirt cheap) in exchange for dinner when he came over. I knew he would be doing almost everything at his own apartment, so I was really getting the nepotism discount I'd always heard of.
    “Okay then, I'll see you next Monday at six?” he asked as he gathered up his belongings and stuffed them into the bag with his computer.
    “It's a date. Oh, and what kind of food would you like?”
    “Anything chicken,” he stated as we made our way to the front door. I didn't know if I was supposed to shake his hand or give him a hug like I did at his parents’ party a few months ago, because both of those things would feel awkward right now. Instead, I leaned down and picked up my Chihuahua, Lucy, and carried her into the living room with me. He pulled his bag over his shoulder and walked out to the front step.
    His arms were muscular without being bulgy, and it struck me that he was nicely put together. I had even noticed what looked like honest to goodness six-pack abs when he had stretched his arms over his head earlier. Now that our business was concluded, thoughts like that were trying to worm themselves into my head and I forcibly tamped them down.
    “Thanks again. See you next week.”
    “Bye Juss.” He lifted a hand to give me a wave as he walked down the sidewalk to his truck. I was very much looking forward to it.
     
    ***
     
     “Okay, what do you think about this one?” I snapped myself back into the present to stop my mind from wandering into forbidden territory. Bad Girl.
    “That looks good.” I had to get my eyes off of Carter's body and back to business. To be honest, all three of the layouts Carter had shown me so far had been great. I was mentally patting myself on the back for taking Cheryl's advice and asking her brother to set up my website. He really was good at it. I mean, I already knew that, he had made the website for her party planning business and it was fabulous. This other thing, however, was becoming a problem.
    I had been practically mooning over him since he walked in the door an hour ago. It was slightly annoying and just a little bit creepy on my part. I blamed the Ross gene pool. Cheryl's whole family was gorgeous, but Carter was looking hot . Yes, I said it. I think Cheryl's little brother is hot. I can't help it; I have eyes, don't I?
    “Well, which one do you prefer?” I was sitting here acting like a stooge while Carter was all business. Damn. Why did he have to look so delicious? I had a real problem interacting with good looking men. I liked to think it was some kind of glitch in my makeup, but hot guys had a tendency to short circuit my brain. 
    “Um. I guess the second one is my favorite.” God, I couldn't even sound decisive. This was unacceptable. I had to get out of here and clear my head of the sexy images that had implanted themselves in my brain. This week Carter was in my office making the tiny room seem even smaller. I figured now was a good time to leave him to his own devices and make us something to eat.
    “If you don't mind, I'll get started on dinner while you're working in here. I'm not really much help in the computer department.”
    “That sounds great.” He turned his head and smiled at me and my stomach seemed to drop to my feet. He was turning me to mush. I had to get to the safety of my kitchen, I was in control there.
    “Fried chicken sound good?” I don't even know why I asked him, that's what I had bought for tonight and that's what I was making, but like I said, it was the way I was wired.
    “Homemade fried chicken? That sounds great.” Oh my god. Something about his voice sent shivers through me. Holy smokes. This was worse than I thought. I absolutely could not harbor these feelings for him. For one thing, he was way too young for me. At least four years younger. More importantly, he was Cheryl's brother. I just couldn't go there. It was wrong on so many levels.
    “Awesome. Let me know if you need my opinion on anything else. I'll be in the