Attracted to Fire Read Online Free Page B

sting operations while working counterfeit. Nothing but stinking glowing reports.
    To aggravate him further, her good looks drew the attention of every male on the team. He’d seen it the moment she’d entered the room yesterday. That red hair could be spotted a mile away, and no disguising her hourglass figure. Great for the other agents’ egos but a distraction for the job. Another reason why women agents needed to be banned from the service. Let them show their feminine power and find a husband elsewhere.
    A twinge of remorse halted any more disparaging thoughts about Agent Connors. He should give her a break and allow her to do her job. But he couldn’t. She might slip and their protectee or an agent could be killed. Other critical matters battled his thoughts about Meghan Connors, including Tom Warrington’s final words to him.
    â€œAsh, VP Hall has already indicated that he wants either you or Special Agent Connors on his protective detail as soon as this assignment is completed. Agent Hawkins is retiring.”
    No stress there.

Chapter 4
    Meghan took her first break after seven hours. She rubbed her aching neck muscles and took a sip of tepid coffee. Her stomach growled, and she realized this was the second day that she’d worked without taking time to eat. This morning, she’d subsisted on black coffee and a banana after taking a four-mile run. This had to stop. Not feeding her brain meant lousy job performance. Ash would thrive on her mistakes.
    Although the massive home was well built and contained every modern convenience listed in Architect Design , she found some of the wiring for the alarm system archaic. The rewiring coincided with Burnette’s purchase and remodel of the home five years ago. Perhaps the contractor had cut a few corners. The logical side of her said the amount of work to secure housing for a VP’s daughter wasn’t necessary, but she needed to stay busy and avoid Ash. Plus the threats made on Lindsay’s life called for heavier protective measures.
    She scooted her chair back and walked down the hallway to the kitchen. Grabbing a plate, she eyed what would fill her stomach and reactivate her brain. The bottles of water were ice cold. Perfect. Pepper had filled the kitchen counter with sandwiches, various chips, salsa, fruit, and homemade oatmeal raisin cookies the size of a man’s fist. Agents came and went in shifts, some returning for another round. The air-conditioning seemed to take priority over being under Ash’s scrutiny. He barked a lot, but she wondered if beneath that crusty exterior was a man with a good heart. He knew his stuff, and he didn’t miss a thing.
    After thanking Pepper for lunch, she hurried back to the operation room. Ash sat across from her, his focus on his computer screen. Now was as good a time as ever.
    â€œThe wiring in the house needs to be updated, possibly redone. It’s not adequate even for regular household needs.”
    He lifted a brow. “Make it happen. Burnette indicated it might need to be changed.” He lifted his sandwich to his mouth, then laid it on his plate. “Is what’s there dangerous, or are we okay until an electrician can complete the work?”
    â€œWe’ll make do. I’ve already written the order.”
    She pulled two jalapeños from her chicken salad on whole wheat.
    Ash stood and opened the door leading down the hall to the kitchen. “Pepper, can I see you a minute?”
    She appeared in the doorway, wearing short shorts and a halter top. Hard for Meghan to believe her deceased husband had been an agent.
    â€œWould you make me a sandwich without jalapeños?” He handed her his plate; he’d taken one bite from the sandwich. “I prefer a croissant.”
    â€œThat’s lunch.” She handed the plate back to him and flashed her pearly whites. “Supper is at six thirty.”
    Meghan hid a grin. Oh, these two would