One Hot Winter's Night Read Online Free Page A

something passed between them, something invisible, chemical, electric.
    Confused, she looked at her ice glass, studying the blue vodka cocktail. What was going on here? This had never happened to her before.
    Cat’s love life was non-existent. A turbulent childhood, chaotic teenage years and a strangely sheltered early adult life had left her uneasy about men and hesitant to get involved in a relationship. And the longer time went by, the more difficult it became to open up to a man.
    She looked back up at Heath. He was studying her quietly, seemingly content to let her deal with her thoughts. Of course, men had looked at her with desire before. And yet… Heath couldn’t even see her body, and hadn’t had a glimpse of her cleavage. But still that look had passed between them—the zap of electricity that showed he wanted her.
    For a brief moment, she imagined letting this gorgeous man take her in his arms and make love to her. She liked him. He was warm and funny, and he looked at her as if he wanted her more than the damn necklace. What would he be like in bed?
    Although she’d used her femininity on more than one occasion when she needed something, her one attempt at sex had ended in disaster before they really got going, so she wasn’t quite sure what it would be like to sleep with a guy. She’d read romance novels though, and watched romantic films. In those, the men always lit the women up like fireworks. How would that feel?
    Heath smiled. She’d been staring at him as if he’d told her she’d won a million dollars. Her cheeks grew hot, and she finished off her cocktail, embarrassed. What was she thinking? This was the Silver Fox—the enemy who’d driven her mad on so many occasions. A man who was happy to take a woman to bed on the night he met her. She hadn’t planned on giving her virginity to anyone, and she absolutely was not considering giving it to this scoundrel.
    She had to focus on the mission and the goal—the necklace. Everything else, including his warm hazel eyes and beautiful silver hair, was immaterial.

Chapter 4
    Heath watched the gorgeous blonde struggle with some inner dilemma. She fascinated him. He sensed deep emotion beneath the surface, an ocean of feelings whirling inside her that he would have been interested to dive into and uncover. What a shame tomorrow he’d be gone.
    Suddenly she looked up at him again, and her hesitation had vanished, to be replaced by something that glittered in her silvery-green eyes. Desire? Determination? She shifted in her seat, moving closer to him, tucking a leg under to give herself height. Before he could move, she leaned across him and pressed her cool mouth against his.
    Taken by surprise, Heath remained still, one hand holding his glass, the other arm stretched out along the back of the seat, and let her kiss him. She did so slowly, moving her lips gently, her eyes not quite closed. His blood surged as if she’d given him a shot of adrenalin, and his pants grew tight as his erection sprang to life—not that she’d been able to see it under all the layers of clothing.
    Lifting herself up, oblivious to the rest of the room, she moved to sit astride him. Unfortunately, she’d forgotten they both wore bulky clothes. As she slid onto his lap, she became wedged securely between him and the table.
    She looked over her shoulder, tried to move, then stared at him, exasperated. “Crap.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Very smooth.”
    “Elegant is my middle name. I used to be a ballet dancer, can’t you tell?”
    He laughed and put down his glass. Her faux pas hadn’t appeared to embarrass her. He liked that about her. She wiggled her hips so she could get as close to him as possible, not even looking at the rest of the room to see if anybody was watching. Luckily, the barman had dimmed the lights and they were in the darkest corner, but her boldness and complete disregard for anything other than what she wanted made his heart beat faster. She slid