Slow Burn: A Texas Heat Novel Read Online Free Page A

me, you want tongue, hard or soft?”
    “Er, soft?”
    “Eyes opened or closed?”
    “Closed.”
    Without warning, his head swooped down. Her lips were so soft and juicy, Donavan felt hot shivers up and down his spine. His tongue seductively parted her lips and slid over hers. Harper moaned. Her tongue shyly mated with his. Next thing he knew, Donavan lost his mind. He deepened the kiss to a fever pitch. His hands roamed up and down her back, waist and luscious ass. Who knew?! Harper touched his chest. Her hands swept up his back. Her nails dug into his shirt and pulled him closer. The kiss went on and on, hot and passionate. Donavan wanted to be deep inside her with every fiber in his body. The primitive urge to take her right there in the garden, shook him to the core. Harper’s innocent exploration of his chest, the way she kissed him back with such sweet intensity, nearly drove him over the edge. Someone blared a car horn in the distance. That’s what saved Harper Grant’s virginity. Donavan broke the kiss, stunned into silence. The sound of their harsh breathing mingled in the night.
    “Donavan-”
    “This never happened. We don’t talk about this – ever - I will deny, deny, deny.”
    She flinched. He struggled to bring some normality back.
    “Amazon!”
    “Viking!”
    They both spun around and walked in opposite directions. 

Chapter 6
    Back in the hospital room, Donavan stroked her hair, amazed by the softness of it.
    She’s off limits McClain!
    Why exactly ? The devil on his shoulder asked.
    If he ever kissed her again, which he vehemently doubted, Donavan wanted her sober for it. He knew it was wrong to pry, but he had to ask.
    “Harper?”
    She snuggled as close to him as physically possible. “How many – who have you slept with?”
    “You,” she said, “We sleep now.” Donavan smiled in her hair.
    You have no right McClain!
    The hell I don’t!
    This is invasion of privacy!
    Donavan ignored his conscience. “Who have you had sex with?” Could be any of the firefighters in her station or the police officers in town. Yet they all treated her like one of the guys. Harper stroked Donavan’s chest. His heart slammed against his ribs. Her touch stirred his blood. His conscience was furious.
    Leave her alone !
    “No one,” She yawned.
    Donavan frowned. Did her hazy mind understand the question? “What do you mean no-”
    “I’m a virgin, silly.”
    What?!
    “But you’re twenty-eight years old!”
    Harper shrugged. “Waiting.”
    “For what?”
    “You.”
    He couldn’t breathe. A tremor ran through him. Stunned beyond belief, Donavan could only lay there, thunderstruck.
    What? What did she just say?
    “Harper?” he said her name harshly. She snored softly. With her injury he couldn’t exactly wake her up and demand clarification. It can’t be true! She took a blow to the head. That had to be it. It was the concussion and the pain meds talking. He never met a twenty-eight year old virgin and he sure as hell couldn’t believe she was waiting for him.
    But if it’s true …
    No, it can’t be. And yet his arms contracted around her. Sometimes, he secretly thought of her as his. Something primitive inside him growled, Harper Grant belongs to me! He fought the ferocious possessiveness until he was mentally exhausted. Finally, Donavan drifted off into sweet oblivion.
    The nightmare chilled her to the bone. The man loomed over her with a smirk on his rugged face. Not the bank robber, someone far worse. He didn’t need a gun to threaten Harper with. He had his fists for that. He used his tongue like a whip to slash and draw blood. Eyes the color of storm clouds held the fierce promise he made her long ago. I’m coming for you .
    Harper opened her eyes a crack. Her heart shook in her chest. She took deep, gulping breaths. The only thing that kept the blinding panic at bay was the warm hand in her hair and the gentle touch stroking her back. Startled, Harper looked up.
    Donavan.
    For an