Page 10 of She's Got that Heat

I’m starting to figure it out: Allie doesn’t want any of her “glitches”, as she calls them, to get in the way. I’m pretty sure that she’s trying to show me that she’s easy to hang out with.

I’m going to have to care for her as subtly as possible. Find ways to do what’s best for her without mentioning that it’s because of her health.

I know all too well how being overheated can wear a person down. I can’t let that happen to Allie and her curvy, gorgeous, hypnotic body.

The one that I can’t wait to cuddle and get much closer to.

6

ALLIE

Damon is one of the most thoughtful men I’ve ever met. I can’t tell if he realizes he’s doing it or not, but he keeps doing little things that are super healthy for me. Like fixing me a small snack the second we got to his beautiful house. Serving sparkling water instead of wine. Suggesting we go to the basement, where it’s cooler.

Not to mention, the man can cook. I’ve heard horror stories from friends and family about men who can barely make toast without burning it. Damon made a fantastic meal, and his house is spotless. Sure, it’s a bit plain, and could use some art and pops of color. But it’s comfy and casual, done mostly in brown and green. Almost forest-y, if that’s a word.

He fixes us another couple of sparkling waters, this time with lime slices, and we go down to his basement. “This is amazing,” I say, looking around at the huge but cozy room. There’s a gigantic squishy L-shaped couch, a large flatscreen TV, and a few small tables with side lamps that Damon switches on.

“There are blankets, if it’s too cold,” he says, pointing to the end of the couch.

I sit down in the center, so he can decide how close he wants to get. Just as I’d hoped, he sits between me and the L-section, so we’re nice and close.

“Wow, it’s fantastic down here.” I grin up at him. “Air conditioning is amazing, but there’s something about naturally cool underground air.”

“I know, right? It’s ridiculously cozy when you’re a bit chilly and need heavy blankets, even in the height of summer.”

I love how easily he laughs. I haven’t lived in Old Hemlock Valley very long, but I’ve seen plenty of giant mountain men around town. They’re all polite and friendly enough, but they seem like quiet loners. Damon is the opposite, bright and chatty. I like that.

We watch a stupid summer fun movie, and I feel my body finally relaxing completely as I snuggle into Damon’s side.

“Ah, nice,” he says with a contented sigh. “I can feel you unclenching.”

The last of my shyness dissolves and I reach out to drape my arm across his chest. “It’s so chilly in here, and you’re so warm against me. It’s a magical combination that…I don’t know… It feels like all my muscles are just softening.”

The heel of his hand rubs gently around my lower back. “You’ve had a lot going on, Allie. New town. New job. Your first mountain heat wave and all these air pressure changes.” He hesitates for just a second. “A new relationship.”

He grins at my snorted laugh. “If that is your super smooth way of asking if I want to be serious…” I flutter my eyelashes at him. “The answer is yes.”

His lips brush my forehead. “Good. Might you be open to a master plan of relaxation for the rest of the night?”

“I’m definitely open tolisteningto the plan.”

This time, there’s a hint of something naughty in his eyes when he flashes that gorgeous smile at me.

“I could do something that should relax you entirely. It would probably only take twenty minutes or so. Then I could crank the air conditioning, and you could spend the night in my arms, and hopefully get an incredible night’s sleep.”

His hands move lower, caressing my hip and across my stomach. I already know that whatever he wants to do, it will be incredible.

“That sounds like an excellent plan – except, of course, I don’t know what you mean.”

His answer is to kiss me, slow and dreamy and deep. Our mouths melt together as my hands clutch at him, caressing and examining every thick muscle I can reach. The kiss takes on a life of its own, breathy and unsteady, until I’m pretty sure we’ll be going to the bedroom very soon.

But Damon surprises me by flipping me gently onto my back. His hand slides under my shirt, then he grins. “I like that you don’t wear a bra.”

“I can’t, during heat waves. I mean, you try wrapping an elastic band around your lungs when it’s a million degrees out.”

He laughs. “Fair point.”

His eyes light up at my soft gasp when he pushes up my shirt and tank top, then drags his tongue slowly across my nipple. My back arches, eager for every touch as his strong hands move slowly across my breasts.

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