Free Heat of the Storm by Elle Kennedy Page B

over to his Jeep, he led Hol y across the street. “I need a drink,” he muttered.
    “Me too.” Hol y fanned her face. “Don’t tel Carson I said this, but you’re a damn good kisser, Charleston.” He managed a grin. “Thanks.”
    She frowned. “I wish you’d given me a heads up, though. I don’t kiss wel under pressure.” The grin turned into a laugh. “You did just fine.” They reached the one and only bar in Hunter Ridge.
    A look through the window showed the place to be practical y empty, and Wil held open the door for Hol y then fol owed her inside. He gave a polite smile to the waitress, who ushered them to a booth near the window. After they’d sat and ordered a couple of beers, Wil looked at Hol y and groaned.
    “What would you do, if you were me?” He sighed.
    “Give up?”
    She paused thoughtful y. “I’m not sure it’s possible to give up on love.”
    “If Carson had put up a fight about being with you, would you have tried to force him to change his mind?”
    “Yes, if I knew he loved me.” Hol y gave a sheepish grin. “Actual y, Carson and I were kind of in the same situation. I kept fighting the relationship, didn’t want to get seriously involved, and he kept pushing until I final y gave us a chance.”
    “Are you glad he did?”
    “Yes.” No hesitation in her tone. “If he hadn’t fought for us, we might not be together right now.” Wil ran a hand through his hair. “So you’re saying I should fight for her? Even when she’s determined to pretend she’s not in love with me?” The waitress returned to deliver their drink order, and Hol y lifted the beer bottle to her lips. “But you know it’s a lie, and she’l admit it eventual y. Because she does love you. You should’ve seen her face when the kiss ended. Sheer misery.”
    His stomach clenched. He did not like knowing Mac had been in pain, and that he’d caused it.
    “I didn’t see her trying to stop me,” he final y said, then took a long swig of his beer. His mouth lifted in a bitter smile. “She’s probably gone home by now, hiding in that farmhouse the way she’s done for years.”
    Hol y’s lips curved, her focus on the window behind Wil . “I wouldn’t bet on it,” she murmured.
    He quickly twisted around, his heart leaping when he spotted Mackenzie crossing the narrow street, each step she took heavy with determination. Her lush mouth was set in a firm line, her pale blue eyes flashing with what looked like fury.
    Seconds later, she threw open the door and stormed into the bar.
    “You’re an asshole, Wil Charleston!” Mackenzie flung the insult at him like a live grenade, her cheeks burning with anger.
    He raised one brow. “Am I?”
    Ignoring him, Mac turned her attention to Hol y, who seemed to be fighting back a smile. “You should know that you’re dating an insensitive jerk.” Hol y echoed Wil ’s reply. “Am I?”
    “Did he tel you he slept with me last week?” Mac demanded.
    The bar grew quiet. The three patrons sitting by the long chrome counter immediately swiveled their heads in the direction of the booth. Even the waitress eyed them curiously.
    But Mac was oblivious to the inquisitive stares, and that said a lot—she always cared way too much about what the people in town thought of her. “Wil and I had sex last week,” Mac said, her gaze trained on the brunette. “Did you know that?”
    “No,” Hol y said with a shrug.
    “Doesn’t that bother you?” Mackenzie snapped.
    “Why should it?” Hol y took a casual sip of her beer.
    “If it had meant anything, he’d be with you right now, not me.”
    Wil hid a smile. Hol y was going al out, wasn’t she?
    “It meant something!” Mac burst out. “It meant everything .”
    Wil was stunned to see her eyes fil up with tears.
    “Mackenzie—”
    “No,” she interrupted. “I don’t want to listen to you anymore. I get it, you’re done with me. Fine. I’m done anymore. I get it, you’re done with me. Fine. I’m done