Free Melting Into You (Due South Book 2) by Tracey Alvarez Page A

he’d been about to return to the kitchen. Bloody hell! He eased away from the table and returned the chair to its spot.
    “Well, everyone here will miss you after the hol idays are over.” He tried to speak in the same calm tone he used with an unreasonable customer.
    She snorted air out her nose, which he ignored, b ecause, hell…He had work to do that didn’t involve figuring out why his eight-year-old kid was scared of him.
    “Go brush your teeth and stuff. We’ll walk to K ezia’s and see if she can watch you until Shaye finishes her shift.”
    Ben walked into the kitchen and stared out the wi ndow until the chair scraped and soft footsteps padded away.
    Fifteen minutes later, Kezia opened her front door. She didn’t seem surprised to see them.
    “Hey. Ah…sorry to just turn up.” Ben shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and tried not to look desperate—which he was, totally.
    Piper had already yelled at him on the phone for keeping their clients waiting. Dammit, he couldn’t risk losing business by looking unprofessional and unreli able.
    “You’re awake early.” Kezia’s dark-brown gaze skimmed over him before settling on Jade, who stood a pace in front.
    “Hi, Kezia.”
    Oh, now she graced the world with a cheery smile.
    “Listen, Kez—I’m in a jam.”
    “It’s fine.” Kezia held out her hand to Jade. “Go on in. Zoe’s just finishing breakfast, and then I thought we’d make hot cross buns.”
    “Yum—I love hot cross buns!” Jade darted inside, the ears of her stuffed dog flapping.
    Kezia half turned to watch her go, her dark curls spilling over the shoulders of her red blouse. The silky material stopped just short of the curve of her hips, pointing like an arrow to her shapely little ass. An ass that, no matter how many cool showers he endured, held a reoccurring role in his dreams. The fiery color suited her dark hair and olive skin. If he touched her now, would she burn as hot?
    Really. Bad. Idea.
    He dug his hands deeper into his pockets. “Holly got sick, and I tried to ring, but—”
    “It’s fine. Jade keeps Zoe entertained too, so it’s win-win.”
    “Thanks, I owe you one.”
    “I guess you do.” She paused. “There’s something you could do for me.”
    Though he needed her help, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease. “Does it involve a leather riding crop and you dressed only in stilettos?”
    Her serious expression dissolved. “In your dreams, big guy.”
    He waited for the tell-tale blush to warm her cheeks. Nothing. She smiled at him with the same patronizing smile she gave every other man who came on to her—and he’d seen a few crash and burn since Kezia arrived in Oban.
    Huh. She thought they could return to polite acquaintances. After that kiss? The one that kept him awake at night?
    Not gonna happen. Game on.
    He imagined everything he wanted to do to her, with her, before he spoke. Hoped the echo of those thoughts would filter through his to ne. “So…what can I do for you?”
    A sudden stiffening of her spine shouted, “Mes sage received, loud and clear.”
    She met his gaze, serene and cool as a marble statue. “I want Jade to go the Easter gala on Monday. Zoe’s told Jade all about it.”
    Not the request he’d hoped for. “I’ve already arranged for her to go. Mum and Piper are taking her.”
    “I think you should take her. It’d be good for her to see you loosen up a little.”
    “I’m loose.” He shrugged to demonstrate his laid-back-ness.
    Kezia rolled her eyes. “Not with Jade, you aren’t. You edge around her like you’ve got that riding crop stuck up your butt.”
    Goddamn—sparring with this woman was the best fun he’d had in months. “Why Kezia, I thought you were a good Catholic girl…yet you’re thinking about my butt.”
    That shocked a full-out belly laugh from her. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been a good Catholic girl, and don’t change the subject—you and Jade need to relax and have