Free The Hotter You Burn by Gena Showalter Page A

been told repeatedly not to darken—”
    â€œMs. Cavanaugh,” Beck said, reading the name tag pinned to the collar of her dress. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.” He claimed her hand, kissed her knuckles. “Had I known a woman such as yourself guarded these precious tomes, I would have come much sooner.”
    â€œYes. Well.” She cleared her throat and returned her attention to Harlow. “You know you’re not supposed to—”
    â€œI hope you don’t mind our intrusion, but Harlow hoped to take a moment of your valuable time and sincerely apologize for any and all trouble she once caused you,” he interjected smoothly. “As a woman who values knowledge, I know you’ll be interested in hearing what she has to say.”
    Different emotions played over the older woman’s features, but in the end she nodded stiffly. “Very well. Speak.”
    Harlow did just that. “I am so, so sorry for organizing a Students Against Stupid Books protest ten years ago. Someone caught me reading a romance novel, and I was embarrassed. The protest was my way of earning cool points, but I felt like I needed to shower on the inside the entire time, especially while the books were burning. Books are awesome. Go books!”
    Students Against Stupid Books? Dude.
    â€œYes, well. Time will prove all truths,” Ms. Cavanaugh said, the starch staying with her.
    â€œThat it will.” Beck gave her knuckles another kiss. “Harlow, honey, why don’t you tell Ms. Cavanaugh about the books you’d like to read and treasure.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary.” Ms. Cavanaugh placed her glasses on the bridge of her nose and stared up at him. “As Harlow is aware, she is forever banned from having a library card. I cannot change our policies. No card, no books.”
    â€œI understand,” Beck said with an indulgent smile, “which is why we’ll put the books on
my
card. After I fill out the proper paperwork, of course.”
    Several beats of silence passed before the librarian gave another stiff nod. “I hope you know what you’re doing, young man.”
    As she walked away, Harlow peered up at him, wide-eyed with awe. “Beck,” she whispered, and threw her arms around him, hugging him.
    He didn’t hug her back, not at first. The softness of her breasts pressed against his chest, and an instant blast of heat suffused him, his entire body practically going up in flames.
    â€œThank you. You’re the best. Thank you,” she repeated.
    Slowly he wound his arms around her and held on tight, probably too tight, but she didn’t seem to mind. “Anytime, sweetheart.” The hoarseness of his tone embarrassed him. When he began to tremble like a puss, he knew he had to end the contact. He set her away with a swift, almost jarring movement and cleared his throat.
    A bell tinkled over the door, saving him from having to come up with an excuse for his behavior, and a feminine voice suddenly called out, “Beck! You’re really here.” An attractive brunette strolled toward him, grinning. “I noticed your car out back and came in to say hi.”
    How did he know her?
    Well, one guess. “Hey, pretty.” He winked, reassured as he sank back into an old habit.
    Harlow snorted. “While we’re here, you might want to check out a few books on the consequences of he-sluttery.”
    â€œYou mean extreme fun and temporary pleasure?”
    Her mouth curled with distaste. “When it comes to matters of the heart, the only thing you should want to be temporary is an STD.”
    Deep down, he’d known she would balk at anything fleeting. Now he had to bite the inside of his cheek to combat a blistering surge of something akin to disappointment.
    The brunette reached him, scowling at Harlow before schooling her features and raking her nails down his tie. “A few weeks ago you