Free The Heat Is On by Jill Shalvis Page B

Bella’s toothbrush.
    That was all the easy part.
    After he’d laced his boots, he made his way down the stairs. He intended to get on his bike and head straight to work, but the back door to the shop was open and the most delicious scents wafted out, making his stomach rumble.
    He needed more than raspberry filling.
    Bella, her back to him and the door, wearing hip-hugging jeans and a snug red tee, was talking to Willow.
    â€œI can’t commit to the Walker anniversary cake, I don’t know if I’ll be here next month,” she said, and for a minute Jacob forgot to breathe.
    â€œHoney,” Willow said, sounding as if she was having the same problem. “You’re the best pastry chef Santa Rey has ever seen. Please consider staying longer, maybe the whole summer.”
    â€œI don’t know.” She spoke with real regret andsteely determination. “I was up front with you from the beginning.”
    â€œI know, but just think about it, okay? You have the place, you have the beach right here, it’s gorgeous weather, and you have a hot guy in your bed. What more could you want?”
    â€œHow do you know about the hot guy in my bed?”
    â€œWell, because you’ve been wearing a just-got-some smile all morning. And because he’s standing right behind you.” Willow winked at Jacob, and grabbing a tray of fresh pastries, made her way out of the kitchen toward the front of the shop.
    Bella whirled around to face him, surprise on her face.
    â€œDidn’t mean to eavesdrop,” he said. “All the amazing smells coming out of here drew me in.”
    She tugged him out of the doorway. “I’ll feed you.”
    â€œI have to go to work.”
    â€œFood first.” She stared up at him for a moment, her mouth slightly curved.
    â€œWhat?” he asked, having no idea what she could be thinking when she looked at him like that.
    â€œYou look…uncivilized,” she said.
    â€œUncivilized?”
    â€œYeah.” She was still staring at him, eyes warm. “You look sleepy and a little bit rumpled, and a whole lot hungry.” She eyed the bulge of the gun on his hip. “And armed. It’s a good look on you, Jacob.”
    He pulled her in and put his mouth to her ear. “Keep looking at me like that and I’ll show you what I’m hungry for.”
    She bit her lower lip and slid a gaze to the closed pantry, making him both groan and laugh. “Bella.”
    â€œHey, you put the suggestion in my head.” She gave herself a visible shake. “Food. I have fresh croissants that are, if I may say so myself, out of this world.” She grabbed one from a tray on the counter and took a bite, moaning softly as sheer bliss crossed her face.
    Last night, he’d seen that look directed at him.
    Smiling softly, she held out the croissant. Deciding one hunger at a time, he leaned in for a bite, purposely nipping the tip of her finger.
    She sucked in her breath, then let it out slowly while the croissant melted in his mouth, making him moan. She’d been right. Best croissant ever.
    Willow came back into the kitchen. Her dark hair was spiked around her head today, and she’d put in more piercings than he could count this early. “Bella, honey,” she said, taking in Jacob. “He’s wearing raspberry.”
    Bella looked at Jacob’s shirt. Dragging her teeth over her lower lip, she appeared to be fighting a smile. “Uh-oh,” she said. Grabbing Jacob by the shoulder, she nudged him into the tiny hallway between the kitchen and the dining area, and pushed him against the wall.
    â€œWhat—” he started, but she cut him off.
    With her lips.
    He wasn’t often surprised or caught off guard, but she kept doing both without effort. Staggered by the kiss, he slid one hand to the small of her back, the other to the back of her head, holding her to him while she kissed them both stupid, stealing