Free SuddenHeat by Denise A. Agnew Page A

and
one hundred percent certain last night would be the only time they’d
make love. A mind-blowing lovemaking session but nonetheless one time brought
on by a need to affirm life.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    “Nothing I was just thinking…” Oh holy hell. How did she say
this? “You’re going to be busy with your brothers and helping out with the
wedding too. Maybe right here and now is all we have. Then you’re leaving on
Sunday.”
    He nodded, and when his arms slipped from around her she saw
a shadow come down over his rugged features.
    “You’re right. Why don’t I get out of your hair right now so
you can start your day. I’ll call you later after find out what my brothers are
doing and you’ll know by that time what’s happening with Danelle. Maybe we can
meet up tonight.”
    She winced. “We’re doing an inventory thing at the library
tonight and who knows how late that’ll go. I’d have to be at work right now if
I didn’t have to be there tonight.”
    He stood and started for the door. “I may be a marine but
I’m nothing if not flexible. By the way, your cell phone has been making some
interesting noises this morning. My guess is that you’re getting some text
messages.”
    “Probably.”
    His smile was gentle but she saw something that almost
looked a hardness in his eyes. “I’ll take off for now and talk to you later.”
    He left and gently closed the bedroom door. She sat in the bed,
frozen for a moment as she heard him leave the apartment. Only then did she get
out of the bed and notice that he’d picked up the clothes she’d dropped on the
floor last night and left them on a chair. She slipped into a terry robe and
padded into the kitchen to find coffee. As she stood in the center of the
kitchen and sipped coffee trying to get her brain to come online, several
things occurred to her in a rush.
    Matt Frasier was the most extraordinary man she’d ever met.
The sexiest man she’d ever encountered. She already admired him more than any
guy she’d dated, and she wasn’t even dating him in the strictest sense of the
word. A pang struck her when she thought about him leaving Sunday and her not
seeing him for a long, long time. He’d rushed out of here pretty fast once she
awakened, and it made her wonder why he’d stayed so long this morning. He could
have simply rushed out of here at first light. Obviously he did want to see her
again and to make love. She smiled, happy with that thought if not with
anything else.
    Her cell phone chirped from her purse that was lying on the
couch, and she put her coffee cup on the kitchen counter. She rushed to answer
the cell. Danelle’s name showed on the display.
    She answered with the cheeriest voice she could muster. “Hey
Danelle.”
    “Well, well, sleepyhead, what’s up?” Danelle said, her voice
sounding a bit artificial. “You okay?”
    “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
    “You didn’t answer my text this morning. I was a bit
worried.”
    “Sorry about that. I just got up.”
    “Uh-huh.” Danelle’s voice was full of significant
intonation.
    “What do you mean uh-huh?”
    “I got the impression you might be up late. Kathleen and
Lena said they saw you leave with Matt.”
    Melanie knew exactly what her friend insinuated. “Great. I
thought I could keep that secret.”
    “How and why would you want to? Did you…uh…connect last
night?”
    “None of your beeswax.”
    “You did!” Danelle sounded way too delighted. “I knew you
guys had some sparks flying at the party last weekend. I’m just sorry the
shoot-up at the mall was what it took to get you together.”
    Melanie wandered back to the kitchen counter and picked up
her mug. “We’re not together. A little harmless sex.”
    “Watch out, girl. Matt’s an honorable guy. But I wouldn’t
want you to get hurt.”
    “I know, I know. He’s leaving on Sunday. Don’t worry, I’m
not getting involved. It was just a tension release.”
    “Right.” Danelle’s