Free Cold Heat (Seasons of the Heart #1) by LeeAnne White Page B

struggling to find the ringing phone while refusing to open his eyes. Finally making contact with it, he cracked open an eye to check the screen before answering. “Drake, dude, do you know what time it is? It’s dark-the-fuck-o’clock.” He snarled into the phone. “Unless you have some mystery orders of us going wheels up again, call back when its daylight.”
    Drake sighed into his phone. He knew Rafe was a pain in the ass on a good day, but waking him was like poking a very angry lion. “I know what time it is. Would I call you this early if it weren't important? This isn’t something that can really wait until you roll out of bed and become a civilized human, Rafe.”
    Resigned to not going back to sleep, Rafe reached over and clicked on the lamp, closing his eyes against the brightness before speaking. “What is it?”
    Keeping his eyes locked on Kaylie, Drake kept talking to Rafe. “Why don't you tell me what you’ve go so far? Impressions? I’m curious to see if your gut matches mine.”
    “Okay, well, from my initial checks and digging a bit further, yeah, I’d agree with your gut. Something is not checking out with this guy’s story. How does someone open his own business with not much more than nothing, and then suddenly start spending money like he’s a high roller? I’m trying to dig into his financials now, but he has that spread far and wide, giving me a run around.”
    “Thanks, man,” Drake began. “It’s good to know my senses haven't softened since I got out. Now, here’s the next thing I need from you. I suspect its related, but there is the slim chance it’s not. Kaylie has been getting threatening text messages from a blocked number. I need to try and find out where they are coming from.”
    “Drake, I am treading on some thin ice here, making these types of inquiries. You know the rules, and we are skating them. Answer me this Drake, is she worth it?”
    Drake stood there with the phone at his ear while he watched Kaylie. “Yeah, I think she is.” He couldn’t figure out just how she had already wormed her way into his heart, but there was something about her that made her matter to him. He wasn't sure what word he wanted to use to define his feelings, but he was man enough to admit that there were some and he wanted to find out where they would lead him.
    Rafe exhaled heavily, “Alright then, hit me with what you know. If I can’t find it, I’ll call in some favors with the state boys, maybe put some excitement in their day after this storm.”
    Drake finished the call after supplying Rafe with Kaylie’s cell number, the only information he had. He answered Rafe’s questions as he fired them out, consulting Kaylie when he didn’t know an answer.
    She walked over to him when he finished, keeping her eyes on his while taking a deep breath, she then leaned in and kissed Drake. “Thank you,” she whispered gratefully.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 13
     
     
    He reached out to her, taking her hand in his and bringing it up between their bodies, close to his heart while wrapping his other hand around her waist, settling it at the small of her back and pulling her in closer. His eyes never leaving hers as he lowered his head, his lips brushing against hers once, twice, before kissing a trail to the side of her neck, to the spot below her ear and nibbling lightly.
    Kaylie sighed happily, her eyes drifting closed as his mouth started fanning flames that had once lay dormant inside her. Stepping back from him, she let go of his hand and, reaching down, she lifted the shirt she had slept in, up over her head. Drawing confidence from the heated look on Drakes face, she pushed her pants and panties down her legs until they fell to the floor. She could feel her skin heating under Drakes gaze before looking down in embarrassment. Her face was brought back up by the gentle touch of his finger under her chin. Something in his look, she could not pinpoint what,