Free Their Summer Heat by Kitty DuCane Page B

make a grown man slit his own throat. “I’ll pay you back.” If she’d said it once, she’d said it a hundred times. He had to lock his back teeth together to keep his mouth closed.
    She hadn’t protested too much about them replacing her laptop, but only because she had to have it for school. A necessity. But nice clothes? Not.
    The iPhone was another item not needed, according to her, because she’d survived four years in New York without one. He and Logan couldn’t imagine what would happen if she were hurt and needed to call 9-1-1.
    The Apple store on Fifth Avenue had been busting at the seams, so Logan had called Lord and Taylor to arrange for the employees to stay after hours. The brothers had generously compensated the associates in women’s clothing, shoes, and intimates for staying past closing. Logan agreed with Max that shopping without other patrons was an excellent experience—no lines and things went a lot faster.
    Of course, she wouldn’t do a lingerie fashion show, but he and his brother had managed to sneak a few sexy things into the pile while she was in the dressing room. She’d picked plain, white cotton panties—they would never do. He wanted nothing but silk on her beautiful skin. Hell, he and his brother had more money than anyone deserved, and buying her stuff would be their new hobby.
    They were staying at Max’s place because he had a normal penthouse. Logan’s employees might think it a little weird if they saw Summer going up to his place. Not that he and his brother gave a shit, but she would buckle under such scrutinizing pressure.
    Tomorrow, Max would make some calls and get a security detail in place. He and Max didn’t understand Summer’s connection to the murders, but they weren’t taking any chances. It disturbed Logan that they actually knew the women sexually. The murders were a conundrum. The facts were too weird to be coincidental. Everything was connected—Logan, his brother, Summer, and women he and Max had dated.
    The limo pulled to the curb outside Logan’s building, and they all got out. Summer stifled a yawn.
    “Sorry. Sunday’s usually my day to study and catch up on sleep.” When they were out of earshot of the driver, she whispered, “And I didn’t get much shut-eye last night.”
    * * * * *
    Max wasn’t planning on her getting any tonight, but he recognized her slumped shoulders and not-so-spunky walk.
    The door attendant helped with the packages. “Jim, this is Miss Heat. She will be staying with me. Please make sure she has anything she needs.”
    “Certainly, Mr. Preston.” Jim touched the brim of his hat and then followed them upstairs.
    When the elevator doors opened, Max ushered her into the foyer and down the hallway. “Why don’t you take a hot shower, and I’ll make us some sandwiches.”
    “Oh, that sounds lovely.”
    He showed her the bathroom. “When you get out, I’ll have what I want you to wear on the bed.” His plan was to take her mind off the mess.
    She arched a lovely brow and smiled, before closing the door. It was all he could do not to follow her.
    When Max got back to the kitchen, his brother handed him a beer and he downed half of it.
    “Who knew shopping could be so fun,” said Logan.
    “I agree,” said Max. “I like buying her things, and I’ve got a couple of ideas.”
    “So do I. I’ll have some stuff sent here. Something sexy.”
    “That’s good. I think I’ll order her some eveningwear. We’ve got the Wounded Warriors gala next week and the Help for the Homeless the week after. I want to show her off, let her experience being the belle of the ball.”
    “And she needs some jewelry. Emeralds to match her eyes,” said Logan.
    “Good. She would look lovely in a green gown. And a blue gown with matching sapphire gems.”
    “My dick’s getting hard just thinking about her,” said Logan.
    Max understood. It would be fun to dress her in jewels and naughty nothings and exclusive gowns. “I hate galas,