Melting point, Rakhibul hasan CPSI [best time to read books txt] 📗

Melting Point

 

 

 

 

 

Melting Point

By

Rakhibul hasan

 

Smashwords Edition

Published by Rakhibul hasan

Originally published in 2008

 

New version, Copyright © 2015 by Rakhibul hasan

Cover by Vidette McDowall

 

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at shelli@shellistevens.com.

All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination. www.clippingpathserviceindia.com.

 

Melting Point

 

“You’re sure the cut doesn’t make me look too frumpy?”

Heather squeezed her fingers around the styling brush, and kept an encouraging smile pasted on her face. The salon was almost empty. Just her, the customer, and Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. Again.

“You look fantastic, Georgiana.” Heather touched the edges of the older woman’s bob. The same haircut she asked for every three months.

“Well.” The older woman tilted her head left and then right. She gave a slow nod and smiled. “Yes. Yes I suppose it does. Henry will be so pleased.”

“Of course he will.” Heather unfastened the black apron from around her client’s neck and lowered her chair so the petite woman could stand up. “Alright, let’s get you on your way to your holiday party.”

And maybe she could run home quickly before attempting to get to her cousin’s party as well.

A half hour later she fumbled to lock up her shop, clutching her long faux fur jacket around her festive red halter dress. God, it was colder than a witch’s tit out here.

 

She turned from her shop and shivered, pulling the Santa hat tighter around her ears. Okay, it wasn’t a wool cap or something equally warm, but it would have to do.

 

Glancing down at the traffic flow of First Avenue, she was surprised at how light it was. Her brows drew together as she watched for a cab to take her home. It was the Saturday before Christmas, you’d think everyone and their mom would be out and about.

 

No cab yet. Where the hell was one when you needed it?

Headlights cut across two lanes, blinding her, before the car came to a stop next to the curb. She stared at sleek black Lincoln Town Car and then looked to her left and right. Nope. No one else waiting to hop in the car.

The driver’s side door swung open a second later and a man unfurled himself slowly. She lifted her gaze to see his face—which felt a bit awkward since it was usually the

 

other way around. She was a tall gal.

She studied him. He was certainly attractive enough. Early thirties maybe. Black hair, blue eyes and a chiseled face that gave him a great early Hollywood vibe.

 

A frisson of familiarity darted through her as she met his considering gaze. Unsettled by the intensity there, she jerked her attention back down his body, wondering how she could possibly know him.

He wore an expensive looking black suit, with a crisp black shirt under it. Drove an expensive car. It was doubtful they ran in the same circles. Obviously the man had money.

“Can I offer you a ride?” he called out, not even bothering to come around to the other side of the car.

 

Seriously?

 

She folded her arms across her chest. “Do you have any candy?” His eyebrows shot up in dismay. “Do I have any—”

 

“I mean, if I’m going to get in the car with a stranger you should at least be offering me candy.”

Amusement flickered across his face before his gaze moved over her.

A pretty damn thorough inspection, actually. Beneath her coat her nipples tightened at his perusal and she shifted her stance, slightly annoyed by how easy she was to get hot and bothered by a guy she didn’t even know.

“But we’re not strangers,” he said and shut his door, finally walking around to the sidewalk. “Or don’t you remember, Heather?”

 

Oh shit. She clutched the fury edge of her coat tight around her and narrowed her eyes. Please don’t let him be some suppressed memory from a party back in my college days.

 

Something wet hit the tip of her nose and she glanced toward the streetlight to see if it was raining. Instead of rain she saw soft white flakes in the light. Her lips parted in surprise. Snow? Really? Hell, she hadn’t seen this coming.

The man gave a soft laugh and she turned back to face him. He stood directly in front of her now.

“We met at a barbeque a few months ago.”

A barbeque? Another flake hit her cheek. Barbeques were summer time events. Warm weather and hot dogs. Jeez, that seemed a long time ago. It was freezing. Almost Christmas. And apparently snowing. In Seattle. Which was rare.

But… he looked familiar. And the way her insides were doing weird flips, she suspected when they’d met there’d been some kind of chemistry. Something.

“The name is Anthony, but I go by Tony. You were dating my co-worker.”

Dating his… oh hell no. This man was a co-worker of Barry? It all slid into place. The barbeque she’d attended with her then boyfriend back during the summer. Before she’d dumped him a week later. Kind of hard not to do when she’d discovered he was boinking her nineteen-year-old receptionist.

She remembered Tony watching her that day, his gaze predatory. More than interested. In fact, when someone had changed the music to a Bob Marley song, they’d both ended up on the dance patio together. Not quite touching, but making eye contact several times, and dancing just a little too close maybe.

She’d been acutely aware of him. Attracted to him. She’d been a little bummed, actually, that she was in a relationship at the time.

“So you do remember me.” He grinned, exposing a line of perfect white teeth. “Hop in, I’ll give you a ride.”

No way. No matter what kind of attraction she’d felt for him. The bottom line was any friend of Barry’s could only be trouble.

“I’ll walk, thanks.” Heather turned on her heel and began walking in the opposite direction.

 

Tony stared after her, unable to focus on anything besides the curves of her tall body. Though he did note the blonde hair that fell from a fluffy Santa hat.

His cock stirred against his suit pants. She was almost sexier now than when he’d seen her back at the barbeque. When she’d been leaning over the railing, the back of her cherry patterned dress rising high over her bare thighs. He’d imagined lifting it over her ass and taking her from behind. God, he’d wanted her. Then and now.

 

He’d never expected to see her again—had hoped like hell he would. And now here she was… walking away.

“Wait,” he yelled and hurried after her.

Snow brushed against his face, coming down heavier. He caught her before she crossed the street to the next block, grabbing her elbow and swinging her around. She arched an eyebrow.

“It’s snowing, you can’t walk.” “It’ll stop.”

“It’s supposed to get worse, don’t you watch the news? Six inches by midnight.” “No, I hate the news. It’s too depressing.” Her gaze dropped to the crotch of his pants.

 

“And only six inches? I’m surprised.”

He hardened instantly at her flirty response and the air hissed out from between his teeth. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s much more than six inches. But you won’t know until you try it.”

Her lips quirked with amusement and her eyes… there was definitely a flicker of heat in them. Interest.

“I’ll drive you anywhere you want to go,” he bargained, sliding his hand down her elbow to catch her hand.

“Anywhere?” She stepped closer.

A snowflake landed on her brow and he resisted the urge to melt it with his lips. “Anywhere.”

“You know, you could totally be a serial killer.” He laughed, not surprised she’d thrown that at him. More so that it had taken her so long to bring it up.

 

“I could be. And I think most women would probably say it’s a bad decision to get in the car with a guy they barely know.”

“Yeah. So are you trying to talk me into getting in the car with you? Or out of it?” “Definitely into it.”

“Well then stop talking. Fortunately for you, I’m well known for making bad decisions.” She folded her arms across her chest. “But I’m just going to say that if you’re the type to turn my ribcage into a wind chime at your house, I will forever haunt your ass.”

He laughed now, amused by her humor. “Duly noted.” “So… do you have any plans tonight?”

“Not at all.”

She walked around to the back of his car and pulled out her phone.

When it was clear she was texting someone, he asked, “What are you doing?” “Sending my cousin your name, car description and license plate. You know, just in

 

case something happens to me.” “Smart girl.”

“Not really,” she muttered. “We already covered this.”

She hit send and then popped her phone back in her purse. “Okay. And you said a ride anywhere I want. I’m holding you to it.”

A prickle of suspicion hit him at her suddenly smug look. He didn’t have time to analyze it though as she walked past him toward the passenger side

He just beat her to it, opening her door and letting her climb in. For a moment her

 

retro-looking coat parted and one bare leg slid free.

His chest tightened and he bit back a groan. God. It didn’t matter where she wanted him to drive her. She could say New York and he’d agree.

Tony closed the door and jogged around to the driver’s side, settling in. She cast him a skeptical look. “You’re listening to Christmas music?”

 

He grinned wide and reached for the volume, turning it up. “Love the stuff.”

Pulling the car away from the curb, he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the driving beat of the Christmas Sarajevo by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It seemed a good fit as the snow started to come down heavier, battering his windshield.

 

“Are you for real?” She shook her head. “Pinch me and find out.”

“Hmm. You’d like that too much.”

Sitting back in her seat, she buckled her seatbelt. “Nice suit. Are you sure you weren’t heading out to a party?”

“Not at all. Just got off work.”

“On a Saturday? Three days before Christmas?” “Yeah.”

“So if you’re Barry’s co-worker, you must be a lawyer too? Same firm?” “Guilty as charged.”

“Hmm. And apparently guilty of being a workaholic.”

He laughed softly, because she’d nailed it. “So where am I taking you?”

 

And how do I make sure you’ll give me your number afterward?

 

She didn’t answer for a moment and then cleared her throat, softly saying something that sounded like, “Peppertown.”

“Say that again?” He grinned and cast her a sideways glance. “I thought you said Peppertown for a moment there.”

“I did. My cousin Christy lives over there. She’s having a huge holiday party tonight. She makes this eggnog from scratch and it’s good. Like real good. You’re going to love it. I think it has rum in the recipe.”

Tony blinked, his mouth falling open. Fucking Peppertown? She was serious? “That’s like… three hours away.”

“I know.” Heather sighed and glanced at her watch. “Shit, we’re going to be late. The party starts at eight. You wanna floor it?”

“No,” he sputtered and undid the top button on his shirt, casting her an incredulous look. “I don’t want to floor it. I don’t even want to—”

“Drive me over the mountains?” She batted her eyelashes. “You promised me anywhere.”

“Yeah, well I sure didn’t think you’d pick a city over a freaking mountain pass.” “Yeah, well, you’re saving me gas money. Thanks, Tony.” She laughed and placed

 

her hand on his leg briefly