Burning Seduction Read Free

you were new in town. You like guns?”
    That was an odd question. “What do you mean?” She had her concealed weapon’s permit, though she needed to practice more if she had any hope of hitting her target.
    “The department is having a sharp shooting competition next weekend. You want to come watch?”
    She didn’t dare ask if Trent would be there. When they’d been at his cabin, he’d asked her if she knew how to shoot a gun, and from his attitude, he was quite good.
    “Sounds great.” While it wasn’t a date, it might be fun. She had a ton of stuff to do to get ready for her grand opening, but she needed to be involved in the community, too. Referrals were a way of life, though she doubted cops would ever use her service.
    Just as Devon finished giving her the details about the time and location, two other good-looking men entered the kitchen.
    “There you are, Dev.” The taller of the two slapped him on the back then glanced her way. “Keeping the beautiful ones to yourself like always, I see.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Mason Everly. I work with Dev.”
    She smiled. “Nice meeting you.”
    Devon nodded to the other man. “And this is the guy I plan to beat at the competition—Connor Douglas.”
    “In your dreams, man.”
    The three of them laughed. The strong connection between the men made her miss her friends at home. Her mom claimed Charlotte would make new ones, and she hoped she was right. For now, she’d work hard at her new endeavor and have a good time.
    “There you are,” her mom said.
    “Need me to do something?” Please say no.
    “Just wanted to let you know Trent’s here.”
    Tingles raced through her. Reacting so strongly wasn’t good. Now Charlotte wished she hadn’t confided in her mom about how much she liked him.
    Devon slipped a hand around Charlotte’s waist. “Great. Let’s go talk to him.”
    She couldn’t tell from his tone if he liked Trent, or if there was some competition between them.
    With his warm hand on her back, Devon led her into the living room. The moment she saw Trent, her pulse sped up. Stay cool . She was smart enough to know that men enjoyed a woman who was hard to get, so it wouldn’t hurt to have him think she wasn’t all that interested.
    But damn, she wasn’t sure she was that good of an actress.

Chapter Two

    T rent’s gaze shot straight to Charlotte. Holy shit, she looked hotter than when he’d seen her at Christmas, if that was possible. She had on a body hugging sweater dress that accentuated her ample curves, along with booted heels that made her look so sexy. His heart actually pounded. Damn. Her hair was different, too. Instead of keeping it in a ponytail, she’d let it hang past her shoulders, and the blonde waves framed her face, making her even prettier. When she was at his cabin, hiding from the stalker, she hadn’t worn a speck of makeup. Now, she was done up with delicate pink lips and smoldering eyes.
    Not liking how his cock had turned hard at the sight of her, he glanced away. How had he forgotten she might be here? Trent had been dreaming about her nightly, despite knowing he wasn’t the right man for her. Not only was she too young, she was Vic’s daughter, and he was highly protective of her. Vic, of all parents, understood how dangerous it was to be a cop, and he wouldn’t want his only daughter to be with one. Trent, too, understood that logic. His mom had left his dad for that very reason.
    Vic told him Charlotte had moved back to town last week, so of course she’d be at her dad’s birthday party. Perhaps Harmon’s release had killed all of his functioning brain cells.
    Charlotte giggled and Trent returned his gaze to her. As soon as he spotted playboy Devon’s arm around her waist, acid burned in his gut. She shouldn’t even think of messing with that man. He was a heartache waiting to happen.
    Move .
    Trying to act as if nothing had happened between them in the cabin, he sauntered up to her and smiled.