Red Lines Read Free Page A

she was standing in the center of an Architectural Digest spread.
    “Lenny’s probably still awake if you want something.” Evan tossed their bags on the floor.
    “Oh no. I’m good.” Her hand slid along the smooth granite, feeling it’s coolness against her palm.
    “How about a drink?” He opened a closet door, although it wasn’t a closet, it was a beer fridge. Evan had an entire walk-in closet stocked with beer. Cold beer.
    She nodded. Over the summer, she had gotten used to drinking it with him. It might help make things feel grounded again. Because standing here in his opulent kitchen, she felt like the girl from a small island was more like a fish out of water.
    He twisted off the tops and handed her an icy bottle. “Welcome to the ranch.” His bottle tapped against hers.
    She smiled before taking a sip.
    “Mr. Carlson, you’re home.” A man in his mid-thirties appeared in the doorway.
    “Hey, Lenny. Yep, just got in.” Evan crossed the kitchen to shake his hand. “This is Haven. She’s going to be staying at the ranch.”
    “Nice to meet you, Miss Haven.” Lenny grinned.
    “Oh, you can call me Haven. No need for the ‘miss’ part.” She grew up calling people “miss,” but she didn’t feel old enough for someone to use it on her, and especially not someone who was older than her.
    “Certainly, Miss—er, Haven.” Lenny blushed then took a step toward the refrigerator. “Can I fix a late dinner for you two? I’m sure you’re hungry from the trip.” He started rummaging through a crisper drawer.
    Evan tipped his eyebrows in Haven’s direction. “Lenny’s the best. You sure you don’t want something? An omelet? Grilled cheese? A steak?”
    She shook her head and clasped the cold bottle in hand. “Still not hungry.”
    “All right, Lenny, I think we’re good. See you in the morning.”
    “Good night, Mr. Carlson. Good to have you home. We missed you around here. Call if you need anything.” Lenny disappeared through the side door.
    “Does he live here?” Haven hadn’t checked the time, but it had to be close to ten o’clock.
    “Sure does. He has an apartment off the kitchen and has a garden courtyard. He grows fresh herbs. Pretty amazing guy.”
    “Wow, that sounds incredible. He grows all the herbs?”
    Evan stepped closer, placing his bottle on the counter. His arm circled her waist. “What do you say I show you the shower?” He winked.
    Haven giggled. Their last shower had been in a two by two, cramped camper. She could only imagine what this one would be like.
    “Yes, I like the sound of that.” She bit lightly on her lower lip as Evan’s hand slid along the back of her shirt, inching above her waist.
    His lips pressed into hers, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper into her. His tongue swirled, and the little moans that escaped her throat surprised her. Somehow, after a week apart, this still felt new. She felt her hips settle on the counter as Evan lifted her on the smooth surface.
    All the burning she felt for him surfaced in rapid succession as his kisses trailed from her lips down her throat. His mouth toyed at the base of her neck as his fingers began unfastening the buttons holding her shirt together.
    “Ah-hem.” Haven jumped as she heard a woman’s voice at the other end of the kitchen.
    She grasped at the corners of her shirt to button them back together.
    “Excuse me, sir.” The woman’s eyes focused on the floor.
    “Hi, Marta.” Evan took a step away from Haven and straightened his jeans. Haven had to fight off a giggle; he was clearly struggling.
    “I heard you were back and wanted to welcome you home and see if there was anything you needed.” Marta still hadn’t brought her eyes any higher.
    “We were just headed up.” Evan grabbed Haven’s hand and helped her down from the counter. “This is Haven. She’s going to be staying at the ranch.”
    “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Marta nodded and