Slow Burn Read Free Page B

been shopping.”
    He chuckles.  “Yeah, that sounds like my sister.  So, where is she?   I’d like to say hi.”
    “Oh, she’s in…uh…”  I fumble with my words, my cheeks heating slightly.  “She’s in that store…down there.  You can walk with me, if you want.”
    “I want,” he says, and falls into step beside me.  He waits a beat, then turns to me.  “So, you’re looking good.  Are you still seeing that g uy?  Ron, or whatever his name is?”
    I glance at him, surprised that he even knew I was dating someone.  “His name is Johnny, and yeah, we’re still together.  What about you?  Are you breaking hearts left and right at UCLA?”
    He smiles bashfully and shrugs.  “Nah, I’m too busy studying my ass off these days.  It doesn’t leave me much time for socializing.  This is the first time I’ve been home since the Fourth of July.”
    “They’re really cracking the whip, huh?”  I struggle to keep up with his lanky gait.  “So when did you get back into town?  Heather didn’t mention you were at home.”
    Rob notices me scurrying along, and immediately slows down .  “I’m actually staying with friends,” he confesses.  “I was going to drop by tomorrow to see the family.  So, uh, do you guys have any plans tonight?”
    “Yeah, we’re going to a party at my boyfriend’s.  You’re welcome to come,” I offer , tucking a stray lock of hair behind an ear.
    He shoots me a quick glance.  “Nah, I think I’ll pass.  Thanks for the invite, though.  Hey, I wanted to ask you…”
    “This is the store.”  I stop abruptly in front of Kiss n Tell and its neon pink display window full of bras and panties.
    Rob blinks twice, then his face darkens.  “ Heather’s shopping for lingerie?” he mutters, and strides right in.
    Yeah, Rob doesn’t know Heather prefers girls over guys, so his big brother instinct is in high gear.  I’m sure he thinks his little sister is buying sexy underwear for some guy he is duty bound to crush.  I have to warn her.
    Heather sees me before she sees him.  Her arms full of lacy lingerie, she starts over to me.  “Jule, how do you feel about crotchless panties?” she jokes, laughing.  “Johnny would be so shocked if you…”
    She trails off as her gaze passes over, then locks on Rob standing behind me.  “Rob!” she shouts happily, bounding forward to give him a hug, mindless of all the lingerie she’s carrying.
    Heather is completely oblivious to Rob’s discomfort.  How nice straitlaced Rob ended up related to someone as free and uninhibited as Heather is a genetic mystery.
    Heather prattles on and on while Rob picks thongs off of his shirt.  He turns slightly, and I notice a hot pink pair clinging to his back.  I wonder if I should tell him?
    “ Hey, Jule, go try this on,” Heather says suddenly, tossing a sheer black teddy at me.  Then she turns back to Rob.  “Since you’re here, you can give us a guy’s perspective.  Juliet plans on losing her V card tonight, so—”
    “ Heather!” I growl through compressed lips.  “Shut up !”  I force a smile to my lips when I look at her brother.  “She’s kidding, Rob.  I don’t even—who wears stuff like this, anyway?”  I make a noise like a deflating balloon, and toss the teddy over my shoulder.
    “I do,” Heather says, finally taking the hint.  “This is all for me.  In fact, I’m going to go pay for it now.  Hey, Jule, I can borrow some money, right?”
    Gritting my teeth, I dig into my purse for my debit card.  “Of course.”
    Rob frowns disapprovingly down at her.  “And why do you need to wear this crap, Heather?”
    Heather waves her hand around dismissively.  “Oh, don’t worry.  I don’t plan on any guy ever seeing me in it,” she says airily.  “Just knowing I have it on makes me feel pretty, you know?”
    “No,” he says, and shudders profoundly.
    Heather goes to pay for the lacy garments, and Rob asks me if we’d like to