Sweet Heat Rising (Thoroughbred Men Series) Read Free Page A

they prepared the bakery for opening.  A short while later, the first set of headlights pulled in front of the shop.  The bright lights reflected off the glass case back into the kitchen. “Almost ready?” Sarah asked, as Tyler fished out another batch of the crispy batter from the fryer.
    Tyler dunked the hot confections into the icing bath, and pulled them up to drain off the excess. He dropped several more into the glistening deep fryer and said over his shoulder, “Yep! I am good! I am on the last batch now.”
    Sarah said with a grin, “Okay, let’s do this” and flipped on the neon open sign in the window. She turned the door lock to the open position. She got a thrill each time she opened the shop for business, and that had not changed over the years. It still amazed her that she was able to make it on her own and thrive.
     
     
     
     
    3
     
    “Ouch! Damn fire ants!”  she yelped, as Sarah swatted at another on her leg, while she attempted to plant a few flowers in the flowerbed out front of her condo. It was already muggy outside. Headphones on, she listened to pop music loudly and continued to attack the ground with the trowel. She put each bulb in a hole, as lined up as possible in the small bed. She stood, pushed her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose and ran the back of her arm across her forehead. As she hummed along with the beat of the music, she noticed the mail was already running and she walked two doors down to get it from the communal mail box stand with her key.
    Sarah glanced down the street and saw a small gathering of joggers coming down the road. She leisurely continued to flip through her mail as she walked back to her yard. Sarah felt a tap on her shoulder, as she looked over a mailer regarding the bakery and jumped.
    She glanced up from the paperwork… and swung around wildly as a shadow stood over her. She almost screamed until she realized it was not who she thought it was. In that blinding moment, she could feel Josh’s hands on her throat again. He still terrified her. She was not sure she would ever be over the apprehension he caused in her.
    Matt was surprised at the defensive mode the pretty brunette seemed to be in. He had simply thought to say hello and maybe make a new acquaintance in town. “Hey, there....Whoa...” he smiled broadly. “I had tried to tell you hello and that you have a smudge on your forehead. I guess you did not hear me? I didn't mean to scare you. I’m Matt. Matt Geary,” he introduced.
    Sarah yanked out one earbud and stuck out her hand sheepishly. She felt embarrassed about being so nervous. “I’m Sarah - and sorry. I didn't hear you and you scared me.” She could not help but ogle the handsome, sweaty, tanned stranger that was grinning at her.
    Matt smiled at her introduction. He could understand her being caught unawares. “Sorry again about that - I called out and thought I would just say hi, catch my breath and maybe see you soon, if you are on this route we take on Sundays.” Matt knew it was forward, but reached up and started to brush his thumb across her forehead. Matt grinned from ear to ear at the pink heat that rose in her cheeks. “It was nice to meet you, Sarah, see you next week on my run?” and without an answer he started to jog off to catch up with the guys who jogged in place at the stop sign down the block. They made cat calls at him as he grew closer.
    Sarah stood there, dumbfounded for a moment on the sidewalk and looked after the group down the street. She saw him wave and returned the wave, much to her surprise. She was a very open people person and easily chatted with everyone at the bakery (except Tyler) but this man had certainly made her tongue tied. She had not been speechless in forever, and it was an odd sensation. One that made her feel almost giddy deep down inside.
    His blue eyes were gorgeous and crinkled slightly at the edges when he grinned at her. When he smiled, his whole face lit up and she