Wicked Heat Read Free

make a run for it. All these thoughts of flirting and buzzing were
     a frivolous waste of time, considering she wouldn’t see the hottie again after they
     had a drink together.
    The sound of soft female laughter farther along the bar drew her attention, as she
     watched a sultry brunette place her hand on a guy’s thigh, lean in closer, and whisper
     something in his ear. Not surprisingly, the guy slid an arm around her waist, hugged
     her close, and planted a hot, openmouthed kiss on her crimson-glossed lips.
    A stab of jealousy speared Allegra as she turned away. She’d love to be that confident
     in her sexuality, that empowered to make a move and not analyze it to death.
    “I’m officially nuts,” she muttered under her breath, absentmindedly stirring her
     G&T with a straw. Where did she think this could go? Fifteen minutes of flirtation
     before they went their separate ways? Yep, definitely nuts.
    “Hope you’re practicing to whisper sweet nothings in my ear,” he said, his warm breath
     fanning the tender skin beneath her earlobe and sending an unexpected shiver of longing
     through her.
    Disconcerted by her physical reaction to him, especially since didn’t know his name
     yet, she tilted her chin. “I don’t whisper in the ears of strangers,” she said, her
     abruptness making him chuckle.
    “Is that your subtle way of asking my name?” He held out his hand. “Jett Halcott.
     Sydney-sider and proud of it.”
    “Allegra Wilks.” She placed her hand in his and as his warm fingers curled over hers,
     another zing of electricity zapped her in places that were in serious need of zapping.
    “I know.” He held her hand a fraction too long—not that she was complaining.
    “Know what?”
    “Your name.” He released her hand. “Saw it on your case.”
    “I’m surprised you didn’t use it to your advantage.”
    “Didn’t need to.” He picked up his beer off the bar and raised it in her direction.
     “You’re here, aren’t you?”
    She chuckled, unable to resist his teasing. There was something infinitely attractive
     about sharing a drink with a transient stranger, something exciting with a hint of
     daring. Far removed from her usual life.
    “You should do that more often,” he said, reaching out to trace her bottom lip with
     his fingertip. “You’re beautiful, but when you smile? Wow.”
    Uncomfortable with his overt compliments, Allegra sat there and let a guy she’d just
     met touch her lips with a slow, sensual caress. His fingertip traced her bottom lip
     in a butterfly-soft sweep that left her breathless.
    Their eyes locked as he lowered his hand, and what she saw made her wish she could
     ditch Palm Bay and travel to Australia.
    Blatant lust. Strong. Sexy. Seductive. His eyes deepened to an incredible green that
     matched a favorite jade pendant she wore often. He wanted her, and in this crazy moment,
     the feeling was entirely mutual.
    He raised his beer to his lips and took a long swig, his heat-filled stare never leaving
     hers.
    Damn, she had no idea what to do in this situation. Make a joke to diffuse the tension?
     Acknowledge it? Flirt?
    She hated feeling out of control, had instigated steps her entire life to avoid it.
     Yet in a loaded thirty seconds, Jett had made her damp with just one look and made
     her flounder.
    “Is the blatant charm an Aussie thing or is it just you?”
    Thankfully, he blinked, and broke the scorching stare that made her want to grab a
     napkin off the bar and fan herself. “It’s me.” He leaned in close. “Time you fessed
     up.”
    Yikes. Was her reaction to him that easy to read?
    “To what?”
    His lips almost brushed her ear. “You’re battling an incredible urge to drag me into
     the nearest janitor’s closet and ravish me.”
    She laughed at his outrageousness. “Sorry. I don’t do sex in cleaning closets. Too
     many hazardous chemicals.”
    “Yeah, those pheromones can be killer.”
    She loved his quick wit and for the second