Wrapped in Flame Read Free

his-and-her rooms. Berto cornered him on that one day.”
    Erica could hear Berto. “What the fuck’s up with that, man?”
    “Apparently I snore,” she said. “Or his hours make it easier for him to sleep without me dashing all over the place. Or I twist the covers. Or my body’s too hot.” She lifted her palms. “It was fine with me because at that point the last thing I wanted was him anywhere near me.”
    “Keith is an ass. Always was, always will be. I’m glad it’s finally over.”
    Mike closed that last bit of distance between them. Her hands came to rest on his hard chest while he slipped one hand around her waist. Long, thick fingers coiled around her neck, cradling it, drawing her closer.
    “I know you had to live it, but we had to watch it. You have no idea how frustrating it was for us to not interfere. It’s been hell watching you—”
    He pressed his lips together, rolling them, moistening them, tempting her with a taste. What would he do if she stretched up on her toes and kissed him? There’d never been a hint her attraction to him was reciprocated. He’d never crossed a line, never made a pass, never treated her any differently than anyone else. But then, she’d been “taken.” Now she wasn’t.
    Mike cupped her head and drew it to his shoulder. “Someone needs a hug.”
    “You or me?” She slipped her arms around his neck.
    “Both of us?”
    Mike did like his hugs. He was always tossing them around. Granted, he never gave hugs this close, but this circumstance was unique. Erica was glad she hadn’t tried to sneak a kiss. She felt silly even thinking he’d want her. A man this yummy had his pick of the crop. Women were always trying to cozy up to him. Beautiful women. She’d envied every one of them when he’d cast that dazzling smile in their direction. A smile that promised a night they’d never forget. She’d wanted to draw them aside afterward for a blow-by-blow account. Nothing like living vicariously. But Mike was careful to keep his relationships clear from the crew. Few were allowed within the “family,” as they were called. He never spoke of them either. “Real men don’t need to kiss and tell.” How many times had she heard him say that? And there was no doubt Mike Barnard was a real man.
    One hand slipped to her lower back. There was the barest hint of pressure there, trying to pull her even closer than they already were. She felt the hardness between them. Hot and unmistakable.
    She swallowed, her throat gone dry. Make a move or ignore it? A mistake now risked ruining their friendship. Erica couldn’t bear that. She left control in his hands, let him make the next move.
    So why didn’t he make it? Her hopes fell. Because the erection pulsing between them meant nothing. Guys got hard-ons all the time for all manner of reasons. This was no different. She didn’t expect that knowledge to hurt as badly as it did.
    “Let’s face it, Erica. I didn’t marry you for your looks.”
    That knife thrust to the heart again, similar to words her own family had uttered time and again. Too tall, too big, too opinionated, too…everything that could possibly be wrong with a person. And she had the nerve to think a man like Mike would want her? She was buddy material, not mating material. How many men had told her that since college?
    Tears welled up. She tried her best to fight them. The hurt was too much. Words slashed at her heart. The fantasy she’d carried with her crumbled to ashes around it.
    “Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay.” Mike rubbed his big hands over her back. “I’ve got you.”
    How she wished that were true.

Chapter Two
    Mike thought hell was wanting Erica and knowing she belonged to another man. That hell was knowing the other man was a worthless son of a bitch who didn’t deserve her. No, this was hell. Knowing she was finally free, being so hard he thought his dick would burst, wanting nothing more than to drag her naked body next to his and fuck her