Heather Killough-Walden - The Heat (The Big Bad Wolf Series)

The Heat (A Big Bad Wolf romance) by Heather Killough-Walden

The Heat 2009

By Heather Killough-Walden

The Heat

By Heather

Killough-Walden

Thank you

To my husband, for his unending support

and to Eroticarepublic, for helping me get my start.

Prologue

Open your legs.

She pulled against the handcuffs that secured her to the headboard railing, testing them. She was nervous now. A change had come over him, it seemed. She wondered whether she should have told someone where she was going

I said spread your legs, he repeated, a hard edge to his tone.

She stared up at him, trying to figure him out. Its part of his game , she told herself. Just let him get his jollies off. Hes gonna let you go and you wont have to spend the night in the joint. Whatever it takes.

She opened her legs, allowing each ankle to drop off of the sides of the hotel room bed. Cold air wrapped around her thighs, chilling her thoroughly.

He nodded once approval. Good girl, Lily.

My names not Lil

It is tonight, he corrected as he leaned forward and placed his forefinger to her lips. She stilled beneath him. Understand? His eyes glittered unnaturally.

She nodded her compliance.

Chapter One: The Boy In Blue Wears Black

Tabitha, shut your dirty mouth and hand me another beer. Lily laughed and held out her hand. The black-haired woman grinned wickedly and pulled another beer from the depths of the ice chest. Chunks of melted ice fell away as Lily twisted the top off of the bottle and placed it to her lips.

Tabitha sighed and shook her head. So enough about men. For now. She took a drink, swallowing as she said, Tell me about the Lone Star state. Whats it like in the land of rattle snakes and belt buckles?

Lily had moved from Baton Rouge to go to school in Texas after shed graduated. She finished taking a swig and shrugged. Where I was, it was drier. She paused. Hotter. She sat back on the couch, her thoughts turned inward. There are no trees, so the construction workers hide under the bridges to cool off.

In the summer, yeah. The streets can actually melt. Your shoes stick to the tar and cars always squeal when they pull out, even if theyre going slow. Its hot. She shook her head and took a big drink. Just thinking about the place had overheated her and she needed to cool off.

Tabitha joined her in shaking her head. Well girl, to be honest, you didnt miss much while you were gone.

Lily frowned. What do you mean?

Tabithas expression took on a mournful cast. Right after Katrina, our population just about tripled. Crime shot through the roof. She sighed. Danny was way overworked, trust me. She referred to her brother, Daniel the police officer. Lily remembered him. He was hard to forget. People got mean, Tabitha went on. Drivers got nasty stopped letting others cut in front in traffic. Everything went up in price. Racial slurs were constant. It was not nice.

Lily was quiet for a moment. Out of respect.

Then she asked, How long did it last? Since shed been back, shed been treated with nothing but the slow, easy kindness that she remembered so well. It was the southern hospitality shed grown accustomed to while growing up in Louisiana. Ask someone where you could get a cab, and the person would shake their heads and offer you a ride. Goin that way anyway.

If you needed change for a phone call, someone was sure to let you use their cell phone instead. And if you inquired as to where you could get a good plate of Jambalaya, a Baton Rouge citizen was sure to come forward and invite you over for dinner. Thats just how it was done.

Tabitha sighed. Until just recently, actually. Ive noticed that things are getting back to normal. Its like people are finally settling down into their lives again; rememberin who they were. Who they are. She shrugged and took another long pull on her beer.

Lily digested this information and the two young women fell into a companionable silence. And then Lily took a deep breath and let it out in a contented sigh. I really missed the rain. I had the constant urge to pour Dasani bottles out over the parched land in Texas. She laughed. Or, at least pee outside. Tabithas laughter joined hers. Even in the quote-unquote-rainy season, it hardly ever- But there, she stopped. A sound had brought her to a halt. It was a wonderful, thunderous sound, deep and true. She would recognize it anywhere.

Is that a Harley? she asked.

Tabithas brow drew together. Yeah, it is. It couldnt be. She stood and turned toward the kitchen, where a screened door looked over an asphalt veranda beyond. Lily followed her gaze, standing as well.

A rider pulled onto the black-top outside, his lean silhouette outlined by the lamplight and the full moon above. For a Louisiana night it was surprisingly clear. Lily found herself moving with Tabitha, floating toward the screen door, drawn by the classic figure a man, hard as steel, atop a thundering stallion of chrome.

The engine idled as the man lowered one boot to the ground and seemed to gaze at the two of them through the full-face shield of his dark helmet.

Well Ill be damned, Tabitha whispered, her lips drawing into a smile as she unhinged the chain lock on the door and began to swing it open. Big brothers come to call.

Lilys eyes widened. Big brother? She stared at the tall figure on the soft tail Harley. That was Tabithas brother? You mean Daniel? Holy .

Tabitha grunted in something like derisive agreement and stepped down onto the back porch. Lily followed, placing her beer on the counter before she let the screen door swing shut behind her.

The rider pulled the helmet off his head and kicked down the stand, which Lily noticed was topped with a skull and crossbones. He slowly dismounted and walked toward them. Lily noted his height, which had been tall when they were in high school but seemed even taller now. What was he, six-two? Six-three? Six-foot-three-inches of muscle. Tight black jeans outlined what looked like hard and toned quads, and a tight black t-shirt hugged well-honed biceps tanned from the sun. From riding.

Raven-black hair fell in loose waves to his shoulders. Blue eyes glittered like sapphires beneath the street lights as he made his way toward them. Lily tried not to let her jaw hang open. She clamped her mouth shut tightly. She refused to lick her lips.

The man was very nearly on fire.

Well, howdy big brother. What miracle of fate has transpired that would grace us lowly family types with your mighty presence this night? Tabitha drawled at her brother, standing, hands-on-hips a few yards away. Daniel Kane grinned broadly, flashing perfect white teeth in that smile that Lily fell for ten years ago as a senior in high school.

Now, now, there little sis. No need to go hostile on me. Im a busy man; you know that cher. His southern drawl was deep and sexy and Lily suddenly felt the absence of the beer shed left in the kitchen.

Tabitha shook her head but smiled, finally, and threw up her hands in defeat. Damn, its good to see you, Danny. She moved forward and he embraced her in a warm hug. The muscles of his arms corded as he did so and Lily felt heat rise to her cheeks.

Daniels eyes found her and peered at her over his sisters shoulder, suddenly pinning her to the spot.

And could that be little Lily? he asked, his eyes taking on a strange gleam, his smile turning impish. He gently pulled away from his sister, whom hed had to bend to hug. His sparkling stare turned intense and Lily hugged herself, for some reason suddenly uncomfortable. There was a depth to the mans gaze that was almost intrusive.