Page 98 of Winters Heat

“Jared, what the hell do you want?” That roar should put a stop to the incessant, badgering calls. Get a clue, man. He was tired of everyone hanging on his nuts.

“This isn’t Jared.”

Mia’s short retort slammed him in the gut, and his heart jumped clear into his mouth. Christ almighty, he missed that woman.

“Mia, where are you?”

“Why?” She was quiet. Wary. Why did she call? Hell, who cared? She called, and that was all that mattered. If he could hear her for the rest of his life, it wouldn’t be long enough.

“Right now, doll. Where are you?”

He planned to go all alpha on her if she didn’t fess up in seconds. He needed to locate her fast. And fast wasn’t fast enough.

“At home. Why?”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Do. Not. Move.”

“You don’t even know where I live.”

“The hell I don’t.” He really should tone it down, or he’d scare her.

“You’re not invited.”

“Tough.”

“You’re at least a thirty minute drive from me.”

“Time me.” He checked his watch.

“I don’t want to see you. Come to my office tomorrow.”

Winters clicked off his phone. He didn’t want to know now why she called. She could say it to his face. Anything so that he had a fighting chance. His guts churned. Need spiked with overwhelming, raw emotion, making his muscles ache and his brain fuzzy. He skidded out the corner of his driveway, sliding sideways before he redlined the truck. Ten minutes. There was no doubt.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Mia’s front door flew open. She should have known better and locked the deadbolt. Not that a deadbolt would have kept Colby out.

Bright sunlight illuminated her dark den. She had pulled the blinds, hit the lights, and bunkered down for a sobfest, complete with blankets, junk food, a tissue box, and enough sappy movies to make Cinderella forget about her Prince Charming.

She’d been heartsick but tearless until the lonely night before, after she signed the paperwork. She went to bed an emotional mess and woke up ready for a cleansing release. Today was the day for it all to come out. And because of that, she had no need for anyone showing up uninvited, and standing there, blinding her, in all his sun-drenched glory.

Colby filled the entire doorway. She should have been surprised, but really, she was annoyed she didn’t expect it. Like he was just going to knock.

Mia paused her movie. The Bodyguard. What shitty timing. This was the perfect part, where Kevin Costner held Whitney Huston to his chest. If Colby barged in during her first viewing, he’d have caught her singing along to the soundtrack.

“Go away.” She turned back to her paused movie, finger on the play button, ready for his departure.

“We have to talk.”

“We did that already. Go away.” Mia snuggled further into the down comforter and eyed the mess of balled-up, tear-soaked tissues heaped on the floor.How embarrassing. Couldn’t he just leave?“I didn’t call you to invite you over.”

“I don’t care.”

“Glad to see we’re back to snippy sentences. Just like how it started, and how it should have stayed.” She picked up the spoon in the container of ice cream and took a huge bite, tasting both peanut butter and chocolate chunks. Double score. At least some things worked out. “I’ve got plans, and I don’t want you here.”

“With who? Ben and Jerry?”

“Watch yourself, Winters. You have no right to judge.”

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