Page 4 of Heat Stroke

I bet they do.

She’s still naturally beautiful, but, the years have been very kind to her. Whereas before she has an innocent beauty, she was timid and reserved. She kind of hid within herself.

That was partly my fault…

But now, she’s absolutely breathtaking. Her brown hair is up in a high ponytail, but even up, it falls to the middle of her back. Her face is perfectly structured. I can’t tell if she’s even wearing makeup.

Her hazel eyes always did change with her moods. Right now, they’re stormy green…

Oh, she’s definitely pissed that I one-upped her this way.

She’s wearing a simple fitted white t-shirt and faded form-fitting jeans. They look as if they were made just for her. And, flip flops. She’s wearing yellow flip flops.

She looks perfect. Absolutely perfect.

I’m once again reminded of why she’s never left the back of my mind…

Eight years and she affects me the same. Only the feelings don’t scare the shit out of me anymore.

From the disdain on her face, I can see the feeling is mutual. I affect her the same way, too…

She hates me.

“Well, I guess you’re in charge, Wren. Lead the way. I’m at your disposal.”

Her eyes widen before narrowing at me and her lips tighten. All she does is nod and turn on her heel. She jerkily waves at me to follow her before she speed walks down the long hall, calling out, “Let’s go.”

I have my work cut out for me.

Chapter Two

Wren

I’m in Hell.I don’t know why, but, I’m in Hell and I’m dancing with the Devil.

What are the odds that Blaze would not only be back here, but I have to spend the next six to eight hours working alongside him?!

I have half a mind to say, “Fuck it,” and just let him hustle with the boys at the mill to get his order ready. I won’t though. I would never shirk my responsibility that way.

I’ll just have to do my best to keep Blaze on the opposite side of the room from me.

Kind of a hard task when we’re going to be pulling his order!

He’s following me in silence. I can hear his footfalls close behind me. I’m tall for a girl at five-foot-eleven. My legs are stupid long, but Blaze is easily keeping pace with me.

Of course he is.

Bastard!

Putting my hand up when we reach my office, I snap, “Just a second. I need to change into my steel-toe boots before we enter the mill. Just wait here.”

I don’t wait for his response as I walk through the door and open the closet on the wall, kicking off my flip flops and sliding on a pair of socks and then my boots. Once they’re laced and tied, I exhale and head back into the hall.

Blaze is leaning against the wall, seemingly casually waiting for me. He says nothing, but raises his brow at me in question.

Ignoring him, I continue past the kitchen and file room. Turning, we enter the long hallway that leads to the mill.

The sound of the saws and lifts fills my ears as we reach the large double doors to the mill. The smell of fresh cut wood also fills my nostrils. I inhale deeply. Unlike Alena, I love the smell. It smells like home and safety.

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