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“The ring of her cell phone jerked her out of her thoughts. Arching her stiff back to stretch it, Jane got up and grabbed the cell from the bed. An unfamiliar number flashed across the screen. Wary, she picked up and said, “Hello?â€�

“Finally,� came a male voice. “I was beginning to think you were avoiding me, and that was very upsetting. My ego is very fragile.�

She recognized the mischievous rasp of Ryan Evans� voice immediately. An unwitting smile reached her lips. “I’m not avoiding you. I’ve been working all day on my article and I tend to block out all outside noise when I’m writing. I take it you called before.�

“Three times,� he said with mock severity. “This is the most effort I’ve ever gone to for a woman.�

“I’m flattered.�

“You should be.â€� Ryan finally grew serious. “So, did you still want to do that interview?”
― Elle Kennedy, Heat It Up

“You want to borrow my girlfriend?â€� Carson shouted later that afternoon, promptly dropping the box in his hands. The cardboard smashed onto the floor of Carson and Holly’s new glorious kitchen with a resounding thunk and the distinct sound of glass shattering.

“My new plates!� Holly wailed, immediately sinking to her knees. She ripped open the tape closing the two flaps together and peered into the box then looked up at Carson in horror. “You’re a monster!�

Carson scowled at her. “I’ll buy you new plates.� The scowl deepened. “That is, if I decide not to break up with you. I can’t believe this was your idea. I told Garrett you and Shelby shouldn’t hang out. The two of you are trouble together.�

“They’re just trying to help me out,� Will pointed out, experiencing a jolt of sympathy at the despair on Holly’s face. He swiftly knelt down and tried to pry her hands out of the box. “Quit sticking your fingers in there, Hol. It’s filled with broken glass.�

Carson let out an enraged roar. “Don’t you dare console my girlfriend. My girlfriend!�

Holly got to her feet, planting her hands on her hips. “Now I’m definitely going,� she shot out. “You broke my plates.�

“So you’re going to play house with my lieutenant as punishment?�

“He’s in love with another woman!�

“Well, I’m in love with you!�

Holly’s eyes softened. “Doesn’t it make you love me more, knowing I’m willing to help out one of your friends?�

A sigh slid out of Carson’s mouth. “What is it with you and helping people? Didn’t we just decide you’re not going to drop everything for your family anymore?�

“This isn’t my family. It’s yours.�

“Will and I aren’t related.�

“You’re SEALs. Of course you’re related.�

Another sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.� Carson took a step forward and pulled Holly into his arms. “Fine, you can go.�

â€Áè±ð²¹±ô±ô²â?â€�

“I just said it, didn’t I?�

Holly threw her arms around her boyfriend. The two proceeded to make out as if Will wasn’t in the kitchen.

He shook his head to himself. He wasn’t quite certain how they’d gone from furious to calm to horny in a matter of seconds, but he wasn’t complaining. Ever since Holly and Shelby had burst into his house this morning, he’d been warming up to the plan, starting to believe it might actually work. He was glad Carson hadn’t put up more of a fight.

Slipping his hands in the pockets of his khakis, he let the couple smooch a while longer, then cleared his throat. “Uh, guys?�

The two pulled apart sheepishly. “Sorry,� Holly said. “Forgot you were here.�

Story of his life, women forgetting he was standing right in front of them. Hopefully not for much longer, though.

“So how is this going to work?� Carson asked, bending down to retrieve the fallen box. He glanced at his girlfriend. “I’m sorry about the plates, sweetheart. We’ll go out and buy some tomorrow, ’kay?�

“I’m holding you to that.â€� With a stern look, she headed for the fridge and grabbed a can of soda. Flicking the tab, she raised the can to her lips, sipped, and then said, “Will and I are going to Hunter Ridge tomorrow. Apparently there’s some fair going on this weekend.”
― Elle Kennedy, Heat of the Storm

“I’m hard to live with.â€�

“You’re harder to live without.”
― Elle Kennedy, Heat of the Storm

“Oh well. She was foolish to think he could actually have been interested in her. She was too short, her boobs too small, her personality too sarcastic. Normally it didn’t bother her. Because along with all those other irritating toos, she was also too busy cleaning up her siblingsâ€� messes and helping them with their even messier love lives to care about her own.”
― Elle Kennedy, Heat of Passion