Read Blaze of Winter: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance for Free Online

this—Theo enjoyed having her hand in his. He wasn’t used to listening to his physical urges. For him, it had always been about the mental. Growing up, he’d been the architect behind the scenes,masterminding his brothers’ adventures from backstage while they worked their magic in front of the curtain. He loved devising the perfect plan, making sure every piece was rock solid, and seeing it through. It was only natural, then, that he’d end up making a living with words. Being in charge came easily to him—especially if he could plot it all out in advance.
    Of course, there were a few times back in the day when things hadn’t gone as expected. But Theo and his brothers had always been prepared with a contingency plan. First, Cole would step up to see if there was any way the escapade could be logistically salvaged. Then they’d send in Sebastian. He could charm his way out of a paper bag, but that didn’t always do the trick. Next, Theo would take a crack at trying to solve the problem with reason and logic. And if that didn’t work? They’d call on their last resort—Val, their cleanup guy.
    Still, despite his proclivity for plotting, Theo was a big man. This woman brought out the beast in him in a way he’d never before experienced and he wasn’t quite sure how to respond. He had plenty of knowledge and plenty of skill in the sexual arena, but he’d always looked at it from a slightly detached perspective—as an academic, not a practical exercise. But the rush of blood through his veins, the thrill of touching her, even gazing at her? That was primal, and he was wise enough to recognize it for what it was: desire. Tightening his grip on Avery’s hand, he strode down the sidewalk, making sure she was aware of his strength. If she slipped again, he’d be there to catch her. Dimly, he wondered if she knew what he was doing. Did it matter?
    A few moments later, they reached the Lexie Meyers Kitchen. In sharp contrast to the weather outside, it was warm inside the LMK, cheerful and welcoming. A few tables were occupied, but the place was mostly empty. He immediately spotted Lexie, who was wearing a slim sweater over a wool skirt and tights. Lexie was the owner and chief cook of the LMK, but she often filled in as needed in the dining room. True to form, she had a white apron tied around her waist.
    “Theo!” Lexie said, her warm brown eyes lighting up when she saw him. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.” She reached up to give him a small embrace. Lexie’s warmth andfriendliness were contagious. It was no surprise that his brother, Sebastian, was head-over-heels in love with her.
    “Good to see you,” he responded, giving her a kiss on the cheek without releasing Avery’s hand. “When’s Seb due back in town?”
    “Not until next Thursday. He can only stay a few days before he has to return to New York. They’ve just started the taping for his new show.”
    Theo nodded. “I’ll catch up with him next weekend, then.”
    “Val and Cole were just here. I think they went down to the Nail with Jimmy Bishop,” Lexie said as she glanced at Avery, “but I’m guessing you want a table.”
    “Yes, please,” Theo confirmed, just as he felt Avery tug her hand away. “You know Avery, right, Lexie? She’s been helping out Kate at the Inn.”
    Lexie was about to answer when a huge crash came from what sounded like the kitchen. The small woman didn’t even blink. “I’ve got to check something, but I’ll be back with menus in a minute. Why don’t you take the booth in the corner? Give you a bit more privacy.” Within seconds, she was gone.
    Avery led the way back. She slipped off her jacket, hung it on a hook, and slid into the booth, immediately adjusting her posture until she was sitting ramrod straight. Theo took off his own coat and wedged his large frame into the other side. Thankfully, they were shielded from most of the restaurant by the high walls of the booth, which gave Theo some