EXTRACT FOR
Summer Heat (Jessica's Seduction #3)
(Darren G. Burton)

Chapter 1





It felt strange being back in the heat of summer after months of living in the European winter, much of the time in snow. 

Jessica felt herself starting to sweat as she walked through the streets of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. The sun was blazing down and the place was filled with locals and tourists dressed to suit the conditions. Many were heading to the beach for a swim and to get some reprieve from the heat. Maybe she would do that herself a bit later on.

Dressed only in shorts and a singlet top, it was also weird to feel so light in the way of clothing. Lately she'd been used to being rugged up to the max to ward off the constant cold.

She adjusted her sunglasses and stepped around a group of teenagers at the entrance to Cavill Mall. The girls were all dressed in bikinis and the guys in shorts with no shirts. Jessica detected a very definite adolescent sexual vibe amongst the group.

As she made a beeline for Charlie's Cafe she could see Marco's robust frame squashed into a metal chair. He was facing the other way so he didn't see her approaching. Jessica crept up behind him and cupped her hands over his eyes.

"Guess who?" she said.

She felt his features break into a grin. He brushed her hands away, wrestled himself out of his chair and turned to greet her with the brightest smile she'd ever seen. Next thing she knew she was being wrapped up in one of his bear hug cuddles. Marco lifted her off the ground as he gave her a tight squeeze.

Jessica giggled. "Better put me down before you crack a few of my ribs."

"It's great to see you, Jess," Marco beamed. "It seems like ages since I saw you last."

She shrugged. "It's been about three months." She glanced all around before taking a seat. "I've missed you. I've missed Australia."

"How long are you back for?" Marco wanted to know, studying his friend with his big brown eyes. It looked like he hadn't shaved his head in a while. It was covered in a thick, prickly dark growth.

"I'm not sure yet," she replied. Jessica sniffed the air. "What cologne are you wearing today?" Marco always smelt good.

"Hugo Boss Red," he said. "You like?"

She shrugged and nodded. "It's not bad."

"Only not bad. Damn. I swear I'm never wearing that one again then. Jess, you know I consider you the measure of what's good and what's not."

"Hey." Jessica held up her hands in supplication. "You wear whatever you want."

He changed the subject. "You want a coffee? Something to eat? A milkshake?"

Jessica pondered the choices. "I must just start with a coffee," she decided. "If I feel peckish after that I'll order a snack."

Marco signalled over the young waiter and eyed him up and down. Jessica tried to hide a grin. Marco hadn't changed his persuasions then. He still liked men.

"Two cappuccinos," he told the waiter and offered up his best smile. The waiter walked away looking very uncomfortable.

Jessica laughed. "Better let me make the next order. Jesus, Marco. Could you have been any more obvious?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You don't get anywhere in this game by being coy."

"Well, I don't think the waiter fancies men. Or not you at least, anyway."

Marco feigned disappointment. "I'm crushed."

"I'm sure you are." Jessica was still smiling. "It's so good to see you."

Marco seemed to notice her engagement ring for the first time and he whistled.

"What the hell is that bloody big rock on your finger? Did this Preston guy pop the question?"

"He did, on Christmas Eve while we were staying in a chalet in Switzerland."

"How romantic. And you obviously said yes."

"Of course. Things are going so well with Preston and I."

Their coffees arrived. This time a waitress tended their table, which made Jessica smile again. When the waitress had gone, she said, "That poor waiter you scared off. He's probably going to have to have therapy now."

"He'll get over it," said Marco. "He should be flattered, if anything." He stirred sugar into his cappuccino and spooned off some froth. "So, when am I going to meet the gorgeous Preston Frost?"

"Soon. He's still overseas at the moment, doing some work in Singapore. I'd be with him, but I had to come back because my mother's not well."

"What's wrong with her?" Marco looked alarmed.