Page 10 of Hot for the Fire Chief
“Did you see anything moved around?”
“Well, it’s not my room but I don’t see anything really out of place. But you look like you saw something.”
“I think so.”
“What?”
I point a shaking finger at my computer. “I closed out my computer program before I left. But it was open. And my history shows that I printed my pages.”
“And you didn’t.”
“No. I wasn’t even home when it was done.”
He runs his thick fingers along his jaw, stroking it thoughtfully. “So somebody was poking around at your work. And that’s all?”
Glaring at him, I snort. “Isn’t that enough? If somebody were to take my notes they could finish their book quicker than mine and then I won’t be able to publish my work. It would be like plagiarism.”
“Except it’s your work.”
“Fat chance explaining that.”
“Okay. Well, go check and see if you see anything else.”
I nod my head and wander out of the room, my head swimming with all these crazy thoughts.
What am I gonna do if someone else manages to publish my work? All that work going to waste. Ugh!
I pace back and forth in my bedroom, tugging at my hair and groaning.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, baby girl, but you’re not staying here by yourself.”
I whip around and snap, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got to get this book finished before this idiot tries to claim my work!” Stalking past him in the doorway, I head back to the little living space.
Or try to. He grabs my arm as I stalk past him and jerks me back. “Hey! Settle down, Jenny. I’m gonna find out who’s doing this and you won’t have to worry about your book. It will be alright.”
“You can’t know that. It’s taken me forever to get my mind back into my writing and now someone snuck in here to mess it all up!” I throw my hands up in the air and pace back out to the computer.
Lance follows me and he glances at the screen over my shoulder. “What the hell are you writing?”
Gasping, I whip around and try to cover the screen. But he smirks and pulls my hands away. “Huh. This guy sounds kind of familiar.”
My cheeks flush and I growl under my breath. “No he doesn’t.”
“Oh, he absolutely does. Don’t you need my permission to use my likeness in your story?”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him, tapping my foot. “He’s not you. He-He’s a good guy. He’s sweet and gentle.”
“He’s grumpy and growly and he has golden-brown eyes and dark hair that curls around his collar. That sounds a lot like me.”
“Oh god! Why is this my life right now?” I wail and pace back and forth, tugging at my hair and muttering under my breath.
“Hey.” He catches my shoulders and holds me still when I try to get away from him. He ducks his head until he can look right in my eyes. “I’m flattered, baby girl. I’m not mad. But you need some sleep. You can’t stay up all night to try and fix this. Trust me, I will find out who did this and I will get those pages back. Nobody is going to tell my story better than you,” he chuckles.
Rolling my eyes, I grumble.
Oddly enough, he just laughs at me. “Come on. Grab your computer and some clothes. You can stay with me. I don’t want you here by yourself. I don’t know how this person got in but he did. That’s not acceptable, Jenny.”
“But….” His thick finger covers my lips and I can smell him again, feel his warmth.
