Page 3 of Hot for the Fire Chief
I feel like I’ve been treading water in the crazy bits of my life for the last few months. I haven’t been able to breathe for what feels like forever without my chest aching.
I walk into the first restaurant that I get to and the delicious smells of seafood tease my nose until my mouth salivates.
But as soon as I walk inside I see that all the table’s are full and it’s standing room only in the runoff area on the patio.
Several couples are standing next to the hostess stand waiting to be seated as well.
“Hello!” The cheerful woman in charge says, her pink hair curled like a halo on top of her delicate head. Her smile is just a touch forced but she’s trying. I try to smile back.
“Hi. I don’t have a reservation but I’m desperate. Is there any way I could get a seat? Maybe at the bar?” I don’t even need to turn to see that the bar is about six people deep. Cringing, I turn back to her.
Her smile dims a little and my stomach gurgles as my hope sinks. “I’m so sorry. But we’re so booked that it’s probably gonna be at least an hour wait.”
“Even for the bar?” My voice squeaks and I know I sound pathetic but I am starving!
“I’m so hungry. Do you know if any of the other restaurants have more space?”
Her lips tense again and I know that I’m about to hear that I’m out of luck. I knew that I should have tried to come out earlier. Now that all the people have started leaving the beach they’re looking for food.
“What’s going on, Mandy? Is my table still ready?” The deep, husky voice makes a thrill sizzle up the back of my spine and straight out to my fingers. My body is tingling and I groan under my breath.
I know that voice. And I know the man that goes with that voice. I turn around slowly, wishing I was wrong. But he’s standing there in all his glory. Six foot three of sturdy, sexy man. And what does he do when he sees me?
He growls like a damn bear and my whole belly clenches, my pussy tingling like I’ve just gone three rounds with my favorite personal device.
“You?” He growls, his lip curling like a feral beast.
Honestly? I kinda like it. Grinning, I hold out my hand. “Lance? It’s so nice to see you. How’s your vacation going?”
He backs up and away from my hand like I’m chock full of cooties or something and I just grin bigger.
I swear. I don’t know what was wrong with me yesterday but today? I’m really liking this guy.
Or maybe I just like making him snarl!
Chapter 3
Lance
“What the hell are you doing here?” I back away from her hand like she’s toxic.
“I’m trying to get something to eat but they’re full and there’s at least an hour’s wait. I’m starving.”
The girl across from us clears her throat. That smile of hers brightens suspiciously. “Since you guys know each other maybe you can share your table with her?”
I glare at her like she’s lost her mind. “I don’t know her. I met her. Sure. But I don’t know her. She could be a serial killer for all I know.”
“I’m actually a writer.”
I look at Mandy and she smirks. “See? She’s a writer.”
“Doesn’t mean she’s not a killer,” I mutter under my breath.
“Listen. I know you don’t like me but I’m really hungry. I haven’t eaten all day. I finally started getting somewhere with my book and I think I only ate a power bar yesterday. I didn’t have anything at all today.”
Rolling my eyes, I start to feel the trap closing in around me. I can’t let a woman sit here going hungry when all she wants is a seat at a table. I’ve got an extra seat. I’d be an absolute ass if I didn’t share with her.
“It sounds like you need someone to look after you, woman. You’re supposed to eat more than once every two days. You’re gonna make yourself sick and then I’ll probably find you passed out and have to give you mouth to mouth or something.”
