Page 15 of Aspen Heat
"You think he'll break your heart?"
"I don't know if I'm ready to be with someone again. Relationships are complicated."
"You're making it all too serious in your head. You need to relax and get to know him better. I do have some bad news, though."
"What?"
"The radio station update says the fire is moving back to your area, so your house is not out of the woods just yet."
"Damn it. I hate imposing on Ms. Vivian."
"Oh, um…incoming."
"What?"
"I'll talk to you later."
She gets up from the table like a fire has been lit under her and I just stare at her in shock. Everything becomes clear when a delicious looking firefighter takes her place.
"Hey, kitten."
The endearment makes my whole body heat up and I shift on my seat.
"What are you doing here?" I say in a soft voice.
"I wanted to see you. I know it's the middle of the school day, but I've got a surprise for you."
"I'm done with my classes for today."
"That's great. Get your things and come with me."
I only need to get my purse from the teacher's lounge, but I take the time to figure out if I should follow this man or stay here where my heart is safe. My curiosity over 'his present' wins and I hurry to meet him at the parking lot.
As usual he helps me get into the truck and buckles me in, reminding me of how he's such a gentleman. Also, of how freaking good he smells. I manage to get a hold of myself while he enters the car and take furtive glances of him every chance I get.
He's as delicious as he's always been, but now he seems really happy about something. I hesitate once more on whether or not I'm doing the right thing by encouraging his interest in me. Or should I say of reveling in his sunny presence.
"You're very quiet. Is everything okay?"
"When I hadn't seen you in the past couple of days I thought…"
"I had stuff at work, but I know you were avoiding me because I asked about you several days in a row."
I blush at that, embarrassment flooding me.
"It's just that we've grown close so fast, and that kiss."
"That kiss was everything, kitten."
I happen to agree with that assessment, so I just smile back at him. When he shuts down the engine, I'm surprised that he's parked in front of my cabin. Joy fills me that it's still standing and I burst out of the car to enter.
What do you know? The door is completely fixed!
"Surprise!"
"Oh my god, you fixed it! Thank you so much."
I throw myself into his arms with such gusto that I almost topple him, but he puts his strong arms around me and holds me tight keeping us from falling. I follow my instincts and start placing kisses all over his face, making him laugh.
