Page 104 of Steel

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t look me in the eyes for one. Is this about the kids and the engine fire?”

I took on the challenge, grinning at the same time. “Nothing is wrong, although you’re not taking the fire seriously enough. This gang of kids had managed to do some serious damage in a couple weeks. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a lock that doesn’t work properly, especially after the fire they set just yesterday. Their antics are escalating.”

My instincts were telling me the kids were attracted to the area. Maybe location. Maybe the dense forest.

“You’re afraid they’ll turn to physical violence.” She could read me like a book, taking a step closer. “They have.”

“Yeah, the stupid bastards. Two of the puppies were… killed.”

She pressed her hand against her mouth for a few seconds. “That’s horrible. They need to be stopped. Don’t worry. I’ll be very careful. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were starting to get used to me being around.”

I knew she was teasing. That’s all it could be.

“Anyway,” she continued. “Just so you’re aware, I’m going to try and talk to the smokejumpers today, like I had planned yesterday until the fire. Will you be there?” Her obviousanxiousness regarding the project managed to bring a wave of desire to protect her.

“Unless another fire calls us out.” Why was it that standing naked with her only a couple of feet away after we’d… fucked seemed so oddly inappropriate?

Yet was so profoundly what I wanted.

After a few seconds of searching my eyes, she finally nodded. “Of course you can come over. If you’re not busy, I’ll make dinner. If you want.”

“Sure. That would be nice.”

The hesitation between us was thicker than before, a reminder once again that we were two different people on separate paths. But damn it. With every moment spent with her, I wanted more.

“Since you’re being so helpful, you wouldn’t know of any babysitters, although my son is getting too old for me to call the person keeping him out of harm’s way a babysitter. If the project is given the final approval, I’ll actually need to do a little work on my own.”

“The project isn’t approved? I thought it was.” My heart drifted into a stutter step, an ache that was as unexpected and up until recently, unwanted.

“Not completely yet. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was on a thin line with my boss. After I told him in no uncertain terms how ridiculous I thought his ideas and marketing abilities had been since purchasing the company, he threw out a gauntlet so it’s do or die on the vine. First the project must be greenlighted. I need actual photographs for that.”

“So you’re saying you need my help and if I’m able to convince my fellow smokejumpers to pose for this fabulous calendar, you’ll owe me your entire career and therefore your future livelihood. Is that exactly what you’re saying?” Resisting her was a feat yet to be accomplished and wasn’t going to happen this morning.

With her hands planted on her hips, she would have appeared formidable had her hair not been in a beautiful, tangled mess and her rosy nipples not continually drawn my attention.

Her mouth twisted in the same level of frustration as when we’d first met. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a horrible man? Using my predicament against me is… It’s sickening.” She cinched her eyes shut, her fingers trembling as she pressed them against her forehead.

Wait. Were her eyes filled with tears? Well, shit. “I’m sorry. I was only teasing.”

She sobbed twice before lifting her head and with the smile returning to her face, all I could do was roll my eyes. “Gotcha, although I will need your help. The team looks up to you.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.”

“I happen to know you’re wrong.” She took a purposeful step away.

“What does that mean?” Since she was easy to talk to, I had a feeling a few of my teammates had opened their mouths to win her trust. Or something else. The green-eyed monster roared back to life.

“They might have said a few things to me last night.” As before, her expression changed. “Before all hell broke loose. Don’t worry. All good.”

“You are a menace. However, I’ll put a good word in for you and just because you asked so nicely, I’ll see if my sister has any time coming up to do a little babysitting. She takes a few classes at the community college and works mostly from home. But you will owe me big time.”

Her squeal brought another sweeping wave of desire that was entirely different than satisfying my physical needs. I enjoyed making her happy. She rose onto her tiptoes, planting a kiss on my lips before freezing. As her body stiffened, she backed away again, the warm flush crossing her cheeks just another adorable tic that made her seem so special.

“You’re very sweet and I always pay my debts.” When she backed away, her smile slowly faded. “Let me know about Zorro. I know I keep asking for favors, but if the puppy does belong to this breeder, will you ask if they’ll give us a few days? I know that’s probably horrible to ask and very inconsiderate considering what happened to their animals, but I just don’t want to destroy Damon’s happiness. Or maybe Mom just needs to find the right way to tell him.”

“I understand.”