Caught in the Flames Read Online Free Page A

attractive. He’s talking to me. Oh, God, I was ogling. I don’t even know what he said. He tilts his head and a smirk pulls those plump lips. Lips that would be talented at kissing. I’d bet, if that was something I could put money on.
    “You okay, Callie?”
    I shake my head and then switch directions to nod. “Fine! Totally great. Super. Fab.” Fab? I blow out an exhale.
    He chuckles. “You look nice. Pancakes?”
    “Thanks. Yes. Please.” He piles them on my plate. One. Two. Three.
    “That’s good!” I laugh and pull my plate away. “Gotta save room for meat.”
    He grins. “You like meat, Callie?” Oh, God! Now I have an entirely different vision of sausage running through my mind. I glance down at his crotch and he laughs, a loud, booming rumble that draws attention from everyone near. My cheeks heat. I’m sure they’re as pink as if I’d spent an afternoon at the beach. His knowing grin tells me that was his intent. Well, two can play at this.
    “I love meat,” I purr. His eyes widen and his laughter dies. I lean forward over the grill, careful to not get too close and burn my arm, but far enough that he has a clear view down my blouse. “I especially love sausage. The juicy taste when my lips lock around it.” I close my eyes and moan once. I open my lids to find him licking his lips. His Adam’s apple bobs at his throat.
    “But I’m a little disappointed because those you have today sure are tiny.” With that I smile wide and let the laughter fall from my lips. I glance down at the grill. “You’re burning your cakes, boss.” I turn on my heel and strut to the table where Jill and Alicia await with eager smiles. I can faintly hear Chase’s curses follow in my wake.
    “Gurl . . . What did you do to that poor boy?” Jill laughs.
    “Just gave him a little of his own medicine.” I wink.
    “That’s our girl,” Alicia proclaims and licks bacon grease from her fingertips.
    I nod and shovel an overflowing forkful of pancakes into my mouth. “So good!” I say between bites. My stomach sighs in thanks.
    “Don’t look, but whatever you said has lover boy on his way now.”
    “Wha—?” I try to chew and swallow as fast as I can, but I have too much food in my mouth and when Chase pulls out the open chair to my right and twists so we’re eye to eye my molars continue to chomp at an alarming rate.
    “Whoa.” His eyes widen. “Slow down there, chipmunk.” Awesomesauce.
    I throw back my orange juice like it’s a shot of Patron and wash the food from my mouth. “Hey, Chase. What’s up?” I try for casual but my voice goes a pitch too high and the food I tried to swallow catches in my throat. I break into a horrible coughing fit. He pats my back until I catch my breath. Tears leak from my eyes.
    “Are you okay?” he says. My coughs are replaced with giggles, more from the ridiculousness of it all, and I wipe the moisture from my cheeks.
    “Fine. Wrong pipe. I guess I have to practice swallowing.” Facepalm. Why does everything I say to this man come out in sexual innuendo? Because you’d love to do naughty things with him. My skin heats and prickles. Yeah, yeah I would . I meet his eyes and they crinkle at the corners. So glad he finds this amusing.
    “Callie, would you like to go out some time?”
    “I’d love to,” I manage.
    “Great.” His smile steals my breath. “How about tonight?”
    Tonight! That hardly gives me time to freak out, obsess, worry, wax, pluck, shave—not that I’m easy and will sleep with him on the first date, but one can never be too prepared. And he’s a first responder. He’s always prepared. How would it look if I show up to a date unprepared—
    “Tonight’s perfect.” The breathy words leave my lips. He stands from the chair and walks backwards.
    “I better get back to work.” He glances over his shoulder. “Pick you up at eight, Callie.” He turns and jogs back to his spot at the grill.
    “Damn, girl!” Alicia reaches across