Page 24 of Living with Fire
I nearly spit the lukewarm liquid all over the place at the wide eyed, gaping mouth look she’s giving me. Shock and dismay meet my eyes, like she can’t quite believe I would be headed to a bar. Or maybe can’t believe it because I’ve got her here in my kitchen, staying in my guest bedroom.
I can’t help it, I laugh. “It’s not what you think,” I tell her, putting my cup down. “I’m not only a firefighter. I work in a bar as well. Own, I guess.”
“You guess?” she asks, the pitch of her voice still high with bewilderment.
“I’m still getting used to that part. Jordan and I inherited it from our uncle about six months ago,” I explain, gazing at her across the counter.
She hasn’t leaned over again like before, but she’s pressed against the hard surface of the island, making that tanned piece of skin on her stomach stand out. I’m finding it increasingly hard not to look at, but damn it, I am not Liam. I have restraint.
“I’ve worked there since I was a teenager, but it’s different now that it’s mine. And Jordan is more of a silent partner, so most of it falls on my shoulders.”
“Oh.” Savanna nods in understanding, bringing her cup to her lips to take a sip. There aren’t any moans or closed eyes this time, but I can tell she enjoys it just as much as the first drink she had, and it makes me want to puff my chest out for my stellar coffee making skills.
“If you plan on staying awake, why don’t you join me? We can grab a bite to eat.”
“Don’t you need to work?” she asks, eyes narrowing skeptically.
I shrug. If I’m being completely honest, the answer would be yes, I definitely do. With each day that passes I have less and less time to get things organized for the accountant. I’ve already wasted most of today, and if Savanna is joining me at the bar tonight, I can pretty much kiss that time goodbye as well.
Yet, I can’t find it in myself to care because I’d really love to spend the rest of this evening getting to know the woman standing across from me. It isn’t that I’m trying to shirk my responsibilities, or that I’m overwhelmed by the massive amount of work—at least that’s what I’m telling myself. It has to do with this intriguing woman, and the pull that I feel towards her.
Her gorgeous gray eyes are guarded, but inquisitive. She’s logical, but willing to go with the flow, though she hasn’t had much choice. There are things beneath the surface that I want to know more about, if she’ll tell me. Like why she’s been in Santa Rosé for six months and doesn’t know anyone enough to call them for a ride from the hospital.
It isn’t as though she’s unfriendly, or not personable. She’s sweet, adorable, and a little feisty when she’s worked up. All good qualities in my book.
“Nate…”
I hear the question in her tone. I haven’t committed to an answer, and she wants one before accepting my offer. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want her to say no on account of me having things to do.
I settle somewhere between the two. “If it looks like they need help, I’ll leave you sitting at the bar and jump in.”
“You’ve already done so much for me, I can’t interrupt what you need to do,” she says hesitantly, but I can tell I’m coaxing her towards saying yes.
“You aren’t, I promise. I can take care of the things I need to do tomorrow,” I say, shaking my head. “And I swear I will help them if they need it.”
“I’m getting the impression you would help them out even if they didn’t need it,” Savanna says with a laugh, setting her mug down on the counter. “Okay. If you’re sure, then I think that sounds lovely. It’ll be nice to get out.”
“Because you don’t do that often,” I remark, and she sticks her tongue out, causing me to laugh.
After a quick back and forth on wearing Jordan’s clothes, I head to my sister’s dresser to grab something for Savanna to wear. This time I steer clear of the top right drawer—no brother should know about the things in that drawer when it comes to his sister.
Once I pick out a sky blue tank top with yellow writing that says ‘Sunshine and Coffee’ which seems to suit her, I meet her back in the hallway.
“Love it. That color is gorgeous,” she says with genuine pleasure over my pick. Taking it from my hands, she gives me a smile that has a shy quality to it. “Thank you, Nate. For everything. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
My hand is moving before I give it permission to do so, and I tuck a piece of hair that’s strayed from her braid behind her ear. “The only thing I ask is that if you come across someone that needs help, you do what you can.” My eyes are soft as I gaze down at her, the pads of my fingers slowly running along the length of her jaw. I feel her shiver beneath my touch. “Everyone needs a hand once in a while.”
“Even you?” she whispers, her eyes locked on mine.
Help isn’t something that I take very often, from anyone, and it drives my friends and family nuts. I’m the guy that helps everyone else, and I hate to come across looking like I need it, let alone want it.
“Let’s get the rest of your clothes and we can both get ready. Then I’ll let you help me look good by having dinner with me when we get to the bar,” I tell her, not giving her a direct answer.
My suggestion has the desired effect though. Savanna gives me the same laugh she gave me in the hospital. The one that warmed me from the inside out and filled me with an amount of pride I didn’t know was possible.
CHAPTER 10
NATE