Page 10 of His Wood Her Fire

“City Slicker, right?You don’t know a thing about fireplaces and chimney flues.”

“Well, no, I mean, you’re right.I grew up in Union City.Not many fireplaces on my block,” I muttered, feeling more than a little dumb.

“Hey,” he said, taking my chin between two fingers and lifting my head so I had no choice but to meet his steady green gaze.

“I didn’t mean that as a bad thing, Slick.Just stating facts.Now, don’t look like that, okay?”

“Like what?”

“Like I just kicked your puppy,” he replied.

“Puppy?Oh, my God!Frou-Frou,” I gasped, trying to wiggle out of his arms.

“Quit it before I drop you!Now what is a Frou-Frou?”

“Frou-Frou is my cat!Oh please, you have to go back or let me go and I’ll go back!”I shouted.

I was worried and sick at heart thinking I did something to hurt my fur baby.Another coughing fit hit me just then, and I nearly doubled over.

While I was busy trying to breathe, Bo opened the door to his home and dropped me gently on a big sofa.

A second later, a big hound came lumbering over to me, putting his massive head on my knee.

“Easy there, Slick.This is Moose.He’ll take care of you.You’re not afraid of dogs, right?”

“Afraid?No, not at all.He’s just a big softie, isn’t he?”I smiled at Moose and dropped my hand on his head.

Moose is a beautiful creature.While petting him, he turned his gigantic canine head and licked my wrist.

“Look, cats are smart.He’ll get out, but don’t worry.There isn’t a fire.Just some smoke.I opened all the windows and doors, but it will likely take the rest of the day to clear out before you can go back in.Here,” he mumbled, grabbing a blanket from a basket beside the couch and placing that one on top of the other one I was already wearing.

He was looking down at me.The expression on his ruggedly handsome face was keen and concerned.I was so damn aware of the fact I was naked beneath the blankets I had on, and his big, warm hands were holding onto my shoulders.Separated by nothing at all.

I shivered all over from the platonic contact.Feelings I thought were long dead started to spark, and I sucked in another breath, swaying closer to him.

“Just stay put and I’ll go get your cat,” he murmured, straightening up and turning away from me.

Chapter Four-Bo

Anger, worry, and another darker emotion I didn’t care to name spread through me like wildfire as I walked back to the rental cabin, leaving Gloria sitting in my living room.

On my couch.

In my spot.

I should have been angry about the mess she made and the trouble she caused.But all I could think about was how good she felt in my arms.

All her soft curves, her damp skin naked and wet from the bath, felt divine pressed against me.

The weight of her.

That sweet scent.

Like cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa.I wanted to lick her to see if she tasted as good as she smelled beneath the layer of smoke that clung to her still dry hair.

Silly woman.Forgetting the flue.Causing all that ruckus.

The damage was nonexistent.Just smoke, and some ash around the hearth itself.

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