Page 20 of She's Got that Heat

But caring for her like this makes me feel bonded to her. Like she’s my responsibility now.

I couldn’t possibly be happier about it.

After she takes another hour-long nap, I drive her home and get into the shower with her. Sure, it’s sensual to be naked with a hot girl, but anything like that can wait. I vigorously scrub her hair, digging my fingers gently into her scalp in an effort to pull some of the tension out, then massage her shoulders while she stands under the falling water.

I dry her off, pull one of my softest t-shirts over her head, give her some juice and another painkiller, and we crawl into bed. Although I was dozing here and there in Jonah’s office, now that I know Allie is mostly better, I really need a few hours of solid sleep.

When I wake up, my entire body tenses when I realize she isn’t next to me.

Allie is gone.

Sitting bolt upright, I start to panic. Then I hear the toaster pop in the kitchen.

Exhale.She’s fine.

I throw on clothes and come out to the kitchen, where Allie is just setting a coffee on the table for me. My hands automatically stroke her forehead and shoulder as I pull her close. “How do you feel, baby? Should you be up and around already?”

As she looks up at me, I’m struck by how expressive her eyes are. She definitely doesn’t want me fawning over her too much, but she’s too polite to say it.

“I’m fine, thanks. Moving slowly, taking my time.” A long sigh escapes her. “I’m so sorry about yesterday.”

“No, angel, please.” Sitting down, I pull her into my lap. “Listen, if you’re worried that I’m going to treat you like you’re made of glass, I won’t do that all the time. Just when you’re unwell, and for maybe a half day afterward, okay?”

Allie nods slowly, as if she’s analyzing my words.

“It can get rough up here on the mountain.” My hand strokes her lower back as she leans into me. “I know that you’re going to be a trooper most of the time, but some things are beyond your control, and I’m never going to hold that against you. I want to help you as much as I can. It’s never going to be a bother. Ever.”

Her lovely deep blue eyes peer keenly into mine. “You kind of hesitated yesterday when you got that fire call. Like you wanted to stay with me instead of going.” Her palm presses into the center of my chest. “If thateverhappens again, you need to promise me that you’ll go, no matter what.”

“Angel, I want to tell you what you want to hear, but that might not be the truth.” My lips brush her forehead. “It will depend on the moment, okay? If you’re lying on the couch with a slight headache, sure, I’ll go. If you’re passed out with a migraine but you’ve taken some pills and had some juice and there’snothing to be done but wait it out, Imightgo, and have someone check on you in a few hours if I’m not back.”

Tipping her chin up with my finger, I smile. “I’ll go with my gut. I’m not the only firefighter around, you know. There are plenty of us across the triangle. Sometimes they only call the few who are the closest, sometimes it’s an all hands on deck situation.”

“Which you would leave for, no matter what.Right?”

My exaggerated nod makes her smile. “Yes. As long as you’re safe, I would go.”

“Um…” She hesitates. “It’s just that…feeling like I might disturb your work… I don’t think I could live like that.”

“You won’t.” My knee bounces, shaking her slightly. “What if over the next ten years there isonetime where I respond to the call that it will be ten minutes before I can leave? Those are still great stats, aren’t they?”

Her shoulders lower slightly. “Okay.” Allie tweaks my nose with her finger. “Maybe once in ten years is allowed.”

“I have great connections with nearby friends, and neighbors. If I had to take off and left the door open so that Mrs. Atterly from down the road could check on you, that would be fine, yes?”

“I don’t even know her.”

“But you would, if you moved in with me.”

The words popped out so naturally, yet Allie seems surprised. “How can you think like that already?”

“Why not? It would make both our lives easier. We could see each other a lot more. You’d have all the air conditioning you wanted, and a lot more space. You’d have the naturally cool room in the basement.” I chuckle. “It’s a lot more exciting cooking for two people than just one, so I’d eat a lot better, too.”

Time stops until Allie begins to nod slowly. “Maybe. I’d like to check in on Mrs. Meno frequently until she finds a new tenant.And I’d still be walking distance from the diner if they ever needed a hand at a moment’s notice…”

“Yup. Unless you get that job at the department store, which is also right there. I’m sure someone would jump at your apartment. We can ask around and help Mrs. Meno choose someone nice.”

“You really want me to move in so soon?”

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