Page 17 of Burn for You

“I had fun today,” Marlee whispered. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Being a small town girl suits you.”

I cupped her chin and kissed her as the light from the projector’s screen washed over us. Marlee hummed against my lips and rested her hand against my chest. I hooked an arm around her waist, pulling her into my lap. Grabbing a fistful of her skirt, my fingers grazed her bare thigh.

Someone cleared their throat loudly.

I broke away and turned my head to see Lieutenant Hardy at the edge of the lawn with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face. We were caught, like two teenagers making out in the back of the movie theater.

“We better keep the PDA to a minimum for now,” I said.

Marlee and I shifted to a more respectable position. She hummed, tugging my shirt free from my belt. Then her nimble fingers ghosted along my torso. She rested her head against my chest as she focused on the movie. My cock ached for release and I was tempted to drag her away from here, fundraiser be damned.

Lieutenant Hardy and Chief Langston would have my head for skipping out though.

So, I pulled Marlee closer and kissed her temple instead, content with cuddling up for the duration of the movie, whichwas more than she would have let me get away with a few days ago.

My girl was warming up to me, coming out of her shell, and I couldn’t wait to see her fully blossom.

Chapter 6

Marlee

On Monday morning, I stretched like a cat in the sunshine—warm, content, and satisfied. I smiled to myself as I bit my lip, replaying the memory of Seth’s kiss. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been kissed so well…

It felt good to let loose yesterday, to blend in and become part of a community. After the disaster of my last relationship blew up in my face two years ago, I’d thrown myself into work. As long as I remained strictly professional, I didn’t have to mourn the broken heart my ex left behind when he cheated on me.

There was a closeness here in Romeo that I never experienced in San Francisco. Listening to Seth’s coworkers telling stories about him was proof that they were familiar with each other like one big family.

It also confirmed my suspicions that Seth was a flirt.

I sighed and pushed myself up in bed, scrubbing a hand through my hair. My head warned me that I should steer clear of Seth. I didn’t need to be tossed aside like a toy by another man.But my heart—and definitely my body—continually tugged me closer to him.

Maybe it didn’t have to be anything serious.

Seth didn’t strike me as the type of guy to settle down long term. A harmless little fling might help me to get back on my feet. I knew it wouldn’t last, and Seth probably did, too. If he got bored and cheated on me, I would already have one foot out the door.

My phone buzzed with a text on my nightstand. I reached over and picked it up, glancing at the screen to see Seth’s name.

Good morning, gorgeous. Mind if I drop by your office later today with lunch?

A giddy bubble rose in my chest. I forced myself to calm down and typed out a response.

Only if it has more nutritional value than ice cream.

Within seconds, Seth sent back a reply.

A dozen donuts, coming right up.

I laughed softly, alone in my empty bedroom. Then I touched my lips to silence myself. I had to keep in mind that this wasn’t going to last. This wasn’tlove.Just lust. Attraction. Flirtation for the fun of it.

Pushing the sheets aside, I headed for the bathroom and started the shower, waiting for the water to warm up. As I stripped off my pajamas, I caught the unmistakable scent of smoke.

Goosebumps rippled up the back of my neck. I tilted my head, sniffing the air. Had I imagined it? Was my mind playing tricks on me after that firework exploded in my office?

I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. When I reached for the door handle, it wouldn’t budge.

A red-hot spike of alarm rocketed up my spine.

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