Page 12 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

The next hour was a blur. The fire was contained quickly, but the kitchen was a mess. They sat outside, the cool night air starkly contrasting the heat of the earlier chaos. Rosetta joined them, her eyes misty as she thanked Ian for his quick actions.

“You’re a hero, Ian,” Rosetta said, patting his hand. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Ian shrugged. “I’m just glad everyone’s okay. Besides, I like to think of myself as a low-budget superhero. No cape, but I will do my best.”

Haley smirked, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Low budget, huh? I can snag you one of those tablecloths, and we can make you a cape. Or better yet, maybe you could knit one.”

“Crochet, remember?” he quipped, not missing a beat.

Her laughter bubbled out of her. “For a man who promised dinner with no heroics, I have to tell you…. I feel slighted that I received heroics and no dinner.”

Ian laughed, his eyes crinkling in the corners that made Haley’s stomach flip.

“Anyway, I just want to say thank you. I never figured you could be so much fun.”

“Wow, that almost sounded like a compliment,” Ian said, nudging her shoulder. “Who are you, and what have you done with Haley?”

“Don’t get used to it. It’s a one-time thing,” she said, rolling her eyes but smiling.

Eventually, Ian turned to her, giving her a lopsided grin. “I guess I should get you home before my shift starts,” he said, standing up and offering her a hand.

Haley took it, though a part of her felt oddly disappointed. She wasn’t ready for the night to end but forced a smile. “I didn’t realize you worked tonight,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Wouldn’t want you to be late. You might lose that 'Employee of the Month' parking spot.”

“Sadly, unless I learn to cook, that will never be my spot,” Ian lamented, opening her door and ensuring she was settled before getting into the driver’s seat.

The ride home was quiet, though not uncomfortable. There was a weight to the silence, an unspoken something hanging between them. Ian pulled up in front of her house, and before Haley could make a move to get out, he was already out of the truck, walking around to open her door.

In some ways, Haley felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. Ian had been many things to her over the years, but a gentleman? That had never happened. “You know, I’m perfectly capable of opening my door.”

“I know,” Ian replied, his eyes glinting. “But where’s the fun in that? Besides, it’s part of my charm. I open doors, save restaurants from burning down, and annoy the hell out of the neighbor girl.”

“Oh, is that what you call charm?” Haley teased, raising an eyebrow. “Here I was thinking it was just a mild personality disorder.”

“Harsh,” Ian said, wincing dramatically. “You wound me, Hales.”

“I humbly apologize,” she said without remorse, and they were silent for half a second before erupting in laughter. “Okay, no, I don’t feel sorry—not even a little bit.”

“There’s the Haley we know and love,” he teased.

Haley couldn’t help the blush that stained her cheeks at his words. Obviously, it was just a phrase, and he meant nothing by it. But she couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her stomach at his words.

They walked up to her porch, Haley trying to fill the silence with idle chatter about the night. She was halfway through a sentence about how much she liked the restaurant when Ian’s hand gently caught her arm, spinning Haley to face him.

There was only silence for a heartbeat—the world around them seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them in the quiet glow of the porch light. Ian's eyes held hers, an intensity in his gaze that sent a shiver down her spine.

Then, without a word, he pulled her closer, his lips pressing against hers in a kiss that stole her breath. Haley froze for a split second, her heart pounding in her ears, and then she melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she kissed him back.

SIX

Haley’s brain went on hiatus as her body took control, kissing Ian with all the pent-up emotion she’d carried for him since childhood. There was frustration and a good dose of aggression. She couldn’t quite put her finger on whatever she felt for the man, but it certainly wasn’t apathy. He inspired true passion—for good or ill—and it was pure seduction in his kiss.

Haley wasn’t a virgin, but the few times she had dabbled in the dance between the sheets, she’d always come out wanting more. Never before had she felt such an intense connection with another human being. It was like they were fused with more than just their lips. Haley could have sworn she could feel Ian’s driving need—to kiss her deeper, to touch her everywhere, to be deep inside of her.

Instead of scaring her, the idea made her pour more of herself into their kiss. Her hands sank into the silky strands of his hair, and she held on for dear life. He ravaged her mouth with drugging kisses while his hands slipped from her hips to her ass. She was more than a handful, Ian didn’t shy away from her curves. Haley felt powerful, beautiful, and seen for one of the first times in her life.

He nipped at her lips, the slight scraping of teeth causing her lower belly to clench with need.

The unmistakable sound of a truck horn cut through the moment, followed by a chorus of hoots and hollers. Haley jerked back, her chest heaving as she turned to see a fire truck slowly cruising by. Three of Ian’s firefighter buddies hung out the windows, their grins wide and teasing.

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