Page 33 of Embers in Autumn
By the time I closed up, the memory of Dean in that uniform hadn’t let me go. God, he had looked good. Not just handsome—commanding. Strong. Like he could carry the weight of the world and still look at me with softness. I shook my head, muttering to myself as I carried the book upstairs.
My apartment glowed warm in lamplight as I kicked off my shoes, reheated some soup, and curled up in bed with the book. The first few chapters were exactly what I wanted: the heroine overwhelmed by life, the firefighter steady and kind, showing up when no one else did. I was halfway through a scene involving a suspiciously convenient fire alarm when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Dean:Sorry, I disappeared. Call came in. Everyone’s safe.
Relief washed over me, followed immediately by curiosity. I typed back quickly.
Amber:You don’t need to apologize for doing your job. Glad everyone’s okay.
Dean:Still. I didn’t like the idea of you wondering.
I smiled at the screen, my stomach flipping.
Amber:I kept busy.
Dean:What’s keeping you company tonight?
I bit my lip, staring at the book in my lap. Should I? No, that was ridiculous. But my fingers betrayed me anyway.
Amber:A book.
Dean:Dangerous answer, considering that now I know what you sell.
Amber:It’s… a firefighter romance.
The dots blinked almost instantly.
Dean:You’re kidding.
Amber:Pure coincidence.
Dean:Pure coincidence my ass. Let me guess… he’s tall, broad shoulders, saves kittens out of trees and women out ofburning buildings?
Amber:…he may have saved a cat. And possibly a bakery.
Dean:Am I at least better looking than this guy?
I laughed out loud, burying my face in the pillow.
Amber:Hard to say. The cover model is very committed to baby oil.
Dean:I’ll take that as a yes.
Amber:Don’t get cocky.
Dean:Too late. Now I’m picturing you in bed, biting your lip, reading about some guy in suspenders with a hose over his shoulder.
Heat flooded my cheeks. He had nailed it too perfectly.
Amber:Suspenders have not appeared yet.
Dean:Yet? That’s the word you went with. You’re enjoying this way too much.
Amber:Maybe.
Dean:I should be offended. But honestly? I like the idea of you reading about me.
I set the phone down for a moment, heart racing. God, what was he doing to me? The teasing was harmless, but the undercurrent hummed through every line, warm and electric.
