by L. P. Maxa
She grinned. “Fire power. Right. I forgot.”
They stepped outside. Pine tinged the clean, crisp air, as well as the hint of wood fires from the town. He looked at her.
Amelia looked up at him. “It got colder out here, and you’re only wearing a T-shirt.”
“Cold doesn’t affect me. Fire power, remember? What about you? I could lend you a sweatshirt or something.”
“The cold doesn’t bother me. You should see me when I work with my ice cream. You may have fire, but I—”
Chaos lunged on the leash and barked into the darkness. Roman aimed his flashlight in the general direction. A porcupine waddled toward a tree.
“I forgot how wild these mountains are. It’s times like these I wish I was a birdwatcher so I could recognize the ones that flit about.” Amelia looked up at the stars. “You don’t see that in the city lights.”
His gaze followed hers. The sky looked like a child’s experiment with glitter and black paint. He was about to make some banal comment about its beauty when he saw her yawn again. “Let’s get you home.”
“So, is it strange that a guy with fire power works with wooden furniture?” she asked as they walked along the side of the road.
“Probably. But I haven’t burnt anything I’ve made in a long time.” That much was true. When he was making his pieces, his heart rate slowed, and his mind calmed. If anything, making furniture had helped him control his ability.
She tripped over something, and she grabbed his arm.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Just clumsy. The flashlight helps, but I missed whatever that was back there.” She released his arm.
“Maybe you’d better hang on until we’re at your house.” He took her hand. It was cold. He should have insisted on getting her a sweatshirt.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Her voice was soft and cocooned him in its promise. His heart rate sped up.
Oh hell.
They reached her door and she said, “Thank you for the dinner and the company. I had a really good time. Who knew having a celebrity next door included food?” She smiled up at him, then raised herself on her tiptoes. She placed her hands on either side of his cheeks and pulled him down to her.
Oh hell.
Her lips, cool and pliable, brushed his, and his breath caught in his throat.
The kiss was sweet and sexy at the same time. Blood roared in his ears, and he wanted to press himself against her, wrap her in his arms, and consume her. With his last remnant of restraint, he prevented himself from acting upon the impulse.
Oh hell.
His heart raced in his chest, and fire raged in his gut. It wanted to escape. It roared louder, looking for an exit.
With a soft, heavy sigh, she lowered herself back to the ground. “If I weren’t so tired…” Her smile flashed under the beam of the flashlight. “Good night, Roman.” And she disappeared inside.
Chaos barked.
What? Oh. Right. He looked down at the leash. It was nothing but ash in his hands. The remaining end smoldered on the ground, glowing like the end of a blown-out match and creeping toward Chaos’s collar. He stepped on it to extinguish the ember. Smoke rose from his fingers and the edges of his T-shirt.
Another minute, and he would have killed her.
He drew in a deep breath, trying to tame the inferno inside. This was why he didn’t go into town often. This was why he lived alone. This was why he didn’t want anyone in his life.
He looked at the shortened leash, then wrapped the end around his hand. “You’ll have to stay closer, Chaos. No bounding this time.”
Chaos licked his hand as if agreeing. And as if sensing Roman’s mood, Chaos didn’t tug or yank as they started back up the road.
Roman unclenched his teeth. Dogs were supposed to have a calming influence on their owners. At least that was what he’d read, but right now he was too frustrated to appreciate the presence of the creature.
The most unsettling thing of all the unsettling things that had happened since he opened his yap and asked her to dinner was that he could still feel the imprint of Amelia’s hands on his cheeks. They had been cold, but had done nothing to bank the fire within.
One more thing he blamed himself for. He should have given her a jacket instead of letting her freeze.
But the cool night air would do more to soothe him than his thoughts.
Thank the gods.
THE COMPLICATION
Well, that was a disappointment. Amelia hung up the phone and looked out the picture window. The bright blue sky held nary a cloud, and birds, which she still couldn’t identify, flitted in the trees, here a spot of yellow, there a streak of blue. Mal had called her to tell her there was a delay of a few days in the mission. That meant she had a few days to do nothing. Good thing she had brought some books. She had the time to read now. Maybe she should go into town and pick up a bird book.
She grabbed her keys and a few shopping bags. As long as she was going into town, she might as well pick up some groceries. Although the pantry in the house was well stocked, there were a few special things she wanted. Especially if she planned to repay her alluring neighbor for that dinner.
A ripple of excitement darted through her body. Roman was definitely a bonus for this trip. Who knew the famous furniture maker was so yummy? A little shy, a little aloof, a little withdrawn, but so strong, and who didn’t love a man who clearly loved his dog?
Her lips tingled slightly at the memory of the kiss. It was hot—both sexy and in temperature. Must have been his fire power. She loved the sensation. The contrast of the heat with the cool air proved even more stimulating. If she hadn’t been so tired…
And if she hadn’t been so unsure that he’d welcome the advance. He was shy and withdrawn. She had patience though. Maybe he was hiding something. Like a wife. She snorted at that thought, but decided to ask Mal anyway. Mal knew everything.
She opened the front door and stopped. Chaos bounced in front of her as he had been waiting for her to let him in.
“What are you doing here, boy?” She let out an audible breath. “I was headed into town, but I guess that can wait until I return you. Come in.”
The dog bound inside and sniffed around all the furniture and corners. His tail swished like a metronome set to a rapid beat.
Amelia placed the bags on the entry table and stuck her keys in her pocket. She looked around. What could she use as some sort of leash? She pulled her lower lip between her teeth. The belt from her robe was probably long enough.
She looped the end through Chaos’s collar and tied it. “Come on, boy. Let’s take you home.”
Chaos’s tongue lolled out of his mouth as he trotted beside her up the road. He didn’t pull, which was a good thing because she didn’t think she could have held him back if he had. When they reached Roman’s front door, a thrill of anticipation shot through her and her breath quickened.
She searched the porch area for a doorbell but didn’t see one. She knocked. Chaos stared up at her adoringly. After a few seconds she knocked again and waited.
And waited.
A puff of air escaped her lips. She knocked again and pressed her ear to the door. She heard nothing. “Let’s see if he’s around back.”
Chaos’s rapidly wagging tail indicated his agreement and they set off around the house. Because Chaos insisted on sniffing every plant, rock, and new spot on the foundation, the slog took longer than expected. She would have hurried him along, but the one time she tried to pull him away from his focus of interest, she couldn’t budge the dog and had to retie the belt to his collar. Her shoes were meant for walking in town, not for tramping between trees and over logs and stones. By the time they reached the deck, mud covered her cute half boots.
Chaos leapt up the steps, pulling the end of the belt from her hands. He stood by the glass door looking inside. As long as the dog was occupied up there, Amelia scraped as much of the dirt off her shoes as she could on the edge of bo
ttom step. Not much better. Nevertheless she followed Chaos to the top of the stairs and to the glass door. She knocked here too, but saw nothing move inside.
“I don’t think he’s home. How did you get out? I doubt there’s a doggy door somewhere.” She scratched Chaos’s ears.
There was still one door she hadn’t tried. Roman’s workshop was the long extension from the house that went back into the trees.
With a sigh, she climbed down the steps and picked her way to the door on the side. Chaos came with her, dragging her belt in the dirt. She sighed and wondered if the now brown belt would ever be white again. Chaos leaned against her and didn’t move from her side.
This time she heard noise from inside the workshop. The whine of some machinery whistled through the door. She knocked.
The whine didn’t stop. He probably couldn’t hear her over the noise. She waited for a pause in sound and then knocked again.
The workshop stayed silent. She rapped again to make sure he knew the pounding wasn’t an anomaly. From the other side came the clicks of a lock being opened, and then the door opened. Man, he filled a doorway. A smile bloomed on her lips. “Good morning.”
He scowled at her. “What do you want?”
Her smiled died. “I wanted to go to town, but—”
“Can’t you see I’m working? I don’t have time to take you on a tour.” His face revealed no hint of recognition or remembrance of the convivial dinner they’d shared.
Her goodwill vanished entirely. She narrowed her gaze. “I don’t need a tour.”
“What do you want then?” His voice was gruff and filled with impatience.
“I don’t want anything from you. When I left my house this morning to go into town, your dog was at my door. I thought I’d be nice and bring him back, ruining my shoes in the process. Oh, and now I have to wash my belt too.” She untied it from the collar and shook the dirty sash at him.
“Chaos? How did he get out?”
“How the hell should I know?”
Chaos let out a whimper.
She knelt down and scratched Chaos’s ears. “Don’t worry, boy. I’d never hold a grudge against you.” She glared up at Roman. “You know, if you’re going to take on the responsibility of a dog, you have to actually take responsibility.” She started back around the house.
Roman called after her. “I’m sorry, okay? You can come through the house. It’s faster.”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “Don’t bother. I’ve already ruined my shoes. I prefer to go this way.”
###
Roman raked a sawdust-covered hand through his hair as he watched her stomp through the woods. Chaos walked inside as if nothing had happened, circled a spot in the corner twice, then lay down. Roman took a few deep breaths and released them as if he had run a marathon. He closed the door quickly and stepped back into his workshop. His fingers tingled, and he felt the conflagration within. She was even more gorgeous after a good night’s sleep.
He needed a distraction. His work. He returned to the belt sander, but when he touched the tabletop he’d been finishing, the wood smoked beneath his fingertips. He backed away immediately, but the char mark already marred the top.
Damn it. He’d done the right thing. He’d driven her away. So why did it feel so wrong?
He grabbed the ruined piece from the belt sander and tossed it to the other end of his workshop. It burst into flames before it left his hand. It landed on some wood chips that also lit up. Shit. Now he had to deal with a fire. Luckily the fire extinguisher was metal, although if he continued this way, he’d melt it.
Chaos whined.
The smoke wasn’t bad. The fire was small, if intense. Roman sprayed the white foam, and the flames vanished. However, he couldn’t stay there. The way he was feeling, if he touched anything else, it would catch fire too.
He dropped the extinguisher and bolted from the workshop. Outside the connecting door to the house was a bathroom. He ran into the tiled room and turned the shower’s cold faucet to full blast. He stepped into the frigid stream, clothes and all.
How long he stood there, head in the stream, water cascading down him, he couldn’t say, but when he started shivering he knew he was in control again. He rarely shivered. His fire abilities kept him impervious to the cold. He turned off the water and stepped from the shower. He kicked off his leather shoes—the water had probably ruined them—and dripped across the hardwood floors to the great room. He sat on the sofa without giving a thought to his dripping state. A puddle formed beneath him.
Chaos padded over, let out a small whimper, and then laid his head on Roman’s knee.
Roman buried his fingers in the dog’s nape. He sat there for a few minutes, absently scratching the dog’s neck and ears. Chaos leaned into the attention and never took his gaze from Roman’s face
He looked at the dog. “I know. You’re right.”
Roman reached for the phone and punched in the numbers. He waited until the voice at the other end said, “Hello.”
“I think I’m ready for help.”
###
Chaos was on her doorstep. Again. For the third time this week.
Amelia sighed and let the dog in. “You know, you make it difficult to go out for a run.”
She grabbed the leash she had picked up in town for just such an emergency, clipped it to the dog’s collar, and headed up the street to Roman’s house. The last dog exchange had been cool and polite with no hint of the evening and kiss they had shared or the uncomfortable morning after. If only she could control the flutter in her stomach when she saw him.
She knocked on the door and waited. Seconds passed, then a minute. If she had to trek behind his house again, at least she wasn’t wearing cute shoes. Although, come to think of it, her running shoes were expensive too.
She frowned and knocked again. This time, the door opened within a few seconds, startling her.
Roman blinked a few times then ran his hand through his hair. It didn’t help smooth it. It was sticking out wildly like an anime hero’s. Dark circles ringed Roman’s eyes, and the distinct crease of a pillow slashed his cheek above his no-longer-neat beard.
“I brought your dog.” She unhooked the leash from Chaos’s collar. The dog bounded inside as if his morning adventure was part of his routine.
He grimaced. “I’m sorry. I swear I don’t know how he’s getting out.”
“I would accuse him of knowing how to open doors, but I don’t think he’s that smart.”
Chaos barked as if to agree with her.
“Well, thanks again. Did you buy a leash?”
“I suspected I might need it again after the last two days.”
“I’m sorry about that too.” He drew his hand down his face and rubbed his eyes.
Despite her pique, concern stirred within her. “You look terrible. Are you ill?”
“No. I had an all-night session with Mal and fell asleep on the couch. I’m glad you woke me. I have work to do.”
“Power tools and exhaustion. That’s a great combination.” She shook her head. “Have you had breakfast? Or a shower?”
“No to both. Do I smell?”
“Only of smoke. Practicing your fire stuff?”
“Yes. I had an accident in my workshop the other day and realized I need more control.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Didn’t you get training when you were younger?”
“Well, I thought I had it under control, so I never went. I only lose control when I get emotional.”
Ah. That explained why he had moved to the far edge of town and stayed away from people as often as possible. She’d learned that much about him after asking around. She might be annoyed with him, but it didn’t mean she could forget him. “You really should sleep before working.”
“I’m fine.” But he blinked several times in a row, then stretched his eyelids wide.
“And you’re stubborn as well.” She held up a hand to stave off any response. “Look, you’re an adu
lt, and I can’t tell you what to do, but how about I make you coffee while you take a cold shower to perk up.”
“Actually I sat down with a mug, but I fell asleep before I could drink it.”
“Then how about I make you a fresh pot and something to eat.”
“You really shouldn’t.“
“I know I shouldn’t. I have three miles to run. I’m in training too, you know.” Even if she still didn’t know what the job was.
He hesitated a moment. “I would like that. Make yourself at home.” He stepped aside and let her in.
She walked directly to the kitchen. Chaos greeted her again with his fringed tail wagging as if to say, “What took you so long?”
“Has the dog been fed?”
“Yes. Don’t let him fool you.” Roman pointed upstairs. “I’ll, um, go, uh…”
“Go. I’ll be here when you finish.” She opened the refrigerator to see what ingredients she had to work with.
###
His took his second cold shower in three days. The training with Mal went well, but Roman hadn’t tamped down every response his body made. Take, for example, seeing her at his front door. Again.
Still, he had been able to keep the fire contained to within his fingers. He hoped she hadn’t noticed he’d kicked the front door shut and hadn’t touched anything until he’d reached the shower.
The cold water restored his equilibrium. It probably didn’t help that he was tired, but he hadn’t had such a response to a woman since he was teenager. Luckily, back then his father had been able to handle the fires.
Damn it. Roman had thought he had his response to people under control. After all, you couldn’t go through life without running into assholes or attraction. But she did something to him. Something different.
If nothing else, she was a good test.
He laughed at himself. No wonder people thought he’d lost touch with civilization. He had a beautiful, desirable woman downstairs, and he was thinking about the clinical up side.
