“He smelled you on me last night.” Grady patted Spot. “Spot, this is Chelsey.”
Spot licked her knuckles and she grinned. “You’re as charming as your human.”
“Me being his human is about right, rather than him being my dog.” Grady shook his head. “Come on in.”
Spot politely trotted at her side and watched her closely, as if cataloguing everything about her. After Grady had kicked the door shut behind him, he took her coat and laid it over the back of the sofa.
Chelsey sat on the floor and stroked Spot’s head. “He’s such a good boy.”
“He’s well behaved.” Grady set the burger bags on a round kitchen table and the duffel on the living room floor. “He’s at doggie day care when I’m working, and they have overnight boarding.”
She looked up at Grady. “I’ve heard those places are fun for dogs.”
“He loves it.” Grady took a leash off a hook on a wall in the kitchen. “I need to give Spot a quick bathroom break. Make yourself at home. I’ll take him out for a longer walk after we eat.”
“Okay.” Chelsey watched him clip the leash to Spot’s collar. Grady clicked his tongue and they headed out the front door. She noticed a horseshoe-shaped spot on Spot’s rump. Grady nodded to Chelsey before he closed the door behind them.
Chelsey picked up the hamburger bags and carried them to the kitchen. His apartment was large and clean. Not spotless, but tidy. She set the bags on the table before grabbing a couple of paper towels and folding them for napkins in front of chairs that were across from each other at the square table.
He said to make herself at home, and since he’d mentioned having pop at home as opposed to getting some at the burger place, she figured she’d get it out. He had Coke and Dr. Pepper in the fridge, which she put on the table, along with two glasses filled with ice from the icemaker.
She wandered around while waiting for him to return with Spot. He had what she thought of as a total guy house. A large entertainment center took up one end of the room with a huge flat screen “smart” TV, and just about every electronic device possible. Like her brothers, Grady had all the available game systems. The entertainment center had plenty of drawers and cabinets to stash games and more electronics.
“Guys.” She shook her head and smiled.
Grady had Seattle Seahawks paraphernalia around, so apparently he was a big fan. He also had a bookshelf filled with hardcover books on astronomy, physics, firefighter magazines, and training manuals.
On one shelf, he had placed filled frame after frame, which she guessed were pictures of family members. One of the frames was large with what looked like a recent photo of a group of thirty plus people. At first she didn’t think she’d be able to pick out Grady, but she spotted him on the left next to a man who looked like him, only the other man was at least thirty years older.
“Probably Grady’s dad,” she said to herself.
The front door opened and Chelsey whirled to see Spot bounding inside, followed by Grady.
Spot came straight for her and she dropped to her knees to give the dog some love. “Good boy.” She scratched behind his ears and he happily panted at her attention.
“Damn, I’m hungry.” Grady reached out to grab her hand and pulled her back to her feet. “Let’s eat, honey.”
His term of endearment brought heat to her cheeks. Fortunately he didn’t seem to notice and they both sat at the table.
Grady poured glasses of Coke that he had in the fridge, and then they dove into the burgers, fries, and battered and fried cheese curds. All had cooled off, but were still amazing.
“Fried cheese curds just aren’t the same anywhere else.” He popped one into his mouth. “My favorite thing about Wisconsin.”
She grinned. “Out of everything, it’s the fried cheese curds that are your favorite?”
“Okay, cheese curds are my second favorite.” He gave her a wicked look. “My number one favorite thing about the state is a sexy blonde figure skater who could easily twist me around her little finger.”
The heat rushing to Chelsey’s face had to make her cheeks bright red. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She was both embarrassed and pleased at the compliment.
He laughed. “You’re so cute when you blush.”
She tried to pretend she didn’t do exactly that. “I don’t blush.”
He snorted out a laugh. “And I bet you don’t make noises in your sleep.”
Her eyes widened. “I—you—” She stopped, unable to think of any kind of reply.
“I’m just teasing you, Chels.” He grinned before taking a giant bite of his hamburger.
“Men,” she grumbled before chomping a fry.
He chuckled and ate his burger in a few more bites.
By the time they finished, he had eaten two double bacon cheeseburgers to her single burger, plus he ate all his order of cheese curds and half of hers, and most of the fries.
He relaxed back into his chair and blew out his breath. “Give me fifteen minutes and I could eat another.”
She smiled. “Again, thanks for dinner.”
“Only the best.” He pointed to the bags. “Which, by the way, this burger place is the best.”
“I traveled all over the states back in the day, and believe me, I know.” At his skeptical look, she laughed. “Hey, after a win, I treated myself. Of course I worked ten times harder the next week just to make sure it didn’t stick to my then skinny hips.”
He looked at her with amusement. “You’re not just beautiful, but you’re adorable, too.”
She grabbed up the garbage and started putting it all into one bag. “Boy, have I got you fooled.”
He stood and came around the table, and caught one of her hands in his. “You couldn’t fool me if you tried, honey.”
“That’s the second time you’ve called me honey.” She wasn’t sure why she said it.
He bent down and brushed his lips over hers. “It won’t be the last.”
She could barely catch her breath as he drew away. It was almost impossible to tear her gaze away from his.
“f we take Spot for that walk and then watch a movie?” He studied her. “Technically this wasn’t supposed to be a second date, but I think it qualifies now.”
“I think you’re right.” She still couldn’t look away from him. “A walk and a movie sounds good.”
She didn’t care what the movie was. It could have been a cheesy 1950s sci-fi movie for all she cared.
After Grady put on a warm jacket, clipped the leash on Spot, they first went to Chelsey’s car to get a warmer coat for her.
The walk was nice, especially when Grady slipped her arm through his and kept her close. The chill on Chelsey’s cheeks and nose made her feel alive. She enjoyed the crisp coldness of the evening, and loved the smell of fall on the air.
Spot sniffed everything they passed, and Grady let him have a little extra leash to explore, but the dog was still well-behaved and obeyed all commands.
They talked about the game and she expressed how impressed she had been with his skill on the ice. He shrugged. “Teamwork makes it possible.”
“Yes, that’s true.” She smiled as she looked at him. She tipped her head back because he was so much taller than her. “Your skill allows you to take that teamwork and make things happen.”
“Like I said, I’ve been skating and playing hockey as long as I can remember.” He smiled down at her. “What do you think about going skating together closer to the end of the week? I need to check my schedule to see what shifts I’m working, but I think we’d have a good time on the ice.”
“I’d like that.” She nodded. “Skating with someone who’s great on the ice is always fun.”
“Good.” He held her closer to his side. “I’ll give you a call later this week.”
After spending time out with Spot, they returned to the apartment. Grady hung up their jackets and Spot plopped down on a large dog bed near the couch.
Chelsey leaned against the archway in the kitchen as she watched Grady make popcorn in an old-fashioned popper on the stovetop. The warm smell of buttery popcorn soon filled the kitchen. When it was finished, and after he made two cups of hot cocoa with tons of marshmallows, just the way she liked, they returned to the living room.
Her belly fluttered as she sat on one end of the couch. He sat beside her, so close their bodies touched from shoulder to knee. The heat of his body and his sheer presence sent her heart racing and her hormones elevated a notch or ten.
“We’re bound to find a pay-per-view movie that sounds good.” Grady used the remote to turn on the large TV, then searched through the movies listed. It didn’t take long to pick a romantic comedy that had been out of the theaters for a couple of months.
He put his arm around her shoulder and held her close, the bowl of popcorn on his lap. She was surprised how relaxed she felt with him and a happy sigh rose in her as tension flowed away in his in his embrace.
The movie was an endearing, funny, tearjerker that had Chelsey laughing and growing teary at different moments. By the time it was over, she felt so comfortable with Grady that she didn’t want to move. He turned off the TV and she tipped her head to look at him.
“You are sweet as honey.” He put his fingers on her chin and stroked his finger along her jawline, his look intense. “I knew it from the moment I saw you on the ice. It’s in everything about you. You are genuine and there’s no way for you to be anyone but who you appear to be.”
Tingles traveled from her scalp to her toes. She wasn’t sure how to respond, but she managed to whisper, “Thank you.”
He captured her face in one hand and lowered his head. He moved his mouth over hers, gently nipping her lower lip before sucking the soft flesh between his teeth.
She caught her breath at the sensually erotic way he kissed her. She tasted popcorn and hot chocolate, and Grady’s wonderful flavor. He slid his tongue inside her mouth, and the tingles expanded everywhere.
A moan rose inside her as he kissed her. He stroked her shoulders down to her elbows and back. He touched the skin above her breasts, and then skimmed his fingers along the top of her bra. For a moment she stilled, but he didn’t move down any farther. Instead, he slid his fingers over her arm again before burying his hands in her hair.
Small whimpers escaped her as he kissed her thoroughly. She shifted, and before she even realized what she was doing, she was on his lap, straddling him. Their gazes met and held for a moment before she lowered her head and kissed him.
She’d never initiated anything like this, and she felt untamed and free. With almost wild abandon, she kissed him with all the passion he brought out in her. She wanted more, needed more. His erection was hard against her, and she imagined what he would feel like inside her.
The urge to have him in her mouth was overwhelming. She wanted to taste him, to feel him, to bring him pleasure.
She started to slide from his lap to the floor, but he caught her to him. “I need to get you home.” His breaths were uneven and desire was written all over his expression. “God, I want you, but I won’t take advantage of you because you’re in my home. At the right moment, I’ll take you and I’ll bury myself deep inside you.”
A smile touched her lips. He was beyond a gentleman. She stroked hair from his face, and couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re an amazing man, Grady.”
He gave a pained laugh. “Believe me, this isn’t easy or amazing. It’s just the right thing to do.”
She grinned. “Yes, you are amazing.”
He shook his head as he got to his feet while holding her, letting her slide down until she stood in front of him. He kissed her one more time before he grabbed their jackets and helped her into hers. Spot rode with them as Grady took Chelsey home.
Grady walked her up the stairs of her front porch, took her keys from her, and opened the door. One last sweet, amazing kiss, and then he waited for her to close the door and lock it.
She pushed aside the curtain in the window beside the door and watched him walk to his truck. He looked back at her house before climbing into his vehicle and driving away.
Chelsey wandered into her house, feeling dreamy and not even close to sleepy. She was normally neat, but tonight she dropped her purse, shed her jacket, and stripped out of her clothes, leaving everything where they fell.
She dressed in silky pajamas and climbed into bed, thinking there was no way she would ever fall asleep after a night like this.
It wasn’t long before she slipped into a deep sleep with dreams of Grady and her… And they were dancing on the ice until they spun into the mist and vanished.
9
“You have a pair for figure skating.” Chelsey looked at Grady with surprise as he brought a black pair of skates out of his duffel. It was the Saturday after the evening at his home. He had picked her up to go ice skating for their third—technically second—date, and they had just come inside the rink. “You’re not just a jock.”
He laughed. “I used to skate as a couple with one of my older sisters when she needed someone to practice with. She competed with her usual partner, and they did pretty well. They never won any championships but they did place more often than not.” He dropped onto the bench and tugged off his shoes before putting on the skates.
She sat next to him and took off her own street shoes. “Every time we’re together I learn something new and interesting about you.” She set aside her shoes and grabbed her own white skates. “You have many layers, Grady Donovan.”
“You have no idea,” he said with a teasing grin, but something flickered in his eyes that gave her pause.
“You haven’t been convicted of anything, have you?” She laughed as she said it, knowing it was absurd. At least she hoped it was.
“A few tickets.” He laced up his skates. “And you?”
“No toe over the line.” She smirked. “Not even a traffic ticket.”
“Miss Goody Two Shoes.” He stood as she finished lacing her skates. He held out his hand. “Or is it Miss Goody Two Skates?”
She grinned. “That’s more like it.”
It wasn’t long before they were on the ice. She had seen Grady warm up for ice hockey, but that was nothing like the kind of warmups she did for figure skating. Today he followed her lead, and he was smooth and skilled.
Cool air brushed her face as they raced around the rink. She had never dated anyone who enjoyed any kind of skating as much as she did.
She felt such a connection to Grady that she couldn’t stop smiling. He made her want to smile, all the time. A part of her thought maybe she should be worried, as if the other shoe might drop. She wasn’t going to think that way. Somehow he made her feel so good and that the possibilities on the horizon were endless.
And odd as it was, even though she hadn’t known him that long, he made her feel as if love was possible again.
They were laughing by the time they finished warming up.
“Time to show me just how well your sister trained you.” Chelsey skated in circles as she spoke to Grady. “I want to see what you’ve got.”
He grabbed one of her hands and gripped it as he settled his other hand on her hip. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
She snorted out an unladylike laugh as they skated together, lazily moving around the ice. “You’ve already seen mine. Figure skating that is. I’ve only watched you play hockey.”
“I haven’t seen you play hockey.” His voice was low and teasing. “How are you at playing goalie?”
“Terrible.” She rolled her eyes as they moved. “But I’m not a bad shot.”
He looked interested and impressed. “You’ll have to show me your stuff.”
“If you’re lucky.” She grinned and pushed away from him, skating backward, across the empty arena.
He chased after her, catching her within moments. He took her hand and spun her. She fell into it naturally, and skated out of it in a reverse figure eight.
They skated for two hours, just enjoying each other’s company as they spent time together. It amazed Chelsey how well they skated together, and how well they fit in every way.
When they finished, they were both perspiring and breathing a little harder than normal from the race they had just completed. Grady had won, barely. She had done a great job of keeping up, and her last burst of speed could have won their bet.
She was highly competitive, but the loss didn’t bother her. Maybe it was because of the nature of their bet that she didn’t mind losing.
“I lost, so we’re having dinner how many times this week?” She untied her skate and glanced at him as he bent over his own.
“You have to have dinner with me every night I’m not working at the fire department.”
He gave her a sexy grin as she glanced from her skate to him. His heated expression could have melted the ice. Even as she caught her breath, she moved her hand in a circle, indicating he should go on.
He shrugged. “I sort of forgot to tell you that I’m not on the schedule at all this week. I’m on vacation.”
“Seven straight days?” Her eyes widened even as she wanted to laugh. “You—you brat.”
“You have to admit it was genius.” He laughed. “So where do we go tomorrow night?”
She was still shaking her head. She had agreed to the contest because she loved the idea of spending more time with Grady. She just hadn’t known it was every night this week. Spending a week with Grady…that wasn’t going to be a hardship.
“Since we’re having dinner at Aunt Annie’s this afternoon, that’s our comfort food for the week.” Chelsey knew there was no arguing about their wager. Besides, spending all this time together made her feel as if she had just won a lottery. “How about Thai tomorrow?”
“Know any great hidden gems?” He pulled off one of his unlaced skates. “Those types of places as are usually the best when it comes to Thai food.”
“I know the perfect Thai restaurant, practically invisible in the center corner of an L-shaped strip mall.”
Fire and Ice (Firemen do it Hotter Book 1) Page 6
