“Sounds terrific.” He jammed his skates into his equipment bag. “What else would you like to do today, after we eat at Annie’s?”
“How do you like board games?” Chelsey slid into her street shoes. “I have a thing for word challenges like Scrabble, or Boggle. I have lots of others. My brothers, sisters, and I played a lot growing up and I kept everything.
“You bet.” He zipped up his bag. “Sounds like a nice way to spend a quiet Saturday evening.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
Early dinner at Aunt Annie’s Restaurant was terrific. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, rolls—no one could beat Annie’s for comfort food.
After they ate, Grady drove them to Chelsey’s place. It was a quick drive from the restaurant. While he drove, he kept one hand on the wheel and put his other over hers on the console. His palm was warm and dry, and heated her from head to toe.
When they were inside the house, the door closed behind them, her belly fluttered as he reached for her. He whirled her into his arms, as if they were still on the ice, and held her close. He kissed her in a way that made her sigh with pleasure.
She thought she might not be able to stay on her feet, but after he steadied her, she went to the linen closet. The entire upper half was filled with board games.
“Take your pick, sir.” She swept her arm out like a game show host. “Choose the right one and earn riches and excitement beyond your wildest dreams.”
She did her best to sound serious, but her voice was tight, almost to the point of not being able to speak, thanks to holding back laughter. Giggles eventually spilled out and she couldn’t have scooped them up and put them back if she tried.
He went for the deluxe edition of Scrabble, likely because he knew it was her favorite. They spent the next two hours playing cutthroat Scrabble. They went back and forth, winning with words like jazzbos, whizzbang, skyjacked, quibbles, and flummoxed.
They remained neck-and-neck as they played. By the end of the night, Chelsey finally won with a last minute play of “equivoque” to make it three games to two.
“Yes!” She pushed one fist up in a champion salute. “She remains undefeated!”
“I want a rematch.” He pretended to scowl. “I still don’t think Jazzbos qualifies as a word.”
“You could have challenged me.” She grinned. “Of course you would have lost your turn.”
He shook his head. “I demand another opportunity to kick your butt.”
“Ha.” She leaned toward him and brushed her lips over his. “Be a good sport.”
He slid his fingers into her hair and cupped the back of her head. “With a kiss from you, how could I not? I think overall, I won.”
“Hmmm. When you put it that way…” She fell into the kiss like they were made for each other. It had only been a short time since she’d first gone out with him, and a week since their first date, but it might as well have been an eternity.
Grady drew her to her feet as he stood and she wrapped her arms around her neck as he danced them around the living room. Their mouths moved together as the kiss made her mind spin with desire. Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples sensitive. She wanted his touch in so many ways.
When he drew back, she saw they were now near the front door. He smiled down at her. “Time for me to go.”
She looked up at him, trying to catch her breath from the amazing kiss. “Are you sure?”
“Especially when you look at me that way.” He brushed hair from her eyes. “I would stay the night in a heartbeat, but I won’t push you.”
You wouldn’t be pushing me, she thought, but couldn’t get herself to say it aloud.
He continued to stroke her hair. “Spot is home alone too, so I need to go back before it gets any later.”
“Next time you come to my house, bring him.” She smiled. “He’s a good boy.”
“He is.” Grady gripped her upper arms. “Don’t forget—I won the bet, so you’re mine every night this week.”
“I won’t forget.” How could she? It would hard to make it through each day knowing that she would be seeing him soon. She looped her arms around his neck. “Tomorrow is Thai. I’ll text you the address of a little place I like to go to when I can.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I’ll pick you up at six if that works for you. Maybe a movie afterward?”
Her body felt flushed with heat, and she didn’t want to let him go. “Perfect.”
He brushed his knuckles along her cheekbone. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” she whispered before he kissed her one more time.
He drew away and kissed her forehead before he grabbed his jacket, opened the door, and let himself out and into the night.
10
It was one of the best weeks of Chelsey’s life. Every night she and Grady did something different and fun. She enjoyed spending time with him, and she never got tired of his energy, his great sense of humor, and his down to earth personality.
They had dinner at various, often unusual, places to eat, from Thai, to Indian, to Mexican, to a Five-and-Diner. They went to a movie one night, and on others they did things like bowl; ice skate; spend time at a fall festival; and visit his fire house where she met some of the other firefighters. They also did some early Christmas shopping for a fraction of Grady’s family and all of hers.
Today was Sunday, the last day of the week of dates he had won, and she’d spent the afternoon preparing dinner for him in her home. She kept it simple by making a pot roast with baby potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic. The house smelled wonderful—of the roast, garlic, and freshly baked homemade rolls.
White chocolate bread pudding was one of her brothers’ and sisters’ favorite desserts, and she decided to make it for Grady. The family recipe used croissants for the bread and the sauce was heavenly. She made it ahead of time but would put it in the oven to bake toward the end of dinner.
As she cleaned a few dishes by hand in the sink, she splashed water on her white-washed jean skirt that rode just above her knee. She patted it dry with a towel, then adjusted her three-quarter-sleeved purple blouse that had a plunging neckline. The neckline accented her cleavage without being too immodest, just a little daring. The tile in the kitchen was chilly, so she wore flats just to keep her feet warm. She normally liked to walk around barefoot, but the fall and winters kept her in fuzzy socks or shoes.
Grady liked to send her a text now and then throughout the day, to say he hoped she was having a great day, he was looking forward to their evening, or a simple “hi”. She loved hearing from him and knowing that he was thinking about her while she was at work, running errands, or even cleaning house.
He had even met her sisters, Tina and Lori, when they had stopped by unexpectedly. Later they had given Chelsey all kinds of hell by teasing her—according to them, she had looked rumpled and thoroughly kissed by her red-hot fireman. Which was no doubt true since she and Grady had been kissing in the kitchen when her sisters stopped by.
She smiled to herself and glanced at the kitchen clock, her excitement nearly bubbling over. Grady would be here soon.
Within moments of the time he said he would arrive for dinner, the doorbell rang. She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t thrilled, and practically ran to the door. She opened it to greet Grady and Spot.
Grady looked amazing as always. Whenever he was near, she drank in the cut of his jaw, his firm lips, and the scruff he allowed to grow when he wasn’t working. He had a sexy good boy-bad boy look about him. He had one hand behind his back and she wondered what he had.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her, then brought his hand from behind his back and presented a large bouquet of roses.
She gasped with pleasure and nearly bounced up and down on her toes. “They’re so pretty.” They were pink, purple, white, and dark pink roses tipped with purple. Together all four shades made a lovely combination.
“They smell so good.” She felt giddy as she set them aside
on the hall table. “As soon as I give Spot a hug, I’ll put these in water—I have the perfect vase.” She tipped her head and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
He kissed her softly. “You’re welcome.” He glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Where’s the vase? I’ll put them in water while you give Spot that hug.”
She told him then dropped to her knees in front of Spot. “Hi, boy.” She petted him and he darted in for a quick face lick, causing her to laugh. “He sure is good with those sniper kisses. Like his master.”
“He’s crazy about you.” Grady chuckled as he ran the water to fill the vase.
“I’m rather fond of him, too,” she said as she petted him. “Spot is my buddy.”
Grady put the flowers into the vase of water. “He’s not the only one who’s crazy about you.”
“Oh, yeah?” She tipped her head to the side, a smile threatening to turn into a wide, happy grin. Her belly fluttered and she wanted to throw herself against him and hug him all night long.
He set the flowers on the breakfast bar and walked toward her. “Yeah,” he said. “Spot isn’t the only one who has a thing for you.” She let Grady take her by her hand and pull her to her feet. He brought her into the circle of his arms. “Something smells good.” He nuzzled her neck.
“It’s the roast.” She sighed as he kissed the curve of her throat. “And homemade bread.”
“I was talking about you.” He audibly inhaled. “You smell delicious.”
“Thank you.” She gripped his shoulders as he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her long and sweet.
“Are you hungry?” She tried to keep her voice steady as she parted from him. “Dinner is ready when you are.”
“I’m starving.” He settled one of his hands on her waist as she turned toward the kitchen, and he walked with her.
“I’m glad you’re hungry.” She looked up at him. “All the better to try my experiments on you. If you’re starving, you probably won’t even notice anything unusual.”
“Notice what?” He braced his forearms on the breakfast bar. “Did you slip anything mysterious into the food?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She darted a mischievous look at him. “You might like it—if it doesn’t kill you.”
His eyes widened. “Now you’ve got me intrigued.”
She raised her brows. “Frightened even?”
“Nah.” He should his head. “Not scared.”
“You will be.” She did her best Yoda impression. “You will be.”
He nearly choked with laughter. “If you’re supposed to be Yoda, some work you must do.”
She sniffed. “My imitation is better than yours.” She picked up the basket of rolls, along with a butter bell with real butter.
He laughed and helped her carry the roast to the table, along with the plates of vegetables.
Spot sat on a blanket near the kitchen entrance. He had his head on his paws, watching them as they ate. Something about the dog being Grady’s warmed her heart. He clearly loved the dog, who worshipped him back.
“Can I give him a bit of roast?” Chelsey glanced at Grady.
“I don’t feed him people food.” Grady looked at Spot before returning his gaze to Chelsey. “But for you, I’ll let you spoil him once.”
She beamed. Spot raised his head and looked hopeful, as if he’d understood everything they had just said.
After Grady sliced the roast, she put a little bite of it on a plate to the side. She crouched and offered the plate to Spot. “Hopefully this will be a nice treat. Your human wouldn’t let me give you more than this.”
Grady smiled at her when she took her seat. “You’re going to spoil him.”
She took a roll from a basket before passing it to Grady, and she grinned. “I might spoil his master, too.”
He took the basket of rolls from her as he chuckled. “No complaints here.”
Dinner was as fun as usual. She couldn’t get enough of Grady.
“This roast is the best.” He leaned in close. “Tell me the recipe. I won’t give it to Mom and she’ll drive me nuts just to get the recipe. It will be fun.”
Chelsey laughed. “You are totally a youngest in the family. I bet you can do no wrong when it comes to your mom.”
He gave a conspiratorial grin. “Who me?”
“Yes, you.” She loved their fun conversations. “So tell me more about your family. I love your stories.”
“I have plenty of ‘em.” He took a bite of roast. “I’m going to end up boring you if you’re not careful.
She shook her head. “Never.”
Several stories later, Grady helped Chelsey clean dishes from the table and wash and put everything away. She liked how domestic it felt working side-by-side with him. She wouldn’t mind spending time with him every day. No, she wouldn’t mind at all.
They were almost finished cleaning up when Chelsey put the heel of her palm against her forehead. “I forgot the wine. I got a great merlot to go with the roast.”
“I don’t drink.” Grady dried the last dish. “But you can go ahead.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t realize that. I guess I should have noticed that you’ve never ordered alcohol during dinner. Why don’t you drink?”
He was quiet for a long moment as he studied her. “I’ve been planning on telling you, but the moment just hasn’t felt right. Now is as good as any.” He blew out his breath. “I’m an alcoholic. I’ve been sober for a long time and I go to AA meetings and have a sponsor.”
Chelsey felt like blood drained from her face and spread out across the floor.
Grady was watching her. “Are you all right?”
Her throat worked as she swallowed. “No.”
He dried off his hands with a hand towel and set the towel on the countertop. “I’ve been sober for eight years, Chelsey.”
She felt numb. “My husband, George, was an alcoholic.” Her tone was brittle. “He was a good man, but he drank so much that it became his life. When he was wasted, he would just sit in his chair and stare out into space. It was like he had no life in him at all.”
She pushed her hair out of her face as she continued. “Like I said, he was a good man. He wasn’t a mean drunk…but I lost my husband every time he opened a bottle of Jack or Captain Morgan.”
Grady caught her wrists and drew her close. At first she was rigid in his arms, but she finally relaxed with her head against his chest. Tears squeezed from beneath her eyelids as he held her.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He nuzzled her hair. “Like I said, it’s been eight years and I don’t plan on ever touching another drop.”
So many thoughts and emotions whirled through her. Why did Grady have to be an alcoholic? She had told herself she would never date one again. He was in a dangerous profession, and she had promised herself she would never again fall for a person who could die on the job.
Like George, Grady was both.
She thought about how much she cared about Grady. Could she do it again?
Grady is not George, she told herself. George never admitted he had a problem and never tried to stop. Grady has been sober for eight years. That says something.
She also had a friend, Benny, an alcoholic who had been sober for five years. Chelsey would trust Benny over most people she knew.
“Why don’t we have dessert?” Chelsey kept her voice steady as she drew back and looked up at Grady.
“This isn’t going to go away,” Grady said. “Now that I know the full story, I need to know if you’re going to be okay with it.”
She hesitated as she searched his gaze then cleared her throat. “Just like you have to with being an alcoholic, let’s take this one day at a time.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.”
She managed a smile. “Then let’s eat a dessert from an old family recipe that you’ll never get out of me.”
He grinned and pinched her rear. “Wanna bet?”
She smacked his hand with hers, even as she la
ughed and headed for the oven. She used potholders and took the white chocolate bread pudding out of the warm oven before serving it up into two dishes.
As soon as they were sitting, Grady dug in. He immediately gave an orgasmic groan. “Oh, God, this is incredible. I am getting that recipe from you.”
She shook her head. “Never.”
After dessert, they got up and left the dessert dishes on the counter. Grady put his arm around her shoulders as they walked into the living room.
“What movie would you like to watch?” she asked. “I have Netflix, or we can get something new On Demand.”
He caught her off guard by turning her so that she was now in his embrace. He drew her close so their bodies touched from her breasts to her thighs. Her body heated up and her nipples grew taut against his chest.
His kiss was as warm and delicious as expensive wine as it traveled over her tongue and down to her belly. She gave a soft moan into his mouth, a sigh of pleasure that skimmed her flesh. She was on fire and that fire was going to consume both of them.
He trailed his fingers down her sides to the waistband of her skirt, his touch causing her to shiver and her breasts to ache.
The most intense sensations gripped her. She needed him, wanted him, and she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
11
Chelsey broke off the kiss, her voice husky when she spoke. “Sit on the couch.” She grasped Grady’s hand and led him to the overstuffed couch. He sat in the middle, holding both of her hands as she stood over him. She put one knee on the couch and slid down so she was straddling his hips.
He blew out his breath as she scooted up so her heated center was over his cock. “Dear God.” He rubbed his palms up and down her upper arms. “You do know that I may not be able to let you go. Abort now if you have any second thoughts.”
“Danger, Will Robinson.” She gave him a sensual kiss before she lowered her mouth to his and kissed him. He groaned and she braced her palms on his shoulders as she rocked on his lap, rubbing herself on his denim-covered cock.
Fire and Ice (Firemen do it Hotter Book 1) Page 7