Burning Love

by Cassandra Car

  “Doesn’t feel that way. And you didn’t sound all that encouraging just now when you said I wouldn’t pass the test.”

  “I didn’t say you never would. Don’t go throwing yourself a pity party just yet. Stay with me. Believe in what I’m telling you. Believe you can do it.”

  Jude snorted. “Cut the rah-rah speech. You and I both know I don’t have a choice but to be here.”

  “Exactly. So make the best of it. We’ll both be happier.” She tightened her dark brown ponytail, Stacey-speak for “this conversation is over and I want some action.”

  He grunted before turning at the landing on top of the stairs and starting yet another descent.

  When his PT was over, he went home, showered and changed, and made a snap decision to go to Michaela’s café. He couldn’t take not seeing her, which scared the hell out of him, considering how little they really knew about each other.

  As soon as he walked in he spotted her behind the cappuccino machine. The moment she saw him was obvious by how her face lit up, and his battered ego soothed itself for the moment.

  “Jude! You are a sight for sore eyes.”

  “Am I?”

  “Of course you are. Have a seat. Do you have time to stay for lunch? I made this awesome cold soup.” Jude must not have been as successful hiding his distaste for that idea as he’d hoped because she laughed and pointed to a stool in front of a small counter. “You don’t have to eat it, though I swear it’s really good.”

  “I can definitely stay for lunch, but I think I’ll pass on the soup. Maybe another one of those grilled thingies?”

  Michaela smiled and his breath caught. She wasn’t model-thin by any stretch of the imagination, her hair up in a messy bun, and wearing no makeup, but she still did something to him. Jude had never been a fan of skinny girls. He loved the softness of women, their curves, dips, and valleys. Michaela had all of those in abundance, and his hands itched to get ahold of more of her.

  “A panini?”

  “Yeah, one of those. I’ve seen them on other restaurant menus but I’d never tried one. I tend to be a creature of habit.” Shut the hell up, you dork. His cheeks heated and he looked down at the counter in front of him, not wanting to see her laugh at him.

  She saved him from further humiliation, though. “Today’s panini is ham with Gruyère cheese.”

  “What’s that?” He felt like a total idiot for not knowing about any of this food, but he liked his food simple. Meat, potatoes, veggies.

  “It’s a variety of Swiss. I think you’ll like it.”

  “Can I have mustard on it?” Jude wondered if that was tacky to ask, but Michaela just nodded.

  “No problem. I’ll put that in for you. Coffee?”

  Tea, me?

  He shook his head to clear it. “I better not do coffee. I’ve got to work tonight and I don’t wanna be vibrating while I’m stuck at the station house.”

  “Wait, they’re letting you go back to work? That’s great!”

  “Not fighting fires, just helping out around the station.”

  “But still, it’s something. I’m excited for you.”

  Jude ducked his head, so Michaela wouldn’t see how pleased he was. Should her opinion and enthusiasm mean this much to him so soon?

  She went in the back, presumably to drop off his order slip, then returned and made a couple of coffee drinks for customers before wandering back over. One of the other staff had dropped off a glass of water while she’d been gone, and he took a long drink as he watched her curves move with every step she took.

  “It’s great you can go back to work, at least in some capacity.”

  “Yeah. I mostly do paperwork, which is boring as hell, but at least I’m there with the guys.”

  “Oh! I never asked you what you wanted to drink. I just walked away.”

  Jude shrugged. “No biggie. One of your employees got me water.” He indicated the half-empty glass in front of him. “How about a ginger ale?”

  “Good choice. I have this whole line from a local place that does microbrews. They make ginger ale, birch beer, and a bunch of specialty colas, like a really good cherry flavor. Let me get you some of the ginger ale. You’ll love it.”

  Jude liked watching Michaela behind the counter as she scurried to and fro after dropping his ginger ale off. The work seemed effortless, though Jude was sure it wasn’t. She was a natural.

  “This is really good.” He jerked his head toward the ginger ale when she stopped in front of him again. “It’s got a little something different, but I can’t pinpoint it.”

  “Mint.”

  He picked up his glass and looked at it, frowning. “Is that what it is? Huh. I wouldn’t think that would be good.”

  “But it is, right?”

  “Yeah, it’s great. You’re expanding my admittedly narrow culinary repertoire.”

  “I’m glad I’m good for something.” Michaela winked, a smirk spreading over her face.

  Jude leaned closer. “I’d like to find out what else you’re good at.” For a minute, he held his breath to see if she was going to slap him, but she threw her head back and laughed.

  “I can’t believe you just said that right out here in public.” She gave him an obviously mocking frown. “Are you trying to shock me? ’Cuz you’re gonna have to do better than that.”

  He smiled. This could be fun. Jude hadn’t gotten a good flirt on in far too long. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Such a temptation.”

  “I’ll leave you with that. Your panini is probably up.” She walked away, and his gaze skittered down to her ass. Baby got back, indeed.

  Shortly Michaela returned with his panini and what looked like homemade chips. “Thanks, this looks great.”

  “Welcome. Gina’s cooking today. Those are her famous potato chips. Customers come in just to get them.”

  He popped one in his mouth. “Oh man, they’re really good. My compliments to the chef.”

  “You’re gonna give me a complex.”

  “I am quite sure you have nothing to worry about.” Jude bit into his panini. “Hey, what’re you doing this afternoon?”

  Michaela leaned a hip against the counter. “I’ve got a weekly farm share. They’re at the old train depot from two until six, and I try to go early to make sure I get the highest-quality stuff. Why?”

  “What about after that?”

  “Nothing specific.”

  “I have to work at six, but I’d like to see you, just the two of us.”

  “Do you mind just hanging out in my apartment? I don’t have a lot of energy or money. Maybe we can order a pizza or something.”

  “Works for me.”

  She turned and looked at the clock. “I’ll go tell Gina I’m taking off soon to pick up the produce. Meet me back here around two-thirty?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Enjoy your panini.”

  Michaela disappeared into the back and Jude checked the time himself. One-thirty. Should he just hang around for an hour? On the one hand he’d feel like a loser just sitting here, but on the other hand, he had nowhere else to go, and maybe he could get some inside information from her assistant if he stayed.

  He spied a pile of newspapers down at the end of the counter near the register. Perfect. Standing, he waited to make sure his knee was going to hold, then strolled over to the papers, pulling out a bunch before returning to his seat. Jude was perusing the sports scores when a tiny woman came bustling out of the kitchen on the heels of another worker Jude had seen both times he’d been in. That girl was clad in a café T-shirt and jeans, whereas this little sprite of a thing wore black pants and a chef’s coat.

  “Hi, are you Gina?”

  The woman stopped, and Jude could swear he heard the squeal of tires. How did someone get that kind of energy? He’d have to ask her. Then bottle it. “Yes.”

  “I’m Jude. Um, Michaela’s friend.”

  Gina smirked. “The hot firefigh
ter.”

  “Well, I’m not fighting fires right now. I’m injured.” He motioned vaguely toward his knee.

  “Yeah, Michaela told me about that. I didn’t mean to make light.”

  “That’s okay. And thanks for the whole ‘hot’ thing.”

  “I call it like I see it. And I see a hot guy.” Gina’s face wore the same expression throughout the exchange, and Jude had a feeling he’d see the little smirk a lot if he got to know her better. “Michaela said she’d be back soon.”

  “We’re meeting in a bit.” He paused, weighing his words. “What can you tell me about her? Anything I should know so I can make her happy?”

  “Be still my heart.” Gina feigned a swoon. “I just might try to steal you away from her.”

  Jude chuckled. “Just because I asked you about her?”

  “And the fact you’re hot. Let’s not forget that.”

  “Oh no, can’t forget that.” Am I flirting with her? Nah, I’m just being friendly. And when did I start to worry about that kind of thing anyway?

  “You guys have only gone on one date, right?”

  He nodded.

  “And yet you already want to know how to make her happy. By the way, I’ve got a couple of ideas.”

  “Oh, yeah? Let’s hear them.”

  “Take off your shirt.”

  “What, now?”

  Gina laughed. “Hey, I won’t stop you. But I meant when you were with her.” The smirk widened. “Shallow, but true. She mentioned something about a mouthwatering chest and, from here, that looks like an apt description.”

  He had to admit he didn’t mind having his ego stroked a little. “I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?”

  “She’s a little self-conscious about her weight, so if you tell her she’s gorgeous and sexy, that should score points.”

  Jude’s eyebrows drew down. “She is gorgeous and sexy.”

  “Oh, I like you so much.” Gina reached over the counter and patted his shoulder. “I think you’ll do just fine.” She jerked her head toward his empty plate. “So, the panini worked for you?”

  “It was great, thanks. Hey, how much do I owe you?”

  “Michaela told me not to charge you.”

  He shook his head. “No way. I’m paying for my lunch. I’m not gonna sponge off of you guys.”

  “And I like you even more.”

  “I’ve heard how hard it is to make a restaurant successful.”

  “There’s a sixty-percent failure rate for a restaurant in its first two or three years of existence.”

  Wow. He hadn’t known the chances were that high. “How long have you been open?”

  “We opened April fifteenth of last year, so about sixteen months.”

  “Still in that danger period then.” He looked around. “You get a pretty good crowd for lunch. How’s breakfast?”

  “Really busy. I respect Michaela’s decision to only do breakfast and lunch most days—the poor girl probably works eighty hours a week as it is—but we would make more money with dinners. It worries me a little that she won’t even consider adding more dinner nights.”

  “Maybe she’ll change her mind at some point.”

  Gina shrugged. “I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this. It’s her place, I just have a minority stake and, like I said, I respect her decision.” Her face morphed into an evil smile. “Doesn’t mean I can’t offer my opinion.”

  “Of course not. You wouldn’t be doing your duty to her if you didn’t.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Do you have a brother?”

  A laugh burst forth. “Yeah. He’s twelve years older than me and married with three kids. Balding badly. Beginnings of a beer gut. Oh, and he lives halfway across the country. I can call him, if you want, though.”

  “Just when I was getting my hopes up.” Gina glanced behind Jude. “I should help clean up. You waiting here for Michaela?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Want anything?”

  “Just the check, I think.”

  “Okay, I’ll go write one up and hope Michaela doesn’t yell at me for it.” She didn’t really look the least bit worried and, even in the brief time he’d known Michaela, he could see Gina and she were perfect complements to each other.

  He went back to the paper as Gina and the other woman put the dining room back together. A couple more people came in, but Jude ignored them.

  Gina left the check on the counter next to him. “Another drink?”

  “Nah, I’m good.” After she went back to the kitchen, he pulled a twenty out of his wallet, far more than the check total, and left both the check and the cash tucked under his plate. He swiveled his stool around and gazed outside, chuckling as he thought about how much his thoughts revolved around Michaela though they’d only met a week or so ago. Jude wasn’t sure what that said about him. She was a great girl, but going at warp speed with her might be a mistake and also very unlike him. He’d already given his hand a good workout, imagining her writhing underneath him, and all he’d done so far was kiss her.

  He needed to get those thoughts under control or he’d be sporting an obvious hard-on when she got back. Jude spent some time watching people passing outside or relaxing inside the restaurant. It was funny the things he noticed now that he was forced to slow down. At least there was something positive he could take out of this hellish experience.

  The kitchen door swung open behind him, and Michaela burst through. “I got some great stuff!”

  He swung to face her, a grin spreading over his face at her enthusiasm, which managed to be both endearing and sexy at the same time. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Definitely! Broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant…oh wow, I’ll have to try that eggplant lasagna recipe I saw on the Food Network…peppers, squash, zucchini….” She stopped, a blush spreading over her cheeks. “I’m totally rambling. Probably boring the hell out of you.”

  “Not at all. Your passion for food is pretty hot.”

  “Hot? Seriously?”

  Jude nodded. “Most definitely.”

  Gina sailed by. “He’s a keeper, girl.”

  Michaela’s color deepened, and Jude laughed. “Ready to go?”

  She sent a withering glance toward the back. “Yeah, ready.” Together they walked out the front and around to her apartment. She glanced back at him and he watched as the pulse point in her neck sped up.

  “Hey.” He reached out and cradled the back of her head. “I have no expectations here. And I would never do anything that made you uncomfortable.”

  “I know.”

  Jude raised an eyebrow, giving her a half smile.

  “Well, I mean, we haven’t known each other for very long but, for some reason, I trust you.”

  “I won’t abuse that. I promise.”

  “Okay.” Michaela took a deep breath and opened the door, leading Jude up the stairs.

  ***

  “No Mount St. Helens of shoes this time.”

  “Not this time.” Michaela laughed, but if she’d known male company would be coming she would’ve cleaned the place up a little more. “Um, have a seat. Want anything to eat? Drink?”

  “While I realize you’re a chef and it’s in your nature to want to feed me, if I keep eating, I’m gonna get fat, and that’s no way for a firefighter to be—if I’m ever allowed to return to duty.”

  “Fat?” She made a show of looking him up and down. “Not likely.”

  “Speaking of that kind of thing, I have to tell you what your friend Gina said.”

  Michaela groaned. “I can only imagine.”

  “She told me if I wanted to impress you, I should take my shirt off.”

  “Worked last time,” Michaela said with what she hoped was a casual shrug as she sat on the opposite end of the couch from him. She’d never considered her sofa to be particularly small, but, oh my, did Jude take up a lot of room on it. “So, um, what’s your favorite food? Maybe I can make it for you sometime.”

  He smile
d and her breath caught. “I had this dish once.”

  “Only once, and it’s your favorite?”

  “Bear with me. It was at a local restaurant. It’s huge, like something that’s made to be shared.”

  Jude relaxed, leaning back and using his hands to illustrate the large pot the dish was served in. It was hard not to stare at them. She knew from experience how strong those hands were, and it was strangely exciting, especially since she knew in her gut he’d never treat her with anything other than respect.

  “Do you remember the name?”

  “I didn’t actually do the ordering. But it took a while to come. It had rice—like Spanish rice, and chorizo and mussels and other good stuff. I could’ve picked up that pan, unhinged my jaw, and gone to town. That dish was incredible.”

  “Was it maybe paella?”

  “Yes!”

  “I can make that.”

  Jude leaned forward. “I may be your slave forever.”

  “Wow, such devotion simply for a meal.”

  “What about you?”

  “You’re going to laugh.”

  “Try me.” He raised a brow, and Michaela took a deep breath.

  “Chocolate-covered strawberries. I like the ones that have the unusual toppings like caramel and sea salt, though I have yet to find a really awful interpretation of them anywhere.”

  “They sound good. I’ve never had them.”

  “Oh man, you’re missing out.”

  Michaela tucked her feet underneath herself just before Jude scooted over, sliding his arm along the back cushions until he reached her hair, which she’d taken down when she changed.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  Michaela looked down at herself and then back up at him.

  He skated the fingertips of his other hand down the side of her face. “You are. You may not believe it, but you are. Stunning, in fact.”

  “Thank you.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. The only reason she believed Jude’s words was because of the look in his eyes. They were dark to begin with, but now the iris was nearly blacked-out by his lust-blown pupils.

  “God, you turn me on. Can I kiss you?”

  “Yeah.” Michaela angled more fully toward him.

  Jude moved down her body, gripping her waist as he leaned closer. At the first touch of his lips to hers, a trembling began in her belly, and only intensified when he deepened the kiss, bringing her closer and maneuvering Michaela until she was half-reclined against the arm of the couch.