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She reached for the book of poetry he d bought her. Want to hear my favorite poem?
I would love to, he said, and then listened carefully as she read him a sonnet.
She turned to him when she was done, her eyes wide and brimming with hopefulness, as if she truly
wanted him to like the words. What do you think?
I m not going to claim it makes a hell of a lot of sense to me, but I think Shakespeare had a way
with words, and I like listening to you read it. Now, want to play Mad Libs with me?
She laughed and nodded, then stretched her legs across him.
Here s the thing, he said. You need to use your fancy lyrical words, okay?
She saluted him. I m up for it.
They played Mad Libs in the front seat of his car, combining Shakespeare with silliness, as he
made her laugh, and she made him smile, until he needed to return to work. He d been hoping to have
a night off go to the gym, play hoops with some of the guys from the firehouse. But that wasn t an
option the bar project was taking longer than he d expected, and he had no one else to call on to
shoulder some of the load.
I should go. That back section of the bar isn t going to build itself, he said, trying to keep the
frustration that nagged at him at bay.
You think it ll be done soon? she asked.
Why? You hoping to have me out of your hair and not run into me in the back of the bar? he said,
making light of the situation.
She pushed back on his shoulder gently with her hand, not giving in to his attempts. No. Because
you sounded annoyed that you have to work tonight. Are you?
He shrugged because the truth was he didn t really want to start talking about work. He just wanted
to finish the damn job for Becker. Last thing he needed was to have his friend ticked off at how long it
was taking. If he had to stay up all night he would. He d gotten a call earlier in the day about building
a new sundeck onto a house in the hills. He was going to have to find time to squeeze that in too.
Nah, it s not a big deal, he said, waving off her concerns.
Smith, she said gently, fixing him a serious stare. Do you need help with it?
You offering to take up a hammer and nails? Maybe get a little construction belt? You d look
mighty hot in some work boots, cut-off shorts, and a little tool belt around your waist.
She rolled her eyes. You always make light of things.
He didn t have an answer, because she was right.
But seriously, she said, persisting. You re going to wear yourself out. You should hire help.
I m fine. I can do it myself. I ve got it under control, he said, because he didn t want to talk about
work or the things that weighed on him, so he did what she asked him to do focus on sex.
Hey, since you seem to like me for my body, what would you say to another round tonight? I can
come by after I finish up my work tonight?
Now you re getting the hang of our deal, she said as she ran a hand across his thigh.
Darlin , I got the hang of our deal when you were screaming my name at the top of your lungs.
She blushed, but grinned wickedly and moved in for another kiss, erasing all thoughts of business
and work and the way he d have to spend his evening. None of that mattered because he d have more
of her at the end of the night. But the next day, he d need to start focusing on winning not just her body,
but her heart. He had seven days to woo her.
Chapter Seven
Smith rested his elbow on the rolled-down window of his truck as he returned to the fire station. He d
been to the grocery store, picking up food for the next shift, and had about thirty minutes left before
quitting time. It had been a long twenty-four hours with a handful of car accidents to tend to. No major
injuries, though, and he was grateful for that.
His mind rolled back to Jamie once more, returning to the bookstore and truck encounter earlier in
the week, as well as the last few nights they d spent enjoying each other s bodies. She d stopped by
his house every night he wasn t working, and those were the best parts of the day the moments with
her, alone in his bedroom, in the living room, even the kitchen counter, as they drove each other to
new heights of pleasure. All the images were burned brilliantly in his brain. But he couldn t rest on
their chemistry. He needed to plan a fantastic date for Jamie. To show her he could give her more
than just pleasure. That he was the man she could trust and depend on, like she wanted and needed.
He pulled into the fire station and cut the engine. He pushed thoughts of Jamie aside when he saw
the guys starting to ready the quint. Fires were rare in Hidden Oaks, so based on the speed of the prep
leisurely chances were good the quint was for some kind of minor incident.
What s the story? Smith asked as he shut the door and carried in the groceries.
His buddy Travis strolled toward him, his low-key stride making it clear they weren t prepping for
a five-alarm anything. He pulled a quarter from his pocket, so Smith knew what was coming next.
I ll tell you, but first heads you win, tails you lose.
Smith was never one to back down from a bet, even though he didn t know the stakes. I m in.
What s it for?
If you can guess who just called. Here s your hint: Cat s stuck in a tree on Pine Crescent Road.
Smith groaned as he put away the food in the fridge and cupboards. Not again?
Yup. Again.
Never in my twenty-eight years of life have I met a cat who cannot come down from a tree on his
own. Except for Melody Olsen s.
Melody had asked him out two years ago. Then one year ago. Then a few months ago. He wasn t
feeling it for her, so he d said thanks but no thanks. She still liked to send him naughty text messages
now and then. He ignored them all. He wasn t going to lead her on by answering them. Lately, though,
she d been finding inventive ways to get around his lack of response. This was the second time she d
called about her cat. Fine, her tabby was quite a tree climber. But still&
She asked for you. She wants you to go get her pussycat, Travis said and then slapped his thigh.
How long have you been waiting to make that joke, Trav?
Since we got that call five minutes ago. Travis flipped the coin in the air, catching it in one quick
motion, then brandishing the tails side in his palm. And tails says you re coming along.
But Smith waved him off. Let me just run out there. Save you guys the hassle. That branch is
maybe ten feet high and I ve got my work ladder in my truck. It ll do.
You know we gotta answer every call, no matter how ridiculous.
I know. But it s a Friday night in wine country, and we don t all need to be off dealing with this in
case something serious happens. I m on my way home and I can take care of it.
Thirty minutes later, he handed a loudly meowing cat who honestly looked a little pissed, almost
as if he d been parked up there in that branch to Melody Olsen.
Thank you so much. He s been there for hours, and I know he s been terrified, she said, as she
stroked the black and silvery feline s head.
He s all safe and sound now and barely nicked a nail.
Melody held her cat tight, then tipped her forehead to her house with its wraparound porch. She d
placed two empty wineglasses and a bottle on a table by the porch railing.
You want to join Tiger and me for a glass of wine? she said coyly, as she stroked the cat in what
she likely thought was a seductive fashion. The petting did nothing but remind him of Jamie. And how
he d like her to be the one inviting him over. Have a drink with her on the porch beer for him, wine
for her talk about their day, look at the stars. Hell, he d even be up for a little poetry if she wanted
that. She intrigued him to no end she was tough on the outside, but had a real vulnerable side
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