A Firefighter in Her Stocking

Sarah’s gaze cut to him, as if assessing how she was supposed to respond to Penny’s comment since they’d just agreed not to discuss other women.

“As if yours is any better,” he teased his cousin back, determined he was going to recapture the joy from earlier. “You ready for this?”

“Absolutely.” Penny turned excited eyes toward Sarah. “I’d have sworn Jude didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. I was so impressed by his call there was no way I could say no.”

Sarah’s feet shifted. Jude doubted it was because of her new shoes. “Romantic?”

“Quit giving away my surprise, cuz.”

Smiling, Penny rushed them into the helicopter, gave them a quick safety rundown, headsets to put on, and then they were off.

Sarah’s hand gripped his for dear life. He glanced at her and questioned himself again. Maybe he should have saved the helicopter for another night.

“Open your eyes, Sarah.”

“No.” She shook her head back and forth in tiny little movements. The rest of her body was stiff, as if she was afraid to move for fear she might trigger a tailspin that would send them crashing to the ground. “I can’t.”

Her hand had become clammy against his and Jude mentally swore.

“Have you ever flown in any type of aircraft, Sarah?”

She shook her head.

“Another first, eh?”

Which he probably should not have said as Penny’s gaze briefly cut toward them.

“My stomach is still on the ground.” Her face was pale, her hand clammy, her lower lip half-hidden between her teeth.

Then she trembled.

Aw, hell. Jude’s stomach dropped to the ground, too, because there went that crazy, strange protectiveness again.

So he did what he had to do.

He pressed his lips to Sarah’s.

Her eyes sprang open and her teeth freed her swollen lower lip.

Eyes locked with hers, he continued to kiss her, to taste her, to caress her mouth with his. Slowly, she relaxed, her grip on his hand taking on new purpose.

“Hi,” he whispered against her lips when they finally separated a few millimeters.

Gaze locked with his, full of trust and so much more, she smiled the sweetest smile he’d ever seen. “Hi back.”

His insides flooded with emotion, he searched her eyes. “You okay?”

“I am now.”

“Good answer.” He leaned his forehead against hers, the top of her glasses pressing against his face as he stared into her eyes. “I can have Penny take us back.”

Sarah shook her head. “I think I’m okay now.”

Brave girl.

“But you’re missing your surprise.”

To which she turned to look out the helicopter.