Let Me Burn (Angel Sands 1)

“Yeah, well those too.”

He was still scooted down next to her. The way he was crouched forced his thick thigh muscles tightly against the denim of his jeans, and it was almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed by his sheer physicality. She couldn’t help but remember the way he’d picked up that propane tank without breaking a sweat, how his arm muscles had tensed and tightened with the action. For a moment she imagined them lifting her up as she curled her legs around his waist. Flushing, she tried to push the picture out of her head.

“Will you do something for me?” Lucas asked, leaning his hand on the car and glancing up at her.

“Um, maybe?” She blinked, trying to focus. “I guess it depends what it is.”

With one hand steadying himself on the car, he ran the other across his closely cropped hair. “It doesn’t matter.”

Ember tilted her head, the smile still playing at her lips. “You can’t do that. I’m intrigued now. What is it you want me to do?”

“I… ah…” He shook his head. “You’re gonna think I’m crazy.”

She lifted an eyebrow to let him know she already did.

“But I really don’t want you to go on that date.”

* * *

He wanted to take the words back as soon as he said them. The little furrows between her eyebrows deepened, and her bottom lip fell open. “What?”

Yeah… what? He was wondering the same thing. What the hell was he thinking, asking something like that? Especially after he’d already been an asshole about that dating app.

He was an idiot. That was the only explanation there was, that and the fact he couldn’t work out what emotion was stronger – happiness that she clearly wasn’t engaged any more, or worry about her using that damn app.

He didn’t like the thought of her talking to guys she’d never met before, even less the thought of her actually meeting them in person. It made his mouth taste bitter, like he’d been sucking a lemon or something.

“I just don’t

think it’s safe,” he said, trying to keep his voice even. He was choosing his words carefully this time, hoping to avoid looking like such an ass. “Guys on there are only looking for one thing, they probably think all their birthdays have come at once when they come across someone as pretty as you.” And the thought of her going out on a date with one of them was killing him.

She blinked a couple of times, her thick lashes sweeping down then back up again. “It’s not just a hook-up site. My friend uses it, she says it’s good for finding dates.”

“How’s it worked out for her?”

Ember bit her lip. “Not great.” The faintest of smiles formed on her face.

“I think you can do a lot better than that. There are plenty of guys out there who would kill for a date with someone like you.”

“They’re not exactly beating down my door.” She was looking at him strangely. “Anyway, it’s just a date. In a public place, nothing bad is going to happen.”

“What public place?” Suddenly it came to him. It was protectiveness he was feeling, not jealousy at all. No wonder he was clenching his jaw so tight.

Because as pretty as she was – and Ember Kennedy was very, very pretty – he really didn’t need to complicate his life any more.

Only a few more weeks and he’d be back home at the White City Fire Department, back with his old crew. The kinds of emergencies he’d be dealing with wouldn’t involve school playground equipment or helping out at local fairs. No, he’d need all his concentration and energy for his job.

“We’re meeting at Delmonico’s on the Pier.” Ember touched the graze on her arm absentmindedly, then winced. “It’s out in the open. It’s public. Nothing could go wrong.” She smiled again, her eyes lighting up. “You really don’t need to worry about me. I can look after myself.”

“Well it’s part of my job to worry, or at least to spot dangers from a long distance away.” There was still a tightness in his chest, the same sensation that had been there ever since she’d announced this damn date. Strange how protectiveness was so close to jealousy. “So if you’re insisting on going, please be careful. And let me know you got home safely.” He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and handed it to her. “Can I have your number?” he asked. “Just so I can make sure you’re okay?”

Silently she nodded, then pushed her fingers against the on-screen keyboard, before passing the phone back to him. Her thumb brushed his palm, sending a pulse of electricity up his arm. He quickly pulled away, not wanting her to see his reaction, and sent her a text so she’d have his number, too.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he finally smiled, not sure if he felt any better about the whole thing. Still, at least he knew where she was going, and that she’d let him know she was okay.

God, it had been a long few weeks since he’d arrived in Angel Sands. The sooner he got back to White City and stopped worrying about these crazy things the better.

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