Heart on Fire (12 page)

“Give me some time and I’ll make you believe that I love every inch of your body.” She flinched every time he said the word “love,” and sure, it was abstract, but for the first time ever, the word didn’t scare him. For now, he needed to rein that in, before he scared her off.

“You already are, but so I know, where are these worse scars?” One eyebrow rose in amusement.

He rolled to his other side to show her the scar across one shoulder and down his back, where he’d been hit by a burning beam a month into becoming a fireman.

She scooted closer and ran her fingers over the smooth ridge. Then he felt her mouth as she explored his reminder that he had a dangerous job. “What happened?” Her teeth scraped over the tissue, and then she sucked, and it felt so damned good he groaned.

“Remember me telling you my dad was injured?” He hated remembering that day, but he wanted to share everything with her.

“Yeah,” she gasped, probably painting a pretty close picture.

“Part of the ceiling fell on him. We were told to get out, but Gavin and I ignored the order, staying to get him free. I dragged the last beam off in time for another to collapse. Gavin helped me, but my back was a mess for a while. Dad was in worse shape. He doesn’t have full use of his left arm anymore. So he retired, but encouraged me to stay.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m glad you saved your Dad. Gavin too, that’s a real friend.”

“You have friends, don’t you?” He rolled over to run his fingers up her side.

“Back home, I do. I think I’m making at least one here.” She grinned. “Though I have a feeling Cadence would argue two.”

“Cadence has decided you’re her friend. She won’t let you get away so easy either,” he teased. “Gavin and Cadence loved having you and Cherish with us last night. You’re part of the group now, whether or not you want to be.”

“I had fun with all of you last night,” she admitted.

“I’m glad.” He kissed her shoulder. “Now, turn over, I caught part of the tattoo. Now I need an up close and personal view. Plus, I want to know what it’s for.”

Mila turned onto her stomach, and pulled her hair to the side. “I got it about seven years ago, shortly after I lost my dad. I had this done as a memorial.”

One wing of a beautifully detailed bald eagle graced the inner-top edge of her right shoulder blade, while the other stretched to the opposite inner-bottom edge. Sky and clouds framed the majestic bird, fading away on the edges of the tattoo.

“It’s beautiful.” And strangely familiar, but he’d seen a few eagle tattoos. He shook the thought off and kissed the tip of the wing on her right shoulder. “Everything I learn about you makes me like you better. You’re pretty incredible.”

“So are you.” She blushed as she sat up, but he pulled her back down beside him.

Laughing, she asked, “Not ready for coffee?”

“You’re only going to drink chai anyway,” he teased, wrinkling his nose as he climbed on top of her. “Besides, you got needy, and I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to.”

The ringing phone interrupted them.

She caught her lip between her teeth as she pushed at him. “Give me a minute.” She got up and dug her phone out of her sweats, taking a look before answering, “Hi Barb, can I call you back?” She sighed. “Okay, hang on. I was sort of busy. I need a minute.”

Mila covered the receiver and whispered, “It’s my best friend. I’m going to get dressed because she’s not going to let me off the phone, but I will take a rain check. Besides, there are a few things I’d like to do to you.” She winked.

“All right, I’ll be downstairs, waiting.” He didn’t bother whispering.

She blushed, her eyes closing as her head tipped to the side at whatever her friend said.

He hurried into his clothes and went downstairs as promised.

Chapter 11

Oh crap, Barb probably heard. Holding her breath, she watched Kyle pull his clothes on and head downstairs.

“Oh my god, Mila, who was that? He sounds hot.”

Well crap, guess we’re having this discussion now.

“Okay,” Mila groaned, “I’m back.”

“Is he hot?”

“Inferno hot.” It would be a crime to deny Kyle’s masculine perfection.

A conspiring note entered Barb’s tone, “Where is Cherish?”

“A friend’s house.” Mila shook her head, and closed herself in the closet.

“So you found a man already?”

“He’s my neighbor. We had breakfast.” Then she wished she’d kept her big mouth shut.

Barb squealed. “Oh really?”

“He didn’t stay the night. He came over this morning.”

Snorting, she jabbed, “And you sound breathless because you were flipping pancakes? Sounds to me like you were getting down and dirty.”

“Yeah, okay. So sue me. It was our first time. Plus, he’s a fireman, and so damned hot, he probably has to hose himself off before going into a burning building. The best part, he’s sweet, and sincere, and says all the right things—I mean
all
of them. He even kissed and licked my stretch marks, told me they’re a sexy badge of honor. I’m in trouble, Barb. I might be falling, hard.”

“Good, I want to meet him, which I can do in a couple of weeks. You don’t mind if I come visit, do you? I’m not bringing the kids, but Anthony agreed I should come see how you’re adjusting to a new town, a new school, and apparently a new man.” The last was said with excitement.

“Slow down. I’m glad you’re coming.” Mila sighed. “But do you think I’m a big floozy? I’ve only known him a week. We’re keeping it quiet, because I don’t know if I trust this to last, but I’m hoping that’s me being pessimistic. He’s flipping perfect so far.”

“Of course you’re not a floozy, and keeping it quiet makes sense in your case. Please, woman! You’ve been with three total losers. You had a single smoking hot, one-night stand, who was a total charmer—so why you bailed on him still eludes me, but whatever. I’ll let you get back to your new man. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Don’t tell Mom, okay? She’ll be on me to go down the aisle, and that’s not happening. He says he’s cool with coming second to Cherish, but I’ve heard that before.”

“Yeah, well, some guys are better than others, and he’s a fireman, so he likely understands putting others first.”

“Later, Barb. I’ll call you tonight. Okay?”

“Sure, I want details then. Goodbye.” The phone went dead.

Mila dressed quickly and hurried downstairs. She found Kyle at her bookshelf looking at Cherish’s baby pictures.

He looked up with a grin. “Cherish is a mini-Mila, which is pretty lucky because you’re breathtaking.”

“Thanks.” She grinned, unable to stop herself. “So, my best friend is coming to visit in two weeks. I’ll get more details tonight. And I told her about us. Didn’t want her to be surprised.” She took a deep breath. “Since you’re close to Gavin and Cadence, you can tell them, if you think they’ll keep
us
quiet.”

He smiled as he reached for her hand. “I have one question, and I’m not complaining, I swear. But when you realize we’re going to work, will you be willing to take us public?”

She half-laughed. “Yes, definitely, and if people figure it out, they figure it out. I’m not ready to go shouting it at the top of my lungs. I’ve tried that approach, and it hurt Cherish when things fell apart. She got attached to Brett, and it hurt her when he wasn’t around anymore. He wasn’t even nice to her. I’ll never understand why she took it so hard.” She gave him a small smile. “At least you are totally taken with her. So even if it doesn’t work and she doesn’t know about us, we can stay friends, and she won’t be crushed.”

“I want it to work,” he admitted.

It was too soon for promises. She shrugged it off. “For the record, I’m not like Rene. If we don’t, I’m not going to make desperate attempts to win you back, or try to make you jealous.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Now listen here, Mila. I don’t—not for one second—think you are anything like Rene. And I hope you won’t kick me to the curb the first time I make a mistake, because I guarantee I’ll make them. Talk to me when I do, and we’ll figure it out.”

Hope bloomed through her. “I like that you’re willing to admit you’ll screw up, but I hope you don’t anticipate something major.”

“Define major?” His lips quirked in a grin.

“Expecting me to put my daughter second, but you already promised not to. Making me feel ugly or worthless about some of my choices, but so far, you build me up, praising my decisions.” Then she swallowed, and added, “Or cheating. You won’t get a second chance for that. Sorry, you won’t.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you.”

She nodded, knowing he meant it. “Didn’t think you would, but you asked.”

He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “All reasonable expectations, and sounds like you may harbor a bit of hope.”

Mila nodded slowly. “My hope frightens me more than I care to admit. I’ve been hurt before, so I’m cautious now, but I don’t believe you’ll do those things.”

“I get it. Now, let’s go get something to drink. I’ll even keep my hands to myself, so no one suspects. And if you don’t want me to tell Gavin and Cadence, I won’t.”

“I don’t mind if they know.” She leaned her forehead against his with a smile. “I think Cadence suspects we’re heading there. I didn’t deny or confirm anything last night, but she hinted, maybe digging for an answer.”

He laughed, “Yeah, that’s Cadence for you. Don’t worry, they’re trustworthy. I can vouch for them.”

“I trust you. So you can tell them.” But she was afraid to hope for too much.

Chapter 12

Dee picked Cherish up from school, and watched her the half hour until Mila got out of the high school every day. So when Mila went to pick up her daughter up on Wednesday, she was distraught to find Cherish bawling in Dee’s arms.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Mila asked.

Cherish turned to her, wrapping her arms around her neck. Mila picked her up, holding her close. “Brian’s mean. He thinks I don’t have a dad because I’m a brat and you are horrible.”

Well crap, how do I explain that?

She sat, smoothing her hand up and down Cherish’s back. “Now baby, you don’t have a dad because when I was younger, I did something reckless. That’s my fault. Not yours. But I don’t regret it for a second, because you are the best thing I’ve ever done. So ignore Brian, because he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Okay?”

“I hate him. He’s mean and nasty. Maybe Kyle will beat him up.”

That startled a laugh out of Mila. “No, baby. That would be bad. Kyle would get in a lot of trouble. Ignore Brian and he’ll stop.”

“Really?” she asked with tear-filled eyes.

“Eventually.” She pressed a kiss to her daughter’s forehead and started for the door with a smile. “Let’s go home. I made us chili. Okay?”

“Okay,” Cherish sniffled.

Dee walked her out. “Sorry. I was trying to calm her down.”

“Thank you for being there for her. It’s not your fault some boy was being thoughtless. I can’t change my past, and frankly, I don’t want to.”

Once Cherish was buckled in and the door shut, Dee smiled. “She likes Kyle. Do you?” There was a knowing look on her face.

“Yes, and we’re seeing each other but we aren’t telling everyone yet. Please, keep it a secret for now. Until we see how it works.”

“That’s silly. I know you haven’t had much luck with men, but trust me, Kyle is a keeper.” Dee kissed her head and ushered her into her car.

Dee was right. Kyle bent over backwards to brighten her day. He said all the right things and meant them, never pushed for more than she was willing to give, and always managed to make her little girl smile. It was no wonder Cherish adored him.

“I’m coming to that conclusion, though I’m not ready to admit it to the world yet.”

“At least you aren’t shutting him out.” Dee squeezed her hand. “He’s good for you.”

Mila nodded. “Thank you for taking care of my baby.”

“You’re welcome. Now go.” She shut the door.

A few short minutes later, as Mila opened her daughter’s door, Cherish asked, “Can we watch TV before dinner?”

“Of course,” she smiled, and carried a still weepy little girl into the house. They cuddled up under a blanket on the couch. Mila turned on Cherish’s favorite TV show, but she curled into Mila’s arms and fell asleep with the sniffles.

Mila hated seeing her baby upset. She would have done anything to make it better. Unfortunately kids could be cruel, and she had no real solution.

* * * *

Kyle walked up the stairs to Mila’s back porch. He found her lying on the couch with Cherish curled up in her arms. She looked so sweet, as she combed her fingers through her daughter’s hair.

He tapped on the glass door and she looked up. Kyle raised a bottle of sparkling cider.

A smile brightened her face, and she gestured for him to come in.

“Everything okay?” Kyle asked softly, checking his watch. Five already. They’d probably been home about an hour. The house was filled with the scent of cumin and chili powder.

Mila rearranged Cherish as she stood, then tucked the blanket around her. She nodded back to the door and they stepped outside.

“Is Cherish okay?”

Mila wound her arms around herself and met his gaze. “Some boy in her class was making fun of her because she doesn’t have a daddy. I guess he said she was a brat, and that I was horrible too. She was crying—bawling actually—when I picked her up from Dee’s.”

Kyle pulled her into his embrace. “Hey, the punk’s opinion doesn’t matter. I’m guessing you told her that?”

“Yeah, I did, but I hate this. Kids will judge her because of my choice, and that’s not fair. It’s not like I’m the only single mom out there. She hasn’t had a bad childhood.”

“Ignore the kid.”

Oddly, a laugh bubbled out of Mila. “I told her that. But you know what was funny?”

His brow arched. “Not a clue.”

“She wanted to ask you to beat him up. I told her no, and explained you would get in trouble.”