Breaking Protocol (Firehouse Fourteen Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

just a cough disguised as a wheeze? CC closed her eyes, imagining dark chocolate eyes crinkling at the corners, a full sensuous mouth tilting up ever so slightly. How much more devastatingly handsome would he be if she ever actually got him to smile?
    Then she snapped her eyes open and looked down at the ragged shorts and tank shirt she had been wearing all day, that she had been swimming in. She rolled her eyes and hurried into the bathroom, reaching in to turn on the water for the shower.
    "What's that?"
    "Hm? Oh, probably the shower, I'm getting ready to jump in."
    There was another pause, another sound like he was clearing his throat.
    Or possibly choking.
    She put the phone on speaker then placed it on the counter, peeling off clothes as she spoke. "Do you know where the Thunderbird is, on Old Eastern Avenue?"
    "Isn't that an ice cream place?"
    "Ice cream, chocolate malts, and the absolute best hot fudge sauce this side of heaven. Meet in a half hour?"
    There was another pause, shorter this time, and she imagined him glancing at his watch. "How about forty-five?"
    "Even better. See you in a little bit, Big Guy." She hit the end button, cutting him off before he could remind her again that his name was Dave.
    She smiled and climbed under the streaming water.
    Yes, sometimes staying home was just what she needed.
    And sometimes, it wasn't.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Dave pulled into the parking lot, his eyes widening at the unexpected crowd. Dozens of cars filled the small lot and he searched for an open space. He hadn't expected this many people. To be honest, he hadn't really expected any people at all. It was a weeknight, the heat of summer was all but gone, and he didn't really think there was this much demand for ice cream.
    Even if they did have the best hot fudge sauce this side of heaven.
    He shook his head at the memory of her words, wrapped in that light accent of hers. He didn't know if it was all authentic, or slightly exaggerated for his benefit. All he knew was that the sound of her clear voice, almost musical, combined with an image of her standing naked while she talked to him had a completely unexpected effect on his body.
    Yeah, so unexpected that his own shower had been very short, and very, very cold.
    He pulled into an open spot in a dark corner of the lot then got out and locked the truck behind him, stopping to look around. It had been forty-five minutes exactly since he had gotten off the phone with CC, but he hadn't thought to ask where to meet her.
    Hadn't realized he would have needed to. He looked around again then headed toward the building, thinking he'd find her out front.
    The ice cream place was nothing more than a low, rectangular white building. It didn't offer indoor seating but it did have a few tables, chairs, and benches available outside. The building boasted two large sliding windows: one for placing your order and paying, the other for picking it up.
    Quick, efficient, and—from the looks of the lines—extremely popular.
    "Hey Big Guy."
    Dave paused mid-step when he heard that clear voice calling him. He knew he should be surprised that he recognized not only the voice, but the name she called him as well.
    But he wasn't.
    And that worried him, because he had only just met her last night.
    Had it really been just last night? Why did it seem so much longer?
    He pushed the question from his mind then turned, his eyes drifting around the parking lot, searching her out. His gaze brushed over the woman leaning against a motorcycle, then sped back.
    And sure enough, it was CC, her denim-clad legs crossed in front of her as she leaned against a sparkling Harley Fat Boy. He had a second's amazement that someone so petite could manage such a machine.
    Then he had an image of her straddling the machine, controlling it as the powerful engine throbbed between her legs.
    Dave had no idea what the hell was wrong with him, only knew that he needed to snap out of it. There were too many other things