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

going on in his life right now, too many other worries, not the least of which were the recurring messages he was receiving.
    So then why was he even here? What had prompted him to call CC in the first place?
    It had been a whim, brought on by something needier within him, something he wasn't ready to admit to, something he wasn't willing to examine. But he was here now.
    And so was she.
    She was still leaning against the bike, watching him. Her blonde hair was longer than he had first realized, cascading almost to the middle of her back in loose waves. Her jeans were worn and faded, the denim molding to the generous curves of her hips and thighs before flaring slightly to cover the tops of worn black riding boots.
    She was wearing a fitted long sleeve shirt, the v-cut just deep enough to reveal a generous swell of full, rounded breasts. A flash of warmth went through him at the memory of that feminine body and all its curves pressed against him this morning. But instead of making him smile, he scowled and again wondered what he was doing here.
    CC's sudden laugh caught him by surprise and he almost stepped back, not sure why she was laughing. She pushed away from the bike and walked over to him, not stopping until she was close enough to run her hand across his chest with a little smile.
    He was surprised that he stood still long enough to allow the familiarity.
    But not surprised at the heat that danced along his flesh at the touch.
    "Do you ever smile, Big Guy? Or is this grumpiness a permanent state for you?"
    "I'm not grumpy."
    "Hm." She looked up at him, her hazel eyes more green than brown in the reflection of the light that fell around them, and smiled. "Well, you may want to work on letting your face know, because that scowl sure says grumpy to me."
    Dave looked down at her, not knowing how to respond. What could he say? He knew how to smile. He even knew how to laugh, dammit. He just hadn't done much of either lately. And it wasn't like he was going to tell her why, either.
    But he didn't get a chance to say anything, anyway, because she suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the building, stopping when they reached the end of the line.
    And she didn't let go of his hand.
    He was surprised at the feel of her hand in his. Her fingers were long and slender, the bones almost fragile in his larger grip. But there was strength there, too, just beneath the surface. He glanced down, surprised at the strong physical differences between them. Small to his large; delicate to his rough; pale to his dark. 
    But despite the differences, he suddenly realized that anyone who underestimated this woman, did so at their own risk. It was a warning he would do well to remember, he thought.
    CC suddenly raised their joined hands between them, a grin on her face.
    "You okay with this, Big Guy? Or does it bother you?"
    "Uh, no." He cleared his throat and looked down, mortified to feel his face heat under her gaze. "No, I'm fine."
    She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, just looked up at him with that sweet smile and sparkling eyes. And he felt himself relax. Actually relax, as if this was something he was comfortable doing, as if it was something he did every day.
    The silence was companionable while they waited, comfortable and even welcoming. He didn't feel the need to make forced conversation, didn't feel the need to rack his brain for something, anything, to say.
    Then they reached the window and it was their turn to order, and his mind went completely blank.
    Not because he had no idea what to get. No, it was blank because it simply shut down when it registered what CC ordered.
    He felt her eyes on him then finally looked down, wondering if his mouth was still open in surprise. Something must have shown on his face, because she laughed again, a sweet tinkling sound.
    "Do not get between a woman and her chocolate, Big Guy. Now order something for yourself because I'm not sharing."
    Dave looked up at the cashier, who was