Celtic Rose Read Online Free PDF Page A

movements all the smokers have.
    “Thanks–um…you smoke?” Kallisto did a good job of controlling the shock so it didn’t come out in her voice. He really didn’t look like someone who smoked. His teeth were too white, and he smelled wonderful.
    “I did before. Now I just keep a lighter on me in case I need it. It’s a good thing–otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to try the famous Kallisto omelettes your brother has been raving about for months.” His smile was more defined now, not a shy one. He definitely didn’t seem shy, but he wasn’t arrogant either. Kallisto flushed again. She thought it had to be some kind of record–she didn’t remember ever being embarrassed that much in one day.
    “You know, you shouldn’t put much stock in what my brother says; you’re bound to be disappointed,” Kallisto whispered so Kalan couldn’t hear, smiling a little at herself. She couldn’t believe she was actually flirting like Ramina and Kalan. There was a familiarity that she felt about Talus, but she couldn’t figure out why.
    She placed the bacon in the skillet. Talus leaned back against the cabinet next to her, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched her cook. The attention made her a little anxious. After a few minutes, she started to flip the pieces over and ended up dropping the tongs into the pan. Sizzling hot grease splattered on her hand.
    “Ouch!” she yelled, jumping back and grabbing her hand, as the grease scalded the back of it. Kalan and William looked up, but before anyone could react, Talus grabbed Kallisto’s wrist and pulled her to the sink. He turned the cold water on and stuck her hand under it.
    “Keep your hand there a minute,” Talus said as he went to the fridge and placed a few cubes of ice in a rag he grabbed from a drawer. He was back in seconds, and gently took her hand and held the ice on the burn, which was about the size of a quarter in between her thumb and forefinger. It really didn’t seem that bad to Kallisto, but Talus’ brow was creased with worry.
    “It looks like you’ve got a second-degree burn. We’re going to need to keep this cool and moist. Do you have any burn ointment?” Talus asked, his gaze still on her hand.
    “No, it didn’t occur to me that I’d need any.” Kallisto bent her head down to look up into his face until he finally looked at her eyes. “I’m fine Talus, really. It’s not that bad. Thank you for the ice, though.” She put her hand on top of his hand that was holding the ice. He still looked worried, but it eased a little. He slid his hand out from under hers and released with the other. He stepped over to the stove and pulled the bacon out of the pan.
    Kallisto grabbed the pack of uncooked bacon with her burned hand, still holding the ice on it with the other. She walked up beside Talus and took the ice off, preparing to make more bacon. She didn’t get very far.
    “No, you don’t.” Talus took the bacon from her with a seductive smile.
    Kallisto smiled back, embarrassed by the way he affected her, not to mention her clumsiness and the special treatment. “I need to make more. I do not eat burnt bacon.”
    “I’ll cook it. You can go sit down and hold the ice on that burn.” As he said it, he grabbed the makeshift ice pack off of the counter and placed it back on her hand gently.
    “If you cook, how are you going to be able to judge whether my brother was right or not?” Kallisto was doing her best to flirt with him, but all she could think was that she really didn’t know what she was doing. She scolded herself; why, oh why, had she not paid more attention to the flirtatious banter that’d been going on between Kalan and Ramina for years? Probably because she never thought she’d have anyone interesting enough to use it on.
    “Don’t worry; I’m sure there will be other times. Go…sit and rest.” Talus grabbed Kallisto’s shoulder and turned her toward the table. Her stomach did a little flip at his touch.