Feeding the Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

watched her disappear. “Hmph,” he said after she disappeared into the kitchen. “I thought she only called me sugar.”
    “Sorry, Grant,” Blake quipped. “But maybe if you’re lucky, she’s saved up her tips to buy you at the auction.”

    “Hey there, hot stuff.”
    Pepper was walking out of the hardware store when she heard the familiar man’s voice. She turned and found Grant on the sidewalk heading in her direction. He was wearing one of his obnoxiously tight Rosewood Fire & Rescue T-shirts with a pair of well-pressed khakis that highlighted his muscular thighs and his arrogant strut. She allowed her gaze to flick over him for only a moment, but when her gaze met his, she knew it was still too long. There was a twinkle of amusement in his baby-blue eyes that matched the smug grin on his face.
    “Afternoon, Grant,” she said before turning on her heel and heading toward her SUV that was still parked outside of Curls. She made it to the other side of First Avenue before Grant fell into step alongside her.
    “I heard you had a run-in with the peeper last night.”
    “Yes,” she sighed. “That’s why I’m carrying mini-blinds out of the hardware store.”
    Sometimes Pepper hated living in a small town; nothing was private. Simon had probably told him, which made Pepper wonder how much his brother knew about their short-lived relationship. Grant had been sworn to silence, but she knew he wasn’t big on lying. If someone asked him a question flat out, even about their one-night stand, he’d likely spill. She found it both noble and annoying.
    “Smart choice. May I carry that for you?”
    Pepper considered his offer for a moment before dumping the large paper sack into his arms. “Yep, thanks.”
    “Do you need help putting those blinds up? I could come over and do it for you.”
    Pepper had no idea how hard it would be to hang mini-blinds, but she was certain she would figure it out without his assistance. “I would say that was sweet of you to offer, but I know better, so no thanks. Even if hanging them up was akin to building a nuclear warhead, I still wouldn’t call you for help.”
    Grant shifted the bag into his left arm and placed a hand dramatically over his chest. “You wound me, Pepper, you really do. I’m only trying to be nice. Just because there’s a chance we might get naked when we’re finished hanging the blinds doesn’t mean it isn’t an altruistic offer.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you and Mother Teresa are besties.”
    “We text all the time,” Grant said with a wide smile.
    Pepper looked at him with a blank expression on her face. “She’s dead, Grant.”
    “I know that. It was a joke. Come on, you know I’ll get in your house eventually, Pepper.” He stopped on the sidewalk to consider his words, and then held up his hand. “Okay, that sounded creepy. I meant that one day, you’ll invite me over.”
    “Not unless my house is on fire.” It would take a hell of a lot of work before anyone was setting foot in her house, much less a Chamberlain.
    “I can wait for a formal invitation that doesn’t require your house burning down.” He smiled, not letting her awkward rebuff get him down. “So, did you hear Ivy’s coming into town tomorrow?”
    “Yes.” Pepper pulled out her car keys and unlocked the hatch of her little red SUV. She waited while Grant loaded her things into the back and slammed it closed. When she turned, Grant was far closer than he needed to be. “Take a step back, Grant.”
    He did as she asked, albeit reluctantly. “What’s the matter, Pep? Afraid that if you get too close to me, you might fall prey to my charms again ?”
    “You hush about that,” she warned with a manicured finger jabbing him in the hard wall of his chest. “You haven’t told anyone, have you?”
    His full lips twisted into an amused smile. “Not a soul. That experience was far too sweet to share. I want you all to myself.”
    “You’re not going to get me all to