Into The Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

going?”
    “They’re having a sale on acoustics at Guitar
Center. I was going to check it out.”
    He was such a scatterbrain. “Well, we aren’t
done here.”
    “We aren’t?” He sat down again. “What else do
you want to talk about? The weather?”
    “I need to get to know you so I know how to
behave in front of your parents. If I know nothing about you,
they’re going to know it’s all an act.”
    He released an irritated sigh. “I’m not that
interesting.”
    “Then it shouldn’t take long.”
    He drummed his fingers again as he tried to
think of something to share. His hair was slightly messy like he
ran his fingers through it often. On him, it looked sexy. He had
such nice features he could get away with pretty much anything.
Even in t-shirt and jeans, he was a nice piece of eye candy.
    I took the reins since he was taking so long.
“You play guitar?”
    “Yeah, I’ve been playing for a long time. I’m
pretty good.”
    “Do you play the drums?” I could only assume
so since he kept drumming the table.
    “Yeah. And I play the keyboard but that’s my
least favorite instrument.”
    “You like Led Zeppelin?”
    His eyes narrowed. “How did you know
that?”
    “You were drumming it on the table.”
    “You recognized the song?” His eyes lit up in
interest.
    “Yes.”
    “Wow, that’s cool. Most girls I know listen
to Taylor Swift and shit.”
    “I listen to Taylor Swift.” I rested my hands
on the table. “I listen to everything.”
    “Taylor Swift isn’t music. That’s just some
girl whining about every boyfriend she’s ever had.”
    “How would you know?” I asked. “Have you
actually listened to her? Because she writes about other things
besides that.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like being happy. Being alone. Stuff like
that.”
    He didn’t seem convinced.
    “Anyway, yes, I listen to Led Zeppelin.”
    “What else do you listen to?” he asked.
    “Aren’t we here to talk about you and not
me?”
    “Just answer the damn question.” He held my
gaze without flinching.
    “I really like folksy stuff like Mumford and
Sons.”
    “I prefer rock music but they’re good,” Ash
said. “I’ll give them that.”
    “I’m glad you approve.” My voice was full of
sarcasm. “I also like the classics like The Rolling Stones, The
Beatles, and The Doors.”
    He winked. “Excellent taste, sweetheart.”
    “Could you stop calling me that?”
    “What?” he asked innocently.
    “Sweetheart. I have a name.”
    “I’m afraid to use it,” he said. “It’s too
sexy.”
    I rolled my eyes. “It’s just a name.”
    “Alessandra…” He shivered visibly. “See, it
makes my spine wiggle.”
    I continued on like he hadn’t said anything.
“And I like modern stuff too, like Katy Perry—”
    “No!” He covered his ears like he was in
pain. “That’s not music. That’s just noise.”
    “Well, I like her and I don’t care what you
think.”
    “Thank god, you have some good taste. Shit
like that poisons people’s minds.”
    “Just because I have different taste than you
doesn’t make your preferences superior to mine.”
    He seemed to realize his mistake. “You’re
right. I’m being snooty.”
    “You’re being a dick, actually.”
    He smiled slightly. “I have a bad habit of
doing that. I’m surprised my parents didn’t name me Dick instead of
Ash.”
    “You can always go down to the courthouse and
change it.”
    He chuckled. “Discreetly insulting
me…nice.”
    “So, back to you. You like guitar?”
    “Yep. It’s my favorite instrument.”
    “What do you care more about?” I asked.
“Music or inking?”
    He cringed. “Baby, don’t make me choose.”
    “Don’t call me baby. It’s Alessandra.”
    He growled quietly. “Fine. I can’t choose.
It’s too difficult.”
    “Why do you like inking?”
    “What kind of question is that?” he asked.
“Why does an artist like to paint? He just does. Inking is artwork
and I love it. I create something that stays on