Into the Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

time,” he said lazily. “My date will keep me entertained.”
    Was that excitement or dread in her stomach? Or a heady combination of both? “Maybe I should go with him…” she said nervously.
    â€œI don’t think so. He and Rachel will want some privacy. He’ll be back eventually.”
    â€œEventually?” she echoed, and she could hear the panic in her own voice.
    â€œDon’t look so terrified, sweet cakes. I don’t bite. Much.”
    She was already as far from him on the wide front seat of the Cadillac as she could get. Hereached between them, ripped another beer from the plastic ring and then set the remainder on the floor. Leaving nothing between them. “Have a beer,” he said. She wasn’t sure if it was an offer or an order.
    â€œI don’t think…”
    â€œI thought this was your big night of rebellion. Take the beer, Jamie.”
    She took it. It wasn’t as if it was the first beer she’d ever had. She just didn’t like it much. However, she was so nervous her stomach was doing flip-flops, and maybe the beer would calm her down, help her to relax. She didn’t want Dillon thinking she was a total idiot. Though she didn’t even want to consider why his opinion suddenly mattered.
    The beer was lukewarm, yeasty, and she took a long drink. Dillon lounged against the door, making no move toward her, watching her out of hooded eyes. “Nate will be bringing some more stuff if you’d prefer grass.”
    â€œI don’t!” she said quickly.
    â€œJust say no?” he mocked. “I bet you’re good at that, sweet cakes. I bet you say no all the time. Do you ever say yes?”
    She didn’t answer, and he didn’t seem to expect her to. He leaned back against the seat, looking up into the darkening sky, totally relaxed, while Jamiesat miles away on the other side of the car, clutching her beer.
    So he was every young girl’s secret fantasy, she mocked herself. Latter-day James Dean, bad boy with a killer smile and a mouth that could tempt a nun. And she was no nun.
    â€œDo you want to make out?” she asked suddenly.
    He turned to look at her, slowly, lazily. “Is that an offer?”
    She squirmed, uncomfortable. “Well, if I’m really your date…”
    â€œYou’re not,” he said. “Much as I appreciate the offer of a virgin sacrifice, I think I’ll pass this time. I don’t make out.”
    She took another swig of the beer. It was almost gone, and she wondered if he’d offer her another one. Probably not. “You don’t? Don’t you like girls?”
    His smile was the most dangerous thing she’d ever seen in her life. “I like girls just fine. I don’t make out, I don’t neck, I don’t kiss as a recreational activity.”
    â€œThen what do you do?”
    â€œI fuck.”
    Jamie choked on the last of her beer. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œYou heard me. I fuck. I don’t kiss women unless I want to fuck them, and I sure as hell don’t kiss jailbait like you unless it’s a sure thing. And I don’t think you’re going to be slipping out of those jeans anytime soon, are you? Not for me.”
    She just stared at him. Night was falling, and the breeze had picked up just slightly, running through his shaggy blond hair like a lover’s caress. “No,” she said in a small voice.
    His smile was small and mocking. “I didn’t think so. Not from the way you’re hugging that side of the car. Don’t worry, baby girl. I won’t touch you.” He turned his head, peering through the gathering darkness. “It won’t be long now. Nate doesn’t have much staying power.”
    â€œStaying power? What are you talking about?”
    â€œHe and Rachel are having sex. He goes for quantity rather than quality, and Rachel’s a good match for him. They’ll be out in