Miss Firecracker Read Online Free PDF Page A

place.”
    Rather than ask, “Is there a chance he’s sticking around?” Willow hedged. “He seems like a good guy.”
    “He is. He sure went to bat for you last night.”
    “Pity I don’t remember anything.”
    Mandy cocked her head. “Nothing?”
    “Nope.”
    “I got the impression you two planned on making hot steamy memories the second you were alone upstairs. But then again…since Blake is the Boy Scout type, I’ll bet he didn’t take advantage when you were wasted, huh?”
    “No. He didn’t.” For the millionth time Willow was glad Blake had been on duty last night. Things could’ve ended so much worse for her.
    “Well, sugar, you’re sober tonight.” She winked.
    The sixtop in the corner waved for Mandy’s attention and she sauntered off. Willow heard Blake wiping the bar behind her.
    “You doin’ okay, Will?”
    “Yep. If I haven’t said it enough, thanks for looking out for me last night.”
    “Aw, shoot, ma’am, it weren’t nothin’. Just doin’ my job. But I wouldn’t be opposed to such a purty lady as yourself thankin’ me good ‘n’ proper with a little ol’ kiss.”
    “If I remember correctly…you said you didn’t think we could stop at just one little ol’ kiss.” She peeped at him over her shoulder.
    “I hope not. ’Cause I can think of a whole lotta places besides your tempting mouth that I’d love to put my lips.”
    A fluttery sensation took wing in her belly. Before she could push words past her thick tongue, a customer shouted her name.
    For the next few hours, Willow’s conversations with Blake involved drink orders. The man defined adept; he could do twenty things at once. Since the place was packed, customers were coming up to order from him, plus Blake had to fill her drink orders and Mandy’s drink orders.
    He kept up, but Willow was glad a lanky teenage boy showed up to help out. His main job consisted of hauling buckets of ice and dragging trays of dirty glasses back to the industrial dishwasher and bringing clean racks back out.
    What bothered Willow more than her cramped toes or the thick clouds of smoke was how few people she recognized in this crowd. She should’ve known everyone. She was a native of Broward. She was in the prime barhopping years of her life. Heck, up until last night, she’d been Miss Firecracker, the ambassador to the county. Why did she feel like an outsider?
    Her attention whipped to Blake. He looked like he belonged here. Smiling and chatting as he poured a pitcher of beer and refilled a bowl of pretzels.
    Then Blake seemed to sense her staring at him. Their eyes met and held for a heartbeat or two. No one else would’ve thought anything of it, but that brief, molten, purely sexual look rocked her to her core.
    Maybe he wasn’t such a Boy Scout after all.
    During a respite, her belly rumbled. She realized she hadn’t eaten anything all day besides two slices of toast.
    Mandy said, “I heard that belly roar. Blake ordered pizza and sub sandwiches. It’s in the breakroom.” Mandy snagged Willow’s tray of empty glasses. “Grab something to eat before you pass out. I’ll keep an eye on your section.”
    “Thanks.”
    Willow skirted the dwindling crowd and fell on the cold food like a starving hyena.
    She’d just wiped her mouth when Blake’s voice bounced off the concrete walls. “Lord, do I love to see a woman with a healthy appetite.”
    She took another swig of ginger ale. “Is that your gentlemanly way of telling me I eat like a pig?”
    “No. I was talking about all appetites, not just the one pertaining to food.”
    “Oh.” Willow held perfectly still as Blake crowded behind her.
    “Although, I’m feeling guilty. I starved you all day and the best I could manage tonight was fast food.”
    “That’s okay. I eat a lot of fast food.”
    “I don’t. I can’t stand the stuff.” Blake drew his finger down the side of her neck. Goose bumps danced across her skin. “I’m a good cook. I’d like to make you