Stoking the Embers (New Adult Romantic Suspense): The Complete Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

with sympathy is broken as an ambulance’s siren fires up. We both turn to watch it pull from a fast food joint. Breakfast interrupted for those guys. I find myself wanting to follow them, help out. The need to make a difference always pushing me.
    “It was really something, watching everyone at the accident scene,” she says after the ambulance turns a corner and its screams fade. “The way you worked together, firemen and paramedics. Even the police pitching in. It was pretty impressive, the work you do.”
    “You told me you’re a nursing student. Ever think of becoming a paramedic?” I ask her, and watch her eyebrows draw together as she considers the question.
    “I don’t think I could deal with that stress. If you’d asked me before the accident, I would’ve said maybe, or a flight nurse. But now, no way. I am glad I helped, but I don’t think I would hold up. I may go into obstetrics, it is usually much happier.”
    I shrug my shoulders like a dork. “I understand how you feel, I thought about changing careers once, but realized someone needs to help. Besides, dreams die hard. I wanted to be a firefighter since forever. The crazy thing is, you get used to it. Not in an ‘it’s no big deal’ way, but you start seeing past the gore and the suffering and begin to focus on what’s important… one life at a time. As a bonus, you get the eternal gratitude of all those you saved and their friends and family.”
    She gives me half a nod of her head, but it’s noncommittal at the least. She seems lost in thought, I can almost see her brain processing. She rubs an arm, wincing as she does.
    “Still bruised up?” I walk closer to examine them. She lets me lift her sleeve and examine her arm. It’s spotted with black, some places already turning yellow. Despite the heat, her skin lifts into goose bumps as I stroke her soft skin.
    She gently pulls away and pushes down her sleeve. “It’ll heal quickly enough. Just have to look like Frankenstein a few more days.” Does she always use humor as a defense mechanism?
    “I know you probably have a boyfriend, but if you don’t, how about dinner tonight?” Shit, the words are out of my mouth before my brain realizes they are being formed. Hell, I can’t stop now. I decide to go for it. “My treat. Doesn’t even have to be a date… unless you want it to be.”
    “Oh, I don’t know ...” she stammers. Struggle crosses her expressive face. I imagine an angel and devil on each of her shoulders, warring with the other. “I have to study and I’m really tired, but let me get your number, I’ll text you. Is that okay?”
    Damn—kick in the balls number one for the day—I can’t tell if she’s interested or not. “I’ve heard that line from beautiful girls before, but I’ll make an exception for you. Here’s my number, 555-2439. But you gotta make me a promise.”
    She looks up from her phone, where she’s saving my contact information. “Promise? I don’t normally make promises unless I can keep them.”
    “You have to text me, even if it’s to say no.”
    She smiles and nods. “I have to work until three today, but after that, I promise I’ll text or call you one way or another.” She lowers her eyes, biting that damn lower lip again. “You know, dinner sounds great. But…”
    Damn, she’s on the verge of saying yes, I feel it. I stay silent, watching her process, letting her sweat it out.
    “I’ll text you later. Promise.”
    I turn to hide my disappointment, but catch her looking at my crotch. Mmm… maybe she is interested. That little furtive glance gives me hope. “Great. Talk later.”
    I flip the handle on the gas pump a little harder than necessary and thrust the nozzle into the Hog, unsure why I feel so pissed. She’s just a girl, like a million others in this city. My ego’s just rocked a bit; I’m not really disappointed.
    If she doesn’t text, I’ll hit up a strip club tonight or something. Maybe call a fuck buddy.