Through the Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

about this particular itch but scratch it.
    He reached the third floor and had a choice of two apartments. Remembering the lights from the night before, he headed for the one facing the front.
    Quinn tugged in a long breath, hoped that something that made sense would come out of his mouth, and pressed the square-shaped bell.
    Rae jumped again at least an inch off the floor. She stomped her feet as if running in place, squeezed her hands into fists, then reached for the door with all the poise of a runway model. Her heart galloped at breakneck speed. All she could think about was her disarray, her rumpled clothes and what he would think of her. Why couldn’t he turn up when she had her act together, her hair done, makeup in place and the perfect outfit hugging her body?
    When Quinn stood before her, bold, black and beautiful, framed in the doorway as perfectly as by an artist’s hand—she couldn’t remember whyshe’d been so afraid. This—whatever it was that was happening between them—was inevitable, as inevitable as the sun setting and the moon rising. And if she thought for a moment that she could stop it, she was a fool.

Chapter 5
    I t wasn’t a dream, Quinten thought as he stood in front of Rae. It wasn’t something he’d wistfully imagined. She was real, flesh and blood—full of possibility. Through the night he’d thought of her, heard her poetic voice calling out to him, saw the way she held her head at a just-so angle, her laughter, the sparkle in her eyes and the sadness that could suddenly creep into her voice. She’d haunted him, awakened him with emotions he was certain he was no longercapable of feeling for anyone other than his son: the inkling of joy, the tingle of anticipation.
    He pursed his lips before speaking and Rae felt her stomach tumble.
    “I know it’s not cool to just show up, but I was thinkin’ about you. About last night and—”
    “It’s okay. Come in,” she said so gently it sounded like a lullaby to Quinn’s ears.
    He stepped past her, and the thoroughly male scent of him reached out and caressed her, stroking her body like a tender lover. She almost moaned.
    Quinn stepped into the foyer and turned to face Rae, who still stood in the archway.
    Soft curves defined the pale blue cotton pants that hung low on her rounded hips, exposing a warm brown belly, with faint traces of the child she once carried. The white band that covered her breasts only drew his attention to them—full, ripe. His manhood jerked, as aware as he. Quinn turned away.
    Rae tried to collect herself. But the back of him was just as alluring as the front. His locks, bound in a black band at the nape of his neck, cut a path down the center of his back, in sharpcontrast to the white T-shirt that barely contained the cut of hard muscle. The black jeans hugged him in all the right places, outlining the solid thighs and long, slightly, bowed legs. Her nipples stood at attention. Slowly he turned toward her.
    “I was just getting myself together.” She laughed nervously, feeling a sudden pulse between her thighs. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” She headed toward her bedroom, stopped, turned, and collided with his unwavering stare. For an instant she forgot what was on her mind.
    He smiled slowly. “Nice…place.”
    Rae swallowed. “Thanks. Would you like something to drink before I dash off?”
    “If it’s cool, just point me toward the kitchen. I’m pretty handy.” He grinned, flashing perfect teeth and that killer smile that graced his book jackets and CD covers.
    “Second door on the right.”
    He nodded. “Thanks.”
    She watched him saunter toward the kitchen before making a mad dash to her bedroom.
    An audible sigh wafted around Rae as she shut her bedroom door behind her. She closedher eyes. Quinn Parker was standing in her living room. Now what was she going to do?
    She glanced up and caught a peek at her disheveled self in the dresser mirror. “Oh, Lawd!” She jetted off to the