Up in Flames [The Heroes of Silver Springs 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

lieutenant.”
    Terri waved a hand dismissively. “Details. Details.”
    “And she’s been letting that temper of hers loose on me since day one.” He sighed, and the hint of the smile he’d obviously been attempting to hide vanished. “Except twice.”
    Terri nodded slowly. “The New Year’s Eve party and tonight. She was knocking back the spiked punch at the New Year’s Eve party pretty good. Seeing as we just picked up her car from the Paradise Lounge, I’m guessing she was hitting something pretty good tonight, too.”
    “Rum Runners.”
    Terri moaned dramatically. “Mmm, I love those.”
    Max finally chuckled. “Yeah, apparently Regina does, too.”
    “So, you’re not going to give me the scoop on what happened tonight, are you?”
    “No.”
    Terri let the finality of that word hang in the air for a moment before she shot it down. “You’re hot for her, aren’t you?”
    Max slid her a noncommittal look that had her gasping.
    “You are! Holy shit! I’ve known you for what, years , and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you have the hots for a woman.”
    “I’ve been with women,” Max said a tad defensively. “I’ve been on dates.”
    “Nobody ever hears you mention it at the firehouse. A couple of the guys have wondered if you’re playing for the other team, even though no one truly believes that.”
    “If I were playing for the other team, everyone would’ve known it. Your buddy Thad is the man I would’ve gone for and neither Adrien or Cameron would’ve stood a chance.”
    Terri cracked up. Firefighter/engineer Thaddeus Carter was her best friend, confidant, and gloriously out-of-the-closet gay. He was also in a fairytale ménage relationship with DEA Agent Adrien Bingham and FBI Agent Cameron Stone.
    “How’s that going for him, by the way?”
    Terri rolled her eyes as the green demon of jealously reared its ugly head in her belly. “He’s so blissfully happy it makes me want to puke. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled he’s so happy, but, gosh, he’s spending his life with not one, but two gorgeous men and he’s practically bursting at the seams every day.”
    Max glanced at her, one brow lifted. “Envious?”
    “Damn right, I am. And don’t think I’m letting you change the subject. We were talking about Regina. More interestingly, your apparent attraction to the sizzling fire investigator.”
    “No, you were talking about Regina. I’m driving, and it would help if you told me where I’m going.”
    “Your place.” Terri didn’t miss the way his foot eased onto the brake at that. Nor did she miss the expression that flashed over his face when he shot a look at her this time. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or smack the shit out of him. She knew what the guys on B-shift thought of her—solid EMT, professional on shift, and the queen of flings on her off time. She honestly couldn’t deny any of it either. She liked men, loved her independence, and preferred to be footloose and fancy free. At least, she had until recently. For the last several months, and definitely since she’d met Doctor Owen Banks, she’d been considering putting on her staying shoes, trying out a relationship for a while, and maybe even letting herself fall in love.
    And wouldn’t you know the one man you consider having all this with turns out to be a guy who’s lumped you into the “just friends” category?
    “My car is in the parking lot at your apartment, remember? You picked me up there.”
    “Oh, yeah. Sorry. It’s been a long night.” His foot returned to the gas pedal, and the truck picked up speed. “You never told me why you were at the apartment complex tonight. Obviously, you were hanging with Rayne, Cory, and Ford. Did y’all have a little party or something?”
    “Or something.” Terri shrugged. “Your sister invited me over for a girl get-together, along with Veronica, Tina, Bailey, and Angelina.”
    Max chuckled. “I bet Cory and Ford enjoyed that one, the