Bear The Heat (Mating Call Dating Agency Book 3) by Lynn Red Read Free Book Online Page B

HEAT

41
    “Okay, okay,” Eve finally said. “I was just seeing if you’d let me hear another of those tirades. By the way, I’m really impressed with your ability to string together swear words. That’s not a skill many people have, you know.”
    “Ugh, thanks. I guess? Anyway, what’s up?”
    “Well, I think I’ve found someone for you, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea. Dora assures me that it is, but... I’ve never second guessed myself before, but this time I am.”
    “But why? I mean I can’t be that bad. I’m a little weird, and sort of sarcastic, but plenty of people like being up in the middle of the night because it’s peaceful. Right?”
    Eve was quiet for a moment. “It’s not that. I actually kinda like you. And I don’t like many of my clients personally. I mean, I don’t dislike them, but... I think you know what I mean. Right?”
    “This changed around quickly,” Rory said. “But yeah, I think I do. Tell me why you’re having second thoughts though. That doesn’t sound promising? At least I don’t think it does.”
    Eve sighed audibly. “Look, here’s the thing. I have always done my job a certain way. I put the girl on file, I interview men, and then match them that way. But I think you might have accidentally skipped a step.”
    “Er... how?”
    “Well, I think you already met him.” Eve cleared her throat, obviously nervous. “This is a terrible idea. Listen, I’ll get back to you when—”
    “No,” Rory said. “I kinda already made my mind up too. Even if you didn’t match us.”
    There was a moment’s silence, long enough for the light to change to green. “What?” Eve finally asked.
    “Can I tell you something and not have you think I’m crazy?
    Well, crazier than you already know I am for screaming at my phone?”
    “Sure thing,” Eve said.
    42

Lynn Red
    “I’m going to see him right now,” Rory said. “He’s a firefighter and I’m investigating an arson. I’ve never done this before in my life. I’ve always stuck to protocol and never... well, never really broken the law very hard.”
    “What on earth do you mean?”
    “Well we had a fire the other day, and I’m pretty sure it was arson. But I have to prove it, and to do that I have to find accelerant in the carpet fibers. Anyway, I was going to the station he works at to try and get him to come with me because... hell, I don’t even know why I’m doing it, it just seems like the only thing I can do.”
    Another pause of substantial length. “It... is?”
    “Yeah,” Rory said. “I can’t stop thinking about him. About the way he was laughing, and how that made me feel. Just go ahead and tell me I’m crazy.”
    “No,” Eve said. “I am. But I may as well tell you. It was him.
    Maybe I’m not wrong after all. Because he just called looking for you, too.”
    I should probably go check the house first before I go hunting for boyfriend bear , Rory thought, blushing a little at her thought of the firefighter as a boyfriend. I’d hate to get all distracted and forget what I was doing, where I was going .
    Something plucked at the tentacles of nerves in the back of her brain. She felt prickles on the back of her neck, the hairs stood up stiff and tall, like she’d just walked into a freezer with a pack of ghosts living in it. Rory looked around her car, not entirely sure what sent that chill squirming down her neck.
    She was just... alone. But not alone in the normal sitting somewhere by yourself way. Alone in the existentially, terrifyingly, dying alone because no one remembers you exist way.
    BEAR THE HEAT

43
    Just as she thought that, another shiver worked down her back. “Why the hell do I keep having these morbid, horrible thoughts for no good damn reason?” she asked the inside of her car. “Why can’t I just think about sitcoms and popular books, or, god forbid, sports?”
    She sighed heavily and gripped the steering wheel, squeezing until the tendons in her knuckles stood