Fanning the Flames (Romance Firemen Series) by Amanda Perry Read Free Book Online Page A

Cassie said as perched at the breakfast bar, sipping coffee. “Are you going to be staying here too?”
    “Of course!” he laughed. “Unless my dad decides there’s something else he doesn’t feel like doing and dumps it on me. But as far as I know, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be here as long as you are.”
    “Ok,” Cassie hesitated. “So where’s your room?”
    He laughed again. “Firstborn son of the Mandeville family, Cassie!” he said. “I’ll be in the master bedroom, of course.”
    “But I’m in the master bedroom.”
    “Yes.” Nick said, as though speaking to a child. “Oh, Cassie! Don’t be so provincial! Nothing has to happen, ok? If you’re uncomfortable with us getting intimate at this stage, we’ll wait.”
    Cassie slid off her stool at the breakfast bar. “I don’t know if you’re joking…”
    He shook his head “I told you before, I seldom joke.”
    “Then I must have given you some serious mixed message or something, because I don’t do this kind of thing. I’m very grateful that you’re giving me a place to stay for a couple of weeks, but that’s all this is. I didn’t move in to be in a relationship with you. I’m sorry if I gave you some kind of signal that made you think otherwise.”
    Nick’s amusement was gone. He leveled his eyes at her. “Cassie,” he said sternly, “I’d hardly call it a mixed message. I know you’re telling me you want to take it slow, and I respect that. That’s why I’m saying nothing has to happen. But you’ve moved in. We’re living under the same roof. I don’t see the point in having separate rooms. I’d rather be near you, get to know you. Then when you’re ready, we can move forward.”
    He tried to put his arms around her, but she dodged out of his way.
    “Nick, you’re not listening.” She took a few steps backwards, one hand behind her back searching for the comforting feel of the door handle. “We’re not together. I can’t go straight from having a couple dates to sleeping in the same bed! I can’t believe you’d think that was ok! Look, it was really nice of you to offer me a place, but I think I’d better leave.”
    Nick’s handsome face curled into an ugly sneer. “Oh? And where do you intend to go? It’s after dark and all your stuff is here.”
    “That’s not your problem.”
    “If you think I’m going to bail you out, you’re wrong. If you want me to spend any more on you, it’s time you started showing a little gratitude!”
    Seeing Nick take a step toward her, Cassie dived out the door and fled. She kept running until she was sure Nick had not followed. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she rested on the sidewalk taking deep, ragged breaths.
    Only then did she realize that her purse was inside the house hanging on the back of one of the chairs. As the chilly evening air gave her goose bumps, she realized her jacket was back there, too.
    Then she felt the comforting bump of her cell phone in the pocket of her jeans. Heaving a massive sigh of relief she pulled it out and flipped it open.
    Her relief didn't last long. As she scrolled through her contacts, she remembered how few of her friends were still in town. Her phone was full of old friends who lived in other states, teacher friends who were on vacation or visiting family, and names of people she barely even remembered. Finally, she selected a number to call.
    “Hello?”
    Cassie took a deep breath. “Hi Brendan,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. “It’s Cassie.”
    “Cassie.” The warmth of his voice was so reassuring that Cassie wanted to cry. “How’s it going?”
    “It’s… not great, actually. Look, Brendan, I’m so sorry to do this and I know I’ve no right to but everyone else I know is either out of town or I don’t trust them and I really, really need a favor. I didn’t know who else to call, I just…”
    “ Cassie, Cassie, ssshhh,” he soothed. “It’s all right. What happened? Are you