Kade's Rescue (Detroit Heat Book 1) by Davida Lynn Read Free Book Online

can’t ask you about peeling potatoes?” I wanted to thank her for stopping me. In that moment, I would have told her everything, but that would have ruined the best part of our date. Talking about my job usually went one of two ways: either the person I was talking to started in on the worship or threw me a nice, big pity party. Layne was different, and I wanted her to stay that way.

    After drinks, we went out to dinner. Dinner was… something magical. Layne was easy to talk to, and I found that everything else around us slipped away. It wasn’t long before we talked about our siblings, parents, and what it was like growing up.

    Not talking about firefighting was a nice change of pace. At work it was all I was allowed to think about, and the shrink loved to bring up firefighting again and again. I got the feeling he was living vicariously through me and he wanted every action-packed detail.

    “If you couldn’t be a firefighter, what would you do?”

    It was the first time she’d brought up my job, but she did it in a way that didn’t make me nervous.

    I thought about the question. It had never occurred to me before. “Wow.” I smiled at her as the waiter brought our dessert. “Great question.”  

    Layne must have seen that I was stalling. “Take your time. I’ve got all night.” There was a light, flirty tone in her voice, and my heart jumped in my chest. She did have all night for me. Every man worries on a date if he’s in. I was worried up until that moment, despite everything feeling so warm and familiar. Layne wanted me to know that I was in.

    “If I wasn’t a firefighter, I’d probably remodel houses.” I had taken long enough to answer, and I knew she’d want an explanation. “There’s something so satisfying about seeing your work in front of you. My old man and grandpa worked the Ford assembly line for their entire careers. I just can’t imagine.”

    One of the corners of her mouth crept upwards. “What do you mean?”

    “When you grew up in Detroit—or at least, when my dad and his dad did—that was where you worked. Thousands and thousands of people worked the assembly lines, and all they’d do was screw in one bolt or attach one gasket, then the part would move on to the next person. They’d never see the completed car, or even the engine. Maybe they’d see them waiting in the holding lot when they got off shift, but all they’d see all day was one thing. My dad worked on brake components. For twenty-eight years.”

    “Are you serious? Twenty-eight years of doing the exact same thing?”

    I nodded. “The model of car changed, but his job stayed the same, for the most part. Remodeling houses, though… You can stand back at the end of a few hard months and look at something completely reborn.”

    Layne smiled and leaned forward as I spoke. Part of me wanted to reach out and lay my hand on top of hers, but I had to play it cool.

    “What about you?” I asked her. “If you weren’t working at Helping Hands, what would you be doing?”

    It didn’t take her any time at all to come up with an answer, “I’d open up my own place.”

    “Your own place doing what?”

    “Exactly the same thing. I just can’t imagine doing anything else. Helping Hands runs so well, otherwise I would have already started my own kitchen. Leslie has connections with so many local restaurants and people at the farmer’s market. I could go on about it all night, so I won’t.” She smiled and sipped at her wine.

    I wasn’t usually this bold, but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t go for it. “What do you want to go on about all night?” I hoped that my smile said it all.

I bit my bottom lip, knowing that we both wanted it. My heart raced and the ache that had been growing inside of me was burning out of control. I grinned devilishly. “My place or yours?”

    Kade shook his head. “I don’t care, whichever is closest.” I was dying for him to take me. My desire had