Making Chase by Lauren Dane Read Free Book Online Page B

bad.”
    “Dinner with my parents.”

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    Lauren Dane
    Matt nodded, wanting to know more. He’d only heard bits and pieces around town and from his mother. He knew the old man drank and the mother kept running off.
    “I won’t pretend that I don’t know a little bit about your history.
    That’s not who I am and it doesn’t seem like who you are either. He been drinking?”
    “Is that a rhetorical question? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be disrespectful of him. And it’s not just him.” She shook her head and waited while Ronnie put the food onto the table.
    “Once a year I have to endure dinner with them. It’s for my youngest brother and sister. Because they’re still young, they need my parents’
    signature on their federal financial aid forms. We pay for most everything, my siblings and I. But it’s expensive and they can get loans at reduced interest and grants. Anyway, it’s just once a year. I go over there to check on him, my dad, every month or so but dinner there is just the worst. I sit and don’t eat, for an hour, and we all dash out the back door and run for it.”
    “You don’t eat?”
    “So, how did you end up as a firefighter anyway?” she asked with a grin as she changed the subject.
    He allowed it, for the time being. “I considered being a cop like Shane but the police academy was not my cup of tea. One of the instructors there suggested I try firefighting instead. I did.” He shrugged. “I like it and the people of Petal. Well, most of them anyway. It’s nice to find something that makes you feel fulfilled you know?”
    “Yeah, I do know. When I first got out of high school, I did all sorts of odd jobs to pay the bills. Tim and I got an apartment in town, big enough for everyone. After a time, I got into beauty school and I realized I’d found what I was good at. It isn’t police work or anything, but I like making people feel better about themselves. So many women have crappy lives or bad days or never get a chance to feel pretty or special. It’s amazing what a bit of hair color and a nice cut can do. Make you walk out of the salon 44
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    Making Chase
    like you’re on air.” She smiled as she said it and Matt felt it like a blow to his gut.
    “You have such a pretty smile.”
    She blushed charmingly. “Thank you.”
    They finished up and he ordered a slice of pie.
    “I should go. I have an early breakfast with my family tomorrow morning. It was nice having dinner with you, Matt.” She scooted out of her side of the booth and stood.
    “Wait, have some pie with me.”
    “Oh, I can’t.”
    “Can’t? You allergic to peaches? If so they’ve got cherry and lemon meringue too.” He grinned.
    “No, I can’t do pie. The crust goes straight to my butt and it’s big enough as it is.” She laughed but it sounded brittle.
    “Tate, I happen to like your butt. In fact, it’s pretty darned stellar.
    Come on. I know you want to,” he sang out softly. He loved her shape, soft and lush, all curves and dips.
    “Look, I have bad enough self control as it is, don’t tempt me,” she whispered and he stood. Thank goodness she had on some spiky heels or he’d have towered over her.
    “It’s just pie. It’s supposed to be tempting.” He grinned.
    “I said no! It’s easy for you. Stop it. I’m not laughing.” The vehemence of her voice was laced with something else, pain and shame. Matt did not like the way it sounded one bit.
    Tate let out a surprised gasp when Matt stepped to her, banding her waist with his arm, hauling her close. “Let me tempt you with something better then,” he said in a near growl, so low it strummed along her spine.
    Her nipples pebbled against the front of her blouse and every other part of her called to attention. The heat of him buffeted her, nearly made her sway with want.
    “Wh-what would that be?” Confusion swallowed her. What was he doing? This felt distinctly sexual and even more