Coming ine box set, p.78
Coming in Hot: Rescue Me Box Set, page 78
“I’m from Florianópolis, a city on the Southern coast of Brazil. I was told my accent isn’t typical of Brazilian speakers of English, though. Maybe because I went to Stanford Med?”
The unaffected way she dropped the name of one of the world’s best medical schools as if it meant nothing, using it to explain why her accent wasn’t typical, drew him in further. He began questioning his resolution to forgo one-night-stands, but he wasn’t ready for relationships. Better stick to the original plan.
Get drinks.
Discuss Latif.
Go home.
Alone.
Probably to a cold shower.
Steering his mind to a more neutral subject, he asked, “How did a Brazilian doctor end up in Syria?”
She replied with a grin, “I volunteer with Doctors Without Borders every chance I have.”
The glowing expression on her face connected with something primitive inside Drew. Air got cut out from his lungs as he wished he could lean across the table and kiss her senseless. He grabbed his glass of Guinness and took a swig. He had no business dragging Bruna’s sunshine into his dark. Because that would happen if he followed his instincts.
Yet she stirred feelings he had believed dead. How could it be that a perfect stranger felt so right for him?
Drew believed in lust at first sight. That happened when he met the women he slept with. Damn, that happened when he met Jen, his love for her had developed over time. What Bruna woke in him felt more than lust, but he didn’t believe in insta-love.
Love at first sight was a construct conceived by poets and advertising agencies. The poets to justify their misery, the advertising agencies to sell products. That was that.
Or was it?
Chapter Twelve
Bruna
As Bruna watched the emotions play on Drew’s face and waited for his reply, she panicked. Their conversation had taken off in a dangerous direction. One she had promised herself she would keep away from. The plan was to meet with the gorgeous teacher, discuss how she could help Latif Daoud and run. She had no illusion she would have to sit on her hands while talking to the man and rush out of the bar as soon as possible, if she were to succeed in avoiding getting entangled with Mr. Smoking Hot.
Turning the conversation to personal topics wouldn’t help her.
Maybe drinking would. She bottomed up the Cosmopolitan and felt the warmth spread from her belly to the nerve endings.
Crap.
She had had a quick snack for lunch because she wanted to leave campus early and nothing else since. That must be the reason for her lightheadedness. Certainly not the intensity in Drew’s golden eyes as he eyeballed her. Damn those butterflies in her stomach.
“Doctors Without Borders? Impressive.” He paused and glanced away as if hesitating. Then, he locked eyes with her. She had never seen such a mix of pain and pride. “I wasn’t always a teacher, you know. I used to be a firefighter, a smoke jumper to be precise.”
His chin lifted an inch or two as he delivered the last sentence. She tipped her head to the left and stared into his eyes. The black irises were large in the dim light, but his intense emotions had turned the liquid gold into almost green.
She weighed her words and instinctively covered his hand with hers. “Teaching is one of the most noble professions. There would be no doctors and no firefighters without teachers and tutors. You chose to volunteer with an organization that helps people when they’re most vulnerable. You’re a hero in my book.”
The shake of his head was so subtle she almost missed it. But it happened and she saw it before Drew dropped his head and pressed it between his hands. Without intending to, she had hit a nerve.
“I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn. I didn’t mean to.”
Drew snapped his head up and the ache in his expression made her wince. “That’s not it. I’m in awe of you. I mean, I could be a sociopath for all you know. Yet you assumed the best. You didn’t ask why I quit or if I got kicked out of the fire department. You just focused on the volunteer work I do now. You didn’t even consider I could be doing this out of a heavy conscience,” he scoffed. It was clear it was directed at himself, though. The sad smile that followed was all hers. “The world can be a cruel place for generous souls like you. I hope you never lose that positive take on life.”
The ground disappeared from under her and she fell into the bottomless pit. A free fall that took her breath away.
“You’re absolutely right yet so wrong. The world stole my rose-colored glasses a long time ago. I refused to let it steal myself from me, you know what I mean?”
She held her breath waiting for his reply. This man seemed to read her so well. Maybe it was the deep suffering she had glimpsed in his eyes. Or the darkness she suspected in his life. For whatever reason she couldn’t grasp, he seemed to hold the key to her own healing.
Could his broken pieces put her own back together?
How did she know he was broken?
She didn’t, but maybe her heart had recognized a kindred, broken one beating inside his chest. At least, it felt like that as her heart crawled up her throat as if wishing to join his.
Chapter Thirteen
Drew
Drew had heard the saying before, but it never made more sense to him than at that moment. It took one to know one. Bruna was telling him that her light had been tainted by darkness and he believed her. Although she showed her brighter side to the world, he had glimpsed her pain. It saddened him. It also made him want to cuddle her, mend her pieces, drive the ache away.
They had met a couple of hours ago. Where did those feelings come from?
“I’ve got to say this, even if it sounds insane. I feel like we both have been through hell. I know I have and I’d bet you also have. I’ve never felt this way about a woman I just met. Is it just me or do you feel the attraction too?”
She nodded and held his stare.
When she didn’t speak, he added, “It’s as though our pain recognizes each other, maybe that’s the connection?” Another pause, but she still didn’t say anything. He sighed. She wasn’t making it easy on him. “I’m not sure how to proceed. I can’t promise you anything. I’m not ready to commit to a relationship. I’ve got my reasons and I’ll gladly share them, but not tonight.”
She nodded again and glanced around the bar. Her eyes seemed unfocused. “Same here,” she giggled.
He frowned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
She didn’t sound fine.
“You didn’t get drunk on one Cosmopolitan, did you?”
She shook her head and her body swayed on the seat. She informed him, “Need food. Haven’t eaten since lunch.”
Shit!
“Finnegan’s doesn’t offer real food.” He stood and motioned for her to do the same.
She leaned on his forearm when she unfolded from the seat. He grabbed the handbag that she draped on the back of the chair and tucked Bruna under his arm.
When they reached the hostess podium, he asked Maureen, “Could you add our bill to my running tab?”
“Consider it done, Drew.”
“Thanks. Also, it seems like the red Camaro will stay overnight in the parking lot. I don’t think my friend will be driving it tonight.”
Maureen smiled and winked. “Lucky girl.”
Drew shrugged, but didn’t refute the remark. Maureen wouldn’t believe him. He settled Bruna in the passenger seat before climbing behind the steering wheel. Throwing a sideways glance at her and feeling his body react, he didn’t believe his words either.
That was going to be a long night.
Chapter Fourteen
Bruna
The mouthwatering smell of freshly brewed coffee woke Bruna up. She stretched her limbs and breathed in the rich aroma. She bolted upright on the bed and, glancing around, confirmed that wasn’t her room. The extra-large red football shirt with the triangular logo of the San Francisco Fire Department definitely wasn’t hers.
She cut her gaze to the white pillow beside her. A deep dent told her someone’s head had spent the night there. She panicked for a moment before flashes of the previous night popped up in her mind. They came to Drew’s house. He warmed up some food for her, not sure what. She ate it, then changed into the shirt and went to sleep.
Did she miss anything? She would remember if she had had sex with Drew, right? Kicking the covers away, she got out of bed and staggered to the bathroom. She should have known better than to get up too fast. Once in the bathroom, she washed and put on her jeans and the long-sleeved top she was wearing the day before.
Following the smell of coffee, Bruna found the kitchen and Drew Collins. What a sight to wake up to. Broad shoulders tapered to narrow hips that swayed to a sensual Brazilian pop song playing somewhere she couldn’t see. She loved the female singer’s husky voice, but she had no idea her song was a success in other countries.
For a moment, she considered not making her presence known just so that she could watch Drew cooking the scrambled eggs, but she didn’t want to risk him letting the food fall to the floor when he turned and saw her standing by the door. Not to mention that it’d be hard to explain her drooling.
She cleared her throat and greeted, “Good morning.”
“Morning, sleeping beauty. Grab a mug from the cabinet above the coffee maker and help yourself to sugar and creamer. They’re on the counter. Hope you like scrambled eggs.”
“Love them, thanks.” She got her coffee ready and asked, “Should I set the table?”
“Sure! Feel free to browse the cabinets.”
When Drew brought the plate of eggs to the table, she had already set it and was sitting down. They ate in a cozy silence for a while as if enjoying the food and each other’s company. She hated to admit it, but she could easily get used to that morning routine.
“Thanks for letting me crash here last night.”
“No problem.” His smirk and the way he sank his teeth into his full lower lip suggested he had more to say.
When he didn’t speak, she nudged. “What? Don’t shake your head at me, I can hear you thinking.”
“I was just thinking you can’t hold your liquor. You got wasted on one Cosmopolitan.”
“If you must know, the cocktail wasn’t the problem. Alcohol on an empty stomach did it. I had a salad for lunch and didn’t eat again until you fed me.” She feigned indignation and he laughed.
“I see. You’re telling me you need a man to take care of you? If it weren’t for me, you would have starved.”
“Yeah, nope on a rope, mister.” She chuckled. “I’m pretty sure there’s an app for that.”
“For telling you when to eat?”
“Yep. They say there’s an app for everything, so I bet there’s one that reminds people when it’s time to eat.”
His amused expression took a turn to sinful. “You think there’s an app for everything, do you?”
She felt the room temperature go through the roof, but she decided to pay to see. “Technology helps, but I don’t believe apps will ever substitute things like certain human interactions.”
His eyes followed her tongue as she glided it over her lips. Good. She hoped he felt as hypnotized as she was. She could sit there and make googly eyes all day.
So not her.
She hadn’t felt like herself since they met.
She shook her head and he chuckled.
“Now you tell me what’s going on in that brilliant mind of yours.”
“I was doing some math. It feels like forever, but it’s been less than twenty-four hours since we first met.”
“I know, right? Crazy.”
He had finished eating and leaned back on the chair. He sipped from his mug and pinned her down with his intent stare. She needed to keep him talking because the way he looked at her made Bruna want to give him a lap dance. She had never done that. She had never considered doing that.
She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, “I noticed you slept on the same bed as I did. How come? I remember going to bed alone.”
Good job making him talk. Lousy job picking the topic.
“You did. I was sleeping in my room when I heard a scream. I checked on you and you were sitting against the headboard in the dark. I don’t think you were fully awake, but you talked. You told me you had had a nightmare and asked if I’d stay. I agreed, but don’t worry. Nothing happened.”
“I know. I’d remember it.”
He smiled and got up to refill his mug.
“I’m sorry, I made you uncomfortable.”
He sat again and shook his head at her comment. “That’s not it. I like our banter. Maybe I like it a bit too much. How much do you remember of our conversation last night?”
“Drew, I wasn’t drunk, I didn’t black out. I was lightheaded, but I remember our conversation. We agreed we’re attracted to each other, but neither is looking for a relationship. Sounds about right?”
Chapter Fifteen
Drew
Drew was beginning to reconsider his view on relationships. At least since the day before when he met a whirlwind called Bruna Cordeiro, but he wasn’t ready to voice that.
He agreed with her, “Yep, sounds about right.”
Watching over Bruna’s sleep, having breakfast with her, bantering with her. Drew could get used to those things. The question was if she would too.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t get to know each other better,” she suggested.
Apparently, she was willing to give it a try.
“Good point. What do you want to know?”
They talked about childhood memories, favorite school subjects, pets, movies and books. They had so much in common it was uncanny. He was fascinated by her quick mind and snarky sense of humor, which made talking to her a delight. Even when discussing serious matters like the horrors of war she witnessed and the dangers of firefighting he faced, she found a way of making light of a situation without being offensive.
“So, you’re telling me that a smoke jumper’s job is basically throwing dirt on fallen logs so they don’t catch fire?”
He countered in the same satirical tone, “Woman, have you ever heard of the Monkey Canyon Fire?”
“Nope.”
“That’s because my team caught it before it got out of hand. If smoke jumpers and hot shots do their job right, nobody hears about a fire.”
“Makes sense,” she checked the clock on the wall and gasped. “Crap! I’ve got to go. I’m going to be so late.”
Drew didn’t want her to go, like ever, but he kept the thought to himself.
No need to creep her out.
***
Weeks passed quickly and Drew was grateful for Bruna’s presence in the class. Latif became more sociable and talkative. He was a quick learner and adjusted well to the other kids. If he were to be honest, Drew would confess that he could manage Latif on his own, but that would mean letting Bruna go. He didn’t want that.
He had realized that he didn’t feel the need to prove himself when he was with Bruna. He didn’t need to seek adrenaline rushes any longer. She was all the rush he needed. She kept him on his toes. He wanted to be a better person because of her.
It freaked the hell out of him. He felt as if he was standing on a tall cliff, watching the sway of the waves crashing against the rocky wall shooting up sprays of water and foam. Fascinating, he might even feel tempted to dive into the inviting sea oblivious to the dangerous rocks beneath the surface. He knew he’d get hurt if he did.
He needed someone to talk him into stepping away from the edge, so he met with his college buddy Brandon Winters for beer and had just updated him on his dilemma.
“I’ve jumped once from that cliff and barely survived losing Jennifer. I’m sure it’ll be harder getting over Bruna when she leaves me.”
“How can you be sure she will?” the detective inquired.
“She’s going back to Brazil in a few months, her contract with the university expires at the end of Spring quarter.”
Brandon chuckled, his black eyes swimming with glee. “You’re so screwed.”
“Tell me about it. I know if I make a move we’ll have sex, then what? I’m scared shitless, but I’m tired of jerking off every morning.”
His dark-haired friend’s chest shook as he laughed his head off.
“Not helping, Brandon. You’re my last hope. You rock the one-nighter scene and I’ve lost my touch. Have you ever felt this way about a woman?”
“I have, but I’m afraid that won’t help you. My latest one-night stand has just become my forever.”
If a lightning bolt had hit Drew, he wouldn’t have felt as dumbstruck.
“It gets worse. She’s a high priestess in a coven.”
“Who are you and what have you done to my skeptical friend Brandon Winters?”
Brandon grinned. “Her name is Regina Quinn and I met her at an art exhibit a little before Halloween.”
Drew felt like looking in a mirror. His friend had been bitten by the love bug and his expression showed it as he talked about the black-haired woman with blue eyes. And Brandon went on about her for hours, which was not a common thing for him.
If Brandon Winters had gone down so completely, Drew stood no chance.
Chapter Sixteen
Bruna
On a Saturday afternoon, as Bruna sat at her dining room table across from Drew, she wondered for the millionth time why the heck she hadn’t jumped his bones yet. Then, the pang in her chest reminded her there was too much at stake. She doubted her mending heart would survive when she had to leave.
And she would.
Soon.
Still, the hunger inside demanded satiation and it seemed the only one who could calm the beast was Drew. He was the only one who had triggered her beast.
