The possible convicted felon who’d served his time house guest. The label I’d planted on him should be with hyphens just like in romance hooks when describing the hot hero.
As in ‘a perfect-specimen-of-a-man-in-tight-blue-jeans.’ Maybe that was a little too obvious or plain jane and in truth, he was no perfect hero either. On the good side, he was sexy, talented with a hammer and power saw, adored animals, and was nice to look at. On the downside? He was a surly, arrogant, in your face, hardheaded jerk who refused to lose or to take no for an answer.
From anyone.
My guess was he was terrible with authority.
A smokejumper? Oh, he wouldn’t like the rules and regulations as demanded by the captain, my godfather, and the forestry service.
“Yes, I do, especially with you, which was why I went ahead and ordered your favorite. But take a breath. And are you with me? You seem a thousand miles away.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “I’m right here. Just hangry.” I laughed, every detail of the conversation I’d had with the man festering in my mind. If my godfather hired him, that meant he was talented and perfect for the team. A rarity.
But what about danger? What had been his crime? Drugs? If so, he was gone. Out the door. I wouldn’t tolerate anyone usingdrugs in my home. Then again, maybe he was the second man Landen had hired. But hadn’t he told me he was from Colorado? Oh, I was spinning myself straight into hell.
“Uh-huh.” She laughed to herself while fiddling with her wineglass.
My purse was barely beside me, the napkin in my lap before I grabbed one half, shoving the corner into my mouth. Maggie’s had the best chicken salad in the world and I was starving.
The truth was I wasn’t even remotely fine for two reasons.
One, I was fairly certain I had a convicted felon living under the same household with me and two, there’d been another report on the fire at the sporting goods store and the reporter had mentioned the fire inspector was leaning toward arson.
No, it wasn’t the same situation as with my parents, but since the asshole hadn’t been caught, the arsonist could be expanding his horizons.
That didn’t mean the two fires were connected either. Nor did it mean I should be nervous about having the sexy, insanely gorgeous man in my house. But still, I’d always been a cautious girl. Living in Chicago had made that necessary.
I took another bite. And another.
Viper was damn sexy though and I’d felt good about offering him a place to stay. But how in the world was I supposed to keep everything platonic? I mean after everything we’d shared, the passion. The touches. The kisses.
And what the hell had been wrong with me this morning when I’d jumped into his arms? Oh, I was such an idiot.
When telling myself I could keep away, I’d thought it was possible.
But the problem was I wanted him.
Worse, my body wanted him. Craved the heat and fire we’d shared. I even didn’t mind his broody stares and the way his nostrils flared when he was frustrated about something.
With what he’d endured the night before, I couldn’t blame him for acting surly and as if the entire world, including me, was against him.
He’d been polite enough to take the sign from the back of my truck before he’d left, putting it in a safe place inside the barn. He’d done so without saying another word. Not one.
The awkwardness was mostly my fault, but I’d needed to establish some barriers for the both of us. If I hadn’t, then what? Then I could get my heart broken when he found a place.
What was I saying? What about him getting his heart broken?
I hadn’t realized my bestie was completely quiet until I’d almost finished the entire half of my sandwich. When I finally lifted my head, Darlene was smirking and her eyes were twinkling.
“What?” I asked, immediately placing my hand over my mouth since I was still chewing.
“When was the last time you had anything to eat? You nibbled on a single carrot last. A carrot. Who does that when drinking wine?”
“Decent food?”
“Anything.”
“I had a candy bar this morning. With raisins and nuts.”
