Too Near the Fire Read online

  “How long since you had some aspirin?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t remember. As soon as I got home I went to bed.” Looking up, she felt her heart contract with new emotions. Gil was only inches away. His knee rested comfortably against her thigh, sending a pleasurable shock through her body. His eyes were hooded and unreadable. “What time is it, anyway?” she asked.

  “Eight p.m. You’ve slept a long time,” he observed. He reached out with his right hand and carefully brushed several strands of hair from her brow. “Here, let me take a look at that nose,” he commanded, slipping his hand beneath her chin.

  His touch was electrifying and she inhaled sharply. His fingers were strong and yet, at the same moment, tender. Idiotically, Leah wondered what it would be like to be loved by Gil. That thought created even more havoc in her responsive body. She watched as his mouth thinned.

  “Let me get you a warm cloth to put across the bridge,” he said. “Maybe it will take down some of the swelling. Stay here. I’ll get the aspirin,” he ordered.

  “But—” she began lamely as he rose to his full height.

  “No arguments,” he said, looking down at her. “And I don’t care if you’re not used to being taken care of.”

  Gratefully, she fell back against the couch, her mind wandering aimlessly while she waited for him. A minute later Gil came back with two aspirin and a glass of water. After she took them he settled down beside her, carefully placing the warm cloth against her nose and cheeks.

  “Thanks,” she offered, feeling almost immediate relief with the application of heat.

  He grinned for the first time. “My pleasure.”

  “I haven’t unpacked everything yet, but there’s a coffeepot in the kitchen.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Feel like a cup of coffee?”

  “No…but I thought you might. I just feel too lousy to get up and make it for you,” she returned wryly.

  Placing his hand on her shoulder, he said, “It’s about time you started taking care of yourself first instead of last.”

  Leah gave him a confused look. Just his touch sent her mind reeling. His maleness was evident in the way he walked, the magnificent shape of his body, and the deep timbre of his voice. She trembled, finding herself shy in his presence. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Gil felt the tension in her shoulder muscles and began to gently massage the area. The softness of the material made it easy to move his hand in small circles on her shoulders and upper back. At first she stiffened against his ministrations. “Take it easy,” he coaxed. “You’re tight as a drum. Don’t you ever relax?” he asked, a smile softening his words.

  She gave him a confused look. “I—sure I do…but—”

  He laughed ruefully. “Here, turn around with your back toward me. Let’s work out some of those kinks. Your neck is so stiff that it’s probably contributing to your headache.”

  Leah hesitated, searching his guileless features. Was he playing a game? And why? Her mind was balking but her heart cried out for his continued touch. “Well—”

  “Stubborn lady,” he growled, moving her so he could work on her. Gently, he forced the muscles in her back to relax beneath his coaxing hands. He bore down, monitoring the amount of pressure as his fingers slid across her shoulders. Leah tried to remain tense, but it was impossible. He was working magic on her taut body and a sigh escaped from her lips.

  “That feels so good,” she murmured, arching against his hands.

  “You’re like a cat getting stroked,” he said softly. “You really are in good shape.” He traced the curve of her spine with both thumbs. “You have a beautiful back,” he murmured.

  Leah dissolved against him. Miraculously, her headache disappeared and she placed the cloth on her lap, arching shamelessly into his kneading hands. It was magic, she thought blissfully. He was magic! Without meaning to, she gave herself totally to his masterful hands.

  “That’s better,” he murmured huskily.

  Ten minutes beneath his hands erased her distrustful thoughts. Gil eased her down on the couch, then went into the bathroom and warmed up the cloth again. After fifteen more minutes, the swelling was reduced and the pain in her nose had almost disappeared. He sat beside her, his arm draped casually behind her head, a pleased expression on his face. “Better?” he inquired.

  Even the tone of his voice was balm to her senses. “Much. I owe you one, Gil. Thanks.”

  Deviltry danced in his eyes. “Don’t worry, lady, I intend to collect,” he murmured. “Do you feel up to eating something before you hit the sack again?”

  Her stomach was growling rather loudly and she placed her hand self-consciously over that part of her body. “I guess I am.”

  He roused himself. “Got any food in the refrigerator yet?”

  “Yes, but I think all I could eat right now is a salad.”

  “Sounds good. Why don’t you stretch out on the couch and rest while I make us dinner.”

  Leah didn’t refuse his offer. “Sounds good,” she agreed tiredly. Stretched out on the couch, she soon fell into a light sleep while Gil rummaged around in the kitchen.

  Half an hour later, Gil ambled into the living room, wiping his hands on a towel. He halted a few feet from where Leah lay sleeping. Her face was relaxed and devoid of that usual defensive mask she wore like armor. He allowed his hands to drop to his sides as he approached the couch. There was a vulnerability in her sleeping features that he hadn’t seen before. He sat down on the edge of the couch, his body brushing against hers, and lightly caressed her flushed cheek. Her flesh was smooth and warm beneath his hand. She was beautiful despite her injury. Leaning over, he caressed her parted lips with his mouth. Her lips were like lovely flower petals to be explored, tasted, and outlined. Gil felt her respond, felt her lips return the pressure of his mouth.

  As she awoke, Leah was excruciatingly aware of his maleness, of the muscular hardness of his thigh against her hip. His mouth worshiped her lips. Warmth uncurled quickly from the center of her body as the pressure of his mouth increased against her parted lips. The natural male scent of his body and the tantalizing taste of his mouth combined to make her giddy with excitement.

  A soft moan rose in her throat as he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading the depths of her, stroking each hollow with masterful insistence. She melted beneath him, her arms automatically sliding across his broad, powerful shoulders. Consumed by the molten heat of his kiss, Leah reveled in the primitive desires he had released within her.

  Finally, he raised his head, his face inches from her own. His eyes were a dark blue, silvered with barely contained passion. Her breath was coming fast and shallow as she stared wide-eyed up into his face. Her heart thundered in her ears and she was aware that her breasts were taut beneath the lush fabric of her robe. An ache was beginning in her lower body and she yearned to continue the magical interlude. Never had she been awakened from sleep by such a kiss. Never had a man aroused her so strongly.

  Gil broke the silence, his face thoughtful and composed in the semidarkness. “I didn’t mean to do that,” he murmured, his voice husky with desire. “You looked so damn beautiful sleeping there…your lips…” He took a steadying breath. “You’re one hell of a woman. And if you weren’t injured I wouldn’t have stopped with just a kiss.”

  Her heart thrilled to his admission. “It was a lovely way to wake up,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

  Gil gave her a sheepish smile and straightened up. “Feel like walking to the kitchen or would you like me to bring dinner to you?”

  “No, I’ll get up.” Just the firm grip of his fingers on her arm sent a quiver through her. How could he make her feel both vulnerable and feminine at the same time? How long had it been since she’d felt like a woman in a man’s arms? Too long, a voice whispered. Too long. Gil seated her, bringing over a large bowl of salad.

  “That’s enough for a horse!” she protested, laughing.

  He grinned boyishly. “Lad
y, you need some meat on those bones. You’re too damn skinny. Go on, eat all of it,” he instructed.

  Leah felt her face growing warm beneath his gaze. “What do you think I am, a rabbit?” she teased, picking up her fork.

  Gil sat down opposite her with an even larger salad than the one he had fixed for her. Pouring a liberal dose of creamy Italian dressing on it, he smiled. “You’re hardly a rabbit. A good-looking woman with one hell of a body, but definitely not a rabbit.” A wicked gleam came to his eyes as he caught her startled gaze. “I’d say you were more like a lioness. I liked the way you purred earlier when I was massaging you. We ought to do that again sometime.”

  Caught off guard by his easy banter, Leah didn’t know what to say. Instead, she picked at her salad.

  Later, over coffee in the living room, Gil chose to sit on a chair opposite the couch, where Leah was sitting. He sensed that she was still shaken by their kiss and he cursed himself for moving too quickly with her. From the moment he’d met her in the office, Leah Stevenson had affected him strongly. Without appearing hurried, he finished off his coffee.

  “Well,” he noted, satisfaction in his voice, “you look like you’ll live now. I’ve got to drop in at the volunteer fire department, so I’ll get going.” He rose, giving her a warm smile.

  “Thanks for coming over, Gil. No, I mean it. Don’t give me that look.”

  His blue eyes sparkled with mirth. “I want you to know I don’t normally go around kissing ladies after knowing them only a day.”

  “At least I didn’t turn into a frog,” she teased, getting to her feet.

  Gil laughed deeply as he placed his cup and saucer on the draining board. “I may not be a prince, but lady, you sure as hell are a princess. A very brave, courageous one at that.” He walked over, his face revealing his happiness. “How about if I pick you up about ten tomorrow morning and we’ll get you a pair of boots that fit?”

  Leah breathed deeply. She could smell his natural body scent and it was like inhaling some long-lost perfume. “Yes,” she murmured, “that would be fine.” Automatically she reached out and put her hand on his arm. “And more important, Gil, thanks for coming over to check up on me. I never expected that—”

  He leaned over and placed a kiss on her hair. “Strictly a selfish gesture on my part,” he said. His eyes became more serious as he studied her upturned face. “Now, if you have any problems, I’ve left my phone number on the telephone stand for you. Call if you need me. Okay?”

  She dropped her gaze, shaking her head. “Do you know how long it’s been since someone genuinely cared whether I lived or died?” she asked softly. “I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining or can’t take the pressure of my job.” Her eyes were dark and glistening with unshed tears as she met his concerned gaze. “You’ve earned my respect, Gil.”

  He ran his fingers lightly along her cheek. “I intend to earn more than that. Get some sleep,” he urged huskily. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Three

  A simmering excitement coursed through Leah as she hesitated in front of the closet. Morning had come quickly and she fingered the recently unpacked clothes, wondering what to wear. The feminine side of herself wanted to wear a dress. But who went to buy fire boots in a dress? She reluctantly settled on a lavender blouse edged with small ruffles around the throat, and a pair of white slacks. After slipping into her sandals, she went to the bedroom mirror and released her hair so that it flowed across her shoulders.

  Leah tried to assess herself honestly in the mirror. She touched her full mouth, gazing soberly into her large green eyes. What did Gil see in her? She wasn’t pretty by modeling standards. Walnut-colored lashes framed her jade and gold eyes, giving them the appearance of being slightly tilted at the corners. Her oval face was marked by a strong chin. Her nose was straight and clean and she fondly remembered her mother telling her it was the mark of an aristocrat. She had gone through grade school thinking she had the greatest nose in the world until other kids began to make fun of her “Roman” nose. From then on she had hung around with the boys on the softball team because they didn’t care what she looked like, as long as she hit home runs.

  The doorbell rang, bringing her out of the reverie, and Leah quickly applied her lipstick. Her heart picked up a beat as she opened the door. Gil nodded genially. He was dressed in a white polo shirt and a pair of tan slacks. He looked devastatingly handsome to her, the width of his broad shoulders swallowing up the space in the doorway.

  “Come on in,” she said breathlessly. “I’m almost ready.”

  One eyebrow raised as he drank in her form. “Lady, you look absolutely beautiful,” he said appreciatively.

  Leah turned, startled by the genuine awe in his husky voice. To cover up her surprise, she grimaced. “That and fifty cents will get you a cup of coffee,” she answered flippantly as she went to the bedroom to pick up her shoulder bag. When she came out, he was frowning.

  “I don’t make a habit of complimenting a woman unless I think it’s deserved. So take the compliment and say thank you.”

  She was speechless. He had a sensitivity that made her want to know more about Gil Gerard the man, not the fire fighter. “Thank you,” she blurted, embarrassed by her flippant approach.

  The weather was warm and breezy, and the gentle wind lifted strands of hair playfully about her shoulders as they walked along the terrace outside her apartment. He gave her a warm smile, following her down the steps. “It’s lucky you can’t wear your hair like that at the fire station. All I’d do is watch you—I’d never get any work done.”

  “Where did you pick up that diploma in blarney?” she demanded.

  He caught up with her at the bottom, matching her stride as he directed her to the red pickup at the end of the parking lot. “The same place you got your diploma in dodging compliments.”

  Leah glanced up at him and caught the merriment lurking in his eyes. “Touché.”

  “Want to start over?”

  “Sure.” He opened the door for her and she stopped, grinning. “Is this standard procedure or are you just trying to impress me?”

  Gil returned the smile. “Both. When I’m off duty there are some things I still like to do for a woman. And opening doors is one of them.” He gave her a wicked look. “Maybe you’ll get a chance to sample some of the others, too.”

  Leah ignored the innuendo. She slid in and buckled up the safety belt. After having extricated victims who hadn’t used seat belts, she found it was second nature to take the precaution. Gil went through the same procedure and drove the truck out to the main road, where he made a right turn. She relaxed, feeling better than she had in months. When had she felt so free? So happy?

  He turned to glance at her. “No one would ever guess you were a woman fire fighter the way you’re dressed today. If those guys down at the station could see me with you, they’d drool with envy.”

  Leah couldn’t help laughing. “Do you always say the right thing, Gil Gerard, or did you memorize the list before you came to pick me up?”

  “Neither. I just happen to believe in honesty and positive reinforcement.”

  “I see. Positive strokes instead of negative ones. Well, that’s probably why you’re such a good fire officer. You say the right thing at the right time to get the best performance out of people.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I wasn’t born with it, you know. I’ve learned a lot about people over the years.”

  “So have I.”

  “Oh? What did you learn?”

  She hesitated and then blurted, “That I’m a misfit, I suppose.”

  “Hmm, why do you say it with such distaste? I like the fact that you’re different.”

  She laughed, covering her bitterness. “I’m a maverick, in case you haven’t noticed. I don’t belong in a woman’s world and I don’t belong in a man’s.”

  Gil shrugged. If he was affected by her sudden seriousness and the pain evident in her voice, he made no sign of it. In
stead he smiled. “You’re one of the new breed of women, Leah. And I would think that being a leader in that sense has some pretty heavy emotional responsibilities. And you know something? I think your kind is a pretty interesting and provocative addition. You have brains, aggressiveness, and good looks to boot. Not a bad combination for someone who calls herself a misfit.”

  “Then you’re as much a misfit as I am if you’re so gung ho on the new breed of women,” she growled, trying to recover from his point-blank compliment.

  “I sort of enjoy being myself,” he said mildly. Then, as if sensing her discomfort, he switched topics. “Any more nosebleeds since last night?”

  “No, I’m fine today.”

  “Good. You didn’t deserve that punch in the nose after doing such a good job the first time out with us.”

  “Do you ever say a nasty thing to anyone?” she asked disbelievingly.

  He laughed heartily. “Sure, ask the men down at the station. I’m not all sweetness and light.”

  Leah could accept that. She remembered the night of the wreck and the quiet confidence that had emanated from Gil like a beacon of light. Today, however, he was in a teasing mood and would not apologize for it in any way. Maybe she had been under too much pressure for too long. In her effort to make the grade as a fire fighter, she had had no time to enjoy life. It came as a shock that she had forgotten how to laugh, to tease, to joke. She met Gil’s gaze and felt another heavy load slip off her shoulders.

  “You must think I’m the most sour woman in the world,” she said softly in apology.

  “I think you’ve been under a hell of a strain having to prove yourself down at the academy, go through the nightmare of a court battle to get this job, and now face a third test with the people here at the fire department. It isn’t any wonder you don’t smile very often or laugh. I wouldn’t either under those circumstances.”

  “You don’t scare easy, do you, Gil?”

  His blue eyes were lively with challenge. “No. Should I be scared of you?”