Fire and Ice (Firemen do it Hotter Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray Page B

shyly from beneath her lashes. “Fantastic game. You’re the best right wing I’ve seen on a local team. You could be in the pros.”
    He shrugged. “You were my good luck charm.”
    She placed both hands on his shoulders. “Is that right?”
    “That’s right.” He kissed her smile, before raising his head. He loved her expression that told him she’d enjoyed the kiss as much as he had. Being with her made him feel like he could do anything he set his mind to. “Wanna grab something to eat? I worked up an appetite.”
    “I’ll bet you did. I worked up one of my own during practice, so I can imagine after that workout you’re starving.” She glanced down at her sweatpants and T-shirt. “As long as it’s drive thru, I’m appropriately dressed.”
    He laughed. “You’re beautiful, and I would be proud to be with you anywhere you wanted to go. But if it will make you feel more comfortable, how about we grab burgers at that great joint down the street? We can take everything to my house and you can meet Spot.”
    She hesitated, looking uncertain. “I’d love to meet him…”
    He smiled at her, loving the touch of innocence in her, and took both of her hands in his. “You have my word I will be a total gentleman.”
    She studied him, and after a moment nodded. “I believe you.”
    “Damn, I’m good,” he said with a teasing expression. “Now you’re mine.”
    Her laughter was sweet. “Nah, I’ll take you at your word.” She picked up her own bag and started to hitch it onto her shoulder. “You’re just naturally a gentleman.”
    He grabbed her bag from her grasp while he picked up his own. “Let me prove it and carry the bags.”
    “You don’t have to prove anything.” She shook her head but smiled. “But, if you insist on carrying them…”
    “No question.” He had both bags—one over his right shoulder, the other in his right hand. He reached out his hand and grasped hers. “Time to eat.”
    His stomach rumbled loud enough that she laughed. “Wouldn’t dream of keeping you away from food.”
    “Good thing.” He kissed her. “Now let’s go get those burgers.”

8
    G rady followed her in his truck when she drove her car to her house. She parked her car, grabbed her coat and purse, and then climbed into his truck. He wanted to drop her off at her home, after the burgers and movie at his place, rather than her driving home alone afterward.
    They went through a drive thru to get their burgers. They didn’t get anything to drink because he had pop back at the apartment. When he paid at the window and took the bags from the cashier, she immediately caught the smell of their dinner. “Those burgers smell so darn good.” This time her stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard.
    Grady nodded and smiled. “Looks like we’re both ready to eat.”
    To her surprise, he didn’t live far from her. His place was in one of the nicest apartment complexes in Appleton, which just happened to be the same one her friend, Sandy, lived in.
    After he parked, he managed to get to her door and open it before she had a chance to climb out. She liked that he was such a gentleman. In one fist he held the bag of burgers, with his equipment bag over his shoulder. He reached for her with his free hand.
    She took his hand and let him help her out of the truck. After she grabbed her coat and slid it on, he took her hand and led her up the sidewalk. Lights on six-foot-high poles to either side of the pathway looked like old fashioned street lanterns, giving the complex a quaint appearance.
    “I moved into this place when I got on with the AFD.” He smiled at her. “I plan to buy a house when I decide what part of town I’d like to live in.”
    “This is a great part of town.” She gestured to the apartments as they neared the front entrance. “I’ve been to this place a few times.” She pointed to a corner of the fourth floor of Grady’s building. “Sandy lives here.” Chelsey glanced at Grady.