Heart on Fire by Brandy L Rivers Page A

because you don’t seem to see yourself the way everyone else does.”
    “Some place where they put more value on appearance than they should.” She took the last bite of her cone.
    “I’m glad you’re here now.”
    The desire in his eyes made her nervous. She steered the conversation to safer territory even though she knew the answer. “What time is the barbeque?”
    His head tipped to the side. “Five.”
    “And should I bring more than dessert?”
    “Dessert is plenty. You don’t even have to do that.” He gave her an inviting smile. Then his tongue expertly licked a drop of ice cream from the cone before putting the last bite in his mouth. Seeing the pink tip flooded her body with need.
    “Right,” she squeaked, “I should go, still have work to do. Thank you again.”
    “Want me to walk you home?” He moved closer, crowding her. The way his eyes devoured her drove her crazy. She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, and she needed to do none of those things.
    “No, thank you. I’m right next door.” She forced herself to walk away at a normal pace. “Goodnight, Kyle.”
    “Goodnight, Mila.”
    She felt his eyes on her, and could hardly stand the note of sadness in his voice. Before she opened his door she turned back to find him inches away.
    The look in his eyes was tender. “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. Again.”
    Even as the panic flared, it settled. Equal parts sincerity and desire lay in his eyes.
    Something her father always said came back to her. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Would it hurt to give this a chance, when he seemed to be everything she could hope for?
    She swallowed back her fear and offered a smile. “If it’s any consolation, I’m nervous around men in general. But, Kyle, I do enjoy your company, probably better than I should.” She took a quick breath and added, “If I didn’t still have work to do, I might consider staying longer.”
    His eyes sparkled. “Soon then, because I can’t get enough of your company.” He reached around her to open the door, and his scent enveloped her. Clean, strong, and very male. The rich chocolate ice cream had satisfied her sweet tooth, but there was one craving she was afraid to indulge.
    Nodding, she answered, “Tomorrow.”
    “Mmhmm.” The sound danced along her nerves, enticing. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mila.”
    “Tomorrow.” She scooted out the door and hurried home before he could touch her. If she let him, she wouldn’t want to stop. Her self-control was unraveling.
    Attraction was generally easy to overcome. Men learned about Cherish and ran the other way. Kyle, on the other hand, was undeterred. He seemed to understand they were a package deal, and she wasn’t used to that response. Her carefully built walls were starting to crumble.
    Except for that one night, almost six years ago, she didn’t lose control. She didn’t do reckless. Only the once, and never again. Yet, with Kyle, she wanted to. She trusted him, the same way she had trusted her phantom that Halloween night.
    Dangerous indeed. What if she was wrong about the fireman next door?
    She slipped inside and locked the door, resolved to finish grading those papers.
     
    * * * *
     
    Kyle flopped down on the couch and scrubbed his hand over his short hair. One question was on his mind. What is it about Mila Day that has me so enthralled?
    There was a daring woman lurking under the buttoned-down teacher. Passion’s fire burned in her eyes whenever she started to open up, but then she pulled it back in, hiding. He wanted to know who trampled her self-esteem so he could set them straight, preferably with his fists.
    His phone rang, and he dug it out of his pocket. “What’s up?”
    “Hey, so I hear Rene tried to get you to go to some big smarmy business party.” Gavin chuckled. “She called me to get the scoop on that teacher you’re so fond of.”
    Kyle grinned, recalling the way Mila lit up anytime she was talking about Cherish or teaching. How