Total Rush by Deirdre Martin Page A

too. She was petite. Five foot three, he thought. If that. Yet she wasn’t small. She had curves in the right places. Soft, that’s what she was. Soft.
    Best of all, she’d never dated a firefighter, wasn’t related to a firefighter, and seemed to know nothing about firefighter culture. She was different, new, interesting. How that would go down with his buddies, he wasn’t sure. He could already imagine the comments he’d get for dating a woman who probably made three times what he did. But that was putting the cart before the horse. First he had to get her to go out with him. And then . . . Sean drained his beer and ordered another. Just thinking about making love to her made him throb. That long red hair, those plump, curvy hips . . . God she was sexy.
    â€œThere you are.”
    A thrill shot through him as Gemma sidled up to him. He’d been sitting at the bar listening to her cousin Anthony, who was expounding on ricotta while puffing on a fat cigar.
    â€œI thought smoking was banned in restaurants,” Gemma said.
    â€œNot when you own the place and it’s a private party,” Anthony declared.
    Gemma shook her head. “It’s bad for you, Ant.”
    â€œListen to Miss Incense over here. All of a sudden she’s the Surgeon frickin’ General,” he cracked to Sean. He snuffed out the offending stogie nonetheless. “There. Happy?”
    â€œVery. And so are your lungs.”
    â€œ Madonn’, you’re worse than Angie, I swear to God.” He wiped his hands on his apron. “I’m being a bad host. Sean, this is my cousin Gemma. Gemma—”
    â€œWe’ve met.” She smiled at Sean sweetly. “Sean and two of his buddies tricked me into thinking someone had called the fire department to complain about my incense.”
    Sean spit up beer. “Excuse me,” he rasped, turning away to cough into a napkin. Damn. Busted. He had planned to come clean with her at the end of the evening, preferably while they were alone, driving back to the city together.
    â€œI don’t understand,” Anthony said thickly.
    â€œIt’s a long story,” Sean muttered.
    Gemma’s eyes flashed wickedly. “Shall I tell it?”
    Sean used his eyes to plead for clemency. “I don’t think that’s necessary, do you?”
    â€œI don’t know. You sent the note, too, didn’t you?”
    Before Sean could answer, Anthony swung off the bar stool, his discomfort obvious. “Okeydokey. You guys are communicating in some bizarro code. I’m going to say adios. ” He leaned down for a quick kiss to Gemma’s cheek. “I’m going to take Nonna home now. She seemed a little off today, no?”
    Gemma nodded absently, amused eyes still fixed on Sean.
    â€œToo much vino, I bet,” Anthony surmised, then walked away.
    Alone with Gemma now, Sean launched his plea. “Look—”
    â€œConfession time. Did you send the note?”
    Sean’s shoulders slumped. “Yes.”
    Gemma chuckled. “Why not just knock on my door and tell me face-to-face to stop burning incense? Why send a nasty note?”
    Sean looked sheepish. “Because I had a killer headache and was in no mood to get into it with a stranger. Besides, that sh—incense you burn is strong. Admit it.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with strong?”
    â€œNothing, if the smell is nice. Like your perfume, for example.”
    She blushed, and he knew he was home free. Or so he thought.
    â€œYou said you knew Michael from the FDNY hockey team.”
    â€œI do know Michael through the hockey team!”
    â€œThat’s splitting hairs. You purposely didn’t tell me you knew Theresa from the building.”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry.” Feeling bold, he let his knuckles brush her cheek. “Anything I can do to make it up to you?”
    He could see from the red rushing once again into her