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For the first time Mike wondered what kind of household the kid had grown up in. Cooper had showed up out of the blue, wanting to join the fire department. Never said much about his family or where he’d hailed from. Did he have a family? Did he have enough money to live on?
“Besides, you just changed the subject. Why are you keeping her to yourself? She a secret?”
“Who said there was a woman?” If Mike admitted Cassie filled most of his thoughts, the kid would never let up.
“Makes sense. Jared has a new girl every week. Laredo talks about hit and run sex.”
“Hit and what?”
Cooper sat up. “You know. Hit it and run before she gets her hooks into you.”
Christ. What has the kid been learning? At the firehouse, no less.
“First Jared and now Laredo. You shouldn’t listen to those two. You’re still at an impressionable age.”
“I’m not a kid.” Cooper’s face flushed red. “What kid could work with you guys and handle the things I’ve seen?”
True. Every member of their team pulled their weight. A firefighter required a man’s physique and a man’s mind. Every emergency call, in all likelihood, presented life-threatening probabilities that made some men puke. Cooper had seen and carried out his duties with admirable responsibility. And he’d done so without whining.
“Sorry, Coop.” Mike stood and rolled his shoulders. “You’re the youngest—that makes you a kid.”
“I was old enough for Uncle Sam at eighteen. Old enough to drink at twenty-one. At twenty-two, I’m still a freakin’ kid at Station Eight.”
“It’s called life, pup.” Mike snapped his towel around his neck. “I think I’ll go take a nap.”
***
Today had started out just like any other. This morning, Cassie woke up to the alarm, showered, dressed for school and prepared for the onslaught of twenty-three children. Actually, they were pretty good kids. She loved teaching third grade. Her students were old enough to have learned the basics and were ready to begin challenging their minds.
The problem was her mind. The blasted thing refused to focus on teaching. Her attention remained on a certain man in a navy-blue uniform. From his short, black hair all the way down his rocking, hot body to his fire boots. Six feet plus of male perfection filled every brain cell in her head.
When he’d slid into the booth beside her, her pulse had kicked into overdrive. She’d known not to get excited—more than likely he was just like every other guy. Out for a good time, score, then drop you like a hot potato. Although, Mike’s actions had been more considerate. She’d sensed a moment of hesitancy, as if he were as uncertain of her as she was of him.
He’d smelled so good. Her nose had tingled at the aroma of musk and something she couldn’t identify. And then he’d gone and melted her heart when he’d told her he’d like to get to know her. He’d even kissed her wrist, sending a shock jolting through her system. It was damn near impossible to teach children when she kept imagining Mike with his clothes off.
Would she see him again? He hadn’t asked for her number. He didn’t know her last name. She couldn’t very well drag Tammy to the Mexican restaurant every night.
Fourteen days she’d dwelled on the firefighter. Sure, he had an awesome profession, but she always looked deeper to find the person underneath the layer they showed the world. Something told her Mike had a few layers he kept hidden.
Then there were her fantasies. Mike had a hot body. She couldn’t help but be drawn by his magnetic blue eyes. His massive chest and bulging arms. His short black hair that she wanted to stroke and comb her fingers though. She wasn’t one to jump into bed with a guy. She spent most of her time avoiding men. But this one … Mike had looked at her as if he wanted to know her rather than a guy looking for a hook up. The vibes coming from him made her wonder. Would he be gentle? Would he care enough to see her for who she was and not just for sex? He made her want to let down her guard.
This has to stop.
She jerked open her carry-bag and stuffed papers inside. Grading student tests would take care of part of her Friday evening. That still left the weekend.
“Hey. Are you ready to leave?” Tammy’s voice carried from the doorway.
“I’m packing up now.” Cassie slung her jacket over an arm and grabbed her purse. “Ready.”
“You want to hit El Puerto’s tonight?” Tammy asked as they exited the building.
So, Tammy had been thinking the same thing.
“Are we taking your boys with us?” Cassie asked.
“Heavens, no. They’re going to their dad’s. It’s his weekend.” Tammy’s ex-husband was a decent dad—he just didn’t know how to stay faithful. She’d finally divorced him two years previously when the twins, David and Christopher, had been four. They seemed to be doing well and were now in first grade.
“I don’t know, Tammy. I really don’t want to stake out the place. We’ve already been there twice this week.” Her stomach revolted at the idea of a regular dose of hot salsa. Not to mention the weight she would gain.
