Free Sweet Heat by Elena Brown

Suzanne.
    It was nice to know she wanted to see him as badly as he wanted to see her. Brandon decided that whatever was going on, he’d just see where it took them. There was no use in borrowing trouble, or worrying about what might happen. It’s not like they were serious or anything. As intense as their connection was, it had only been one date.
    There was a little voice in the back of his mind that was cautioning him, reminding him how much it had hurt when he’d found out about Hillary and Angelo. The depth of that double betrayal had cut deep, and that wound hadn’t entirely healed.
    Imagine, that little voice whispered, how much worse it would be if he let himself really fall for Suzanne.
    “I got the book,” he blurted, his eyes lighting on the hardcover he’d found in his mail that morning. The sight of the glossy cover photo — a black and white shot of The Five Points — made his chest feel tight.
    He’d mentioned wanting to read the hard-to-find book, a history of New York City, during dinner on Friday, and the fact that she’d not only remembered, but tracked it down and sent it to him, meant a lot.
    On the other end of the line, Suzanne giggled happily. He imagined her dimple showing.
    “Yay! Do you like it?”
    He picked up the volume and ran his hand over it, flipping it open. He’d only read a few chapters so far. “It’s awesome. Thank you.”
    Brandon stroked the book, remembering the silky feel of Suzanne’s skin. He was so intent on the recollection he almost missed her next words.
    “So, Friday night then, I guess?” She blew out a breath, and he could hear the disappointment in her tone.
    He couldn’t help smiling. He wanted to see her sooner too. “It’s a date.”
     
    ***
     
    Suzanne opened her apartment door Friday morning and blinked in surprise. Brandon stood on her doorstep, two canvas grocery sacks in his hands and shadows under his eyes.
    Glancing at the clock, she realized he must have just gotten off his overnight shift. Warmth spread through her, making her lips curve into a smile.
    “Hey!”
    Brandon’s answering grin was broad as he held up the shopping bags. “I hope you don’t mind me just showing up. I thought I’d make us some breakfast?”
    She stepped back, swinging the door wide, her heart flipping at the sight of him standing in her entryway. “I don’t mind at all. Especially if you’re planning on cooking for me.”
    It had been frustrating for both of them that their schedules had been so contradictory this week. Suzanne heard it in his voice whenever they talked. Chatting on the phone and texting was nice, but nothing compared to being in each other’s presence.
    Seeing him here, exhausted but determined to spend time with her, made her heart break into a vigorous gymnastics floor routine.
    She led him into the kitchen, watching as he unloaded everything he’d need to make just about any kind of breakfast food she could imagine. Suzanne laughed.
    “Are you inviting the rest of the firehouse?”
    “What? Oh.” He shrugged, a faint flush staining his cheeks as he scanned the packed countertops. One big hand rose and scrubbed at his cheek. Faint blond stubble rasped under his palm. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like. Can you believe we haven’t discussed preferred breakfast foods?”
    He shook his head, tired eyes sparkling. Suzanne snorted. “I can’t. And I love pretty much all breakfast foods. If you ask me to choose between bacon and sausage, we’re gonna have problems.”
    Brandon laughed, his throat rippling with the joyful noise. It filled her quiet apartment, and Suzanne shivered at how good it sounded to her.
    He rooted through the bounty he’d unpacked and grabbed a package of bacon and one of link sausage. “No need to choose. We’ve got both. I hope you’re not a patty sausage kind of girl, though, because that might be the only thing I didn’t bring.”
    They settled on mushroom and onion omelettes, with bacon, sausage, and