Free Updraft by Bobbi Romans Page A

man--“my date. And this is his friend, Stephen, your date.” He’d stood as she’d arrived, and wow, towered over her. Had to be at least six foot three. For being so tall, he was thankfully not thin. She’d never been into skinny guys. Kat liked ‘em thick from plenty of muscles. His hair was short enough to appear groomed, but not enough to indicate he went weekly for trims. His best feature--well, for now--was his eyes. Smokey gray. Kat didn’t think she’d ever seen the shade before.
    Kat breathed a heavy sigh of relief before sliding in next to Jeanine.
    “Nice to meet you both. So what are the plans tonight?” Damn. By their expressions, Kat guessed she’d come off a bit too “is this shit over yet, and can I slink home in shame now?”
    “Oh, the guys asked if we’d want to catch the new horror flick premiering tonight. Lake Monster . ” Jeanine hated scary flicks, yet sitting next to Magnus, decked out in her please come fuck me outfit, she glowed and acted as though horror were her favorite genre.
    Kat knew she’d feel like an old asshat if she begged off ill later, and so resigned herself to a lengthy date. Though, to be honest, Stephen did classify as eye-candy. Well, if he’d loosen up a bit. The man seemed wound tighter than a string about to pop on a guitar.
    “Sure, sounds like, uh, fun.” Kat hoped she came off believable.
    They started with drinks, but about an hour before they were set to leave for the movie, Jeanine, no doubt trying get Magnus tipsy to take advantage of him during the movie, ordered Jell-O shots. By the time they left, Kat was thankful of the crisp winter air, hoping it would calm her spinning head. Between the Jell-O shots and her heels, when Jeanine suggested they walk rather than ride the three blocks to the theater, all sympathy for her friend evaporated.
    Kat thought she’d managed a miracle until they got within eyeshot of their destination and her heel caught in a crack in the pavement. She not only went down, but took a stunned Stephen with her.
    Falling is embarrassing. Landing with your face on your date’s dick...well, that’s a whole new level of mortification. Oddly, on the way down to the pavement, she was on the bottom and Stephen above. The man maneuvered them so he’d take the brunt of the hit, and she’d have the more cushioned fall.
    “Thanks. Not sure how you twisted us like that, but, uh—how’s your back?”
    “I’m good. You okay?”
    Kat caught the humor and a twinge of something else flaring in his eyes. Before she had a chance to answer, his buddy Magnus cut through the awkward.
    “Those badass super hero fireman skills of his. Who else could pull off such a stunt? Ya know. Going from a bad fall to having your dates face in your crotch before the night even started.”
    Jeanine elbowed her date in the ribs, but, God love her, lost her shit, and held her stomach while rolling with laughter.
    “Oh, c’mon Kat. You should have seen your face. Oh, my God, you were epic.”
    “You’re a fireman?” The detail hadn’t slipped passed her.
    “A true hero. He saved an old lady a few years back. I mean, roof coming down, flames shooting out the windows--the works. Moron even went back in for her cat. Old lady cried so hard, Stephen chanced going back in.” Magnus rolled his eyes, but Kat knew to some, animals were as much family as any human.
    “We probably better head in to get our tickets before we miss the beginning of the movie,” Steven suggested before shooting her an embarrassed smile.
    “Two for Lake Monster , please.”

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Kat stood back, digging through her purse for her debit card. Right as Kat found the buried bastard, a firm hand enclosed around hers.
    “Sorry, but I’m a little old-fashioned when it comes to dating. I invited you, so I’ll pay.”
    “Yeah, but you were probably roped into this, as I was. Not exactly a planned event.”
    “Doesn’t matter. I’m glad I accepted.”
    Kat had to