Free Updraft by Bobbi Romans Page B

give him props. He actually appeared to mean what he said. “Yeah, your date face-planted on you.”
    “Look at this way. I already got to third base.”
    It was her turn to laugh. A chivalrous fireman, good-looking and a sense of humor. Maybe she wouldn’t kill Jeanine later after all.
    The movie turned out to be some eighties reject flashback. The monster? Ha, a hornier version of Creature from the Black Lagoon .
    A light brush of warm air tickled her ear.
    “This is so not what I thought it would be,” Stephen whispered. His lips brushed her ear, and tingles shot straight to her pussy. Kat crossed her legs, feeling fidgety. She’d read something about men being able to scent when a woman became aroused. If that were true, Stephen would know. And damned if his sudden glance in her direction made it seem like he did.
    Could this night get any worse?
    Kat’s question was answered when they pulled up to the apartment she shared with Jeanine. Flames were shooting through the mid-section of the roof near Jeanine’s room.
    “Stay here,” Stephen yelled, racing toward the duplex.  “Call 9-1-1,” he shot over his shoulder as he disappeared into the thick plumes of smoke.
    Magnus was on the phone, and Kat saw the color drain from Jeanine’s face.
    “Oh no. What did you do?” Kat had a sinking feeling she knew the answer.
    “I’m trying to remember if I unplugged the flat iron,” she mumbled with tears welling.
    “Oh, I’m sure the thing had the safety shut-off feature,” Kat offered not believing her own words.
    “No. It was one of those off-brand ones that a friend gave me. She told me she’d noticed it wasn’t shutting off,” Jeanine wailed. “I’m so sorry Kat.”
    Upset? Hell, yeah. Jeanine could be an airhead of epic proportions. She was also the kindest person Kat had ever known.
    “We’ll figure something out.” Kat hugged her friend and worried about Stephen. Surely he should have come back out by now. No way would he be able to breathe in such heavy fumes.
    “Fire department will be here any second,” Magnus stated, pulling Jeanine into an embrace. Kat readily let go and wondered about the extent of the damage.
    When a large plume of smoke billowed out the door, panic helped her decide if Stephen didn’t get his ass out in the next few seconds, she’d head in. It was her home, albeit a rental, not his, to try and save.
    Right as sirens pierced the crackling night air, Stephen emerged. Covered in black ash from head to toe and carrying what appeared to be a couple of photo albums tucked under his arm.
    “Oh, my God. You scared the shit out of me.” Kat ran over to make sure he hadn’t been burned.
    “I’m fine. Grabbed what I saw of value on my way back out.”
    Kat viewed the books in her hands. Her family albums. Since her parents’ deaths, these were all she had left of them. Tears pooled as she realized the significance of his save. What he’d risked and the enormity of his choice in the items he grabbed. Before she had a chance to properly thank him, he took off toward the approaching fire truck.
    Hours later, with the flames safely extinguished and much of her home in ruins, Stephen stunned her yet again. Sure, she hadn’t been surprised when Magnus suggested Jeanine move in with him. Jeanine had already hinted she’d hoped Magnus would suggest she did, when their lease was up, but Kat hadn’t expected her blind date to do the same.
    “I have no idea what to say. Won’t I be putting you out? Cramping your bachelor style and all?”
    “No, not a bit. I’ll warn you, though. Um, I’m not the best at housekeeping. So, compared to your level of clean, mine may not be quite the tidiest of places.”
    Kat didn’t doubt a bachelor pad might be strewn with pizza boxes, dirty boxers and stinky socks. She shot one last look at her once-upon-a-time home and tried to shake off the sadness.
    “What?”
    “At least it’s a place to rest my head. I can go to hotel, but if you’re