Page 67 of Steel

Steel

“You’re positive you don’t mind me using your truck for a couple days? The insurance company assures me I’ll be given the okay to get a rental car within forty-eight hours.” Violet winced when she asked the question.

Did she honestly think I was going to go back on my word?

There was an electric charge in the kitchen already, something that I’d known would occur.

All from the connection of the night before.

“What are you going to drive?” Her second question held a spark in her voice. “Or are you walking since you’re a chivalrous man?”

“You seem to mistake me for a hero. Don’t worry about me. I have a couple other vehicles I can use.”

“Oh, a man of wealth.”

“Just a guy who preferred cars as a kid instead of football.”

“I see. A true rebel.”

“Something like that.” I pulled out her hand, placing the keys in them and curling her fingers around them. “Just do me a favor, brat. Don’t set it on fire and please for the love of God if you do, make sure you’re near a fire station and not the Zullies hangar.”

“Ha. Ha. Although,” she said and lifted her gaze, hers more mischievous after what we’d shared all through the night. It was early, the light of morning just beginning to slide peacefully over the horizon. “I was planning on coming by and taking a few pictures of the crew. If that’s allowed.” She placed the keys on the island, fiddling with them. “Since smokejumpers are a true part of the city, it only makes sense I’d snap a few pictures for the magazine.”

“Hmmm… I hate having my picture taken.”

“Come on. You’re a very handsome man. Why not show it off?” She even winked while stroking my arm.

“You are incorrigible. That should be fine. Just a few.”

“Yes, sir.”

I rubbed my jaw, enjoying her words a little more than I should.

She’d showered early, deciding not to wake me.

I’d lingered in bed, wondering if she’d hoped I’d left by the time she was finished.

Seeing her with her hair still damp and barely wearing any makeup, I was reminded that she was years younger than I was. The moment was awkward and I hadn’t wanted it to be. Yeah, I should have left, but I also had wanted to make certain she was okay in driving the truck.

My entire body was brimming with electricity, but entirely different from the night before. I wasn’t a pillow talk kind of man and had never been good with the day after. Plus, with Violet, I wasn’t certain where I stood in the scheme of things.

Or if I should push one way or another.

“What other kind of pictures are you taking? Nature, I hope?”

“Oh, I don’t know. The city. The people. The outdoors,” she said softy. “Are you offering a few shots in the manly shower?”

She playfully swatted my chest and moved away before I could grab her. “I’m sure you’d find a few Zullies who’d volunteer. But you are forbidden to do that.”

Feigning shock, she spiraled around me at a distance while heading to the coffeemaker. “I didn’t think you’d be a jealous man.”

Seeing her in a playful mood seemed to bring out the Neanderthal in me. Plus, the tightness in my chest indicated I did have an attack of the green monster. That caught me completely off guard. “Yeah, well, I know how the guys are. Real pricks.”

“Wow. If you talk about your friends that way, I could only imagine how you treat your enemies.”

“Nah. I don’t have enemies. Just… people I can’t stand.”

Her laugh sounded more bitter than anything. “I guess we’re alike in that way.”