Igniting the Flame (Firebrand Series) Read Free Page B

appeared content to sit on her den sofa and watch old movies on TV as they shared a bowl of popcorn.
    It was during those quiet evenings that they’d come to know each other better as they shared memories from their growing-up years in St. Claire, and he never tired of hearing about her college experiences and how she liked her new job. Although he never talked about his combat missions, he was quick to regale her with stories about his off-duty exploits with Reese Alexander and Colt Hanson, his two best friends in the military. In fact she’d almost begun to feel like she knew them personally.
          The more time they spent together, the more she realized that she genuinely liked him. She loved the way his mouth curled up when he smiled, and his dark brooding eyes had the power to sap the strength from her body. He was still that cocky boy she’d watched from afar in high school, but she was beginning to see he was so much more. He was smart, confident, and kind.
    No doubt about it, Ash DeHan had wedged his way into her heart, but she had to be careful. There were times when she detected a faraway look in his eye, as if his mind were somewhere else. When she’d asked him if something was troubling him, he’d been evasive and changed the subject.
    Throughout dinner tonight he’d been especially quiet, and she’d had time to study him more carefully. She had to admit he’d matured a lot since their high school days, but he still was a puzzle to her. She wished she could see what lay behind the hooded expression of his eyes, but so far he hadn’t let her in.
    Even so, she had to confess that every time she looked at him her heart pumped faster, and her stomach clenched as she wondered what it would be like to kiss those lips. They looked as if they’d been molded to fit perfectly against hers. So far that hadn’t happened, but dreaming of a kiss from Ash was always a pleasure.
    As she sat there studying him, he glanced up from scraping the last bite of chocolate cake from his plate and grinned. “What?”
    The cup slipped from her fingers at his question, and she grabbed at it before it crashed to the saucer. Setting it back down, she smiled. “I was lost in thought.”
    He smiled, reached up, and raked back the hair that tumbled across his forehead before he pushed his plate aside. Then folding his arms on the table, he leaned forward, and his dark eyes stared into hers. “Thinking about those things you’re still keeping hidden from me, no doubt.”
    She reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. “It’s more like the things you’re keeping hidden from me.”      
    He stared down at her hand for a moment and frowned as he looked back up at her. “What are you talking about?”
    “From the day we met in that trailside shelter, I’ve sensed something is troubling you. I’d like to help, if I can.”
    He wrapped his fingers around hers and shook his head. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with.”
    “I didn’t mean to pry.”
    She started to pull her hand free, but he tightened his grip on her. “You’re not prying. It’s just that I haven’t talked with anyone except my family and Reese and Colt about this.”
    “Then you don’t have to—”
    “Lainey,” he paused and swallowed before continuing, “I need to tell you. But not here.”
    Before Lainey could respond, he glanced around the dining room and motioned for the waitress.
    The woman hurried over, ignoring Lainey as she had done ever since they arrived, and beamed down at Ash. “Yes, sir, Mr. DeHan, what can I do for you?”
    “The check, please.”
    The young woman glanced from Lainey to Ash. “Yes, sir. I’ll get it right away.”
    Lainey let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. “I’m sorry if I upset you. But I just thought. . .”
    He shook his head. “I’m not upset with you. I’m upset with myself for not being fair to you.”       
    She started to question what he meant, but the