Libby's Fireman Read Free

friend Hank. He’s going to help me build your
playhouse.” Jack looked at the other man. “Hank, this is my girl,
Libby.” Tara’s heart melted a little more.
    Hank and Jack greeted Tara with a smile.
“Ma’am.” “Hi, Tara.”
    “Hi, Jack.” She turned to Hank and stuck her
hand out. “It’s nice to meet you. Please, call me Tara.”
    “It’s a pleasure, Tara. Your daughter's
adorable. It’s nice to link faces with the people Jack’s been going
on about.” He winked at her, grinning.
    Tara blushed and smiled. “Thank you.” She
cleared her throat and looked between Hank and Jack. “I made a pot
of coffee. Would you guys like some?”
    “Please, and thank you.” Hank answered.
    “Thanks, Tara.” Jack set Libby back on her
feet. “I’ll help you bring it out.”
    “Okay.” Tara turned for the house with Jack
following behind her. Tara walked to the cupboard and pulled out
three mugs. “If you want milk, it's in the fridge.”
    While Jack’s back was turned, Tara let her
eyes roam over him. The man was built like the proverbial brick
shithouse. His broad shoulders and trim waist showed how well he
took care of himself. Tara licked her lips. Then there was his ass.
Oh boy, did he have a great ass.
    Jack turned around and grinned at her. Tara
smiled back and turned to busy herself with pouring the coffee.
She’d just finished filling the third mug when she felt Jack’s
presence behind her. She turned around to find him crowding her
against the counter. Her eyes slowly slid up from his stomach to
his face. He wasn’t grinning anymore.
    "Don't be frightened," he said. "I just want
to…steal a kiss."
    Tara heard herself answer, "Okay."
    At the first brush of Jack’s lips against
hers, Tara sucked in a breath. Her eyes fluttered closed and she
leaned toward him. Jack must have taken that for the welcome it
was, because Tara felt his hands on her waist and then he was
kissing her, really kissing her.
    Tara’s hands moved to Jack’s shoulders, her
fingers kneading the hard muscle there. Her lips parted, inviting
his tongue inside. He tasted of peppermint and man. She felt her
heart pound in her chest.
    She was moving to press her body more firmly
against his when she heard Libby giggle. Abruptly, Tara pulled away
and stared up at Jack. “I, um, wow…” She smiled nervously and
looked toward the door. “I suppose we should get this coffee out to
your friend.”
    “Tara,” Jack started. His hand lifted and
brushed her hair back from her cheek. “I’d like to take you out to
dinner. I want to get to know you and Libby better.”
    Tara nodded. “Okay.”
    Jack smiled. “I’ll pick you up about six,
and we can go get something to eat.”
    Tara picked up two of the mugs and started
toward the door. Jack beat her to it and opened it for her. “Thank
you,” she murmured.
    Jack and Hank got the playhouse built in no
time. Libby stayed close by except when Tara made her go inside to
get dressed up for her night out. When the playhouse was done,
Libby rushed inside, squealing. She rushed back outside, first
hugging Jack, then Hank. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It’s the
bestest playhouse ever!” She ran back inside the playhouse.
    "I think she'll stay out of trees
hereafter," Hank laughed.
    “I’d like to thank you, too," said Tara.
"This was very nice of you both.”
    "No need to thank us, Tara. We were happy to
do it. And this way, maybe you can keep Libby from climbing
trees—for a while, anyway.” Jack smiled at Tara.
    Hank nodded his agreement. “I can see why
Jack is so taken with your daughter. She’s a sweetheart.”
    “Thank you, Hank. She is something else.”
All three of the adults laughed.
    Jack arrived at Tara’s a few minutes before
six. He climbed from his truck, starting for the front door. He had
flowers in one hand and a doll in the other. He hoped Libby didn’t
already have this one. He lifted his hand to knock on the door,
waiting patiently for Tara to