7. CHAPTER SEVEN - SCORCHED HEARTS
Chapter seven
CHAPTER SEVEN - SCORCHED HEARTS
A lex glanced at the book on the floor and gestured to it, raising an eyebrow. “Want to keep going, or should we call it a day?”
My stomach chose that moment to grumble, loud enough to be heard over the sound of the storm outside. I laughed, a bit embarrassed. “Honestly, I'm starving. How about we eat instead?”
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good call. I’m no gourmet chef, but I can whip up a mean pasta. Sound good?”
“Perfect,” I replied, smiling. The thought of pasta made my mouth water.
We headed to the kitchen, our footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors. It was the third time we’d ended up here today, but I didn’t mind. There was something comforting about the familiarity of the space.
How about I take the lead this time?” Alex announced, rolling up his sleeves. “And you can be my sous chef.”
“Deal,” I said, tying my hair back. I wasn’t going to argue— watching him cook would definitely be a treat. He moved with confidence, pulling out pots and pans and gathering ingredients. I busied myself washing tomatoes and chopping garlic, doing my work as a sous chef with a smile on my face.
“So,” he said, stirring a pot of boiling water. “What’s it like owning a bookstore?”
“Busy,” I admitted. “But I can’t complain. What about you?”
“Same old,” he replied, tossing a pinch of salt into the pot. “Though I did have an interesting call yesterday. A cat was stuck in a tree. The owner was convinced it was the end of the world.”
I laughed, nearly dropping the knife. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious,” he said, grinning. “You meet all kinds when you’re a firefighter.”
“Guess that keeps things interesting.”
“Definitely. Plus, it gives me stories to tell people, like right now.”
“Always a bonus,” I said, nudging him playfully with my elbow.
As we worked together, the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of sautéing garlic and onions. I found myself relaxing, enjoying the simple pleasure of cooking with Alex.
“Pass me the basil,” he said, and I handed it over. I watched as he expertly tore the leaves, releasing their fragrant scent. He was in his element, and it was a joy to witness.
“You know,” he said, turning to face me, a twinkle in his eye. “We make a pretty good team.”
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the stove. “Yeah, we definitely do.”
As the pasta simmered and the sauce thickened, the kitchen grew cozier, filled with the comforting scents of dinner in the making.
"Can you grab the parmesan from the fridge?" Alex asked, stirring the sauce with a wooden spoon.
"On it," I replied, opening the fridge and pulling out the block of cheese. "Want it grated or shaved?"
"Grated, please," he said, giving me a quick smile.
I began grating the cheese. The grater made soft rasping sounds as I worked. "So, did you get the cat down?"
"Eventually," Alex said with a chuckle. It took some coaxing, but we managed. The owner was so relieved that she offered us homemade cookies, and they were fantastic."
"Lucky you," I teased. "Next time, maybe bring some for me at the store."
"Noted," he said with a mock salute, then added, "Dinner's almost ready."
We set the table together, the scent of freshly made pasta wafting into my nose. It was a simple meal, but it felt special—maybe because we made it together.
We sat down to eat, and as we twirled the pasta onto our forks, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything and nothing—work, friends, plans for the weekend. Alex told me more stories from the fire station, each one more outrageous and funnier than the last.
"Do you ever get tired of it?" I asked, genuinely curious. "The danger, the unpredictability?"
"Sometimes," he admitted, pausing to take a sip of water. "But it’s worth it. Knowing I can make a difference, help people—that keeps me going."
I nodded, understanding. "I admire that."
"Thanks," he said, his expression softening. "And I admire you. You’re always so composed, so driven."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "You’re just saying that."
"No, I mean it," he insisted. "You’re amazing, Lily."
We quickly finished our dinner, and as the last dish was put away, Alex stretched, stifling a yawn. "I’m beat. What about you?"
"Yeah, it’s been a long day," I agreed, feeling a pleasant exhaustion settle over me.
He leaned against the counter, a slight smile playing on his lips. “You remember there's only one bedroom, right?”
I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach, suddenly aware of how close we were. He must have noticed the uncertainty in my eyes because he chuckled softly. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll take the couch. You can have the bed.”
My heart softened at his offer. “Alex, you don’t have to do that. We can both sleep in the bed.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
I rolled my eyes, trying to mask my nervousness with a bit of bravado. “Just agree before I change my mind.”
His laugh sent a warm jolt through me. "Alright, you win. After you."
I turned towards the hallway, then stopped, realizing I had no idea where the bedroom was. Feeling a bit sheepish, I glanced back at him. "Um, Alex? I don’t actually know where the bedroom is."
He chuckled again, shaking his head in amusement. “This way,” he said, leading me through the cabin.
He led me through the cabin, the wooden floors creaking softly under our feet. When he opened the bedroom door, I stepped inside and was immediately struck by how warm and cozy it felt. The soft, dim lighting of a candle bathed the room in a gentle glow, highlighting the rich, dark wood of the walls and furniture. A thick, plush rug covered most of the floor, and a small fireplace in the corner added to the intimate atmosphere. The bed was large, with a heavy quilt draped over it, looking incredibly inviting.
My cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of it, and I turned away quickly. "I’d like to take a shower first, if that’s okay."
Alex nodded. "Of course. Bathroom’s right through there," he said, pointing to a door on the opposite side of the room. “Towels are in the cupboard next to the sink.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom. The warmth of the room had eased my nerves a bit, but as I closed the bathroom door behind me, my mind was still buzzing with the reality of what was happening. Sharing a space with Alex like this was new territory for me.
I turned on the water in the bathroom and let the steam fill the space. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach.
As the hot water washed over me, I let out a sigh of contentment, feeling the tension of the day melt away. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Alex waiting for me in the other room.
Maybe this was exactly what I desired—something simple, unhurried, and real. Tonight was going to be interesting, that was for sure.
The hot shower was exactly what I needed to unwind after the day. I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around myself, and opened the bathroom door. The steam billowed out, and there was Alex, leaning against the wall with a look I couldn’t quite place.
He hadn’t said anything, so I cleared my throat and said, “I’m done.”
He blinked as if coming out of a trance. “Right. Thanks.” He nodded towards the wardrobe. “There’s a pair of pajamas in there for you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, wrapping the towel tighter around myself.
With that, he disappeared into the bathroom, and I walked over to the wardrobe, quickly finding the only pair of pajamas inside. I slipped them on, feeling a bit more at ease. They were soft and comfortable, a little oversized, but that just made them cozier.
I lay on the bed, picking up Richard Ginsberg's new book in an effort to distract myself from the sound of water coming from the bathroom and the thought of Alex, naked and just a few feet away. The shower eventually stopped, and after a while, Alex emerged, a towel wrapped low around his waist.
He looked breathtaking, his skin glistening slightly from the shower. The towel clung to his hips, highlighting his defined abs and the slight V-line that led downward. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and water droplets traced paths down his chiseled chest and abs. He looked like something out of a dream, breathtaking, and undeniably sexy.
He caught me staring and smirked. “Enjoying the view?”
I scoffed, burying my nose back in the book. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself.”
He chuckled and walked to the wardrobe. I bit my lip, trying to focus on the words in front of me. “Uh, Alex? There was only one pair of pajamas, and I’m wearing them.”
He turned, grinning. “Guess that means I might have to sleep naked.”
My cheeks flushed instantly, the image of him naked beside me flooding my mind. “Absolutely not. There is no way I’m letting you on this bed without clothes on.”
He laughed, a warm, rich sound. “Relax, there’s a robe in the bathroom. I’ll just wear that. Unless you’d prefer to change into it instead?”
I pouted, causing him to chuckle again before he walked back into the bathroom. He returned wearing a white robe that almost reached his ankles. Even covered, the outline of his toned muscles was visible through the fabric.
I averted my gaze, pretending to be engrossed in my book. My heart quickened when I felt the mattress dip beside me as Alex climbed into bed. His presence was warm and comforting, yet it made my pulse race.
I peeked over the edge of my book, finding him lying there, looking far too relaxed. He turned his head, catching my eye.
“Comfortable?” he asked, a teasing note in his voice.
“Very,” I replied, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt.
He smiled a slow, lazy grin that made my heart skip a beat. “Good. Sweet dreams, Lily.”
“Sweet dreams, Alex,” I murmured, turning off the bedside lamp and plunging the room into a soft, comfortable darkness. As I lay there, listening to the sound of his steady breathing, I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do if he just reached out to hold me. But something told me if that actually happened, I wouldn’t have the strength to resist.