Read A Case of Love for Free Online

needed. The fire was arson and was connected by signature to six other arsons in the greater Monroe City area.
    The buildings were all apartment complexes, every one full of families, innocent people who lost everything they owned because of a psycho's addiction to playing with matches. Kenzie felt revolted, that any one person could get a thrill out of the mass destruction of properties and lives.
    She wrote her piece, trying to stay centered and not let any of her emotional conflict involve itself in the story. It was hard, but after editing once more, she sent it on to Ron, thanking him for coming to the hospital as well.
    By the time she was finished, she was overly tired and feeling a little punch drunk. She'd almost died today. Just thinking about it had the smell of smoke choking her, the heat of the fire pressing in against her. Her hand went to her mouth, her fingers trembling as she slid down against her sofa. “Oh God,” she groaned.
    With a sigh, she reached out for the phone, grabbed her purse and pulled out the small card in the front pocket. Dialing the number, she wrapped her arm around herself, holding on tight.
    The phone rang, then rang again, she'd just about given up when she heard his voice on the other end.
    "Hello."
    He sounded husky, sleepy, as if she'd woken him. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see how much time had passed since she'd sat down to write her story.
    "Hello?"
    "Oh, uh, hi. I'm sorry if I woke you,” she said in a rush, feeling foolish.
    "Mac?” Gideon's voice sounded surprised.
    "Yeah, I uh, dammit, I'm sorry, this was stupid. I'm sorry I woke you,” she repeated.
    "Mac, don't hang up. What's wrong?"
    "It's foolish,” she said, sighing. “I...I was..."
    "...having flash backs of today?” he asked, guessing the problem.
    "Yes,” she said, her tone surprised. “How did you know?"
    "It was a scary event, Mac; you'd be a pretty cold person not to have suffered any kind of trauma."
    Kenzie sighed. “It's driving me crazy. I think about it and it's almost like I'm still there, still feeling the heat and choking on the smoke.” A sob caught in her throat and she swallowed, trying to hide the sound from him.
    "I'm coming over there,” he said.
    She heard the sound of rustling, as if he were throwing aside a sheet and blanket. “Y...you don't have to do that. It's late, Gideon. I...I'll be fine."
    There was silence on the line for a moment and then his voice came back, sounding even huskier than before. “I'll be there in fifteen minutes,” he said and then she heard the click of the call being disconnected and then the sound of her dial tone.
    Kenzie stared at the phone then glanced around at the disaster her apartment was in. “Oh shit,” she hissed, dropping the phone and rushed around to clean up. Clothes were thrown in her closet, her coffee cups and the coffee pot hurriedly washed and then the blanket she'd used folded. She'd just collapsed back on the couch when he knocked on the door.
    Going to the door, she peeked out her peephole, and saw him standing there. His hair was tousled around his head, as if he'd just run his fingers through it when he woke. He was dressed in jeans and a wrinkled tee shirt. There was more than a hint of stubble on his cheeks, giving him a dark and dangerous look.
    "Mac, let me in,” he called through the door.
    She slowly unlocked the four locks on her door, slipping the chain off and finally opening the door for him. He walked in, his eyes roaming over her body, finally stopping at her eyes. There was fear in those beautiful amber orbs, fear and maybe a little panic as well. He waited until she'd locked the door behind him and then pulled her into his arms.
    "It's okay, Mac,” he whispered against her hair, his hands running up and down, soothingly rubbing her back.
    At first she was tense under his hand, her muscles tight under the soft tee shirt she wore. But slowly she relaxed against him, her hands slowly creeping up his broad