Read Breaking Protocol (Firehouse Fourteen Book 3) for Free Online Page B

she did see, that she understood without him trying to explain the tangle of illogical emotions that surrounded the entire situation.
    Some of the tension left him, surprising him because he hadn't even realized he had been tense. He wasn't sure what to make of that.
    "So what now, Big Guy?"
    He looked up, not knowing how to read her question, not sure how to answer. And he realized that he seemed to be like that quite a bit around her: uncertain, never quite sure what was coming next. It was an unsettling realization, especially considering he had just met her.
    Or maybe that was the reason behind the uncertainty.
    "No idea, huh?" CC pushed back from the table and stood, then reached over and gathered their empties, placing everything neatly on the tray. "Well, I'm in the mood for a swim. You're more than welcome to join me."
    He watched as she carried the tray to the counter, his eyes automatically dropping to her ass, hugged in faded denim. "I didn't bring a bathing suit."
    CC turned back to him, one feathered brow lifted delicately as a smile spread across her face. "It's dark. Who needs a suit?"
    A sudden desire that had nothing to do with swimming flooded through him, surprising him. Dave pushed back from the table and stood, one corner of his mouth tilting in a grimace that should have been a smile.
    Because swimming suddenly sounded like the perfect way to end the night.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    CC dropped her keys on the coffee table and kept walking, Dave following her as she moved to the small hallway closet. He stopped and looked around, looking out of place and uncomfortable in all the color surrounding him.
    "Nice place."
    "So says the Big Guy with a scowl on his face." CC laughed as she pulled two fluffy beach towels from the closet, then wedged her hip against the door to close it all the way.
    "No, it is. It's just..." His voice trailed off as he looked around him, and she knew exactly what he was going to say. Too bright, too colorful.
    Too girlie.
    He stood in the middle of the living room, surrounded by overstuffed furniture and bold splashes of blues and reds and greens. Bright, vibrant colors, full of life.
    She threw one of the towels in his direction. "Not beige?"
    His hands closed around the ball of material, fumbling a bit before folding it under one arm. He frowned, not missing her reference to the neutral décor that furnished his own house, then shook his head. "Definitely not beige, no."
    She laughed and led the way out back, pausing on the porch to remove her boots and socks. She didn't look behind her, didn't pause or stop to think, just pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the wicker sofa then headed out the door and down the steps. The grass was damp under her bare feet, tickling her soles as she made her way to the pier. She heard Dave following behind her, heard him muttering under his breath. She couldn't catch the words, but the tone made her smile.
    Confusion, bewilderment, disbelief. She had the impression he didn't do much spontaneously, and that he wasn't quite sure what to make of her.
    Which suited her just fine.
    She reached the pier and kept going, not stopping until she was at the end. She placed her towel on the bench then unsnapped her jeans and shimmied out of them. She folded them and placed them next to her towel, then stepped out of her underwear and tossed them on top. She turned, smiling when she saw Dave standing a few feet away, frozen as he watched her, hunger flashing in the depths of his eyes. She held his gaze as she reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting the lacy material slide down her arms. His gaze dropped, settling on the fullness of her breasts.
    She saw him swallow and she smiled again as she tossed the bra on top of her clothes. She straightened, letting him watch her for a few long seconds, then she turned and dove off the pier.
    Cool water sluiced over her body, invigorating, refreshing. She glided under the water for a minute, then kicked to