Read Fanning the Flames (Romance Firemen Series) for Free Online Page A

Cassie breathed. “It’s so beautiful!”
    “It’s one of my favorite places,” Nick told her, pressing a button on the wall to bring up the lights a little. Cassie saw a spacious living area furnished with huge, inviting leather couches, smart black against the pristine white carpet.
    At the other end of the room was a stylish sleeping area, equipped with the most luxuriously-large bed Cassie had ever seen. It was covered in black satin sheets. There was a spiral staircase leading downstairs; she peered over the edge to catch a glimpse of an ornate marble bathroom with a deep, sunken tub in dark grey stone.
    “Nick -” Cassie said suddenly, a note of warning in her voice.
    “It’s all right, Cassie,” he said, stopping her. “I can guess what you’re thinking and trust me, it’s all above board. I realize the layout of the space might make it appear otherwise, but I brought you here for dinner, nothing else.
    I don’t know of a more beautiful spot in the whole town, and the food is excellent. I thought we’d dine informally, if that suits you. Just have some champagne and order room service.”
    He led her into the living area, where a bottle of Dom Perignon was waiting on ice. With obvious expertise, Nick popped the cork and handed her a flute. Cassie browsed the room service menu. Nick either knew it by heart, or he was confident that the Four Seasons would be able to supply whatever he wanted.
    He picked up the phone and requested hamachi with edamame. Cassie, unsure of what many of the menu items were, asked for clam chowder.
    I should be enjoying this , she thought as the food was laid before them. This looks amazing. It’s just… She couldn’t complete the thought. She didn't know how to. 
    As they dined, Cassie inquired politely about Nick’s trip, his father’s business, his poetry, anything she could think of to keep them off the topic of her living arrangements. Other than a text to let him know that she would take him up on his offer, they hadn't spoken about it at all.
    She knew she would have to discuss it with him, but the thought of talking about it brought back the memories of her argument with Brendan.
    Still somewhat intense, Nick became increasingly relaxed and jovial as the champagne did its work. The first bottle was nearly empty by the time they were served. He ordered a second, and talked amiably of his plans for his poetry collection.
    Cassie listened, sipping slowly and alternating with water. Nick did not appear to notice how he was outpacing her or how little she was saying.
    After dinner, they moved on to dessert, pomegranate sorbet for Nick and chocolate dim sum for Cassie. He ordered a bottle of tokay and drank most of it himself after Cassie discovered that dessert wine was too cloyingly sweet for her tastes.
    Coffee followed, and Nick insisted that they should have brandy with it.
    “I’m ok,” Cassie told him. “I’ve never even tasted brandy.”
    “Never tasted brandy! That’s crazy! I can see I’m going to have to educate your palate, Cassie!”
    “No, it’s fine. I’m happy to be unsophisticated.”              
    Nick wasn’t listening. He was once again on the phone to room service, ordering something that sounded expensive. Within moments, a waiter appeared with a bottle and two balloon glasses. Nick poured the drinks and warmed them in his hands, handing one to Cassie and seating himself beside her to watch her drink.
    Cassie thought the smell of the drink was terrible, so she swirled it in her hand and tried to distract Nick with small talk.
    “Tell me how you started writing poetry,” she said, reaching for the first thing that came to her mind. “Is it something you’ve always done?”
    “No,” said Nick, his face darkening. “I started when Elaine left me. I told you I was pretty broken up. I went to therapy for a while. My therapist recommended poetry as an outlet. I wrote so many poems that I had enough for a collection, so I