The Firefighter's Cinderella. Dominique Burton

grew bolder as they began to make their way up her arm, filling her with a storm of emotions. Against her better judgment she turned toward him. Their eyes met.

      “You look like the goddess Aphrodite.”

      “Have you ever seen her?”

      “No, but I’ve heard of her,” he said in a husky voice. As C.J. rubbed her shoulders and played with her hair, something hot raged in his eyes, causing her heart to beat double-time.

      Tasha watched his mouth, and her mind reeled with thoughts of how it would feel against hers. His palm cupped the back of her neck, drawing her against him.

      So this was what it was like to be seduced.

      A little voice in her head urged her to run, but she was too tired. For once she was going to be reckless.

      The tender way he kissed her neck was driving her to distraction. She moved her cheek so it would rub against his smooth jaw. Their lips were millimeters away from connecting when C.J.’s cell phone buzzed.

      “Shall we stay hidden?” He flashed a smile that made her think anything was possible with him.

      “I’d like to, unless you’re on call tonight?” Tasha queried playfully.

      C.J.’s eyes never left hers as he shook his head. “I’m not on call until tomorrow.” She could see him fumble with his phone before turning it off.

      “Will you get in trouble for that?”

      “No. I carry another phone on me just in case there’s an emergency.” He gave her a slow wink. “Tasha, you always were a worrier.”

      “It’s what my clients expect me to be for them.”

      “No more talk of work. I can take care of myself and the station.”

      C.J. clearly had other things on his mind. She could see his eyes exploring her face and upper body.

      “Okay,” she whispered.

      His fingertips ran up her arms to her neck, sending shivers coursing through her. Instead of talking, she decided to enjoy the sensation. Now he was drawing circles at her nape.

      The air crackled with electricity. He drew her closer and gave her a light kiss on her lips. Just as he moved to deepen it, a phone with a fire alarm ring went off. C.J. reached into the pocket of his tux and pulled out a sleek silver cell. “Powell here.”

      Tasha leaned back in the seat, still aflame from his touch and kiss. He jerked back into firefighter mode as if nothing had happened between them. “I’ll be right there, Chief. Thanks for the tip. I owe you.”

      She turned to look at him, and found his whole countenance had changed. She wondered what he’d heard that had altered him so drastically. “Did somebody you know get hurt?”

      “Tasha, we need to go!”

      “What are you talking about?”

      “The station has been trying to find me.” C.J. stood up and grabbed her hand as he began to run.

      “Stop! I can barely move.” Tasha was struggling to keep up.

      He paused and swung her into his arms. “Your condo is on fire.”

      She was stunned. “My cat! Stormy’s there!”

      “I know the commander in charge of the fire,” C.J. said, striding to the elevator with her in his arms, “and he’s the best there is.”

      They reached the elevator, and he pushed the button frantically.

      Tasha’s heart plummeted as they descended. She loved her home, her life, her memorabilia, but only Stormy was irreplaceable.