Rescued Hearts (Hero Series) by Gina Austin Page B

going to love this.” James said in relief.
     
    The captain went to check on the trapped driver and asked, “Are you OK?”
     
    “Yes. Thank you. Can you get us out now?” the driver asked.
     
    “Absolutely.” The captain said. “Troy, Mike, cut them out.”
     
    Jumping out of truck #1, Nick looked at Susan who seemed to be a few shades lighter in her face and smiled at her. Susan walked towards him with her hand over her heart and letting out a sigh of relief, stated she was glad that was over. When she was in front of him she said, “What an adrenaline rush! That was fantastic! You were fantastic!”
     
    Nick replied, “I love it! Now you know why I do this for a living.”
     
     
     

Chapter 21
     
     
    It was 3pm when they all got back to the station house. Nick got the OK from the captain to get started on cooking early since he wanted to cook something special for Susan and James, but he mostly wanted to impress Susan. Pulling out a large pot from the fire house kitchen cabinet, Nick began to prepare the ingredients for his home made tomato sauce. She’s going to love this.
     
    Susan was downstairs in the garage interviewing the guys one by one as they became available. About 3 hours later, she decided to take a break and go upstairs to visit Nick. As she approached the kitchen she saw Nick squat in front of a bottom cabinet. She admired how his jeans stretched tight around his thighs. Stop that before someone notices she thought. Hearing footsteps approaching, Nick turned around, thankful it was Susan as his heartbeat quickened at the sight of her contagious smile.
     
    “Never had a chance to ask you when we first started this morning; How’s it feel to be back on duty?” Susan asked.
     
    “Feels great. Although I’m a bit out of practice here in the kitchen but it’ll come back to me.”
     
    “I’m sure it will. The other guys don’t call you the master chef for nothing. Whatever you’re cooking smells wonderful.”
     
    “Perfect timing to try my home made sauce.”
     
    Nick brings over a wooden spoon with tomato sauce. Placing his hand under the spoon, he raises it up to Susan’s mouth. Susan tasted the sauce and all Nick can think about was how he wished his lips and not the spoon was connecting with her moist full lips right now. Susan closed her eyes and with a low whisper says, “Mm hmm, that may be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
     
    Whispering to Susan, “Just wait to see how it tastes with the chicken and pasta.” Realizing this is the closest she’s ever been face to face with Nick, she asks, “Hopefully this won’t be the last time I try one of your meals?”
     
    “Just come back when I’m on shift and it won’t.” Losing herself in Nick’s light brown eyes that were almost translucent and at the moment contained an intensity that she never saw before. Nick returned the gesture by admiring her hazel eyes and sensing her contentment when they were standing so close to each other. Unfortunately all things end when abruptly they were both snapped out of their mutual gaze. 
     
    “Hey master chef, Hello Susan.” Alex interrupted, “When’s dinner ready? I’m starving”
     
    Nick answered, “In another 15 minutes.” Bad timing Alex
     
    ***
     
    After dinner, Nick walked Susan out of the firehouse.
     
    “Thanks for that wonderful dinner and for letting me copy your recipes. I’ll get them back to you as soon as I can.”
     
    “Guard that book with your life, it’s an original”.
     
    “I see the lasagna has 5 stars, your favorite?”
     
    “Amy’s favorite actually and the last dinner I ever cooked for her.”
     
    “I’m so sorry Nick.”
     
    “No need to be. It’s OK. For the first time in a long while I can actually say and mean it. I’m going to be just fine. I’m excited for what the future has in store for me.”
     
    “That’s good to hear. I’m sure Amy would be happy to know that you’re moving on with your life, wherever