Up In Flames by Rosanna Leo

he's a piece of shit, and you're definitely not boring.” He'd kept his eyes trained on her face, but now allowed them to dip ever so discreetly down to the line of her neck, wondering how it would feel to taste that skin. She looked so beautiful at that moment. The sun was starting to set, and its rays highlighted the glossy strands of her short, black hair. Her skin was luminous, and he even noticed a freckle or two he'd never seen before. He wondered if she was hiding any other secret freckles, and he indulged in thinking about how amazing it would feel to locate them. “In fact, I'd say you're the least boring person I know."
    She looked up at him, squinting because the setting sun was in her eyes. Shane adjusted his position on the bench so she wasn't staring into the blaring rays. “Thanks.” She took a deep breath. “I haven't been very nice to you, Shane, and you've been quite nice to me. Here I am, apologizing again. I said things I shouldn't..."
    "We both did. Don't mention it. It's behind us.” He reached into his own pocket and tossed a coin into the fountain too. “Let's try for world peace after all, shall we? How about I drive you back to the farm?"
    She looked skeptically at him. “After all those drinking games you and your buddies were playing?"
    He leaned over and shushed her theatrically. “Don't worry. It was OJ all the way for me. I was just trying to get to know the boys. If the new captain doesn't socialize with them, they'll never accept him."
    "Well, how sweet! Maybe if you continue to play nice, the boys will let you into their clubhouse one day,” she teased. “Okay, Captain. Take me home."
    With those words, Shane realized that was precisely what he wanted to do. More than anything.
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Chapter Eight
    On the short drive back to the farm, Shane saw the sky change. Grey clouds were quickly emerging where there had been none before. Even as he and Jules ran up the steps to the house, they heard the first crack of thunder and streaks of lightning started to briefly illuminate the darkening sky.
    He held the door open for her and they tumbled into the house, eager to escape the deluge sure to follow.
    "We made it just in time,” she said.
    "We sure did.” Shane stood with her in the hallway, not quite willing to retreat to his suite of rooms just yet.
    Even as Jules flicked on a couple of lights, the house still seemed dark, thanks to the cloudy sky outside. It was turning into the sort of night that made one grateful for company.
    She turned to smile at Shane. “A night like this is only good for one thing."
    He paused, hoping upon hope she was about to suggest they tear each other's clothes off and have animal sex. “That being?"
    "Watching movies!” She dashed into the kitchen and rummaged through the shelves for microwave popcorn. “I hope you don't mind movie-style butter. I know it's not the healthiest option, but the other stuff just tastes like cardboard. Wouldn't you agree?"
    "Uh, sure, I guess.” When she wasn't looking, he hit himself on the forehead. “Watching movies, of course, you dumbass,” he said under his breath, trying to ignore the state of arousal he was in.
    She stopped what she was doing for a moment. “Oh, I'm sorry. You do want to join me, don't you? I didn't mean to assume."
    "Yes, I want to join you. It sounds great.” Shane tried his best to look cool, knowing he probably looked more like a teenage boy who just got asked to play spin-the-bottle. “What movie did you have in mind?"
    "Well, I know it sounds corny, but I love the old black-and-whites.” She peered into the microwave, impatient for the popcorn to pop. “I just treated myself to a new DVD copy of It's a Wonderful Life . Is that okay with you?"
    "Actually, I like Jimmy Stewart movies."
    Her eyes lit up. “Then, we're decided.” She retrieved the popcorn bag from the microwave, careful not to burn herself on the hot edges, and emptied it into a bowl with a