Heart on Fire Read online

  “Fine, go back to work. Love you, Mila.”

  “Love you too.” Hanging up, she set the phone, and her mother’s worries, aside. Mila had long since given up on the concept of a man in her life.

  She had only let one man that close, and he destroyed her faith in men and finding a happily ever after. She had everything she wanted. Her little girl, and a job she loved.

  Thanks to her mother’s call, her mind kept drifting back to the day Paul trampled her dreams of marriage.

  Paul took her into his arms with a smile that always unsettled her. It generally meant he was about to suggest something he knew she wasn’t interested in. Their relationship had been on thin ice for weeks.

  He placed a kiss on her lips. “You’re going to marry me, Mila.” It wasn’t a question, but an expectation.

  “Excuse me?”

  He didn’t pause, “You’re going to give up your student teaching program at the end of the semester, and move with me to New York. You’ll be my wife. You won’t need to teach.”

  She pushed him away. “No. That’s not happening. I’ve worked too hard to give up my dream.”

  He laughed out loud, an ugly smirk on his face. “You will. You’ll never get anywhere as a teacher. Why waste your life?”

  Shaking her head, she backed away, anger flowing through her veins. “You really don’t understand me, do you? You never did.” A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “If you think I’ll be some trophy wife, we’re through.”

  “You’ll throw your perfect future with me away to keep your silly, miniscule dreams?”

  “Yeah, we’re through. Get out.”

  “I’ll change your mind.”

  “No. You won’t. I said, get out!”

  He left, and never looked back.

  A week later, he replaced her with a woman she considered her friend. And a week after, Leslie drove the final nail into the coffin that was her relationship with Paul.

  One day after class, Leslie stopped her, and coyly asked, “You aren’t upset I’m with Paul now?”

  She was, but mostly with herself for not figuring out what a self-serving prick Paul was all along. She refused to give either one of them the satisfaction of her discomfort.

  With a smile, she shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll make each other very happy.”

  “Then, will you be my maid of honor?” She flashed a ring with a giant rock.

  It wasn’t pain that hit her, but a void. She felt nothing. “I’m happy for you, Leslie, and I wish you two the best, but I won’t be going to your wedding.” She walked away and made it a point to avoid both of them after that.

  Feeling lonely, which she would never admit to her mother, and only because Cherish was away, she took a sip of her beer. It was time to push the past away, and focus on work.

  My Darkest Days played quietly on her laptop. She had a system—grade and file. In no time, she was too focused to be melancholy.

  “Hey, Mila.” Kyle’s deep velvety voice startled her.

  Jumping, she swore under her breath.

  “Sorry.” He chuckled, the sound tantalizing, and like usual, made her wonder what his breath would feel like against her ear.

  Trying to ignore the desire that only appeared in Kyle’s presence, she replied, “Uh, hi. What’s up?”

  Do I really sound that moronic?

  “I noticed you out here and was curious if you were alone? And wondered if you were hungry?”

  “Cherish is at Dee’s. I have the whole night to tackle the never ending work of a teacher—grading papers.” She avoided the second question altogether.

  At least until he gave her a pleading look. “Hungry?”

  She felt silly for hesitating. There he was, perfectly sweet, respectful, and he definitely fit all her wildest fantasies. It wouldn’t kill her to get to know her neighbor. He was a gentleman, and had yet to do anything more than some mild flirting. Where was the harm in a friendly meal?

  “What did you have in mind?”

  His eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I was thinking of heading down to the diner. A friend owns it. They have great food.”

  “Sure. Let me clean up.” She quickly sorted the papers into the proper folders before shutting the lid, closed her laptop, and set it on top of the plastic filing crate.

  He cleared his throat. “Mind if I join you over there?”

  “Not at all.” She picked up her beer and thumbed the lip of the bottle.

  When she turned around, Kyle had closed the distance and wore an amused tilt to his full lips. “Guinness? You drink Guinness?”

  Mila let out a soft laugh. “I do. I don’t drink much, but Cherish is away, so I had one.” In fact, only half, and she decided to finish it off. Tipping the bottle back, she drank the rest and set it down.

  Kyle watched her like a predator. The heat in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. His voice, though casual, was seductive. “Maybe later we can have another. If you’d like.”

  “We’ll see. I don’t usually go to bars, don’t go out much at all, really. Dinner is fine, and if they serve beer there, I might consider a second.”

  “They do, and that works. Why no bars though?” he asked, obviously curious.

  “I have Cherish, and work for the school district. Last thing I want to do is give anyone the wrong impression.”

  “Makes sense, but the local bar does have karaoke, a dance floor, and pool tables. The purpose is not to get drunk. I tend to hang out with my friends, and enjoy a beer, maybe two. A few of the teachers go there on the weekends, so no one would think anything of it.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply…”

  “Oh no, don’t. I didn’t take it that way, Mila.” His eyes dropped to the ground, and when he looked back up at her, it was through his lashes. “I don’t want you uncomfortable around me, and I’m attempting to build a solid case convincing you to join me one night when Deanna has Cherish again, and you don’t have stacks of schoolwork to grade.”

  “Sorry.” She glanced away, wanting to kick herself. “It’s not that.”

  “It’s okay. Relax. I promise just dinner, a beer if you’d like, and we’ll head back. In fact, Verna’s Diner is down the road. It’s a lovely night to walk, if you don’t mind.”

  Maybe that would clear her head, and she could stop putting her foot in her mouth for a few minutes.

  “I’d like that.” She picked up the tub and laptop, glancing at the bottle a second.

  He swiped it up with a grin. “Let me help.” He moved to the door and slid it open.

  Mila couldn’t help admiring how the worn jeans molded over his delicious ass. With a couple days of beard growth, and plain t-shirt, he looked rugged but inviting.

  Dangerous. I don’t need a playmate. He needs to stay my friendly neighbor.

  She took the box to her desk and came back to the kitchen where he waited.

  His eyes locked on hers as she walked back, never wavering. Her breath hitched, her brain kicking into overdrive imagining those big hands wrapped around her waist as he backed her into the counter, his lips descending on hers.

  Shutting down her wayward libido, she nodded to the front door. “You ready?”

  A slow smile spread on his lips as he nodded. “Indeed.”

  Chapter 4

  Kyle liked Mila buttoned up, or dressed down. He especially liked the way the tank hugged her body, and how her jeans slung low, but wished the tank didn’t go past the waistband. Her hair was down, silken dark chocolate curls that brushed the top of her ass. She was tall, slender, but still had curves he wanted to explore.

  He was having trouble getting his mind back in the game as he followed her to the door.

  She paused, half-turned, and looked up the stairs. “I should go grab my sweater.”

  “Nah, it’s a laidback diner and we’re walking. You won’t be cold.”

  She turned toward him, chewing her lip as a blush colored her cheeks. “Okay. It is pretty warm.”

  Swi
tching directions, Mila stepped outside and he followed. She locked the door.

  Then he realized why he knew the song that was playing when he stepped onto the porch. One brow arched as she turned to him.

  He had to know. “One question. Were you listening to ‘Porn Star Dancing’?”

  A single corner of her mouth lifted as she pressed a finger to her lips. “I like My Darkest Days, but don’t tell anyone.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I happen to like them too, but why so softly?”

  “Didn’t want to disturb anyone, and this way I could hear it, but no one else could.”

  “Very considerate, but you wouldn’t have disturbed me,” he promised.

  Blushing, she looked away. “I’ll remember that, but you aren’t my only neighbor.”

  “You know, you aren’t fooling anyone, Miss Day.”

  Her brow wrinkled as they started walking. She looked over at him with the most peculiar frown. He wanted to smooth his fingers over her lips, forcing her to smile.

  “What, on earth, are you talking about?”

  He grinned. “When I’m in the weight room at the firehouse—which happens to be across from your classroom—I’ve noticed the boys drooling over you. How do you deal with that?”

  Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “Ignore it. They’re teenagers, and you know how their hormones are.” A soft laugh escaped her lips. “They’re harmless.”

  “Maybe, but for the record, I can’t blame them for admiring you. You are absolutely stunning, even when you button yourself up, and hide your gorgeous hair.” He caught a lock between his fingers briefly. Silkier than he imagined, and he wanted to bury his hands her mane.

  A smile lit her face but she dropped her gaze. “Thanks, but I’m nothing special.”

  Nothing special? The woman was a walking wet dream. Her mouth begged to be tasted, and her big, pale blue eyes were heart-stopping. And the curves she attempted to hide… “You do own a mirror, or two, right?”

  Mila huffed.

  He shook his head. “You can’t possibly think you’re unattractive.”

  Taking a slow breath, she stared straight ahead, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m not ugly, no. But I’m not interested in attention. I’m happy with Cherish.”

  He smiled back at her, his tone light. “No harm in taking an honest compliment. I’m only telling it like I see it.” The mild version. The questions spun back up. Why in the hell is she so reserved? What’s her story?

  She nibbled her lip as her eyes slid over. There was a pretty blush on her face. “Thanks, and I’ve noticed the girls watching you while you’re out in the yard. I’m sure you have more than your fair share of admirers.” She grinned.

  Kyle couldn’t argue. He was active, stayed in shape, and was presented to the community as a hero more times than he could count. Honestly, he would prefer less attention from everyone. Mila being the exception.

  Redirecting her with a gentle hand on her arm, he pulled her toward the diner door, opening it with a smile. “We’re here.”

  As they stepped inside, he nodded to the lady behind the counter.

  “Hey, Verna. This is Mila Day, the new teacher down at the high school. Mila, Verna makes the best cobbler in town.”

  “Hi, pleasure to meet you.” Mila offered her hand.

  Verna took it with a wide smile. “All mine, I’m sure. My son, James, has a new love for science, thanks to you. It was his worst subject last year.”

  Mila nodded, her eyes sparkling. “James simply needed an extra push.”

  Her head cocked to the side as her brow arched. “He went from timid and hoping to find the answers to digging for them. He has a better understanding of how to work through a problem, and that applies to more classes than science.”

  “He’s a smart kid who needed a new way to look at a problem. I’m happy I could help.” Her eyes drifted back to Kyle.

  * * * *

  Mila looked to Kyle, silently begging him to politely change the topic.

  Verna seemed to catch the hint. With a wave toward a booth, she pleaded, “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m sure you two are hungry. Come have a seat.” Grabbing a couple menus, she brought them to a table by the window.

  Once seated, Kyle asked, “Still interested in a dark beer? There’s a local brewery. They make something you might like.”

  “Sure. Sounds good.” Mila smiled up at Verna.

  “One for me too, please,” Kyle added.

  Verna dipped her head in acknowledgement. “Go ahead and look at the menu. I’ll be right back.”

  Kyle chimed in with, “Their burgers are the best. The clubs are excellent. Everything is fantastic.”

  Nodding, she looked down at the menu, because she was nervous. It wasn’t a date, but was starting to feel like it with the way he caught her gaze as often as he could. Still, he kept his hands to himself. She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or disappointed, but was leaning toward the latter.

  Mila set her menu aside, wondering for the dozenth time since he’d shown up in her yard, why she agreed to go with him. Sure, it beat fixing her own dinner. Cooking for one sucked. She didn’t mind cooking when Cherish was home. When she was alone, she generally heated something up.

  “Already choose?” Kyle asked.

  She nodded as Verna came over with beer and water. Once she had their orders, she left the table with a knowing smile.

  Mila took a sip of her beer. “Mmm, I like this.”

  “Sometimes the best things are from the small, local places.”

  “Let me guess, you know someone who works at the brewery?”

  “Yeah, but it’s not a big town, and I know a lot of people.”

  “I can imagine.”

  A prissy voice interrupted, “Fancy meeting you here, Kyle.”

  Mila looked up to find a statuesque blond standing at the end of the table. Her attention was focused on Kyle who hadn’t bothered to look at the other woman.

  “If you would excuse us, Rene, I’m with someone, as you can see.”

  Rene’s arms crossed over her chest, undeterred. “I was hoping to talk you into joining me tonight. I’m going to a party for Dad’s firm.”

  “I’m not interested,” he answered blandly, directing his attention back to Mila. “I apologize for the interruption.”

  “No need,” Mila replied mildly. She was tempted to slip out of the booth and let the conversation happen without her presence.

  The blond looked over, studying her with a smirk. “This is obviously not a date. I’m sure your friend wouldn’t mind if you leave with me.”

  His tone turned downright frigid. “I’m not interested in leaving with you, Rene. You’re still trying to manipulate me into being what you want. I have the best job in the world as far as I’m concerned. You can’t accept that, so find someone willing to play by your rules.”

  “You’re everything I want, Kyle. You simply need a realistic job.”

  His fiery gaze cut up to the rude blond. “I have a realistic job. One I love, and won’t ever give up. Same as your brother. Goodnight, Rene.”

  “You’re wasting your life, Kyle,” she spat before turning to walk out the door.

  He shook his head, taking a slow breath. “I’m sorry about Rene. She seems to think the world revolves around her.” One shoulder lifted in a shrug.

  Mila knew all about people wanting to control her life. “Don’t worry about it. I know the type.”

  His head tilted to the side. “How so?”

  “I was with a guy in college. He thought I should give up my teaching degree, move to New York, and play trophy wife. That didn’t go over so well. I left.”

  “At least he wasn’t in your town after that.” He leaned back with a sigh. “I was with Rene for two years. She kept trying to convince me to work with her dad.”

  “Sorry,” Mila offered.

  “What gets me is that her brother is a fireman. Gavin has been my best friend
for as long as I can remember. Their step-father was also a fireman, and a much better dad than her real father.”

  “Don’t know what to tell you, other than you’re better off without her. You have a great job. One not everyone can do. So what if it doesn’t make you the most money? It makes you happy, and you seem pretty comfortable.”

  His eyes delved into hers, a slow smile spreading on his face. “Same can be said of you. By all accounts, I hear you’re a great teacher.”

  She couldn’t stop herself from lighting up. “So I’m told. I love science, and it’s exciting to help kids discover they like it better than they thought.”

  “See, that right there makes your job worthwhile.”

  She melted into the warmth in his eyes. They had a lot more in common than she initially assumed, making her attraction harder to ignore.

  Their meal came and the conversation died down while they ate in companionable silence.

  Chapter 5

  Mila was a mystery. Quiet and reserved at first, maybe even suspicious, but once she opened up and started talking about her passions, she was delightful.

  Kyle couldn’t understand what kind of asshat would ever let her go. Why would someone ask her to give up her dreams and be content doing nothing. There were a hundred questions on the tip of his tongue, but he wasn’t sure where to start.

  She pushed her plate away and met his eyes with a smile on her lips.

  The dam broke and words rushed out. “So, this guy you were with, what happened to him?”

  Mila winced slightly, but put on a brave face. “What guy?”

  “Cherish’s father?”

  Her eyes darted out the window as her hands folded on the table. Looking back, she lifted a shoulder in a resigned shrug. The words were quiet. “I had a one-night stand, and never saw him again. He was from out of town. I didn’t even get his name, so it’s not like I can look him up.” Her eyes closed as she finished her admission. “A condom broke, and at the time I didn’t think much of it. I know, stupid, but it was my first and last one-night stand.” She seemed to hold her breath, waiting for his response.