If only she’d had more experience. But Mark was the first guy she’d been involved with since her folks had passed away. Her relationships in college had been so incredibly shallow that she had no way to compare them to what was currently going on in her life.
By the time they reached the overlook, the sky had nearly cleared. Mark put the truck in park but left the motor running. Heat poured out of the vents, warming her feet and legs.
“You’re looking serious about something,” he said, angling toward her.
“I’m just thinking.”
“Does it hurt?”
She glared at him. “I’m very intelligent. Your inability to figure that out reflects badly on you, not me.”
“Oh, aren’t we snippy?” He grinned. “Actually I figured out that you’re pretty smart. I’m smart, too.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” She pretended great interest in what was outside the passenger window.
Suddenly she felt his hand under her coat. He bee-lined for her side, where he started tickling her. Mark had unfastened his seat belt, but she was still trapped in hers. She squirmed but couldn’t get away from his questing fingers. She shrieked and laughed.
“Stop!” she gasped.
“I have you in my clutches now,” he said with mock importance. “I will tickle you into submission.”
She pushed his hands away. Without warning, he stopped. His expression softened as he stroked her cheek.
“I didn’t expect you to show up,” he told her. “I came home to lick my wounds and figure out what I was going to do with my life. Suddenly you were in my face, arguing with me about what I ordered for breakfast and trying to save the world.”
She felt herself getting lost in his green eyes. Her heart seemed to be beating very fast as anticipation swept through her. Mark was looking at her as if she were very precious to him. As if she mattered.
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he admitted. “After Sylvia, I swore I’d never get burned by a woman again. I didn’t want to trust anyone or get involved. But you’re easy to trust. You’re a good person and there aren’t that many of those around.”
“I’m not that good,” she said. “And there are a lot of really terrific people. You just have to look to find them.”
“I forgot to mention that you like to argue with me.”
“I do not.” She winced. “Okay, that might prove your point, but I don’t think I argue.”
“Uh-huh.”
He moved closer, his mouth hovering inches from hers. “You confuse the hell out of me, Darcy.”
“Ditto. I don’t know if I’m coming or going around you.”
“Which do you want it to be?”
Before she could answer, his arms came around her. He drew her close and kissed her.
The familiar warmth, the heat, the passion all combined to sweep her away. Need poured through her. Need and a sense of being where she belonged. With Mark—
A sharp sound cut through the night. Sirens.
Mark straightened and glanced out the windshield. From their place above the city they could see several fire trucks racing across town.
“It’s the whole fire crew,” Mark said. “I wonder what’s burning.” He reached for the parking brake, then glanced back at her. “I’m sorry. I know this is a mood breaker. But there have been some strange occurrences in town lately and this fire may be related. Do you mind if we check it out?”
She shook her head. Mark had gone into cop mode. There was no point in protesting his actions. Even if she convinced him to stay here, she wouldn’t have his attention. The sooner they found out about the fire, the sooner they could be back in each other’s arms. At least that was her fantasy.
They followed the sounds of the sirens. Eventually they were able to see the flames reaching up toward the sky. Darcy glanced around to get her bearings. Her stomach tightened as she recognized the street and the neighborhood. An awful feeling took root inside and began to grow. Mark pulled up behind the last fire truck and got out. She climbed down after him and stared at the eerie nightmare dancing toward the stars.
Horror swept over her as she watched angry fire destroy the Hip Hop Café. They stood well away from the engulfed building, but even from this distance the heat was nearly overwhelming. With each breath, she inhaled the scent of destruction—as the café was reduced to nothing.
