The Firefighter's Cinderella by Dominique Burton Page B

seemed a part of this new side of her. She had no idea how attractive she was to him as she conducted her dangerous business.
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    T ASHA DIDN’T KNOW HOW she made it through the night, feeling C.J.’s constant gaze on her. It had been difficult to focus. She’d been speaking Spanish, then translating her notes into English as she wrote. Even though she was fluent, she had to concentrate. The loud music made it harder to understand the various dialects.
    To her relief, the night was almost over and there was no one else waiting to speak with her. She checked her watch. Only fifteen more minutes and she and C.J. would be free to go.
    â€œExcuse me, miss.” The deep male voice she knew so well was addressing her.
    â€œYes?” She looked up into a pair of smoldering blue eyes, and struggled to breathe.
    â€œHow about a dance?”
    The invitation filled her with excitement and anxiety in equal amounts. The fear of C.J. being seen dancingwith her almost overrode her desire to say yes. She’d been watching couples out on this dance floor for the past year without ever once joining them.
    C.J. wasn’t a client, a local or someone her patrons could take offense to. He was an anomaly in this place. If they thought anything, they would simply assume she was picky. Does it matter? C.J.’s safety mattered, but one dance couldn’t hurt. This was her chance.
    â€œOkay, but just one. Let me gather my things. I’ll put my backpack behind the bar. Enrique is a good friend.”
    Once her bag was safely stowed, she felt C.J. reach for her hand. He led her out on the floor, easily maneuvering through the crowd.
    He stuck out like a sore thumb. How had she been so foolish to bring him here? If photos were taken…
    Tasha was five foot seven, but felt small in his arms. And safe. The lights dimmed. The band started up again.
    â€œDo you like to rumba?”
    She looked up into eyes that flared in passion. “Yes.” Tasha wasn’t capable of another syllable. This time she was aware of how much he wanted her. The signs were unmistakable.
    He drew her closer, so close she could feel how much he wanted her. Tasha put one hand on his shoulder and the other in the hand he held against him.
    She nestled into his neck and followed his lead. “When did you learn to dance like this?”
    â€œI’ve dated a few girls south of the border. They love to dance. I found it romantic. Where did you learn?”
    â€œNothing as exciting. I went to a cotillion class. Idon’t know how I would have made it through if Tim hadn’t been there to dance with me.”
    C.J. stiffened.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she cried.
    â€œWill Tim always come between us?”
    Tasha took a deep breath. “No, but he was a part of our lives, and his name will come up from time to time.”
    â€œI know.” C.J. relaxed and let their bodies sway to the music.
    This was how it felt to fall in love. Real love, not some childhood crush. Tasha was shocked by the emotions flooding her system.
    She had too much going on to bring someone into her life and heart right now. And until she knew how C.J. truly felt about her…
    He kissed the side of her face. She thought he was going to kiss her mouth when he said, “We have to catch the shuttle now.”
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    â€œH EY ! D O YOU WANT to come upstairs?” Tasha called from the top floor of the villa.
    C.J. had gone through a torrent of emotions since they’d left Amigos. It dawned on him that this could be a one-sided relationship. Except he’d seen and felt emotion coming from her. He just had to give her time.
    â€œDo you need help?”
    â€œNot that kind of help, cowboy.” Her giggling made him crack a smile. “I was hoping we could drink some wine and see what was on Saturday Night Live .”
    â€œWe’re not going back to the city tonight?” Pictures of being alone with Tasha ran through his