Read Online Playing with Fire by Amy O'Neill - Free Book Online Page A

rested on the back of her seat and her shoulder was
mere inches from his fingertips. He wanted nothing more than to
reach out and touch her, but from her body language he could tell
it wouldn’t be welcomed.
    “I get the sense that there’s
something you’re hiding. Did you break the law or something? Afraid
I’ll find out and turn you in?”
    She shook her head. “No laws were
broken. But there are some people who I don’t want finding
me.”
    He knew if he asked much more she
would clam up - ten years on the police force had taught him that.
“If you ever choose to tell me, I swear your secret is
safe.”
    She nodded. “Ok. Thanks. Now can we
eat?”
    She was out of the car before he had a
chance to open her door, but he did manage to get to the restaurant
door first. As he opened it for her, the smells of home assailed
him. He inhaled the familiarity of chilies, cilantro, and lime.
“The aroma alone makes my mouth water.”
    Noelle smiled and he knew she hadn’t
completely shut down on him. The hostess greeted them with a smile
and kissed Trent on the cheeks.
    “ Hola, como
estas?”
    He nodded,
“Bien. Monica, this is my friend Noelle.
Noelle, this is Monica. Her brother Hector owns this place, our
families are old friends.”
    Noelle nodded in greeting and Monica
showed them to a booth and took their drink order. “Lupe will be
waiting on you tonight, she’s new so be nice!”
    Trent laughed and a few minutes later
a petit girl brought them a bowl chips and fresh salsa before
giving them a few minutes to look at the menu.
    Trent dug right in but Noelle only
stared at the menu. “I don’t know what most of these words
are!”
    He reached over and closed the menu on
her. “Please let me help with this. What do you like? Tacos?
Enchiladas? Quesadillas?”
    She shrugged. “All I’ve ever tried are
tacos and burritos. My food palate is rather basic.”
    Trent waved her off. “That was before,
time to start exploring. Do you prefer chicken, beef, or
pork?”
    “Chicken.”
    “What about beans and rice? Do you
like those?”
    She nodded again.
    “Okay, we’re getting somewhere. How
about a chicken enchilada platter? Enchiladas are corn tortillas
stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese and baked in a spicy
sauce. Do you like spice?”
    He couldn’t help putting huskiness to
his voice. Her response was immediate as her head snapped up and
she stared into his eyes. A flush slowly crept along the swell of
her breast and made him want to follow its path with his
mouth.
    He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I
couldn’t help myself.”
    She shook her head. “No, don’t be
sorry. I’m just not used to this kind of attention. And as for your
question, I’m willing to try a little spice.”
    Trent didn’t miss the teasing in her
tone and nodded in response. “Well alright then, it’s
settled.”
    When the Lupe returned, Trent ordered
for them in Spanish.
    Once the waitress left, Noelle asked,
“So Spanish is your first language?”
    He shook his head. “My mother is
Hispanic and we grew up living with her and my grandmother. My
grandmother was very adamant that we learn her language. Nowadays
she speaks English, but not too much. She knows I prefer it so we
mix them and speak Spanglish.”
    Noelle raised her eyebrow.
“Spanglish?”
    He nodded and laughed. “Yeah, Spanish
and English mixed. She will be in the middle of a sentence and
switch languages.”
    Noelle nodded. “Oh, you did that to me
once, when we first met.”
    Trent thought back to that day and
found it hard to believe it was only a week ago. “Usually I don’t
mix them unless I’m talking with family or something has me riled
up.”
    She tilted her head. “I riled you
up?”
    Trent laughed and pinched his fingers
together. “Just a little bit. You’re feisty like my
abuela.”
    Her smile faded and her shoulders fell
just a bit. “That’s bad, I’m sorry.”
    Trent shook his head. “No way, don’t
apologize. I like feisty. It