The Firefighter's Cinderella (7 page)

“Why would we have to go to dinner? I don't understand.”

“Because I want to know what happened to you this week. Are you living at your parents'? Why do you have a new cell phone number? I'm curious.”

Tasha bit her lip. “Since when did you start to have all these concerns about me?”

He thought her voice faltered. “Since the first time I met you,” he replied.

He loved watching her facial expressions. In seconds she went from fragile little girl to the bulldog she was reported to be in the courtroom. “What are you talking about?”

“I'm telling you that the first time I met you, I thought you were an amazing woman. Except you were always
Tim's
girl. Everyone knew that. I've never seen a woman love a man the way you loved Tim. Since I knew I'd never get your interest, I put you out of my mind. But I'm a man who has come here today to ask you out on a date.”

 

T
ASHA THOUGHT SHE WAS
going to crumble. He'd been attracted to her that long ago? It had been just over a year since Tim had passed away. Would it be wrong to see if she and C.J. had a chance now?

“Okay. But I can't go tonight. I'm having dinner with my staff.”

“Can I come to the dinner with you?”

“Why do you want to come?” She was taken aback.

“I want to be with you. I'll just tag along. Would you
have a problem introducing me as a guy you're going out with tonight?”

Heat flooded Tasha's cheeks. “I think I could do that.”

He moved away and stopped in front of her diplomas hanging on the wall. “Tasha, you're quite the accomplished woman. Summa cum laude, valedictorian from the University of California Berkeley, and a top graduate from Stanford Law School. You are one smart cookie. How come you never told anybody?”

“I told Tim. Didn't he tell?”

“No.” C.J. grinned. “Had I known, I would have been even more amazed and intimidated by you.”

“Thank you.” The compliment thrilled and unsettled her. “Ready to eat?” She couldn't believe she was about to go on a date with C.J. Well, kind of a group date. But still…

He grasped her hand before they walked out the door.

As the group walked to Union Square, Tasha still had trouble believing that C.J. had sought her out. Every woman in the crowded Bejeweled Indian Restaurant stared at the hottie holding her hand. He made a stunning figure in his black bomber jacket and slacks.

She felt giddy for the first time in ages. The Mendez case had so completely taken over her life. She let out a little sigh and smiled, thinking C.J. had to be the dreamiest date a woman could have. And her fears about the fire at the condo being arson had been put to rest this morning.

Fortunately, Richard, with his usual foresight, had called ahead to reserve a table. He was always happy to accommodate on every level. He was an excellent attorney who excelled at research and kept up with new interpretations of law and code, which made her life as a litigator so much easier.

As the four of them sat on plush chairs in the popular new restaurant, an odd tension seemed to grow. Tasha guessed her staff hadn't been expecting her to bring a date along—but it wasn't as if they were discussing anything confidential or important. The dinner was really just a way to thank them for all the overtime they
put in. She also wanted to let them know what would be going on for the next few weeks.

When the waitress came over, she ordered a bottle of wine and some appetizers for the group. She could see Daphne bending C.J.'s ear, while he flashed Tasha looks that said
help!
To find him so uncomfortable under her secretary's advances made the evening thoroughly entertaining for Tasha.

While they waited for their food, she found herself contrasting the men in her world to C.J. He was from Alaska. Self-made. Tonight, he looked as if he'd stepped out of an ad in a men's magazine. No one would guess he normally wore firefighting gear. Weren't firefighters supposed to be the sexiest men? He was that and then some. When she glanced over her menu at Richard, she was reminded of a peacock. She started to smile and then held the menu higher because she thought she might burst into laughter.

Like her, Richard came from wealth and lived on a trust fund. He dressed impeccably, and his blond hair was perfectly styled. Come to think of it, he reminded her of her dad! When Richard had left a prestigious law firm to join her ten months ago, Tasha thought he was too good to be true. Most people in her world didn't have the same vision she had—to help immigrants, legal or not, gain full amnesty.

“Tasha,” C.J. said over the raucous noise of the restaurant. “You still never answered my question. Why didn't you call me back?” He seemed quite unconcerned about the personal nature of his question in front of her coworkers.

“Didn't you hear?” Daphne exclaimed. “Tasha's condo was burned to a crisp.”

“I know. I was with her,” C.J. said.

Richard leaned forward. “Thank heavens. When Tasha called me Sunday morning, I was worried sick.”

“I had to pry information out of Detective Gonzalez and Mac!” said C.J. “From what they told me it's been a logistical nightmare ever since your dad brought in the FBI.”

Tasha took a sip of wine, then leaned back in her chair. “Tell me something I don't know. I spent two hours on the phone today with people from various agencies all telling me the same story—it's been ruled an accident.”

C.J. rubbed his jaw. “I just don't understand why the fuse didn't trip. I remember Tim and me checking the wiring during the renovations you had done. We wanted to make sure you'd be safe in that old building.” He reached over and patted her hand.

His touch warmed her blood from head to toe. “That was four years ago. You can't blame yourself….”

She looked into his eyes and saw desire. Tasha turned away, worrying she would sound like a fool if she kept eye contact. “Anything could have happened to make the wires not trip,” she added. “Did Mac have anything else to say?”

Lines creased C.J.'s face. “He didn't tell me why you disappeared.”

The food arrived: perfumed rice and curried meats. Everything smelled delicious.

“I'm just glad you're safe,” Daphne said. “What if it's because the styling team I hired blew a fuse?”

“Daph, we can't live life with what-ifs. Nobody knows what really happened,” Tasha assured her. “Anyway, I think I was more pleased about the team coming to my house than you were.”

Daphne gave her a warm hug. ‘I'm sorry, Tash.”

Tasha raised her wineglass. “Let's forget about what could have happened, and focus on why we're here tonight. I'd like to make a toast to my team. Here's to working hard to keep the Valdez family together and continuing their path to citizenship. And here's to C.J., my personal hero and Stormy's.”

They all leaned forward and clinked glasses, but when Tasha's and C.J.'s eyes met again, it was like a Roman candle going off. He sat back in his chair and let his gaze wander over her. She could almost feel what he wanted to do to her, and her body quickened in reaction.

He put down his glass. “Richard, I was wondering where you were on race day when Tasha got heatstroke.”

Tasha knew where this was going and gave C.J. a warning look. “I can answer that. He and Daphne were out of town working on a huge case for the firm.”

“But I thought Richard was your running partner? Running buddies don't abandon each other on the day of a marathon.” He gave the lawyer such a hard stare that Richard looked uncomfortable.

Tasha kicked C.J. under the table, while smiling sweetly. “I told him he had to go if he wanted to keep his job.”

C.J. returned to his original question. “You still haven't told me why you changed your phone number and never called me?”

Tasha looked at her plate and contemplated what to
say. “The FBI told me to get a new phone and not talk to anyone until the case had more developments.”

“You could have used your work line.” C.J. suggested.

She shrugged. “And you could have called it.”

A big smile whipped across his face. “Oh, it's always been fun to rile you, Benny.”

She could feel herself going red.

“When I was with Mac, he told me something confidential. If it had come from anyone but him, I would have called them a liar. But I'm starting to get the feeling you're investigating Fernando Mendez.”

Daphne put a palm on his shoulder. “She's a big girl who can take care of herself, Captain.”

C.J. shrugged off her hand. “And you said I put
my
life in danger? The fires I deal with are ones that can be put out. What you're doing is playing with an erupting volcano.”

Richard sat up straighter in his chair. “This is a very important case for many clients, and more importantly, it's confidential.”

C.J. switched his gaze to him. “Mendez is dangerous. He's into drug trafficking and has meth houses all over the city. Once he thinks they're being cased, he burns them. I've cleaned up more fires of his than I care to think about. It's not a laughing matter.”

Richard scowled. “We aren't going after the Mendez family directly. See if you can keep up with what I'm about to tell you.”

C.J. looked bored. “I'll do my best.”

“We're trying to help workers the Mendez family brought across the border, so they can stay in the coun
try. Many of them came legally and have been paying taxes with what's called an individual taxpayer identification number or ITIN.”

Richard was on his soapbox now, and both women groaned. “No, no. Please stop!” Daphne begged.

Tasha was annoyed that C.J. had been able to infiltrate her life so quickly, but she needed to warn him about Richard's social awkwardness. She leaned close to his ear, fighting the lure of his sexy cologne.
Focus, Tasha.
“Richard is an incredible lawyer for our firm, and his ability to research is unmatched. It's just that he's a bit obtuse in social situations, so take it easy on him.”

C.J. returned his full attention to the younger man. “Ladies, let the poor guy speak.”

Tasha sighed. “Come on, let's just enjoy our meal in peace.”

Richard looked flustered. “Tasha. I was having a discussion.”

“Fine.” She ignored him and started to eat.

Richard got back to his discourse with enthusiasm. “Many of these men and woman give birth to children here in America, thus the children are American citizens—but not the parents, so they can be deported. We want to keep these families intact by proving that the parents are making a contribution to the country and not invading our borders. The IRS has gathered data estimating that between 1996 and 2003, the income tax liability for ITIN filers totaled almost fifty billion dollars. Imagine if more workers were allowed to contribute.”

C.J. lifted his glass to Richard. “Thanks for filling me in. Much appreciated.”

Richard turned a little red and drank some more wine. He looked at Tasha. “So when are you up for a run? Maybe tomorrow?”

C.J. eyed him curiously. “So you two run together a lot?

“Yes. I'm the one who helped Tasha train for the marathon.”

“So you're a big runner then?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Well then, I'm sure you can manage a long run on your own.”

She shook her head. “Tomorrow I'll be moving out of my parents' house. For the time being I'm going to live in the penthouse above my father's law firm.”

Daphne looked at her in surprise. “Have you gone over to the dark side?”

“Yeah,” Richard said disapprovingly. “Why would you move into the evil empire's lair?”

“Excuse me!” Tasha said. “We may be friends, but I'm still the boss and he's still my father. I need to be close to work and it will give me extra time to house hunt and build a new life.” She put a forkful of food into her mouth.

“I think it sounds like a great place to stay, Tasha,” C.J. said.

Tasha shot him an unspoken thank-you.

Daphne broke in. “I've told you plenty of times you can stay with me.”

Tasha finished chewing, then said, “No, Daph. I've
already told you I don't want to mix our business and personal lives too much.”

“I don't understand. I know you would do the same for me.”

“I would, but I'm your boss, not the other way around. And I would help you find a new place to live, so you wouldn't have to live with me anymore.” Tasha leaned over and gave her coworker a hug. “You're a sweetheart for caring so much.”

Soon it was time to leave. After the goodbyes were said, Tasha found herself alone with C.J. outside.

“Can I take you out for a drink?” He looked at her hopefully.

Tasha felt warmth spread through her body. As much as she wanted to be with him, she had to be up early. She also had a lot to consider. A week ago she'd decided she couldn't have a relationship with him, and now she felt the opposite.

“I'm moving tomorrow morning really early, and I've got to get a good night's sleep,” she said.

He walked her over to the valet and handed him their tickets.

“So when can I see you again?”

After he'd asked her out at the office, she shouldn't be surprised, but it still felt like a dream. “I'll be free tomorrow after I move. How about a late lunch? Or next weekend?”

The valet brought her car around. C.J. paid the tip this time. She turned to him. “Thank you.”

“I'm the one who asked you out and tagged along tonight.”

“Did you have fun?”

“With you? Always.”

After she got in the car, C.J. leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I'll see you tomorrow for lunch.”

 

“R
ISE AND SHINE
, sleepyhead.” A male voice jarred Tasha awake. “I have some fresh black coffee.” She flinched at the loud sound and pulled the covers over her head to make the voice go away. “Tasha?” In her half-awake state she thought the voice was C.J.'s.

It
was
C.J.'s. He'd come to her parents' house? “C.J.?”

“Yes, Benny.”

“Why are you here?”

He pulled the covers back, and she looked at him. It was unfair that a man with stubbly cheeks, curly black hair and a T-shirt could be so beautiful first thing in the morning.

The butler rushed in. “Miss Bennington, a C. J. Powell is here to see you.”

“Thank you, Stewart.”

“He hasn't changed a bit over the years,” C.J. said in a low voice when the older man had left.

“No. He's been the same since I was a child.”

C.J.'s fingers smoothed the hair away from her face. “You're gorgeous in the morning,” he said softly. “Are you aware of that?”

She felt as if she was going to melt.

“By the way,” he announced, “I'm here ten minutes ahead of five guys from the station who are going to help you move to your new place.”

She blinked. “What did you say?”

“That you're gorgeous in the morning.”

Tasha sat up. “No. I mean
after
that. Did you say that some guys from the station are coming?”

“Yes.” The grin let her know he loved catching her off guard.

She started to move off the bed, but realized she wasn't ready to let C.J. see her in her nightgown. “Could you leave the room so I can get dressed?”

“Sure.” His eyes traveled over her again before he handed her the coffee. “I'll be waiting outside the door.”

“Uh, thank you.”

He reached over to touch her cheek before he left. The contact sent shivers to her toes.

 

T
EN MINUTES LATER
she went downstairs to the garage, where she had everything waiting for the moving truck.

She'd put her hair in a ponytail. Wearing clothes comfortable enough for physical work, she'd still dressed up a tiny bit. She wanted to look attractive for C.J.

Before her weight loss, she used to make fun of girls who did that. With hindsight she realized she'd been jealous. She knew she looked good in her purple off-kilter tunic layered with a white tank top, black leggings and running shoes.