Page 21 of Burn Protocol

“So does a paper cup, Elena. And tasting it makes it so much more pleasurable, doesn’t it?”

Her voice comes out playful and sultry. The innuendo makes me bite my lip. Her eyes widen for a moment, and crimson creeps up her neck. Wait, what? I should look away. So, why am I holding her stare and smirking?

“You win this round, Carter. I love a soft, velvety taste on my tongue.”

Her eyebrows shoot up as I return the quip. Very professional. I grin as the crimson spreads across her face, though. Cute. Very fucking cute.

“So, what do you want to know?”

My cheeks are still burning when Elena asks me what I want to know. For a moment I am confused, too stunned by her playful banter. When I asked for a do-over, I had hoped we would be able to be civil with each other, but nothing prepared me for this. It is as if the lieutenant is a whole different person. Her eyes twinkle with mischief and her smile is radiant. She is gorgeous.

“Well?” Elena teases, and I realize I have just been staring at her.

“S…sorry, I…”

Elena snickers and I feel the heat creep up my neck, turning my cheeks even more crimson. I must look so ridiculous right now, as if I can’t even deal with a bit of flirting. Wait— is that what this is? Flirting?

I clear my throat and roll my shoulders back while the lieutenant raises an eyebrow expectantly.

“Do you like cats?”

It is out of my mouth before I can stop myself. Really? I didn’t even think about it. Her grin just spreads, and suddenly the bottom of my coffee cup becomes very interesting. It’s not that I wouldn’t normally ask the question, it is important knowledge to me, but it’s not one I’ve asked in a professional setting. Nothing about this is professional, Maya. She must think I’m an amateur.

“I do. All animals, really.”

“Even spiders?”

She shudders. “Maybe not those.”

Now it’s my turn to grin. Big, bad Elena is afraid of spiders. Who would have thought? Not that I can blame her— I’ll run away screaming and leave you to your own devices. I once made my ex pull over the car so I could sprint out, just because there was a spider sitting on the dashboard. It’s just that I didn’t expect it from the woman who runs into burning buildings for a living. It’s… refreshing.

“What about snakes?”

“They are okay. We remove them from behind walls and underneath floors often enough.”

My eyes grow large. “Really?” I breathe.

“Oh yes. They are often too stunned to move, so you can pick them up quite easily. I can show you if you want?”

She grins again and there is something of a challenge in her eyes. Is she testing me? Snakes never bothered me, but I never had to touch one either. Suddenly I am curious what it would feel like, and I nod eagerly. This is answered by two eyebrows that shoot up in pleased surprise.

“Okay then,” Elena laughs. “Little thrill-seeker, you.”

I can’t help but beam up at her appraisal, and am greeted by a smile. A real one— soft and warm. She really is gorgeous.

***

We chat for over an hour before we walk to the station. After our talk about animals, all topics were open for discussion. Books, movies, the best hiking trails in the city, and even the best tapas place. That turned into quite the discussion. When I mentioned Prado de Flores, Elena just shook her head. Then she tutted me like she was berating a schoolgirl. “It’s Bodega Biarritz. Everyone knows that.”

My jaw still clenches at the thought of her tone, and our conversation got quite heated. So heated that the barista came over and asked us if everything was okay. But in the end, we both had to admit that we hadn’t visited the place the other had mentioned. Elena decided we should visit them both, together, and then come up with a final verdict. There wasn’t even room for discussion. She booked a table at Prado de Flores for next Friday at seven. Is this a date? Before I could protest, she hummed that we had to get going, and stood up.

Now, the warmth and playfulness I witnessed in the café slowly fade as we near the station. It’s almost as if Elena puts on a mask, compartmentalizing her work life from her social life. Don’t flatter yourself. You are work to her. But somehow it doesn’t quite feel that way, at least it didn’t this morning.

“Elena?” I say, my voice softer than I intend it to be.

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”