For the Love of Fire

Chapter 3 Dani

 Waking up knowing I have to go to the store and grab stuff for dinner tonight makes me not want to get up. However, dragging myself out of bed, I stretch out and head to the shower. I fix my hair and make up and pick out a white dress with puffy sleeves that accentuates my boobs.

I feel like a whole new person. I head out to get coffee.

It has been a long time so I want to go to Hectors for a chocolate chip muffin and latte. He has the best and in my hell in the country it's been too long. The clock tountes me and I see that it's noon.

Wow, I slept really well. I feel refreshed. I slipped on my black strappy heels that I wore last night. They are my favorites and have them in many colors, however I burnt them in the fire.

I make a note on the fridge to buy shoes. Grabbing my purse, jean jacket and keys I step out locking all four locks.

When I walk down stairs I see Derrek wiping down glasses and restocking. I sat in front of him. He looks at me for a minute and then at my purse. His smirk doesn't go unseen. It's not a full smile but enough that I know he is happy im home for good.

" Morning" I say

" Afternoon Dani" he corrects " Feel okay today?"

" Better, I am heading to Hector's. Do you want anything?"

" Yeah coffee black."

I walk out the door and down the sidewalk to Hector's. The morning craziness has passed I see. Going right in and I see his smile. I wave and walk over to the register. Hector is about eighty. He rents this place from my dad and has for years now. He is short with gray hair and a huge smile. Even though he should have retired years ago. He almost never stops.

" Hey Dani, it's been a long time. Latte and muffin right?" He says with his smile still on his lips.

" With a black coffee too please." I add

"Well it sure is good to see you." He says handing me my change back.

"I'll see a lot more of you now."

"Good, welcome home."

I walk to the door and nod back at him. I get lost in the sea of people on my way back to the bar. Walking in and seeing the bar is empty. I walk over and sit down at the bar.

I set down my latte and the coffee and then pull my muffin out of the bag and see Hector through in a second muffin. God I love that man. He is too good to me. Derrek walks out and sees me. The look of relief on his face.

" Sure you don't want a muffin? Hector is amazing and threw in a second one for coming home." I explain dancing a little with it in my hand. Which makes him laugh before sipping his coffee.

" No, I haven't been to the gym in a week. I can't eat that stuff.

My dad has created the perfect team. He taught us that we need to take care of our bodies or they will not take care of us. So all of us work out every day and all the boys have muscles on their muscles. Derrek is about six foot five with a perfectly trimmed beard that is not too long and its copper colored like my hair and the hair on his head is a dark brown. He has it closely buzzed on the back and sides and its longer and styled on top combed to perfection. He is covered in tattoos and knows he is good looking.

All my brothers are attractive. It's like my dad has the lottery gene pool. He does have my moms blue eyes though just like me. All but Desmond have her eyes. Desmond got dads brown eyes and moms red hair. All the rest of them basically look like Derrek.

" So dinner later right?" He asks as I take another bite of my muffin.

" Yup I am prepared. I am going to the store when I am done to get the stuff."

" Do you have it?" His look is serious.

"Yes I do." Pointing to my purse.

"Derrek?" A deep voice from the kitchen ripples through the room. " Do we need more Titos?"

I see the guy from last night walk around the corner. He looks at me and I feel it in my spine. I look at Derrek to avoid the feeling. It doesn't help though. So I look again.

He is taller than Derrek and he has tattoos on his neck and I am guessing down his body. I see them down his arms and I realize I am staring so I take a sip of my latte. He smiles and walks over to stand my Derrek.

I like his hair. It's light brown and buzzed in the back and sides like Derreks but then it's braided on the top. He has a nose ring and a helix piercing. I can see he is also bigger in the chest than Derrek and I can see all of his muscles through his tight white shirt. He is rubbing his hands together like he is try to think. Then I realize I am starring again.

Looking down, I take another sip and he still hasn't looked away. " Titos, do we need more up here?"

" Yeah, we should probably put one up here. Oh, I forgot. "Derrek says and walks away I am guessing to his office. Leaving me and the man with the intensive stare alone.

" Hello" The deep velvety voice says to me. In almost a whisper.

"Hello" I move my hair behind my shoulders and take my jean jacket off laying it on the other seat. I was feeling a bit warm. I am flustered and yet I like it.

" So you're Derek's girl?" He asked me. Raising my ear brows confused. I can see his annoyance.

" Sure... I guess so"

" Dani? Can you grab the wine? I don't have it here? It didn't come in." Derrek says walking back out. I nod as I pick at my muffin.

He looks between us and he smiles. Like he is up to something. " Oh Walker, so you asked about my girl last night. This is her." I am now confused. " Walker Ryan meet Dani Mckillip."

" Mckillip?" He understands now. " She is your sister?"

" The one and only. She lives upstairs." Derrek laughs. I see Walker's smile hitting his eyes. His beard is covering his face but it is light enough I can tell he has dimples. " I wouldn't ask her out though."

" Into girl?" His hand hits the bar top softly. " See the beautiful ones always are, damn it." He is smooth. Still looking at me though I nod like he was right.

" No, she just went through a breakup. Plus she has a mean streak and takes no mercy." Derrek says winking and I wink back . " Plus with five brothers you are bound to piss off one of us."

" I can take it." Walker says

" Oh Walker Ryan I could never trust a man with two first names." I lift my chin and place my last bite in my mouth. Walker reaches over and takes my other muffin and bites it. I am a bit hurt. I was looking forward to eating that one. I watch him chew it and swallow. My eyes are watching his lips. I watch every muscle flex in my chin and neck. So I look down, shaking my head.

" That's too bad. It could be fun."

" You little boy could not handle me." I say standing up. Putting on my jacket again and putting my trash in my cup, handing it to Walker. " I am the fire, you're the coals. Nothing by ash in the end."

" Okay Firecracker. I will grow on you. I like to watch my fires." He is still smiling at me. As I walk out the door. He never takes his eyes off me. So When Derrek looks away laughing to himself I wink at Walker. He puts his hand to his chest.

This fire would burn too hot for my liking right now.