On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

couldn't quite find the right word. "Intelligent."
    She smiled and for a moment she was the girl he remembered, the girl whose smile had always made him want to impress her. "Nice try," she said. "I know it sounds dull. Look, I don't want you to think that I'm just stupidly and blindly following in my father's footsteps. I made my career choices based on a lot of reasons."
    "Hey, I'm not one to judge someone else's choices. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
    She stared at him. "Are you happy, Aiden?"
    "I've been happier," he admitted.
    "Emma told me you're a smokejumper now. Fighting a fire isn't daring enough? You have to jump out of a plane first?"
    He grinned. "It is an adrenaline rush like no other."
    "You and your family…" She shook her head in bewilderment. "I never understood the Callaway attraction to danger."
    "And I never understood the Davidson desire to live in the shadows and always play it safe."
    "I didn't always play it safe," she reminded him.
    And just like that they were back to that night.
    She cleared her throat. "Anyway…"
    "Anyway," he echoed. "What's the last daring thing you did, Sara?"
    "I have no idea," she said finally. "I've been working sixty hour weeks the last five years."
    "It doesn't sound like you've had much time for fun."
    "I squeeze it in here and there," she said.
    "We could have a little fun tonight," he suggested.
    A light flashed in her eyes.
    "That's not what I meant," he said quickly. "I'm talking about the wine. We should open it."
    "I couldn't possibly do that," she said, but there was a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
    "Oh, I think you could. In fact, I suspect you've already considered it. Otherwise, that bottle wouldn't be out here."
    Her gaze met his. "My father was so mean to me at the hospital, Aiden. When I came home and saw the bottle sitting on the hall table where he'd so easily put it aside, I had a moment of weakness. But I'm over it."
    "Why was he in the basement anyway?"
    "I have no idea. He said he had to get something."
    "Must have been something important."
    "I can't imagine what. I don't remember there being much in the basement besides gardening tools. I would think all the important papers would be in his study." She paused. "I'm very grateful that you came in when you did. I couldn't lift my dad, and the fire was moving so fast."
    "Grateful enough to share that bottle of wine with me?"
    "Why are you so determined to see me open it?"
    "Maybe because I think you need to make a statement. Maybe because I'm thirsty. Maybe because I've had a lousy day, and you have, too."
    Her gaze softened. She was yearning to be defiant, to break the rules, and in that moment she reminded him of the very innocent and daring-to-be-reckless girl who he'd let get way too close to him. There was no danger of that now. She hated him. And that was probably for the best.
    "It's my father's present," she said.
    "One he didn't seem to appreciate," he reminded her.
    "The glasses are covered with ash and smoke," she said half-heartedly.
    "So we'll share the bottle." He grabbed it along with the wine opener. "Shall I do the honors?"
    "You're a very bad influence, Aiden."
    "Agreed."
    "Fine, but I hope you don't regret this."
    He raised an eyebrow. "Why would I? It's your bottle of wine."
    "Yes, but the last time we drank together—it didn't end well."

Chapter Six

    The wine tasted amazing, and she felt warm all over, although the heat might have had more to do with Aiden than with the wine. Sara took another sip, not wanting to acknowledge that she still felt anything for the man with whom she'd shared the most embarrassing moment of her life. But it was still easy to see why her teenage self had fallen for him.
    Aiden was a beautifully-made man, rugged, strong, masculine, with blue eyes that commanded attention and a sexy smile that made her tingle every time he turned it in her direction.
    Damn! She felt suddenly seventeen again. It wasn't like she hadn't been around attractive men, but lawyers in expensive suits were a completely different breed than the rough and tough men who ran into fire. Maybe that's why she'd had trouble falling for anyone else. No one ever seemed to measure up to Aiden.
    Not that he was perfect. Aiden was way too cocky, far too reckless and played fast and loose with the rules. In fact, he was pretty much her exact opposite.
    She blew out a breath, feeling a little too warm, and handed Aiden the bottle of wine. Alcohol and Aiden had