Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3)

by Kahlen Aymes

  “When you were injured,” he finished for me.

  “Yes,” I admitted reluctantly. Carter was dead and he couldn’t hurt me. The last thing I wanted was any feelings Ben had for me to be based on sympathy.

  Ben sighed heavily. His face was in shadows; a combination of the dark room and the blue moonlight coming in through the half open blinds. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone hurting you.”

  “How did you know he hurt me?” I asked softly.

  “Your bruises didn’t come from the accident. I’ve seen the signs before.”

  My eyebrow arched in question. I vaguely recalled him mentioning it once before. “On Missy?”

  “Her first husband used to beat her badly.”

  That explained it, for sure. “I see. What stopped him?”

  “She took my nephew and ran away.”

  “I see. I didn’t have anywhere to run to, and I had to take care of the horses and the business.”

  “What really happened the night of the fire, Marin?” His fingers continued to stroke mine, coaxing out a response that I wasn’t sure I was ready to give.

  “We had a fight. He’d been drinking and knocked over a lantern.”

  “Was he coming for you?” he asked knowingly? “To hurt you?”

  I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug, still reluctant to share the entire truth. Would it change the way Ben thought of me? I couldn’t bare it. “I shouldn’t have provoked him. I should have left him alone when I saw that he’d been drinking. It’s my fault he died.”

  Ben turned toward me, and I could see by the slowness of his movements that the pain meds were starting to wear off. “No, it isn’t. No matter what happened, he had no right to raise a hand to you in anger.” He reached out and cupped my cheek. “Not in anger.”

  Tears flooded my eyes. “It feels like it. His family blames me.”

  “They’re trash. You don’t need to be afraid of them, either. I’ll protect you.”

  An ache started in my throat as emotions welled and a tear dropped out of each eye to fall across the bridge of my nose and onto my pillow. I was speechless and I said the only thing I could say, thankful he was next to me. “You need sleep. We can talk more in the morning.

  “I still want you, Marin.” The admission was ripped from him and my heart swelled.

  “I don’t want the first time to be when you’ve just been sliced open.” It would be better to wait, though it would be difficult.

  “Can I at least hold you?” His voice was like velvet in the darkness. He lifted his arm up so I could come into his embrace.

  Just as I’d wished for; his arm pulled me close, and my head came to rest on his chest as I snuggled in close, careful not to disturb the bandaged side.

  “This feels perfect,” Ben sighed as I felt his lips press to my temple, and I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent. “I don’t want you to be here alone until I’m sure Apollo will leave you alone for good. I think I should stay here with you until we’re sure there is no danger.”

  Contentment settled over me for the first time since my uncle died. “Okay.”

  “Good,” he sighed and soon, the trauma of the evening and his injury made him succumb to sleep.

  As I lay with Ben, his arms wrapped securely around me, his heartbeat beneath my ear, I relished in the feel of him close to me. I felt safe, and my heart was full.

  BEN

  I awoke to the smell of bacon frying and Gem barking happily from downstairs.

  My arm snaked out to the empty side of the bed that Marin had vacated as my eyes snapped open and I sat up. Pain and a feeling of tightness grabbed my side as the prior evening’s events came flooding back.

  I wondered where that prick, Apollo, was but something inside me knew we hadn’t seen the last of him. I reached for my phone where I’d left it on the bedside table by the lamp, glancing at the time. It was almost time for me to be at the station and I frantically dialed the number.

  “Shit!”

  I needed to let them know I’d probably be running late, and I was pleasantly surprised to know that Davis had filled in Captain Connors about my injury. He wasn’t too hard on me considering I’d gotten into a fight in a public bar and told me to take a couple of days off so my wound could heal properly. I was sure it wouldn’t take long until I was feeling back to normal. The wound was deep, so the main concern was breaking the stitches open; which would only delay healing.

  “Just take it easy, Ben,” the captain said.

  I had a couple of weeks of vacation time racked up so I could afford a day or two to relax.

  “Listen, Cap, I don’t think I want more than a day off. I’ve been saving my vacation to take my nephew on a camping trip, but I have to get it all lined up.”

  “We just had that new class of recruits finish training and they start on Monday, so if you want, you can take some of it now.”

  “I’m not sure my sister could make it happen on such short notice,” I answered.

  “How old is your nephew?”

  “He just turned eight. I owe him this trip for his birthday, but they live in Atlanta, so the logistics need to be worked out.”

  “That sounds like fun. Why don’t you give your sister a call and ask her?”

  “She might not be able to get off work this fast. She travels for her job.”

  “Oh, that’s right. She’s on ESPN.”

  “Right. Both she and my brother-in-law.”

  “Well, if you can swing it, let me know,” the captain said.

  He was much more amiable than I expected, considering the reason I was calling in. I’d have to buy Davis a six pack for helping me out.

  “I will.” I decided to talk to Missy as soon as I hung up the phone. It would also give me time with Marin to make sure she had the situation with the Minneapolis thugs taken care of. “Thanks, again.”

  As soon as I ended the call, I found Missy’s number and she answered on the second ring.

  “Hey, stranger,” she said happily. “I was just thinking about you! Dylan has been bugging me about that camping trip and coming to see the new colt before he gets too big. He won’t stop yapping about it.” She chuckled softly into the phone. I could picture her all smiles and it was one of the benefits to her new life with Jensen. She was finally happy, with someone who deserved her and treated my nephew like his own.

  I laughed. “That’s funny because that’s why I’m calling. I thought it would be good to do soon, before school starts.”

  “Great minds think alike, but I didn’t think you’d be able to get the time off. Jensen and I already have time off together next week. Would that work or is it too soon?”

  “It would. Something happened that has freed me up. This is perfect timing!”

  “Oh? What?” Missy sounded concerned.

  “It’s sort of a long story, but I’ve got a new friend who has a lot in common with you so this will be good for a few reasons.”

  “Really? What’s her name?” she asked, knowingly.

  “Marin,” Her name rolled easily off of my tongue. I smiled to myself, surprised at how giddy I felt. The feelings Marin stirred inside of me were new and exciting.

  “Well, it’s about time! How long have you been seeing her?”

  “We’re not exactly seeing each other.” I paused, considering my next words. We’d almost made love last night and if I had my druthers, we would have, but we had yet to define what we were.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Missy was incredulous. “You sound like it’s a done deal.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, yeah. But it’s only been a few weeks.”

  “How did you meet her?” My sister never was one for subtly when it came to me. We were close. Our father bailed when we were kids and our mother worked two jobs, so we had to take care of each other while we were growing up.

  “On the job. She was a victim at one of the scenes.”

  “Oh no! I hope she wasn’t hurt!”

&n
bsp; “Not bad,” I said. I decided to let Marin share the rest of the story when they met, thinking it would create a sort of camaraderie.

  “Well, you have a week to seal the deal. Dylan will probably want to share a tent with you”

  “I’ll work on it.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I sat on the side of the bed. “I’ll see what kind of equipment I can borrow. Davis has a bunch of that stuff.”

  “Maybe we can go to Yellowstone, too?”

  “It will depend. We can pack quite a bit in, but maybe the kids would be happy with horseback lessons and a camping trip this time.” I was hoping Marin would join us on the trip, but she would be concerned about the horses. Gem could come with us, but the horses would need feed and water.

  “I’m sure they’ll be over the moon, no matter what! I’ll see what flights we can get, but maybe Friday night or Saturday?”

  “Okay, cool. Do you think Chase and Teagan will be able to make it? I wasn’t sure if they’d feel comfortable bringing little Jace into the wilderness. If not, can you bring Remi with you?”

  “Pfft! I think Teagan for sure and she’d bring Jace with her. She’s due again in November. Her baby bump is barely showing. I hate her!” Missy said, but I knew she was kidding. Teagan was like a sister to her, which, considering she was also Jensen’s ex-wife, was a major miracle. The two got on like a house afire.

  “That’s right. I forgot that she’s pregnant again.”

  “Her due date is still far enough out, but Chase still has a few games on his schedule. I’ll have to call them to ask if he can join.”

  “Well, even if he can’t, I look forward to seeing Remi and Teagan.”

  “It will be fun,” Missy responded. “Remi will be excited for sure. Dylan has her so worked up about the pony, and the two of them are inseparable.”

  “Miss… It’s a colt, not a pony,” I corrected.

  “Well, either way, it will be fun!” She laughed through the phone.

  “It will be great! I can’t wait to see you guys.”

  “We’ve missed you, too. Ben.”

  “You sound, happy, sis.”

  “I really am! Life is a whirlwind. Now we just have to get you married off!”

  “Whoa, let’s not get carried away,” I argued. “Like I said… this is new, and I don’t want to scare her away. She’s getting over some stuff.”

  “I understand, but once she meets us all, she’ll fit right in,” Missy mused.

  “Oh, yeah? Like I’m not enough?” I suddenly felt elated; encouraged by the make-out session last night and now the prospect of seeing my family was the cherry on top.

  “Of course, silly, but I remember when Jensen and I first met; Teagan, Chase, and Remi made us feel so welcome, and I’m sure we can make Marin feel included, too.”

  “Ben?” Marin called from the base of the stairs. “Are you up? Breakfast is ready!”

  “Hmmm,” Missy mocked cheerfully. “It’s new, is it? What’s for breakfast? Or is it brunch?”

  “Enough out of you!” I was grinning from ear to ear and heading out of Marin’s bedroom. “Text me when you have your flight information and I’ll pick you up in Jackson.”

  “I will! I love you!”

  “You, too.”

  My face was starting to hurt from the permanent smile I’d worn throughout the conversation with Missy, and it only grew wider when I walked into the kitchen and Marin came into view. My heart almost stopped.

  She looked gorgeous; there was a pink glow to her face that was freshly scrubbed and free of makeup. Her grey eyes were sparkling, and she was dressed in frayed jean shorts and a scooped neck top in dark purple. It made her eyes pop inside their dark fringe of lashes, and the color was the perfect contrast to her flowing blonde hair. I had an uncontrollable urge to kiss her and given her receptiveness last night, I didn’t see why I should deny myself.

  She was dishing up cheese omelets onto two plates. The toaster popped up on cue and she threw a smile over her shoulder. I walked up behind her and slid my arms around her waist, leaning down to place my open mouth on the curve where her neck and shoulder met.

  “You’re going to make me drop these plates,” she pretended to complain. My arms only tightened, pulling her back and flush against me. It would be easy to get excited, but it felt good just being in her kitchen with her, waking up and knowing she’d be the first thing I’d see… and being able to touch her like I wanted.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” I wanted to kiss her mouth, but she did need to put the food on the table or she’d drop it, so, reluctantly, I released her. “You look beautiful.”

  Her face twisted wryly then she smiled. “What? I look a mess. I just fed the horses, and I probably have straw in my hair.” Marin set the food down and went back to pull the toast from the toaster.

  “I could have fed them for you.” I said, unable to tear my eyes from her face. I pulled out a chair and sat down. She had everything laid out. The coffee steaming, orange juice poured into two small glasses and the omelets with hash browned potatoes now set at each of our place settings.

  “I wanted to let you sleep,” she said, her white teeth flashing into a broad smile. “You needed it.”

  “Want some help buttering the toast?” My heart swelled inside my chest. I realized she was the reason that fate had brought me to Jackson. I’d had girlfriends, and friends with benefits before, but for the first time, I could see my future with a woman in it. This woman.

  “Sure!” She pushed a crystal butter dish toward me and set the small plate stacked with six slices of toast near me.

  After it was finished and the butter was melting, I placed two slices on my plate and offered the side plate back so Marin could help herself. “This looks amazing.” The food did look tempting, but not more than the young woman in front of me. I picked up my fork, but it hovered over my plate.

  Marin took a bite of the buttered toast, then stopped. “What are you thinking?”

  “You look happy.”

  She nodded, with a slow smile. “Yeah. I am. This feels good.”

  “So… last night… it was okay? I thought it might be too soon.”

  I used the fork to cut off a piece of the delicious looking egg concoction and lifted it to my mouth.

  “Too soon after Carter’s death?” she finished my thought.

  “No.” After finding out he hit her all sense of propriety or consideration for him was distinguished. “Too soon after meeting me.” I chewed my food, then swallowed.

  “Well, Carter is the only man…” Her eyes flew to mine, and then widened in shock. Clearly, she’d exposed something she hadn’t meant to. “Um…”

  She seemed embarrassed by the fact that Carter was the only guy she’d ever been with, and I didn’t want her to be. I deliberately made it appear that I misunderstood to spare her. “He wasn’t a man at all if he could hurt a woman.” I was disgusted by guys who could only felt like a man by hitting women. “Was he always that way?”

  Marin shook her head. “No. Not always.”

  I felt regret at my words. “Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything bad about you. It’s all on him.”

  “I know you didn’t, Ben. He was a completely different person at first. He changed. Obviously, he only using me to get the business and money.”

  She seemed a bit melancholy and I could have kicked myself for letting bad memories ruin what was shaping up as a stellar day. It was doubtful he had changed at all, but rather put on an act to get close to her. I made a silent promise I’d never disappoint her the way Carter had, but I decided to change the subject rather than tell her what I’d decided.

  “What should we do today?” I smiled and took another bite of my breakfast.

  “Don’t you have to go to work?” She looked at me hopefully.

  “It just so happens… I have the day off.” I winked, hoping it would get her back to her happy place. “Davis told the captain about the little scuffle at the Moose
and so when I called in, he told me to stay out today.”

  “Well, I was planning on working with Dark. I need to get him used to people so I can get a bridle on him pretty soon. Maybe exercising some of the others.”

  “So, we’re hanging with the horses! Cool!” I grinned at her. “Dylan was happy you used the name that he thought of. He was beside himself when I told him.”

  “It suits the little guy,” Marin agreed. “It’s cute when he’s small but will seem much more majestic when he grows up.”

  “I can’t wait for Dylan and Remi to get out here to meet him.”

  “That’s another reason to get him used to people, soon.”

  “So, remember how I mentioned that I wanted to take Dylan and Remi on a camping trip?”

  She nodded. We both had continued to enjoy our breakfast. “Yes. Is that happening?”

  “Missy wants to come out next week. I know it’s short notice, but I’ll be able to take vacation and then my side will heal up.”

  Marin’s eyebrow shot up. “Will it? You might over do it.”

  “You can keep me honest,” I said, reassuringly. I was watching her reaction, trying to gauge her mood.

  “Can I?” Her gorgeous lips lifted in a smile.

  “You know you can.”

  “The sooner the better. I’m supposed to start working at the diner soon.”

  I remembered she’d mentioned that she’d applied for a job there. “Really? You still think you need a job outside of the ranch? You’ve got a lot of horses boarding, maybe you should take it easy for a while.”

  Marin shrugged slightly. “I just thought it would get me out of the house, and around people.”

  A twinge of selfishness reared. “I can see that,” I said, wishing it could wait a few weeks. I was almost finished with my breakfast and was looking forward to the day ahead. “This was incredible.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.”

  My demeanor changed and I became deadly serious. “Are we going to talk about last night?” I reached across the table for her hand, waiting until she placed it in mine. My fingers closed around hers. I loved touching her in any way possible. “I told you that we didn’t have to do anything you didn’t feel comfortable with.”