by J. H. Croix
“I got a job, and I’m super excited,” I explained.
“Awesome!” Maisie lifted her hand in a high five, and I tapped my palm against hers. “This is Paisley,” she said, gesturing with her chin, her brown curls bouncing as she did.
“Nice to meet you. Your names almost rhyme,” I observed.
The woman beside her nodded. Maisie caught Janet’s eyes when Janet handed over my coffee. “Paisley, this is Janet. She owns this joint and gives the best hugs. If you’re having a bad day, come here. You should charge for those, you know,” she said, looking toward Janet.
Janet flashed a quick smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“You must be new to town,” I commented. “Everyone who’s from here knows Janet. I’ve only been here a few weeks, and I feel like I’ve known her forever.”
Paisley laughed. “I just got here yesterday. I got hired on with the new hotshot crew.”
“You’re a hotshot firefighter?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice.
Paisley’s lips twitched with a quick smile. “I am. I love it.”
“Women are the best firefighters,” Maisie said with confidence. “Trust me, I know. All the guys tell me women are the best under pressure. Graham will be your superintendent, and he rocks.”
“Oh, I know Graham. He’s my neighbor,” I offered.
“He seems like a good guy,” Paisley said. “I hope most of the guys don’t mind having a woman on the crew. I can already tell Russell isn’t thrilled.”
The bell jingled above the door, announcing the next customers. “Oh, hey,” Maisie said.
Our heads swiveled collectively in the direction of the door and back. Beck, who I recalled as Maisie’s husband, entered with another guy and strode immediately to Maisie’s side. He dusted a kiss on her temple. He held a toddler in his arms, and the little boy wiggled, thumping his feet on Beck’s thigh. “Mama!”
Maisie leaned over and tousled the little boy’s hair. She glanced at Paisley, then me. “This is our oldest, Max.”
“Have you met Russell?” Beck asked, glancing from me to the man with him.
I’d discovered men in Alaska were, well, manly, and this guy was no exception. He was tall and fit with dark blond hair and brown eyes. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Madison.”
“Russell Dane.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“You must be a firefighter,” I offered. I knew with certainty this had to be the Russell that Paisley had just been referring to. Whether she would admit it or not, I could practically feel the chemistry between them sparking in the air.
“I am,” he replied, his tone low. His eyes flicked to Paisley. “Good to see you.”
“And you,” she said politely. “Well, I need to get going,” she added, seemingly out of nowhere.
I knew by the flicker of confusion in Maisie’s eyes that she had no idea Paisley had anywhere to go. “Don’t you want to get some coffee first?” she asked, a glint of mischief following that flicker of confusion.
“I’ll have to get some next time. I forgot I have an appointment.” Before anyone could add anything, Paisley dashed out of the café.
Maisie shrugged. “Sit with me,” she said to Beck. “Janet, can you get Beck his usual?”
“I want the special espresso that I didn’t know was special,” Beck added.
Janet rolled her eyes. “I know that’s your usual.”
After Russell ordered, they moved over to a small table. Just as I was about to take that moment for a graceful exit, Graham’s mother came walking through the door. Janet brightened.
“Have you met Graham’s mother?” she asked as his mother stopped beside me.
“Oh yes,” Rose replied cheerfully. “I met her the other night. She was having dinner with Allie and Graham.” She looked toward me. “Allie is glad to have a neighbor again. She misses Harold. He was only here half the year, but they got to be friendly.”
“I miss him too,” I said softly, feeling a pang in my chest.
“I’m sure you do.” Rose’s expression softened. She looked at me expectantly as if I might have something to add, but I didn’t.
“How are you liking Willow Brook?” she asked next, a brightness to her voice.
“I love it so far. It’s definitely a change of pace.”
“From Houston?” she prompted. As soon as she said that, I knew she’d had a conversation with someone about me.
“Yes,” I offered politely. I did like it here, and if my job worked out, I could imagine staying here.
“What made you pull up stakes and come here from Houston?”
“I wanted a change of pace. When my grandfather left me his place, it seemed sort of like a sign.” All of that was completely true if perhaps shading it as benignly as possible.
Another group of customers came in, effectively cutting off the conversation. I was relieved. I felt like Rose was trying to assess my intentions toward her son. I didn’t know if she was trying to play matchmaker or scare me away. All of it was complicated by that smokin’ hot night with Graham.
Even if I knew it was a crazy bad idea, I couldn’t help but want more. My body just couldn’t turn off the little engine of desire humming inside. I gave myself a mental shake and decided to enjoy my sandwich to go. Just then, Janet called over, “Did you want this to go or for here?”
“To go, please,” I chirped from where I’d been waiting quietly at one end of the counter.
I managed to escape without any further questions from Graham’s mother. When I arrived home, I took Wilbur for a walk before I enjoyed my spinach pinwheel. Then I settled in to do a little background work on the company that had hired me. I wanted to be ready to hit the ground running when I started. When my phone rang, I glanced at the screen to see the number for the Houston prosecutor’s office.
Swallowing, I steeled myself, figuring I might as well take this call. Taking a deep breath, I closed my laptop and answered the phone. “Hello.”
“Hi, I’m calling for Madison Glen.”
“This is she.”
“Hi, Madison. This is Harry Dan. If you recall, we spoke a few months ago about your father’s case.”
“I do recall. I was wondering when I might hear from you again.”
“I was hoping we could talk about whether you’re willing to provide a deposition.”
My stomach knotted, and my chest felt tight, but I had no doubts about my answer.
“As I told you before, I would be willing to do that. I’m very sorry this is where it’s ended up.”
“I’m sure you are. This can’t be easy for you.”
“It definitely isn’t, but I appreciate your understanding. Now, maybe we can talk about what you’d like to cover so I can be prepared. Also, if you’re not aware, I’ve relocated to my grandfather’s home in Alaska. If necessary, I could travel, but if we could do this over video conference, that would be preferable.”
“That works fine. Now, let’s get down to the details.”
After a long two hours, I stood from my computer after ending the call and walked over to stare out the windows. I was exhausted emotionally and mentally. I was a key piece in the case against my father. I would be able to confirm the irregularities because I had kept all the original records. I hated being in this position. Turning away from the windows, I plunked down on the couch and kicked my feet up on the coffee table.
Wilbur promptly jumped up on the couch beside me. I scratched along his neck as I leaned my head back. I really wanted a glass of wine and maybe a bath. That would be ideal.
Standing, I crossed to the kitchen and poured that glass of wine before deciding to look into starting a fire. My grandfather had left a stack of wood in the small rack by the fireplace. I wanted to enjoy this wine with a fire. Maybe I could metaphorically burn away my worries. An hour later, I was still staring at the fireplace.
“It can’t be this hard.”
I looked at the logs, letting out a deep sigh just
as my phone vibrated over on the coffee table. Turning, I scooped it up to see a text from my hot neighbor.
Graham: Allie wants to know if you’d like some pizza.
Of course I wanted pizza. Maybe Graham could help me start the fire.
Me: I’d love some. If you can come over and start a fire for me, I’ll cover the pizza. We can eat here if that’s okay.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Graham
I chuckled as I read Madison’s text. She needed me to start a fire. I could absolutely handle that. I was feeling uncertain about the pizza, though. Actually, it wasn’t the pizza. I was unsettled about seeing Madison at all. But Allie wanted to have pizza with her, and Allie was the ideal chaperone.
We could have pizza and then leave. Allie had no slumber party tonight, so I didn’t even need to worry about anything happening afterward. It was a safe plan, so I tapped out my reply.
Me: Sure thing. But I’m buying. We’ll be there in about 20 minutes. Any preferences for pizza?
Madison: Pepperoni if you and Allie like that. Otherwise, I’ll take whatever you like.
Me: Uh, we love pepperoni.
I was actually surprised she liked pepperoni. That didn’t seem to fit with a former homecoming queen. I’d been wrestling with that. Allie’s mom had been homecoming queen. For some reason, I’d held that against her even though I’d been homecoming king. Probably because that was how I ended up lusting after her so badly.
We’d been paired together for a series of events. She’d been young and beautiful, and I’d been young and looking for fun.
Madison was different, or maybe not. She was more than beautiful—sultry and stunning. I doubted Allie’s mom could start her own fire. Whatever. It was useless to have these mental debates with myself.
I set my phone down and looked ahead to see Allie coming out of the grocery store. We needed milk, and she’d volunteered to run in and get it. She slipped into the front seat, buckling up and setting the gallon of milk between her feet on the floor.
“Are we getting pizza with Maddie?”
“We’re picking it up and going to her place.”
“What kind does she want?”
I cast a quick grin as I backed out of the parking space. “Pepperoni.”
“Oh, she has my same favorite!”
My daughter clapped her hands, and I bit back a groan. “Don’t get any ideas,” I muttered as I started driving toward the pizza place.
When I slid my gaze sideways, I caught a dramatic eye roll, followed by an annoyed sigh. Allie didn’t dwell, though, and commented, “I get to see Wilbur. He’s so cute!”
“No argument there,” I offered.
In short order, we were turning down Madison’s driveway after picking up the pizza. Allie was practically bouncing in her seat with two boxes of pizza on her lap. “Do we need to bring the milk in?” she asked once I parked.
“Nah, it’s plenty cold out.”
Wilbur greeted us with a bark on the other side of the door before Madison swung it open. I braced myself for the impact. As soon as my eyes collided with hers, it felt like a jagged bolt of lightning ripped through the air between us. My entire body sizzled, and I took a quick breath. Madison’s eyes bounced away.
“Hey! We have two pizzas. Dad eats a whole pizza, so you and I can split the other,” Allie offered cheerfully.
Madison laughed as she opened the door wider. Wilbur was busy circling our feet, and she caught my eyes again. “I hear you need help with a fire. Let’s start with that.”
As we walked through the entryway, she gestured to a neat stack of wood beside the fireplace. “I tried starting it, but I can’t get it to light.” She bit her lip, and I forced my eyes away from lingering on it. “It’s silly. I should know how to start a fire.”
Allie chimed in, “I didn’t know until Dad taught me, and that was just last year. Plus, it’s cold in Alaska, and you’re from Texas. I’m guessing you don’t need fires down there.”
Madison cast her a grateful smile. “No, it’s pretty warm there.”
I crossed over, eyeing the stack of wood. It needed to be split, and she also needed some kindling. “Do you know if Harold left an ax or a maul?”
Madison nodded. “There’s an ax in the storage area on the porch.”
I walked out onto the front porch, silently lecturing myself. Even if my entire body revved at the sight of Madison biting her plump bottom lip and I viscerally recalled the feel of her flying apart in my arms, I told myself she was not a practical girl, not the kind of girl I should fall for. I already knew lust was no path to love. Not to mention, I wasn’t even looking for love.
After I found the ax, I returned inside to fetch the wood. “Be right back. Why don’t you two start eating?” I called over my shoulder.
I heard Allie asking Madison where the plates were and then their footsteps as they made their way to the kitchen when I walked outside. With a quick scan of the nearby trees, I discovered an old stump off to the side of the circular driveway where Harold chopped his wood. I quickly split the small armful of wood. After Madison found some old newspapers to use for kindling, I had a fire started in no time.
I returned outside and split more wood from the small pile Harold must’ve left behind. When I came back inside, Allie and Madison were already eating in the living room.
Allie paused between bites. “Go get your pizza. It’s on the kitchen counter, and there’s a plate for you. You can have ginger ale, orange soda, or water.”
“You happen to have a beer?” I asked, glancing toward Madison.
“I do. Check the fridge and help yourself. I didn’t offer Allie a beer.” At that, Allie rolled her eyes.
“I figured as much,” I said dryly.
A few minutes later, I was back in the living room. Allie was sitting in the corner of the sectional while Madison sat on one side, and I sat on the other at an angle across from her. The distance should have forced the lust racing in electrical cycles through my body to slow down. No such luck. With Madison sitting across from me with one foot tucked under her knee, every subtle motion she made drew my eyes to her.
Her dark hair was pulled high on her head in a ponytail, and I wanted to slide it loose and wind it around my hand. I could imagine doing precisely that and giving it a hard tug as I sank into her from behind. That vision came to me after she had gone to the kitchen and then returned, bending over to check on Wilbur and giving me a most excellent view of her heart-shaped bottom.
Allie—hopefully oblivious to the thoughts spinning through my mind—chattered about a few things at school and asked Madison’s opinion on hair dye. “You’re not dyeing your hair,” I interjected when I kicked through the haze of lust clouding my thoughts.
“Why not?” Allie countered, looking affronted.
I sighed. “Uh, you’re just not.”
I saw the twitch of Madison’s lips, but she tightened the corners and managed to keep from smiling. I was feeling contrary, if only because I was annoyed at how easily Madison affected me. “Don’t you agree?” I pressed when I caught her eyes again.
“About what?” she asked, her tone light.
“Don’t you think she’s too young to dye her hair?”
Something flickered in Madison’s eyes, and she lifted her chin slightly, straightening where she sat on the couch. She finished the last bite from a slice of pizza and set her plate down before replying. “Actually, no. There are so many options for hair dye these days. She can do something temporary, and it’ll wash out within a week.”
I blinked at her, surprised she’d disagreed with me. Meanwhile, Allie grinned. Wilbur jumped up beside her, and she leaned down to nuzzle his face and scratch behind his ears before looking up at me. “See, I told you it’s not a big deal.”
“I’ll think about it,” I grumbled. “But only something temporary.”
Now, Allie cast me a sly grin. “Absolutely. Just something temporary. I don’t want anything permanent any
way because what if I hate it?”
“Exactly,” Madison agreed. “You never know how it looks until you try it.”
I was relieved when they kept chatting as I finished off my pizza and beer. A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen, rinsing my plate and closing up the pizza boxes. I felt Madison enter the room. The hairs rose on the back of my neck and along my forearms. My body knew her. I felt like a weathervane turning toward her. She crossed over, stopping next to me and setting her plate on the counter.
“You don’t need to clean up. You bought the pizza.” She looked up at me, and for a second, I lost myself in her green eyes. There were layers of color, like a ray of sun shimmering into the ocean. My cock was so hard, I ached for her.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets to keep from kissing her senseless with my daughter only one room away. “Okay,” I replied, my voice coming out gruff. I cleared my throat and swallowed. “We’ll get going soon.”
“Thank you for starting the fire. You must think I’m silly,” she replied.
Her lips tilted into a lopsided, self-deprecating smile. I’d been trying to convince myself she was shallow and impractical. Just now, I felt a sharp twinge of guilt.
Shaking my head, I said, “Now you know how to start a fire. I split enough wood for a few days for you.”
“I saw that. Thank you.”
My fingers curled in my pockets, literally itching with the urge to reach for her. Suddenly, Allie was there, and I practically jumped at the sound of her voice.
“That was so good. Thanks for letting us stop by.” She walked across the kitchen with Wilbur trotting behind her.
Madison turned away from me, and I didn’t even hear what they were saying while I wrestled to kick my dirty thoughts to the curb. This was a new problem for me. As a single father, I hadn’t found it difficult not to date. Oh, sure. I was a healthy man with sexual needs, but the occasional passing interaction was enough to keep me satisfied. But no one, no one, had ever distracted me the way Madison had.
