by Posey Parks
∞
I trekked down the wet streets Monday evening, clutching my umbrella over my head. My wrist throbbed from the rain pounding on my umbrella. I knew I wouldn’t see him this evening because it was raining. My heart still thudded against my rib cage. The firehouse came into view. Tunnel vision, Gabby. Don’t peek at the firehouse. I sprinted down the sidewalk.
“Gabrielle.”
His deep voice penetrated my soul. My heart stopped as did my feet.
He ran toward me. “Why did you walk home today?”
Concern loomed his blue eyes and his brows rustled together.
My lips parted.
“You can tell me inside.”
The rain drenched his navy firefighter cap and uniform.
“I’m almost home.”
“I don’t care. Come inside.”
He grabbed my umbrella and ushered me toward the side door. I thought he’d shield himself from the rain, but he didn’t. My heart beat again the moment we were through the door. Chandler sat my umbrella in the corner.
“You can have a seat in the kitchen. This is the first day of my shift. Four days on, then three days off. Unfortunately, I can’t take you home. I’ll call a car service.”
I sat in a green leather chair.
“Chandler, you don’t have to do that,” I protested.
“It’s no problem. I need to dry off. I’ll be right back.”
His delightful, crisp woodsy cologne attacked my nose as he darted out of the room. The pull was back. I didn’t want to be out of his presence.
“Hello, Gabrielle.”
A handsome man with chocolate features stepped into view.
“My name is Smooch.” He extended his hand.
I placed my hand in his. “It’s nice to meet you. How do you know my name?”
“We asked Chandler about you Friday night at the bar.
He’s a good guy.”
“Hey, Smooch. Nope, keep walking. Get your own woman. Gabrielle is off limits.”
Chandler draped a white towel over my shoulders. “Lift up a bit.”
I sat forward, and the towel absorbed the moisture on my back. “Thank you.”
Chandler sat in the chair beside me.
Smooch laughed. “Nice meeting you, Gabrielle. I hope to see you again.”
“Hey, what the hell?”
“Relax, Chandler.” He walked over to the stove.
“I requested a car service. A driver should be here momentarily. How did you get to work? You didn’t walk past like you normally do.”
“You watch me?”
He rubbed his brow. “Yeah, I needed to know you made it down the street to the Marta safely.”
Goosebumps prickled my skin.
He sat back, legs spread wide, never taking his eyes off of me. “How did you get to work, Gabrielle?”
“I ordered a car service. Usually, the rain lets up at some point during the day.”
“True, but the thunderstorm warning is until six in the morning.”
“Chandler, I’ll be fine. I’ve taken public transportation for a long time.”
“Why, if you don’t mind me asking?”
I sighed. “Because I can’t drive. I’m afraid to learn. My daddy always offers and I always turn him down.”
“Which means, you wouldn’t let me teach you either.”
I smiled. “No, I don’t want to learn how to drive.”
He leaned in tangling our fingers. A surge of electricity shot through me.
“You feel that?”
“Chandler.” My chest rose and fell.
“It’s ok. Honestly, I’m afraid of us too.”
I ripped my fingers from his. “It’s time for me to leave.”
Like a deer caught in his beautiful blue eyes, I stood, folded the towel, and placed it on the seat.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Have a safe shift, Smooch.”
“Thanks, Gabrielle.”
I darted out of the kitchen. Chandler didn’t say a word, but he was hot on my heels. His strong hands landed on my shoulders halting my steps at the side door.
“The car service should pull up any second. Can I trust you with a secret?”
There was no way I could turn and face him. My heart thumped against my rib cage a million miles a minute. I nodded.
“I’m twenty-four years-old and I’ve never been in a relationship.”
“Seriously, Chandler?”
“Seriously, Gabrielle.”
He turned me to face him. God, he was gorgeous. I felt my will power slip away.
Chandler leaned into my ear. “I’ve kissed a woman once, because the guys dared me to ask a woman out. Other than that, I’ve never been intimate with a woman.”
My breathing was rushed. His deep voice lit my pussy on fire. “Why are you telling me this?”
He stood to his full height and clutched my cheeks. “I can’t stop thinking about you. A nightmare I’ve had since I was seven wakes me up out of my sleep. I think of you and I calm down.”
My hand fell against his chest and my lips parted. “What nightmare?”
His soft lips over powered mine, sucking mine into his. I moaned into his mouth. Nothing in the world mattered in that moment, but us. His cell vibrated, and he broke our kiss.
“The car is here.” He pulled me against his chest. “I’ll walk you out.”
I wished I could’ve remained locked in his strong clutches.
“No, if you walk me out, I’ll want to kiss you again and again. Then I’ll never leave,” I admitted.
“I wish you could stay right here with me all night,” he said.
I caressed his cheek, then leaned up into his lips again. His face felt so good under my touch. I knew he was perfect for me.
“Gabrielle, it’s killing me to let you go,” he sighed against my forehead. “Make sure you answer in an hour. If you don’t, I’ll tell the chief I need to make a well visit to check on a resident and I’ll stop by your apartment.”
I laughed. “I’ll answer.”
His eyes glinted. “Good.”
Swiping up my umbrella with a shaky hand, I ran out of the door and hopped into the luxury car that pulled up just outside. I waved to Chandler before the driver drove off from the curb. My fingers swayed against the butter tan leather seats. He ordered an upgrade. He didn’t have to.
CHAPTER FOUR
GABRIELLE
With my head resting against the porcelain tub, I daydreamed about our magical first kiss. He didn’t kiss like a man who never had sex before. He actually kissed better than my ex-boyfriend.
My cell rang and I sat up straight. Chandler said an hour. I didn’t want to talk to him while I was in the tub with the water splashing around in the background. The phone rang three times.
“Hello.”
“Good evening, May I speak to Ms. Marcus?”
“This is she.”
“Mr. Cassady, requested a car drive you to your destination for the remainder of the week. What time can I send the driver to pick you up in the morning?”
“I don’t need a car service,” I stated.
“He requested a driver to arrive at five in the morning. Do you want to refuse the car service?”
I sighed. “The driver can arrive at seven fifteen.”
“Thank you, Ms. Marcus. Have a good night.”
“You too.”
I strolled into the kitchen in my plush robe.
My cell vibrated in my pocket. I tapped the speaker button. “Hello, Chandler.”
“Hey, Gabrielle.”
“It was sweet of you to arrange a car to drive me to work all week. But you didn’t have to. I’ve taken public transportation for a long time. I can manage.”
“I know,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
“You didn’t have to order the upscale car to drive me home or the one that you are sending to drive me to work every day. I’m sure you make more money than me as a firefighter, so spend your money on someth
ing else.”
“I work all the time. My truck and condo are paid off. I can afford to order the car service for you.”
“Chandler, please cancel the car service.” I rubbed my brow.
“No. Your stubbornness will get you nowhere with me. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. And you?”
“I enjoy running into burning buildings and saving lives. Tell me what you really like to do.”
Before sitting on the sofa, I grabbed a bottle of sweet tea out of the fridge. “I enjoy baking. Tonight, is my only night off. Gabby Cakes is my small business. I have a few orders leading up to another large order Friday. I’ll have to ask my sister to help again. Hopefully, she’ll be able to assist this time.”
“My shift ends Friday mid-afternoon. I’d love to help,” he offered.
“No. You are just saying that. Baking would bore you.”
“My mom baked when I was a kid. I often helped. It would be no problem at all.”
“What kind of desserts did you and your mom make?” I asked, intrigued.
“Banana nut bread and my favorite; yellow cake with cream cheese frosting. But I don’t eat sweets anymore. Are you from Atlanta?”
“Yes. Are you?”
“No, I’m from Los Angeles, California. I have family here. I lived with my aunt and uncle when I was younger. My cousins are Seth and Sebastian Johansen. They own S.J. software.”
“I’ve walked past their office several times.”
“Yeah. And my other cousin is Hayden Gaster...”
“Of Gaster Enterprises.”
He chuckled. “You know the people in your city.”
“Yes,” I snickered. “Also, because both of their offices are downtown.”
“You said your dad lives in North Carolina. Did your parents retire there?”
“No. My sister and I remained in Atlanta. My mother lives in Florida with her boyfriend. And my dad lives in Raleigh with his new wife.”
“Are your parents still together?” I asked.
He was silent for a moment. “My mother is dead. My father still lives in California. Where do you work?”
He changed the subject quickly.
“Sorry for your loss, Chandler.”
“Thank you.”
“I work at Oak Prime Payroll services in midtown. You see, I don’t work that far.”
“We won’t argue about the transportation. If it makes you feel better, it’s one of Seth’s fleet cars. He told me to use it whenever I wanted. It would look weird if I pulled up to the firehouse in a chauffeured vehicle.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I see your point.”
“Even though seeing your beautiful face brightens my day, use the service all week.”
“Chandler, I thought the service was just driving me to work.”
“To and from, Gabrielle.”
“You are the stubborn one,” I sighed. “The least you can do is allow me to bring a basket of assorted muffins one morning.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I’d get to devour those soft lips again,” he said, his voice sultry.
My body heated all over. I wish we were together right now. I’d lay in his arms and fall asleep.
“Chandler, you don’t have to help me on Friday. This may not be the safest environment for two vir─gins.” I slapped my hand over my mouth.
“I don’t have to touch you while I’m there. You have an order to fill. That’s our focus. How old are you?”
“Twenty-five.”
“I’m dating an older woman. Wow,” he chuckled.
I snickered.
“When I bring the muffins, I’ll send the driver to the door with the basket.”
“Means nothing. I’ll walk to the curb and kiss those sexy lips, anyway. You want us to kiss again, anyway.”
“I admit I do, Chandler.”
“Shit, I have to go. A call came in. Be sure to lock in my phone number. If you need to run errands after work, let the driver know. Goodnight.” He disconnected the call.
Chandler was pushy, and I was stubborn. And I knew we were the perfect match.
CHAPTER FIVE
CHANDLER
The thought of kissing her lips not only in my dreams—but in person—ran rapid through my mind. The attraction between us was obvious. I was convinced she was afraid of us. Shit, she wasn’t alone. Gabrielle was the only woman who held my attention for more than five minutes. Just because I hadn’t had sex before didn’t mean I didn’t jack off. A part of me wished she walked home in the rain that afternoon. I knew it wasn’t right.
I remembered stalking through our living quarters, peeking into the firefighter’s rooms. They listened to music or talked on the phone. They were in their own world. Good. I didn’t need anyone snooping around the kitchen.
I strolled through the office area.
Knock, knock.
“Captain Simpson.”
He swiveled in his chair. “What’s up, Cassady?”
I closed the door and peeked at my watch. “Gabrielle might walk past the firehouse in a few minutes. I’ll ask her to come inside a moment, but can you stay in your office for about fifteen to twenty minutes? I don’t want to bombard her, and scare her off for good.”
He rubbed his gruff face. “I suppose.” He pointed at me. “Next time, I want to meet her.”
“No problem, Captain.” I strolled out of his office acting nonchalant. Didn’t want anyone to ask why I was running around when there wasn’t a call.
The second I saw her beautiful face again up close, I fell apart inside. Kissing her lips in the rain was the first thought that popped into my mind. My cock rose. Fuck, I needed him to calm down.
Relax, Chandler.
It was next to impossible not to touch her. She was the only woman I was interested in. Luckily, Watkins wasn’t on shift tonight. Didn’t need her causing problems.
Smooch appeared out of nowhere flirting with my woman. Yup, I said it. She was mine. I told his ass to back off. The second I intertwined our fingers, an electric current shot through my body. She was my peace. The peace I didn’t think would ever come. Of course, I startled her, and she tried to flee. There was no way I could allow her to leave without kissing those plump lips.
I never kissed a woman like that. The only other woman I had kissed was the woman I was dared to ask out on a date. She attacked me, forcing her tongue down my throat.
This was real. I felt like it was my real first kiss.
My demons kept me from moving forward in life. My mother engulfed in flames played on repeat in my mind every day for seventeen years. I didn’t feel I deserved happiness. The psychiatrist told me a million times it wasn’t my fault, and there was no way a seven-year-old boy could have saved her. Maybe a part of me wished I could go with her. She loved me more than anything in the world. I never knew love like that after I lost her, because I wasn’t willing to allow anyone into my heart, until now.
My hands caressed Gabrielle’s trembling shoulders. She was nervous around me. That was why I told her my secret. Nobody knew I was a virgin except my cousins. They always gave me pointers. Years ago, I caught Seth in the act with chicks a couple of times. I also watched porn. I was sure I could figure out what to do when it came time to make love to Gabrielle.
Hayden, Seth, and Sebastian sat me down one night and gave me the rundown. Told me there were certain things women loved. They said kissing their lips, along their face, and down below their neck would drive them crazy. I laughed inside. My cousins swore they were experts. They kept a lot of chicks, so maybe they were.
My stubborn princess didn’t want me to do anything for her. I wouldn’t listen. She was mine, and I’d protect her. No more public transportation for Gabrielle. Her parents’ divorce proved I’d have to work harder to earn her trust. She probably believed all relationships would fail.
A luxury car rolled to a stop along the curb, bringing me back from my thoughts. I darted out the side do
or under the dark morning sky.
Gabrielle had one foot out of the car when I approached.
“You don’t have to get out of the car.”
“Chandler, I do.” She peeled back the large, red plaid cloth draped over the wicker basket.
“I baked four kinds of muffins. Banana nut, blueberry, orange cranberry, and apple strudel.”
I grabbed the basket from her hand, held it mid-level, and took a whiff. “Wow. They smell amazing.”
“Thank you,” she blushed.
I slipped my free hand around her waist and pulled her soft lips into mine.
Gabrielle broke our kiss. “I need to get going.”
Her fingers lingered on my chest.
“What time would you like me to arrive to assist with baking the cakes?”
“Chandler, you─”
“Don’t bother.” I caressed her face. “What time, Gabrielle?”
She shook her head. “Six in the evening. Warning, my apartment heats up quick. But I manage. So if you need to leave, I understand.”
I chuckled. “I run into burning buildings every day. Gabrielle, we’ll talk tonight and I will see you at six Friday.”
She leaned up and pecked my lips. “Ok. Goodbye.” She slid across the plush cream leather seat.
I threw a hand up, waving goodbye, after closing the door.
Once inside the fire house, I placed the basket on the kitchen counter. I couldn’t believe she baked all of those muffins. The firehouse was quiet. Good, everyone was still asleep. Let me eat my muffin now before everyone woke up. I bit into the rich banana nut muffin. The banana flavor exploded in my mouth. Didn’t want to admit it, but they were the best I ever had.
“Hey what are you doing up so early?”
I spun around, meeting Captain Simpson’s gaze. “Eating a muffin.”
His eyes widened. “Did someone from the community drop them off?”
He walked over, marveling the basket of treats.
“No. Gabrielle dropped them off on her way to work. She baked them for us.”
He plucked an orange cranberry muffin from the basket. “Just because she likes you?” He bit into the muffin. “This is so good.”
“No. She wanted to thank me for the car service I sent to drive her to and from work. I hated her taking public transportation.”
