by Posey Parks
One brow rose. “You really have it bad for this woman.”
I smirked. “Every morning the second she walked past the firehouse, I ran out the door and watched her walk the rest of the way to the Marta station. I just wanted to make sure she made it safely.”
“Why didn’t you make a move sooner?”
The tragedy I suffered made it difficult to love again. It was easier running into burning buildings and saving lives. There were no feelings involved just pure determination. I was willing to tell her about my demons. She was the right woman for me. I felt it deep down.
“Hard for me to commit.”
“No, say it ain’t so,” he laughed. “Everyone knows you’re a loner. We don’t know what happened in your life to make you disconnect from others.” He gripped my shoulders. “In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t care what happened. We’re a family in this firehouse.”
“Thanks, Cap. You all mean a lot to me.”
He smiled. “I know. Keep in mind, the more you develop feelings for her don’t back away. If you feel overwhelmed be honest with her.” His heavy hand patted my back in route to his office.
I peered over my shoulder. “Sir, how did you become an expert?”
“Let’s just say, I know how it feels to push someone away you care about. When you tell the woman you love, you had cold feet, but you want a second chance, and she says she can’t endure the hurt again...” The light dimmed in his eyes.
“Get some rest, firefighter.”
If she wasn’t the glue that pieced me back together after every nightmare, I’d probably push her away. I opened and closed my fist. I was working to control my fear of loss. Chandler, you can do this. There was no way I’d run Gabrielle out of my life. I couldn’t fathom going a day without seeing her pretty face or hearing her voice.
THE DAY PICKED UP QUICK. At ten in the morning, we were called to rescue a cat from a tree. He was an evil little bastard. In only my boots, T-shirt, and pants with suspenders, I climbed the tree. The sun beamed against my neck. The higher I climbed, the more spectators gathered below.
“Step back people,” Smooch ordered.
I stretched my gloved hand toward the cat and he hissed.
“Here, kitty.” The calico cat inched further back. I gripped his neck. His paws widened as I placed him in the cloth kennel and zipped it up. I exhaled.
The crowd cheered.
Next call was a child locked in a hot car. These were the worst calls. Not sure how a person could forget a child. But I bet with the distractions of social media or too much on a person’s plate could play a part with forgetting a child. Wasn’t making excuses for parents. I made an observation. Apparently, in this day and age, parents needed to focus on their children. I’d probably check the back seat every two seconds.
A woman flagged us down as we drove into the parking lot.
Tools needed for a rescue in hand, I jumped off the truck. I was one of the only firefighters in the house who was also a trained paramedic. That skill allowed me to save a lot of lives. I peeked in the window. The baby was unresponsive.
“How long had she been asleep?”
The woman cupped her hands over her mouth. “She just dozed off.”
I broke the front passenger window and unlocked the door. I crawled inside the smoldering car and unbuckled the baby. Once outside the car, I checked the baby’s pupils. She was barely hanging on. I placed an oxygen mask over her face. My heartbeat thudded in my ears. “Come on little one, open your eyes.”
“Step back people. Allow the man room to work,” Smooch shouted.
The baby’s eyes fluttered open. “Yes, that a girl,” I breathed a sigh of relief.
The paramedics truck rolled to a stop a few feet away and I ran over.
Watkins hopped out of the truck. “Is the baby responsive?”
“Yes, she’ll need fluids and to be evaluated by a doctor.” I glanced at Smooch, then back at her. “I think we got here in the nick of time.”
“Good work, firefighter.”
I turned to the woman who stood by the car. “Ma’am, do you know the parents?”
“No, I don’t. I was walking toward the grocery store and I spotted the child.”
“Thanks for calling us. You saved a life.”
She nodded and her shaky hand slipped over her brown skin. “You are a hero.”
I smiled. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
“Cassady, is this the mother?”
I glanced at the police officer who fell at my side. “No, Officer Bennett, the woman said she didn’t see the parents. Only the child in the backseat. You’ll have to investigate further.”
Her red lips pursed together as she peeled off her sunglasses. “How can someone leave a child in a hot car?”
“I ask myself that question every time we’re dispatched.” Officer Bennett was a good cop. She was one of the youngest on the force. She followed in her father’s footsteps. Her goal was to one day make detective. Shouldn’t be too hard. Her father was the Chief of police.
“The child has been taken to the Children’s hospital.”
Her brown eyes glinted. “Good work, Cassady.”
I nodded.
CHAPTER SIX
CHANDLER
Chief stood in the middle of the firehouse, glaring at us. Smooch rolled to a stop.
“The chief looks upset. I wonder what we did wrong?”
Smooch sighed. “I wish we didn’t have to find out.”
I hopped out of the truck. “Good afternoon, chief.”
“Smith, Cassady, any problems out there today?” His dark eyes narrowed.
“We did everything right. The baby was conscious when I turned her over to the paramedics.”
“Fine job out there today.” His lips curled upward.
I gripped my heart. “Sir, you scared us half to death.”
Smooch’s heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “I turned over every call in my head like what did we do wrong. I thought today was a good day.”
“It is. Cassady, do you have any idea who brought the muffins?”
“Yes, Gabrielle Marcus the woman I am dating.”
“They're delicious.” His brown face brightened.
“Does she own a bakery?”
“No. I know she bakes cakes and muffins. Not sure what else she can bake.”
He placed his hand in the air between us. “We have that charity event coming up in three months. And I want to win. Our charity could win five thousand dollars. Ask her if she’d be willing to bake fifteen cakes. We’ll pay for our order of course.”
I grinned. “I am assisting her with a large order tomorrow.”
He patted my shoulder and smiled. “Good, you’ll have experience to assist her with ours.”
Smooch chuckled at the chief’s comments.
“I will talk to her tonight and let you know tomorrow what she said.”
“Good deal.”
FINALLY, A BREAK. I could talk to Gabrielle privately in my bedroom. Everyone was working or on break in the kitchen or in another part of the firehouse. Sitting on my bed, I dialed Gabrielle’s phone number. A sliver of sunlight peeked through the window across the room, falling across my leg.
“Hey, Chandler.”
“Hello, how was work, Gabrielle?”
“Fine.”
“Good. Thanks again for the muffins. The entire firehouse has been buzzing about your amazing baking skills. Even the chief.”
“What?” she shrieked.
“Yes. He was so delighted, he asked if I could place a large cake order with you. We have a charity bake off in three months. We could bake the cakes ourselves and leave it to chance. We’d make a stronger statement if you baked them. Before you consider turning us down, I’d like you to know a little about our competition. They’ve beaten this firehouse three years in a row. One of their firefighter’s grandmothers loves to bake. So, you see they had the upper hand. This time we’d have the upper hand with a you
ng, hot baker on our side.”
She laughed hysterically. “Putting it on a little thick, aren’t you?”
“I imagine you are busy enough.”
“Yeah, but you’ve given me enough time to plan and bake the order for your Chief.”
“Oh, only for Chief Brennings, huh? That’s cold, Gabrielle.”
She snickered. “Maybe I am doing it for you just a little bit.” She stressed the word just.
Those words ‘doing it for you’ sent a direct signal to my cock. How the fuck would I keep my hands off of her tomorrow night?
“I told the Chief I was assisting you tomorrow. He volunteered my help with our order too.”
She chuckled again. “This is great. Free labor.”
“Anytime you need help and I am not working, I’ll be there.”
“Chandler, you don’t have to obligate yourself.”
“Gabrielle, I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to help.”
“Don’t greet me with a kiss tomorrow.”
My eyes widened. “Why?”
“You know why. We will be alone in my apartment for hours. Not at work or rushing off to work. The two times we’ve kissed. Never mind.”
“Say what’s on your mind,” I urged.
“I didn’t want to stop,” she said, sheepishly.
“I considered leaving my shift and taking you home with me. We would’ve snuggled on the sofa while we watched TV.”
“Chandler that was stalkerish but sweet. If that makes sense.”
I laughed. “Yeah, just a little.”
“Then you agree we should focus on cakes and getting to know one another.”
Before leaving her place tomorrow, I’d destroy those pretty plump lips.
“Hello, Chandler, do you agree?”
“Yes, Gabrielle, I agree.”
“Where were you? Did you step away from the phone?”
“No, I was thinking about you.”
Silence.
“I can’t wait to spend time with you in your element.”
“You say that now. Just wait until we bake eight cakes.”
The bell sounded.
“I’ll be ready. Gabrielle, I have to go. We have a call.”
“Ok, be safe.”
After we ended our call, I ran out of the room, grabbed the gold pole, and slid to the bottom. I darted over to my locker and hopped into my seventy-pound turnout gear.
I didn’t remember the last time we received so many calls in one day. This was our first fire call today, believe it or not. Another condo fire. What was going on? Usually, there was a mix of fires: cars, abandoned buildings, house fires, apartment fires. We’ve handled just about every type of fire that could occur in a residential area. But two condo fires was strange. I’d keep a mental note. Didn’t want to mention arsonist to the chief if there wasn’t a distinct pattern established yet.
The fire started on the top floor similar to the last condo fire. There were injured residents, but no fatalities. I climbed into the back of the fire truck and rested my head on the oversized seat.
“Cassady, you alright today?”
One eye popped open. “Yup, how are you adjusting to the new house?”
He threaded his fingers through his brown hair. “This house is definitely an upgrade from my last firehouse.”
“Good to have you on the team, Murphy.”
I closed my eyes again.
“Thanks. Hey, I was at the watch desk this morning and I saw you talking to a nice little chick.”
My eyes opened. What the fuck? Was he checking out my woman?
“Those muffins she made were delicious.”
“Yeah, they were. That reminds me. Smooch,” I yelled over my shoulder.
He rolled to a stop at the traffic light. “What’s up?”
“Gabrielle said she will bake the cakes for the charity event. The chief will be excited.”
Cap’s heavy hand landed on my shoulder from the front passenger seat. “Good job, we’ll have a good chance of winning this year.”
“Yeah, we will.”
“Cassady, looks like you’ll be her helper twice.”
I chuckled. “Smooch, I don’t mind. Allows me to spend more time with her.”
“Oh, that’s your woman? I didn’t know you were in a relationship.”
I clenched my fist at my side. “We’ll be a couple in due time.” I held his gaze. “I’m not letting her go,” I warned.
“Good for you, Cassady,” Murphy grinned.
My two cheerleaders in the front seat cheered me on. The firehouse was in view. Great. I didn’t want those two telling the new guy any of my business concerning Gabrielle.
∞
I’d been content working double shifts for so long, this was the first time I considered only working my regular forty-eight-hour shift. Friday afternoon, we strolled through the doors of the diner we frequented up the street from the firehouse. The walls were lined with old photos of celebrities that had eaten there in the past. Popping red chairs and booths caught your eye the second you walked inside.
“Well, hello fellas. Let me get y’all seated.” Tammy roved my frame like she wanted to eat me for lunch.
“Tammy, lead the way.”
Captain Simpson, Smooch, JT, and the new guy Murphy, poured into the oversized booth. The only friend I had was Nate Taviani, and he was on vacation for a month. He worked as much as I did. I understood why he needed a break.
“I’ll bring a round of waters while y’all look over the menu.”
“Thanks, Tammy.” I smiled.
“Does every chick have to give you that I want to fuck you look?” Smooch lips twisted.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
That was a lie. We weren’t discussing my love life anymore.
“No way.” Cap eyes darted over my head.
“What?”
He nodded to the diner counter. “See for yourself.”
My brow wrinkled when I saw my chocolate beauty sitting alone.
“All right, guys I will see some of you Monday and others Wednesday.”
They waved goodbye.
“Cassady, remember what I said.” Simpson smirked.
“I will.”
I stepped over to the counter and sat beside her.
“Can’t believe we’re running into each other like this?”
She rubbed the back of her neck and smiled. “Hello, Chandler. Me either. They have the best shakes. What brings you here?”
“The guys wanted to grab lunch. We eat here some Fridays.”
“I think this is the first Friday I’ve ever been here.”
She turned and waved at the guys.
“Hello, Gabrielle,” Smooch yelled across the restaurant, scooting out of the booth.
I grimaced. Unbelievable.
He sat on the stool on the other side of her. “Gabrielle, I had to come over and personally thank you for the muffins. Wait, I know Cap wants to thank you too.” He never met my gaze, instead he continued on holding a conversation with my woman.
“Cap,” he called out, and waved him over.
You would think there were just a few tables filled. No, the place was almost packed, and he was carrying on like we weren’t inside a small diner.
“Gabrielle, my names Benjamin Simpson. Everyone calls me Cap or Ben.” His smile widened as he shook her hand. He behaved like she was a celebrity.
“Nice to meet you too.”
“We’ve heard so much about you. And those muffins were phenomenal. Thanks for helping us out with the baking charity.”
“It’s no problem.”
“You make sure you don’t show Cassady any leniency. Work his fingers to the bone. He’s not afraid of hard work.”
She peeked over her shoulder at me then turned her attention back to Cap and Smooch. “That’s what he tells me.” She giggled.
“I’m not asking, but if you have any cake samples you want to drop off. Come on i
n. The Chiefs favorite cake is Red Velvet,” he whispered, shielding his mouth.
“All right, that’s enough.” I motioned my hand, fanning them away.
“I’ll make a sample of red velvet and send it in on Monday. Is that ok?” she offered.
Cap turned red. “That’s perfect. Smooch and I will get out of your hair before Cassady has a heart attack.”
She laughed at my expense.
“Talk to you guys later.” I waved.
She swiveled around on the stool. Gabrielle cocked her head to the side and flashed a cute smile. “Cassady, they are great guys.”
“Yeah, I was fortunate two years ago to be placed at a great firehouse. Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, and Cassady this isn’t our first date.”
“I know it isn’t. Gabrielle, I have the perfect place planned for our first date.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Those lips are begging to be kissed.”
She smiled. “I think you’re right,” she said, with a southern drawl. First time I really noticed her southern accent.
I leaned in and pecked her lips. Those gorgeous brown eyes kept me in awe. I tossed my hand in the air, gaining the waitress’s attention.
My body was turned half way between Gabrielle and the counter. I swayed my hand across the small of her back.
I glanced out the corner of my eye at the team. Smooch, JT, and Cap laughed and joked. But Murphy stared at me and Gabrielle. There was a slight smirk draped across his lips. If he didn’t watch it, I’d slam my fist down his fucking throat. First, he asked about Gabrielle, now he’s staring. I was beginning to think he had a thing for my woman.
The waitress stepped over and flashed a smile. “What can I get for you two?”
“I’ll have a strawberry cheesecake shake and a turkey club.”
“A buffalo chicken wrap and a cola,” I added.
“Coming right up.”
“Thanks.”
The counter filled with customers and light chatter buzzed around us.
Gabrielle peeked at me. “I was tempted to text you last night.”
My brow wrinkled. “Why didn’t you?”
She shrugged. “I was worried about you and wanted to know you made it back safely. You hold one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It would be hard not to worry about you if we dated, seriously.”
