Blazed: A Firefighter Romance

by Posey Parks

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHANDLER

  Walking around truck one, I carefully performed a safety check.

  “Good morning, Cassady.”

  I sighed. “Watkins, how are you this morning?”

  “I could be better.”

  I peeked up from the checklist. “What’s up?”

  “You are really seeing her?”

  My brows rustled together. “Who, Gabrielle?”

  “I guess.”

  Clutching the clipboard at my side, my lips tightened. I turned to face her and stepped closer. “Now, you know, she’s the woman I’ve chosen to make mine. Live with it. Gabrielle’s baking the cakes for our charity event. Oh, and you’ll see more of her around here before then.” I smiled. “Gabrielle’s my woman. I will not tolerate disrespect toward her.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. Quickly, she swept it away with her hand. “I can’t believe you’ve fallen for her so fast, yet you and I have worked with each other for two years. I know you better than anyone.”

  A low chuckle released from my lips. “No one knows me well. I keep to myself. She’s the first person I’ve allowed into my heart.” I scratched my head. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.” I returned to my duties.

  “Ugh.” Breanna stormed off.

  She tried to learn everything about me, but it was all superficial information. I just told her at the bar to move on. Stop beating a dead horse. She refused to listen.

  My cell rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Chandler, you sent flowers to my job.” It wasn’t a thank you tone or I love them. Irritation grated on her words.

  “Yes, I did. Gabrielle, I need to get back to work. If you don’t like the flowers, chuck them.”

  “Wait,” her voice wavered.

  “Yeah.”

  “Two guys I work with like me. One more than the other. I have turned Joel down multiple times,” she sighed.

  “He’s sweet. He has offered to help me bake several times. Then you come along. The man I want to be with and I feel guilty for being so happy.”

  I pinched my eyes with two fingers. Rage burned inside. “Funny, I just had a conversation with Breanna, the paramedics driver. She hates that I am dating you. She felt like she knew me best and I should have been with her. I told her you’ll be around more often. She was pissed. But I shut her down.”

  “Chandler, I love the flowers. I just hate the cold stares I’m receiving for them sitting on my desk.”

  I didn’t know Joel personally, but he was already pissing me off.

  “Baby, don’t feel guilty about the flowers.”

  She sighed. “Ok. I’ll face Joel.”

  “No, don’t. If he threatens you, I want to know about it.”

  “Ok.”

  The sadness in her voice drove me to do something I normally wouldn’t have. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.”

  I stalked into the chief’s office. His eyes darted up at me as he carried on a phone conversation. He pointed at the chair in front of his desk. I sat clutching my fist against my thigh. Anger coursed through my veins.

  He hung up the phone. “How can I help you, Cassady?”

  “Chief, I’ve worked double shifts since I transferred to this fire house. I’ve never asked for anything. I’m asking for a favor now. I need to check on Gabrielle. She’s having problems with a guy at her job. I am more than willing to take off work.” I ran my hand over my chin.

  He sat back in his chair and patted his stomach. “We are fully staffed today. Go. Be sure to grab the food list from Smith. Before you return, make sure you pick up the groceries.”

  I jumped out of the chair. “Not a problem, Chief.”

  “Don’t make this a habit, Cassady.”

  “I won’t, sir.”

  Fifteen minutes later, I flashed my firefighter badge at the security officer sitting behind the desk at Oak Prime Payroll. I clutched my navy firefighter cap in my hand.

  “What floor is the payroll department on?”

  “Three.”

  “Thanks.”

  He motioned me through. Employees never asked us questions. We often performed checks on the fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems. They never wanted to be fined for not being in compliance.

  I was deep in thought as I rode the elevator to Gabrielle’s floor.

  Dressed in a navy firefighter T-shirt and black khakis, I strolled through her department.

  Women whispered, smiled, and waved. I wondered why.

  “Chandler.”

  I peeked to my left toward the unfamiliar voice.

  “Yes, Hello.”

  She blushed, stretching her hand toward me. “I am Justine, Gabrielle’s friend. She showed Kathy and me a picture of the two of you together.”

  I shook her hand, smiling. “Nice to meet you.”

  “I’ll take you to Gabrielle’s desk.”

  “No, that won’t be necessary. Does Joel work on this floor?”

  She visibly swallowed. “Yes, at the end of the hall to the left.”

  “Thanks. And can you point me in the direction of Gabrielle’s desk?”

  She appeared worried. “The last cubicle on the right.”

  “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  I made a mental note of where Gabrielle sat. Rounding a cluster of cubicles, I walked down the hall through Joel’s open office door.

  “Hello, Joel.” I sat in the chair in front of his desk.

  His face reddened. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

  “Firefighter Cassady. Oh, and I am dating Gabrielle.”

  He gaped. “What? No. She said she wasn’t interested in dating right now. Where the hell did you come from?”

  His eyes darkened, and he clenched his fist on his desk. “I’ve tried taking her out for months and then you come out of nowhere.”

  “I didn’t appear out of nowhere,” I growled. “Listen up, Joel. I will continue to send Gabrielle flowers because that’s what men do who care deeply for their woman.”

  “No, no. I care for her,” he bit out.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Joel. Do not make her feel uncomfortable again.”

  “Or what?”

  What the fuck? I stood, closed the door, and the blinds.

  He shot out of his seat as I darted toward him. I yanked him up by his dress shirt. “I’m being nice. Do not fuck with my woman again,” I snarled.

  “She should never feel uncomfortable at work. Get over your infatuation with Gabrielle, Joel.” I threw him into his chair.

  A fake smile widened across my face. “Have a good day.”

  I made my way over to Gabrielle’s desk. “How are you feeling, baby?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Chandler.”

  “Hey. I needed to check on you. May I have a seat?”

  “Yes.” She peeked around the office at all the prying eyes.

  “Look at me, baby. Don’t be afraid to express your happiness. Joel understands now not to mess with you again.”

  She swiped her hand over her hair. “You left work to come here. God, I’m sorry I dragged you into my office drama.”

  I gripped her hands. “You are worth all of my time. No one messes with my woman.”

  Leaning in, I captured her lips. She moaned into my mouth.

  “I think you are happy to see me,” I smiled against her lips.

  “So happy,” she breathed.

  “I’ll only work one shift this week. I want to spend time with you.”

  She smiled brightly and pressed her lips against mine again.

  “I need to grab groceries for the firehouse. Call me when you get off of work.”

  “Ok, I will.”

  WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, I picked Gabrielle up from work. We ate at Buckhead diner. They were known for having the best fried pickles and tomatoes. Gabrielle couldn’t stop smiling. I found the next best thing to make her happy besides baking and me, of course.

  We s
at at the top of the Ferris wheel overlooking downtown Atlanta.

  “The view of the city is beautiful from up here.” She smiled from ear-to-ear.

  Beautiful yellows, blues, and oranges painted the sky as the sun set in the distance.

  “Best place to watch the sunset.”

  Her arm looped around mine. “Agreed.”

  “This is my first time on the Atlanta Ferris wheel. How about you?”

  “My sister and me waited hours to ride the first day it opened. I love it up here.”

  “Have you thought about talking to my cousin about the loan for the shop?”

  Of course, I could purchase the shop for her. Not only would she not allow it, but how could I explain how I was able to pay two million dollars in cash? I’d have to tell her who I really was. Hiding the truth was eating at me.

  “I’m still thinking about it.”

  I nodded. Didn’t want to pressure her. “Friday, we should hang out at a club down here. Get a little dancing in.” I waved my hands in the air.

  She laughed. “You know what, I’m in. I have to see you dance.”

  “Oh, you think I can’t dance. I’ll have you know I have the two-step perfected.”

  Gabrielle bent over laughing.

  “I can’t wait.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  GABRIELLE

  Chandler’s best friend, Nate Taviani, who I didn’t know existed, hung out at Club Ordeal with us tonight.

  His cousin Sebastian owned the club. I knew of S.J. Software, but I knew nothing about them. I asked about the large exquisite portrait hanging on the wall overlooking V.I.P. Chandler said it was his cousin Sebastian and his wife Sydney. They sat on a black sofa. They reminded me of royalty. The gorgeous milk chocolate complected woman wore a stunning gold dress. I loved that Sebastian’s wife was black. Wow. I hoped they never divorced. It was an instant issue with me. Any time I heard a couple was married, I wondered how long they’d last. I hadn’t mentioned to Chandler I was terrified to get married.

  Chandler was determined to keep me in his life. I loved that. For the first time, I cared less about my parent’s divorce and focused on my relationship with my man. Chandler hadn’t asked me to be his woman, but come on, he told the world I belong to him. Made me wet just thinking about how possessive he was over me. Not to mention, how hard he worked to make me come so many times. The way his tongue and lips caressed my pussy—I knew we were in it for the long haul. There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d let him go.

  The atmosphere was amazing. Sebastian must’ve had the best DJ on the payroll in the city. Each time we were here, I couldn’t stay off the dance floor.

  Tonight, I danced alone most of the night because of Nate. He just returned from a long vacation. The blond hair dangling over his ears, those blue eyes, and his muscled stature, I was sure kept women in his bed. The two of them together, laughing and joking made me wonder; was Chandler lying about being a virgin? I shook off the bad thoughts. He wouldn’t lie to me. No, I believed him. Chandler’s oozing sex appeal and charisma probably left no room for women or his friends to question.

  I swayed my hips until my back was facing them. The beat pulsated through my body. I slipped my fingers through my hair as the liquor warmed my insides. Light drinking was my thing before club Ordeal. Because Chandler was Sebastian’s cousin, we were seated in V.I.P and showered with top shelf liquor. This was my third vodka cranberry tonight that I clutched in my hand.

  A hard body swept against my slender frame. “Hey, baby.” Chandler’s hand rubbed my belly and his soft lips melted against the base of my neck. Fuck, the butterflies had doubled in size. This man was my weakness. I placed my hand over his.

  “Sorry you had to dance alone most of the night. Nate wanted to meet you and hang out with us.”

  “He’s charming like a playa,” I slurred.

  Chandler laughed. “Yeah, he gets that a lot. Not to worry, he had other plans. Nate left.”

  I peeked at our vacant table.

  “Next time you see him, it’ll be in a different setting.”

  My brow rose. What did that mean? The liquor caught up with me. Anything he’d say would sound like gibberish.

  “You’ll see him around the firehouse.”

  “Oh, got it.” I swayed in his arms. “Chandler, I want to go home.”

  “Why?”

  “I drank too much.”

  The last thing I remembered was Chandler sweeping me off of my feet.

  ∞

  An airplane whizzed overhead, jarring me from my sleep. I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. That was odd, because it normally felt like I was sleeping on a cinder block. My eyes popped open. I peeked to my right. Chandler was sound asleep. His bare chest begged me to stroke it, but I controlled my itchy hand. Was he naked underneath the blanket? I lifted the sheet a bit. His cock tented his green basketball shorts. Never gets old. My pussy clenched at the thought of him being deep inside me. I glanced down at myself. The oversized firefighter T-shirt covered my body. I felt sexy wearing it. A sharp pain struck my head. Gripping my noggin, I slipped out of the bed. God, he was beautiful. How could a man look sexy sleeping?

  The second I was behind the bathroom door, I exhaled. Swiping my hand over my cheek, I screeched inside. The racoon eyes were bad. Was I crying last night? I slammed my eyes shut, trying to remember.

  My head rested in his lap in the back seat of the chauffeured car last night. “I love being with you, Chandler. Why are you so damn fine?” I snickered uncontrollably.

  “Go to sleep, sweetheart. We’ll be at my place in a few minutes.” He stroked my hair.

  I snuggled against his dick. Bet that was rough for him. “Chandler.”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  He intertwined our fingers. “I love you, too.”

  That was all I remembered. My body vibrated. “Shit.”

  He didn’t have to say the three words back. I was drunk.

  After a hot shower, I found a new toothbrush in the drawer labeled ‘Gabrielle.’ Oh, gosh, he’d been ready for me to spend the night all this time. I was thankful for the toothbrush. Couldn’t wait to rid the stale taste of vodka from my mouth.

  Scrubbing my tongue with the toothbrush felt good.

  Chandler and me often watched movies at my place on Saturday nights or we went out to the theater. He slept over plenty of times. This past Monday morning was the first time he left from my apartment and went straight to work. I loved sleeping in is big, strong arms. I hadn’t spent the night at his place until now. Chandler and I needed to discuss our living arrangements.

  I stepped out of the bathroom in route to the kitchen.

  “No!”

  My head swiveled.

  “I won’t leave you,” he yelled out in his sleep.

  “Mom,” he shouted, sitting straight up.

  I scurried around the bed, sitting beside him, and pulled him into my arms like I always did. “It’s ok. Baby, I am right here.” I caressed his face.

  Knowing that he woke up, screaming out for his mom all those years and he was alone, crushed my heart. He didn’t have the nightmare every time he spent the night. He said they happened less and less now. Chandler nodded, climbed out of bed, and walked into the bathroom.

  I grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV. Leaning against the headboard, I channel surfed.

  He resurfaced several minutes later. “Good morning.”

  “Morning, Chandler. Why didn’t we go to my place?”

  His hand swept over his muscled pecs.

  Shit.

  “I wanted you here with me. We’re always at your place. It was time you slept over. Oh, and I see you found your toothbrush.”

  “I did.” I grinned.

  He pulled me to my feet and wrapped me in his arms. “I want to come home to you, Gabrielle.”

  My heart raced. “We’ve dated for almost three months and it’s been very hard to contain myself. I know we please each other
orally. But us lying in the same bed for five nights straight.” I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

  His deep chuckle vibrated through my body.

  He pulled back and clutched my face. “You’re mine, Gabrielle.”

  My brows wrinkled. “What does that mean?”

  “My woman.”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “Ok. Gabrielle, will you be my woman?”

  A tingle shot up my spine and a smile lit my lips. “I was just playing with you. I figured I was your woman. You tell everyone I am your girlfriend. Did you know that’s how you introduced me to Nate last night?”

  His eyes widened. “Sorry. No.”

  I leaned into his lips. “No worries. I love how you claim me.”

  He devoured my lips and his hands gripped my bare ass. “Where are your panties?”

  “On the chair. I took a shower. As much as I love wearing your T-shirt, I’d like to go home and change into a pair of fresh panties.”

  “Nope, I love the way your ass feels under my hands.”

  “Chandler, please. My pussy’s begging to be touched. I need to go home.”

  His forehead fell upon mine. “I’ll drop you off at home. Around six in the evening I’ll pick you up. Spend the rest of the weekend with me? I don’t want to wait anymore.”

  Passion burned in his blue eyes. I wanted him in that moment, but I knew we needed to do it right. Take our time together. I was excited the time had finally come.

  I nodded. “Ok.”

  THE REALITY OF WHAT he said earlier hit me midafternoon. I paced the floor of my apartment. Shockwaves struck my body in droves.

  Releasing my shoulder length hair from a scrunchy, I emerged into a hot, sudsy tub of water. My nerves were getting the best of me. Not sure I could go through with it. Not because I didn’t desire him, because I wanted our first time to be perfect. Our first time. Shit, just thinking about those words ‘first time’. My eyes slammed shut. “Calm down, Gabrielle. It’s just your first-time having sex with a heartthrob firefighter.” My shaky hand flew over my forehead. He could be the star of his own calendar. Pleasing each other for months was beautiful, but I was eager to feel his cock inside of me. Shake off the nerves, Gabrielle. It’s time to get all of your man.