by Piper Stone
“Well,” I said as I yanked the tee shirt over my head, “I have no doubt you were able to fulfill her needs without me.” I didn’t need to look at his face to know I was right. I’d had a feeling the two would get along just fine. I’d spent the day cleaning up my shit hole and napping. But last night I’d been far too restless, antsy to expel the pent-up energy. When I had an unusual invitation, I’d accepted just to get the hell out of the house.
Funny how things happened. Jane. Her incredible scent still lingered, even after a cold shower. Karma had a way of fulfilling needs.
I’d driven Jane back to the bar well after three. She’d refused to allow me to take her home, no doubt concerned I’d stalk her. While I’d considered following, to make certain she’d gotten home safely, she’d stood her ground. Still, I’d at least waited, watching her until she turned down the block. Then I rolled in her direction. By that point, she’d disappeared.
Jake snorted before slapping me on the back. “I did. The woman is a-mazing. Whew!”
“I’m happy for you.” I slammed the locker door with enough vehemence even Jake jumped.
“Christ, bubba. I would have thought having a day off would be good for you. Speaking of which,” he said as he grinned. “We had a nice, quiet day without you.”
“Funny.” There was absolutely no reason for me to be in a pissy mood, but I was. I hadn’t been able to take my mind off certain aspects of the past. They’d crowded in, creating a wave of anger, a gnawing in my gut. I wasn’t entirely certain why. “And I’m fine.” Of course, Jake knew better than to push me. He understood the darkness, the reason for bouts of anger as well as depression.
But he didn’t know the full story. No one did, and they wouldn’t. Ever.
“Whatever you say, but what I’m about to tell you isn’t going to make that attitude any more positive,” Jake said, taking a step back and lifting his arms. “And don’t shoot the messenger.”
“What is it?” I laced the boots, plopping one foot then the other on the small bench.
“Mandated inspection today by the new fire investigator.”
“What. The. Fuck.” I grumbled the words. This wasn’t the best way to start out my day. Hell, any day. I shook my head, eyeing a couple of the other men as they walked in. Nodding, I moved toward the kitchen, ready for my third cup of coffee of the day.
Jake trailed behind me. “I know. Came down from the captain yesterday. I heard she was a real bitch over at 24. Then again, I think they deserved it.” He laughed and slunk against the counter. “You seriously don’t want a round with Becca? She’s free tonight. I tell you what, she’s one fine lady. A nurse. Would you believe that? We had dinner, a couple of drinks.”
“Sounds like you guys hit it off.”
“Yeah. As crazy as it sounds, I think she’s...”
His words died off as David popped in the door, tapping his fingers on the doorframe. “We got a visitor. Cap’n says everyone front and center. Going to be a long day.” He rolled his eyes before leaving.
“I haven’t even had my coffee yet.” I could tell David was even less thrilled than I was. Then again, on the totem pole, the kid was just one ding above probationary status. If there were over budget issues or if this fire investigator found any discrepancies in our operation, he’d be the first one to go. That is, if the captain allowed that shit.
“Come on, the captain was pretty clear yesterday. We are to cooperate no matter the situation. At all times. Even if we don’t like what we hear.” Jake winked before heading for the door. “I’d get your ass out here.” I knew the lines were being recounted, perhaps word for word. The captain wasn’t any happier about this than I was. Or anyone else for that matter.
I’d read a single newspaper since the woman’s appointment and the Times Dispatch had blasted the mayor. The city council couldn’t agree on anything, including what they were using budgetary dollars on. I had my bets the man was trying to find extra funding by weeding out some of the crew.
I noticed the rest of the team filing into the main room, one after the other, all of them grumbling under their breath.
And of course, I purposely took my time. Another pot had just finished brewing and I grabbed the cream, making certain it hadn’t soured. I waited to make certain the pot was hot enough. Then I poured the coffee. I stood back, even though I craned my neck, taking a few sips. The place was deathly quiet, which it never was. There wasn’t the usual music or the jabbering of the group.
Silence.
The woman must have a commanding stance. This should be interesting. After waiting another two full minutes, as well as finishing my coffee, I walked with a swagger toward the door, moving into the main room, remaining in back. The captain immediately gave me a harsh glare, pointing to his watch. Jake grinned and nodded toward the front. I didn’t care to see her, but I was able to hear her voice as she barked directions.
“So, here’s how we’re going to play this, and welcome, Lieutenant Tompkins. In order for us to get along, you’re going to have to be on time when we have these meetings, and yes, we will have regular meetings. When I say on time, I mean to the second. So, how about coming up to the front, Lieutenant? We’re just going through a list of questions. I’m certain you have all the answers, at least according to your file.”
“Jesus Christ,” one of the men muttered.
“Quiet down. Investigator Gregory has the floor. I’m certain she’ll leave some time for our questions.” The captain had a certain tone in his voice. While it wasn’t contempt necessarily, I knew the man well enough to realize he was going to push her. Still, he couldn’t change the situation.
There was nothing more grating in my mind that being instructed by a woman who had zero clue. As every man and woman turned their head in my direction, I had to resist giving them the finger. They were already under whatever spell she was doling out. I had a few questions of my own. I moved through the crowd until I was in front of her. A manly suit in black, a plain white shirt, and hair pinned in a bun. My verdict? A ballbuster.
Then we locked eyes.
Then we recognized each other.
Then the magic of what had occurred between us was destroyed.
Jane and Fred. Both imposters. Time seemed to stand still as we sized each other up, the light in her eyes fading, no doubt like mine. I stood taller, snapping together my usual demeanor. Back to business. Back to loathing the appointment, even though the person behind the unisex uniform was the most incredible submissive I’d had the privilege of touching. Tasting.
“Investigator Gregory. I think it’s time we heard just how in the hell you got here.” Yes, my words were terse. In those few precious seconds, we’d drawn a line in the sand together. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, we didn’t know each other in any manner. I caught the single glimmer in her eyes before she placed the mask around her entire being.
Hurt. Fear. Desire.
I was certain I had the same expression, only thankfully no one else could see it. I folded my arms, being my normal defiant self. And my emotions? Oh, fuck, they were all over the place. The time I’d spent with her the night before had awakened a piece of my soul. The way her body responded, the electricity we shared between us was unbelievable, but if I’d known who she was, if Karen had just told me... “Well?”
She studied me for another few seconds, playing the part too damn well as far as I was concerned. Seemed she might have a person to take out her aggressions on. Okay. This could be interesting. “I tell you what, Lieutenant.” She yanked a piece of paper from a file on the coffee table. “Why don’t you take this, and you let me know what you think and how I might have gotten here, as you so eloquently put it.” Her smile was wry, her eyes cold, and perhaps I was the only one able to notice, but her lower lip was quivering just slightly. Just enough.
The crew was already snickering, figuring out I was the one out of this firehouse with a target on his back. I walked closer and Jesus Christ, if my legs
didn’t feel like jelly. The closer we came, the more the current kicked up between us. By the point I could grab the paper, my entire body felt like it was on fire. I was able to see the single bead of perspiration over her lip and she blinked several times, but never looked away. She was not going to allow me to get the upper hand in doing her job.
I gave her an intentional once-over before heading back, trying to keep a straight face. Did Karen have any idea what this could do to me? I’d met Karen through a fundraiser the firehouse did almost two years before. She’d been in charge and also had a take-no-shit attitude. We instantly became friends. I’d even met her boyfriend at one point. She’d also bugged me about finding a good woman, to... What did she call it? Oh, yes, ‘tame my ass.’
“Start reading, Lieutenant,” the investigator commanded.
There were at least a dozen words I wanted to say, including a reminder that I was in charge of her, that I commanded her in every way, but that would never happen. Not now. Not ever.
“Do it,” the captain snapped.
I shot him a look, nodding before accepting what was going on. She needed an opportunity to make certain the entire firehouse knew she was qualified in other manners and she figured I was the asshole to do it for her. I’d fallen right into this one.
So, I started reading her resume out loud. She graduated at the top of her class from Duke University, a double major in criminal justice and forensics with a minor in psychology. She’d been drafted to work with the Atlanta Police Department on several special task forces, even two involving arson. She specialized in finding evidence that was typically overlooked, solving several horrific crimes that had been considered cold cases.
And the girl was only twenty-seven.
I’d glanced at her eyes more than once when I read the summary. She was both proud of her accomplishments and terrified they weren’t enough. However, there was another glint in her eyes, as if she was protecting either a truth or a lie. Which, I didn’t know.
To say I was impressed with her credentials was an understatement, but I had a decision to make. I could be on her side, losing a hell of a lot of respect from the various ladder companies, or I could continue being her nemesis, pushing her. My instinct screamed there was a backstory to how she obtained the job, something she wasn’t proud of.
“And what fire investigation certifications do you have?” I asked, allowing the paper to drop onto another table.
“What certifications?” she asked, a flash of anger rolling into her eyes.
“You know, like CFEI?” Using the initials allowed me to get one up on her, almost destroying the credibility she’d just gained. All she had to do was hesitate and I pounced. “Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, which is something that is very important given the number of arsons that have occurred from explosions as of late. Don’t you think? Investigator Gregory?” I hadn’t realized I’d walked closer, blocking her view of the others until she mouthed a single word.
Asshole.
“Scheduled within sixty days, as required by my employment contract, Lieutenant. Now, aren’t you up for recertification on several items?” Her composure regained, I heard the clamoring in the back. The crew was happy to see us sparring.
We stared at each other, not blinking, not moving in any manner and I knew at that moment this woman, this gorgeous intelligent woman had walked into my life for a reason.
The what, I would need to figure out.
* * *
“What in the hell was that?” Jake demanded. He’d followed me outside given the investigator was still checking equipment.
“What are you talking about?” I was sitting on the brick wall, able to watch her as she moved back and forth. And yeah, she’d darted several looks in my direction. All I could think about was the night before, the way our bodies connected. She was a true submissive, craving more than complete domination. I’d been able to let go with her, enjoying more than just her company. I rubbed my hands together, still feeling the sting of smacking her ass and damn if I didn’t crave doing it again.
“Her. Investigator Gregory. Even for you, that was over the top and you know it.”
“Not over the top enough if you ask me. She’s not who she portrays herself to be.” Damn, if I didn’t want to talk to her, maybe explain why there was so much concern about her appointment. I didn’t think she’d listen to anything I had to say.
“That’s crap, Blaise. You’re my buddy, but this time, you’re wrong. I’d say she’s qualified and if she’s getting more education, then you need to leave her alone.” Jake paced back and forth, shaking his head. “And how in the hell would you even know she’s not what she says she is? Have you checked her out? Is that what you were doing on your damn day off?”
I smirked and tapped my boot on the concrete. “No, but trust me. I’m never wrong.”
“God damnit, dude. You act like you’re the only one that’s bothered by her appointment. That chip on your shoulder is getting to be the size of a boulder. Do you really want to threaten your job because of some hatred you have for this woman, a person you don’t even know?”
The words stung, and he was right, as usual. “I’m not threatening my career. I don’t like liars.” I noticed she was walking with the captain, no doubt headed to his office. I knew I should apologize, but I’d reacted instead of listening to my own reasoning.
“Oh. My. God. Listen to yourself. From what I could tell, she knows her shit. If you’d get your head out of your ass long enough, you might see that.” Jake stopped moving then glared at me. “Oh, right. You know everything.”
The tension was palpable.
“No, you’re right. I don’t.”
He mumbled under his breath, pacing again. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you liked this girl.”
“I just met her. How the hell could I like her?” I wasn’t able to look him in the eyes. He knew me far too well. Hiding the relationship was going to be difficult. Hell, what relationship?
“Exactly. You just met her. How could you dislike her so damn much?”
I opened my mouth to retort when the alarm went off. “Back to work.” We both jogged into the station, moving to grab our gear. The fire was located on a commercial property this time, but one smack in the middle of the warehouse district. Perfect. After suiting up, we headed to the engine and there stood Genevieve Gregory, a firefighter’s jacket and helmet in her hands. “What is going on?”
“Miss Gregory will be on a ride along today,” Captain Waters stated, looking directly at me. “She wants to learn, and this is the best way. Move out.”
“Oh, no,” I muttered, only to be jabbed by Jake.
“Come on. We have work to do.”
We jumped into the rig and her face held no expression, only her eyes moving back and forth. She was petrified.
“Sit here,” David told her, pointing to one of the seats. The engine was already rolling, the sirens blaring.
She gave him a slight smile and struggled to get into the jacket before sitting down. Her fingers fumbled as she attempted to pull the jacket together, staring at the flaps.
I remained standing, shooting her several looks. She had no idea how to fasten the damn thing. “Let me help you. You’re going to dirty your nice suit.”
“I got it!” she snapped.
“No, you don’t.” I gave her no choice, bending down and snapping every one of the hooks into place. The entire engine was watching us and if I had to say, they were holding their breath. “There. You’re not getting close to this fire. You stay out of the way.”
“Yes, Lieutenant.” Her answer was said through clenched teeth.
I exhaled and eased back from her, giving her space. This wasn’t the time or place to do any kind of talking.
“Better call in another ladder company,” Wally commented. We were all able to see the massive flames.
“Heard reports of an explosion,” Kyle stated, calling from the cab.
“S
hit,” David muttered. “What is this place?”
“Steel manufacturer. They could have some combustibles.” The captain was already calling for another company. The fire was too intense, already burning at least forty percent of the building.
Genevieve ventured to her feet, craning her neck in order to get a better view of the fire. She said nothing, but her eyes never stopped roaming.
As we pulled up, she shrank back, unsure of what to do.
“As Lieutenant Tompkins said, stay out of the way. It’ll no doubt be too hot for you to go into for a full day, but at least you’ll get a better handle on how a fire is handled.” The captain gave her a smile before jumping off the engine.
Just before grabbing a hose, I noticed she’d climbed out, her face pensive. There were people everywhere, displaced workers and police officers. At this point, she certainly didn’t seem frightened of the situation.
“Go. Go. Go!” Jake yelled.
Just as we entered the building, we heard another rumble. I knew it was only a matter of time until the entire building went up. We moved into the interior, disappearing into the black smoke and all I could think about was the lovely submissive that I’d dominated and fucked.
And I wanted more.
* * *
“Jesus, Cap’n.” David coughed then doubled over, spitting onto the ground. Wally tossed him a bottle of water, patting the kid on the back.
“You were a trooper in there, but when we tell you to pull back, you need to pull back. Could have gotten yourself killed,” I told him as I shielded my eyes, looking at what was left of the building. The damn thing was a total loss, but no lives had been lost or injuries reported. And the fire was out.
“Yeah, I get it,” David muttered as he pulled at the snaps, trying to yank off the jacket. “Was that a damn bomb?”
“No idea.” I chugged a half bottle of water and scanned the perimeter, searching for Genevieve. She was nowhere in sight. “Cap’n, have you seen the investigator?”
“Not since we got out.”
