by Julie Cannon
“Would you like to grab a bite? The hotel has a pretty good restaurant and more than a few Western dishes.”
“That would be great,” Nicole answered quickly.
Brady heard the relief in her voice. “Just don’t order the burger,” Brady said, trying to release some of the tension. Nicole’s attempt at a smile increased Brady’s determination to make it real.
“I’m glad you suggested this,” Nicole said after the waiter served their after-dinner coffee.
“I was afraid you’d say no.”
“Why would I?”
“I don’t know. Don’t want to hang with the help.” Hang with the help? Where in the hell had that come from? The expression on Nicole’s face said she was asking the same question. “I meant you might have wanted to be alone and relax,” Brady said quickly, trying to cover her inane statement.
“Not at all. This is just what I needed. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a site. I’ve forgotten how intense it is.”
“When I go home I don’t turn on the TV or radio for days. After months with all the noise and no privacy, sometimes I just sit in my living room and do absolutely nothing.”
“You don’t have someone back home to spend your time with?”
“No. I have some friends, but you know how it is. It’s hard to keep connected with people when you’re gone so much.”
“Most of the people I knew were on the job or related to the job.”
The conversation had shied away from being personal, and Brady wanted to know what was behind the sadness in Nicole’s eyes. She leaped. “What about a girlfriend?”
Nicole’s eyes shot up and Brady felt like she’d crashed and burned. She didn’t give up, even though this could be a career-limiting move. “It’s common knowledge you had a girlfriend.”
“And is it common knowledge that she walked out on me?” Nicole asked angrily.
“I don’t follow or believe gossip.”
“She was one of the few that wasn’t connected to the business.”
“What does she do?” Brady treaded lightly with her questions. She wanted to spend more time with Nicole, and the last thing she wanted was to piss her off and have her cut the evening short.
Nicole corrected her. “Did. She’s an architect, but I don’t know what she does anymore, and frankly I don’t care. The rumors are true, and I haven’t kept up with her since I threw her ass out.” Nicole sipped at her coffee.
“So who’s waiting at home for you now that worthless piece of humanity is out of your life, good riddance?” Brady hoped Nicole’s answer was no one. Nicole answered and she wasn’t disappointed.
“I’ve got other more important things on my plate right now than a social life.”
Brady took note how Nicole was trying to steer their conversation away from her personal life. She wasn’t going to let her.
“What do you do for…” Brady was about to say entertainment, but the look in Nicole’s eyes told her she expected her to say sex. Brady wondered what would happen if she did. Nicole didn’t give her the chance.
“Thank you for dinner, Brady.” Nicole picked up the credit-card receipt and stood. Brady quickly did as well.
Brady was angry at herself for pushing Nicole too far. They had shared amusing stories of people they knew and laughed till tears came. Nicole had a wonderful laugh and a breathtaking smile, and Brady wanted to see it more often.
Nicole stopped in the lobby and turned to her. “Thanks again for the ride and the company, Brady.”
“My pleasure,” she said honestly. She was about to leave when she saw the same fear and look of panic flood Nicole’s eyes. It seemed like she was ready to bolt out the front doors and run away. No way was she leaving her like this.
“At the risk of overstepping the bounds and my place, I think you’re a bit out of sorts and it’s late. Why don’t we go upstairs and you crawl under the covers, and I’ll just sit and read until you fall asleep.”
“What?”
“Look, I know you don’t know me very well and certainly not enough to trust me, but I’ll say it anyway. You can trust me. I don’t take advantage of people, and I don’t engage in shoptalk. The events of this evening are between you and me. Nobody else.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Nicole’s voice was soft but still shaky.
“You didn’t.” Brady didn’t want Nicole to say no so she didn’t give her the chance. “What floor are you on?” She took Nicole’s arm and walked toward the bank of elevators.
Brady followed Nicole into her room after she unlocked the door. A soft light was on in the corner of the room, the bed covers turned down. Brady dragged her gaze away from the large bed with the white sheets and a dozen pillows.
“Now go take a hot shower, climb into your jammies, and hit the sack,” she said as she followed Nicole into the big room. “I’ll sit over there,” she pointed to the stuffed chair in the corner of the room, “and read.” She held up her iPhone to show where her reading material was.
For a few seconds Nicole didn’t move. Her eyes were dark and piercing, as if trying to see inside Brady’s head. Brady was afraid she’d still toss her out, but finally, Nicole turned toward the dresser and a few minutes later the shower started.
The last thing Brady was capable of doing was concentrating on the words in a book, no matter how engaging it had been. If Nicole naked in the shower thirty feet away wasn’t distracting enough, trying to de-code the events of the day were.
No one had noticed how her body language had changed the longer she was at the site. It was as if she were the oil well and her own internal pressure was ready to blow. Like a fire, it was just waiting for a spark. Not sure why, but acting on impulse, Brady had stepped in, and before she knew it she was driving Nicole back to her hotel. Now here she was sitting in a very uncomfortable chair while a beautiful woman was naked in the other room.
Chapter Nineteen
Brady was the most beautiful woman Nicole had ever seen, and she hadn’t expected to see so much of her when she opened her eyes this morning. It was just after five when the sound of the water in the shower woke her.
From the angle of the mirror on the wall at the foot of the bed Nicole could see Brady move the shower curtain and reach for the towel. Her body was magnificent and Nicole couldn’t pull her eyes away. Her muscles were well defined but not so much to be too much. The water dripping down her body was like a fountain on a renowned statue. But Brady was no statue. She was a breathtaking woman and she was looking right at her.
She had no idea how long Brady stood there, but Nicole saw her nipples harden in the cool air. Even through the reflection in the mirror she couldn’t miss the burning desire in Brady’s eyes. Brady wrapped the towel around her and stepped from the shower, away from her reflection in the mirror.
Nicole didn’t remember falling asleep, but when she had woken twice during the night Brady was there. The first time was a complete surprise, finding she was wrapped against Brady’s side, Brady’s arm around her. The slow, steady beat of Brady’s heart pounded against her cheek. What was she still doing here and how had she ended up in her arms? Too shocked and exhausted to figure it out, she turned over and scooted back to her side of the bed.
The second time Brady was spooned against her back, her warm breath heating her skin. Or was it Brady’s hard, hot body that had ignited her? Fortunately or unfortunately she couldn’t slip out of Brady’s arms unless she climbed out, went around the bed, and lay down on Brady’s side.
Brady’s side. The thought that Brady would have a side of the bed didn’t help Nicole ignore the rising temperature between her legs. She tried to relax, but her body had other ideas. It hummed and beat with life. What should have made her anxious and panicked was doing just the opposite. She felt safe. Safe from her dreams, her nightmares, herself. She hadn’t felt like this in a very long time. Not since before the accident, and she didn’t think she ever would again. Convincing herself she’d fig
ure it out in the morning she’d leaned back in Brady’s arms. She fit perfectly. Brady would never know.
Brady stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed. Nicole wanted to pretend this moment wasn’t happening. Or if it was, it was happening to somebody else. Talk about an awkward morning after.
“I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
Brady lifted her hands as if to remark, “What can I say?”
“I thought you were going to leave when I fell asleep.” Just the sound of the words still made her head spin with humiliation. Brady didn’t say anything and looked like she didn’t want to.
“Brady?”
“You had a nightmare.”
The simple words were like a blow to her gut. “Fuck.” Nicole fell back against the pillows and took several calming breaths. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” Brady’s voice was calm, her eyes soft.
“Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.” Nicole felt like shit because she’d put Brady in this awkward position.
Brady looked at her for a long moment. “Do you have transportation for today?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, well, I’ll be heading back to the site then,” Brady said, hesitating before she turned around and started to walk away.
“Brady, wait.” She didn’t want Brady to leave like this. She’d done something special for her and she had to acknowledge it. Before she knew what she was doing she slid out of bed but froze after a half a dozen steps.
Holy mother of God. She was wearing only a pair of boxers and a short-sleeve T-shirt. The scars on her arms and legs were completely exposed. She couldn’t move if she wanted to, her feet glued to the floor as she waited for Brady to look at her with disgust and pity in her eyes.
Brady’s eyes stayed on hers as she waited for her to say something. “Thank you.” Those simple words in no way said enough. She wanted to say thank you for caring enough to talk with me, distract me, stay with me.
Brady smiled and Nicole’s heart melted. “You’re welcome.”
Chapter Twenty
President Charsea had been a gracious host, but Nicole was tired and all she wanted to do was go home. She had fought against thinking about Brady all day and lost the battle more than once.
Nicole stopped at the hotel desk and notified the clerk she’d be leaving in the morning. She arranged for a driver to the airport and headed toward the elevators. She thought of Brady as she passed the chairs where she’d waited for her yesterday. Was it just yesterday? It felt like a lifetime. So much had happened to her in the past few weeks. Her phone rang. She stepped to the side, recognized the number, and answered.
It was Operations notifying her that Brady’s crew was scheduled to kill their well tomorrow. Nicole rode the elevator to her floor. She inserted the card key and on automatic pilot pushed the door open when the green light appeared. She tossed her bag on the chair and kicked her shoes off next to it.
Brady was going to kill the fire tomorrow. Nicole shuddered, knowing how dangerous that was. And she hated it. She was so much better off not knowing too much about any of her crew who put their lives in danger every single day. She was a nervous wreck the last time Brady’s crew killed a fire, and she knew she would be this time as well.
She debated whether to pick up the phone and call room service and order dinner and a six-pack of beer or call Brady. She needed to eat, she’d barely eaten all day, and the beer would give her a nice little buzz to calm her nerves and help her sleep. But she wanted to call Brady. But she couldn’t. First of all she was at the site and cell phones didn’t work. Second, what in the world would she say?
Her order confirmed with room service, Nicole stripped off her clothes and went to take a quick shower. Turning the water off she thought she heard her phone ring. She hadn’t brought it into the bathroom with her because that was ridiculous and it was the middle of the night for anyone in the States.
Drying off she stepped outside the shower and caught the reflection of the perfectly made bed in the mirror just outside the door. Her heart skipped and her pulse beat faster. This is exactly what Brady had seen this morning. What did she think when she saw her in the bed? What did she think when she realized Nicole could see her?
This time she was sure her phone was ringing and grabbed the hotel robe and crossed the room, tying the belt. She didn’t recognize the number.
“Nicole McMillan.”
“It’s Brady.”
The sound of the voice and the two simple words made Nicole’s knees weak. She sat down on the bed.
“Hi.”
“How were your meetings?”
“They were fine.”
“Get done what you needed to get done?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Good.”
“How was your day?” Nicole said because she wasn’t able to think of anything else.
“You know, spray some water, move some mud. Typical day at the office.”
Nicole wished she could take the danger of Brady’s job so lightly.
“I was wondering, and I’m going to jump out on another limb here…if you’re free for dinner?”
“Dinner?” Nicole thought about the order of room service that was due to arrive in the next ten minutes. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Fifteen minutes too early?”
“Fifteen minutes? It takes over an hour to get here from the site.”
“I’m not at the site.”
“Where are you?” Nicole asked, even though it was really none of her business.
“In the lobby.”
“My lobby?”
Brady chuckled. “Yes, your lobby. Like I said, I took a chance.”
Nicole felt something she couldn’t quite identify hearing that Brady had driven all this way on the chance she’d be available. “Fifteen minutes will be fine.” She hung up the phone and dashed back into the bathroom.
“Jesus Christ, Nicole, you’re acting like you’ve never gone out to dinner before.” She tried to tamp down her giddiness about Brady waiting downstairs. She applied her lip gloss, made one last sweep over how she looked, grabbed her bag and door key, and closed the door behind her. Then she met the room-service waiter, signed for the check, and told him to leave the beer in her room and take the rest back to the kitchen.
Her legs were moving faster than her mind told them to. Obviously her body wanted to see Brady quicker than her brain did. She punched the down button on the elevator three times, looked at her watch twice, punched the button again, and the door finally opened.
Four other people were in the elevator, and as she stepped inside and pushed the button for the ground floor, she saw that she’d be making three stops before getting to the lobby. A hint of impatience and irritation filled her but was quickly replaced with the excitement she’d felt ever since hearing Brady’s voice.
Surreptitiously she looked at herself critically in the mirrors inside the elevators doors. She was wearing a pair of tan khakis with a royal-blue long-sleeve shirt and loafers. The buckle of her belt reflected off the mirrors as the doors opened.
When she stepped into the lobby Brady had her back to her, looking at a bank of visitor brochures in front of her. Nicole slowed her pace and took Brady in without her knowledge. She looked just as good from the rear as she did from the front. Brady was dressed equally casually in a pair of pressed blue jeans and a short-sleeve green polo shirt that would bring out the color of her eyes. She had a wide belt, cowboy boots with a low heel, and a clunky watch on her left wrist. The long-dormant stirrings of desire started low in her belly.
This was not good, she told herself. She couldn’t go down this path. Not with Brady, not with anyone. She wouldn’t allow herself to be hurt like that again. She took a deep breath and approached.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
Brady’s eyes made a quick pass over her from head to to
e, then back up again. Her eyebrows quirked, indicating that she liked what she saw. She smiled and Nicole’s heart skipped. “No, not at all. Ready to go?”
Nicole shook her head. “Where are we going?”
“Just a little place not far from here one of the guys recommended. A little bit of the local cuisine but not too much that it’s bizarre.” Brady wrinkled her nose as if to say “too bizarre” would be awful.
Brady held the door as Nicole climbed in the passenger side of the truck. Again she noticed how clean it was. Yesterday when she was at the site everything was covered with a layer of oil, dirt, and grime so thick she could barely see the company logo on the door. This truck gleamed. The inside was equally spotless, and Nicole knew from experience that it was next to impossible to keep a vehicle onsite anywhere near clean. Brady must have made the effort to clean it.
Nicole tried to relax as they made small talk on the way to the restaurant. She waited for Brady to bring up last night and this morning, but instead she kept the conversation on inconsequential and normal topics that two people going out to dinner would. But this wasn’t any normal dinner. Brady had sought her out and, knowing that, she had accepted. As much as Nicole didn’t want to, she was attracted to Brady, and she had a strong suspicion that attraction went both ways. No, this was definitely not an ordinary dinner.
Brady kept up a steady stream of conversation over dinner, peppering Nicole with questions about her childhood and growing up with a world-renowned oil-well firefighter as her father. When Brady shifted topic to her experiences in the field she asked specific questions about technique, water pressure, flow arc, and cable strength, which indicated to Nicole that Brady was interested in improving her skills as a firefighter. Nicole was impressed, very impressed.
