Greg winced. “Probably going to be sore as hell tomorrow, but no big deal. I think they could let me out of here right now.”
Jenny shook her head. “Wait a minute, don’t you even think about leaving. Remember what you said to me the other day? Doctor’s orders?”
Greg laced his hands behind his head. “Touche. Yeah, we gotta stop meeting like this Jenny. We’re in this hospital too damned much.”
“Now that we know he’s okay, Dane, let’s get back to Captain Stewart. He’s worried sick,” Lexi said. “And so are the other guys at fifty-eight.”
After Dane and Lexi left, Jenny wondered if she should take off, too. Something kept her from moving.
“How do you feel? Headache?”
“Nah. I’m sore all over, but I figure that’ll fade pretty fast. Nothing worse than some stuff that happened to me in the military.”
She nodded, a little more relief finding its way inside her. “Good. I mean, that it’s not that bad.”
Greg tilted his head to the side. “They’ll be moving me to a room soon.” He reached for her hand and held it gently. “Thank you for coming.”
She wanted to ask him why he’d asked for her, but the question stuck in her throat. “Of course. When I heard you’d been…” She drew in a deep breath.
“Hey,” he said softly. “This isn’t going to scare you off, I hope.”
“Scare me off?”
His eyes held worry. “This is where a lot of women run away screaming. When they realize the reality of a firefighter’s job.”
She drew in another breath, this one to steady her heart. His fingers moved over hers, and that gentle caress started a wild reaction. The last thing she wanted to do, right now, was to escape his company.
“No, this doesn’t scare me off.”
He released her hand, and she almost grabbed his back. “I was afraid having Lexi or Dane call you would scare you off, too. We just met and…”
When he drifted off, she supplied the words. “I was going to ask why you called me.”
His eyes were serious now, without a hint of teasing. “I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have by my side. You do that to me, Jenny. I know we just met this week, but I feel a connection. Something real. When I woke up in that ambulance, after being glad I was alive, I thought of how important it was to tell people how you feel. I should’ve learned that lesson when my Dad died, but I guess getting it through my hard head takes a little time.”
Surprised he’d revealed this much, she didn’t say a word at first. She hadn’t dated a man this forthright in her whole life. She didn’t think she’d ever met anyone quite like Greg.
When his fingers caressed hers again, she tightened her grip a little. A sweet shiver went through her body, and she wondered if he knew how he affected her, how crazy he made her. Could he feel how her entire body reacted? If he could, what did he think?
“Well, you know. Firemen are supposed to be perfect right? Those calendars we talked about…babies and puppies, and don’t forget the naked torsos,” she said with a grin, trying to lighten her mood and maybe his. “I’ll do you a favor. Since it’s Saturday, I’ll pick you up when they release you from the hospital. Your car is still at the station I’m assuming?”
“Yep. You could take me to the station so I can get my car.”
She held up her hand for a high five, and he returned it. “Deal.”
“I’m hoping they’ll spring me in the morning. My guess is Captain Stewart will tell me to take a few days sick leave depending on what the doc says tomorrow. I’ll call you as soon as I know tomorrow.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you’re available for that? I mean…if you’ve got plans…”
“No plans. Okay, I did have plans, but it was to sit around all weekend with my crutches and a good book.”
To her surprise, he captured her hand and brought the back to his mouth for a quick, gentle kiss. “I won’t feel so guilty, then.”
He released her hand. A heady reaction snaked through her. Her nipples hardened and a new, interesting ache started between her legs. Even lying vulnerable in a hospital bed the damned man took sexy to a new level. Rumpled looked good on him. She wanted to slide her fingers over his forearm and test out the muscles there. He looked so damned delicious she wanted to cuddle him, kiss him and who knew what else she wanted to do. Wild tingles raced over her skin, and her body reacted fiercely. Her breath quickened, and she was so damned tempted to lean over and kiss him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” she said.
“Look forward to it.”
The nurse opened the curtain again, and Jenny jumped in surprise. The nurse smiled at them, and Jenny left before she could say anything mushy. Because she wanted to say something that expressed how grateful she was he’d made it through that fire. Yet she couldn’t say it, because the words wouldn’t form. Caution made her quiet, and she left the hospital feeling as if she’d failed to be honest.
She drove home a little flummoxed. Her happiness that Greg had survived the explosion relatively unscathed remained, but if she was honest, she knew why she hadn’t expressed her honest feelings. Years ago she’d become so used to bottling up those treacherous emotions, the ones that could wreck her chances for a job, for making a good grade, for taking a risk. She’d done that once and had lost so much she didn’t want to chance it again.
A text popped up on her phone, but she didn’t look at it while driving. When she reached her house that night, there was a car parked across the street with a woman sitting in it. Jenny pulled into the driveway and glanced back at the woman, but she seemed to be concentrating on her phone, texting rapidly. Jenny went inside her house and checked the text. It was from Manny, who asked how she was doing. She didn’t know he even had her number and wondered how he’d gotten it. Then she remembered that Donna had insisted anyone working on the booth for the fourth could make contact with each other and they’d all exchanged phone numbers.
Still surprised he’d sent the text, she didn’t answer it right away. Instead she poured a glass of water and sipped. She returned Manny’s text, saying her ankle was fine and that she was good. She also asked how he was, and he returned with a text saying that he was good, and they signed off with smiley faces. After that she yawned so hard her jaw cracked. Time for bed. As she slid on her sleep shirt, she wondered if she’d be able to think considering what had happened tonight. Would her mind run her around in circles overthinking her decision not to gush all over Greg and tell him how worried she’d been when she’d heard he was in the hospital?
God, Jenny. Grow up. Go to sleep and forget about it. You always did overthink everything.
“Now I’m sounding just like my mother.”
Yeah, her Mom. She didn’t want to admit it, but those words sounded so much like her mother. After another wide yawn, Jenny recognized she didn’t have enough brain power left to think about it. Before she went to bed, she looked out the front window one more time to see if the texting woman still sat across the street. The woman had left.
Chapter Five
Greg shifted his long legs in Jenny’s small blue sedan as she drove them toward Station 58. Greg had been released from the hospital before lunch. Which was great, because his stomach was growling and a good meal from the fire house sounded excellent right about now.
“Sorry,” she said.
“About what?”
“The cramped space. This car isn’t made for guys over six feet tall.”
He grinned. “That’s for sure. Perfect for little women, though.”
She made a scoffing noise. “What? I’m not small. I’ll have you know I’m five foot seven.”
“Small. A good wind could blow you away.”
“All right. In comparison to your big, brutish self, maybe I am small.”
They laughed together.
“You’re perfect,” he said, and watched her cheeks turn pink.
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
&
nbsp; “Promise?”
If it was possible her cheeks turned redder. “I stepped into that one, didn’t I?”
“Straight in and sank to the bottom.”
“I’d hit you with something right now if I wasn’t driving.”
“Hit me later. I’ll look forward to it.”
She threw him a half-hearted dirty look and ended it with another smile. “Beware what you ask for.”
He liked teasing her, and her smile said she’d taken it the right way. Last night, while he’d held her hand and kissed it impulsively, she’d seemed delicate and yet oh so strong. Her touch on his arm had galvanized him. He’d felt her strength when she’d walked in the room. Seeing her had instantly lightened his mood and the anger he’d felt at the homeowner who’d cooked meth in his home with his own wife and children present. If he ever had a wife and kids, he’d be damned sure he’d never knowingly put them in danger. Kissing Jenny’s hand had reaffirmed life, reminding him that things could’ve ended very differently for him if the house explosion had been larger or he’d been in the house at the time. He didn’t know why that made such a difference. He’d made it through time in the Middle East and experienced situations more dangerous than what happened last night.
But you hadn’t met Jenny then.
His stomach did a lurch. Truth smacked him in the face. He’d found himself confessing some feelings to her last night that he didn’t know he had until she’d walked in. He thought he’d seen a hint of worry in her eyes when she’d entered his room, but he didn’t know for certain.
Jeez, Falk. Right now she’s probably trying to think of a way to let you down easy because you’re coming on hot and heavy.
“At this rate I’m going to owe you some dinner. Or yard work, or something,” he said.
“Why?”
“For rescuing me from that hospital.”
She threw him a smile but quickly looked back at the road. “You don’t owe me anything. You took care of me during the tornado, it’s the least I could do.”
His mood sank a little. Maybe she didn’t see this as a mutual thing…maybe he imagined the heat between them. Could she be saying this because she couldn’t wait to see the back of him as she told him to get out of his life? Or maybe she’d say she just wanted to be friends. He chewed on that thought as they pulled into the parking lot next to Station 58. Before he could exit the car, Lexi and Dane walked out of the station. Dane was dressed in civilian clothes with a duffle thrown over his shoulder, while Lexi wore her paramedic uniform. Jenny and Greg greeted Dane and Lexi at the side of the building.
“Hey Viking,” Lexi said, “How are you feeling?”
“Almost like I wasn’t blown up by a meth lab explosion,” Greg said.
“Good deal. I see he’s managed to drag you over here, Jenny,” Dane said.
The banter went on for a bit before Lexi said, “Listen, I’ve got to get back to work, so I leave you with Dane.”
“There’s leftover fire engine chili inside. You guys want some?” Dane asked.
Greg groaned. “Sounds good. I’m starving. Hospital breakfasts are skimpy.” He turned to Jenny. “You’re welcome to eat with us.”
She hesitated only a second and then her phone chirped a text message. She ignored it and said, “You’re sure it’s all right?”
“Of course,” Dane answered before Greg could. “Greg can give you the tour.”
She gave in and went inside. Greg showed her around, and since she’d never entered a fire house before, she got an education.
“None of those fire pole things?” She turned in a circle.
She looked totally in awe, and it made Greg laugh. God she’s so damned cute.
Greg patted the side of the ladder truck. “They did away with those a long time ago in many of the modern houses. There are still some out there.”
After the tour and being introduced to personnel she’d never met, she grabbed chili and sat at the long table with Greg and some of the other guys. Greg noticed that two of the younger men eyeballed her with curiosity, but she didn’t seem to notice. While he couldn’t be certain, she did seem like one of those women who didn’t get how sexy she was. He liked her modesty, but didn’t think it came from a place of weakness. He liked people, men or women, who weren’t full of themselves.
“Thanks for providing me with lunch,” she said to the whole table. “And for warning me that there’s a hot chili and a mild chili.”
The guys laughed, including Greg. A chorus of “no problem” and “you betcha” went up and made her join in the laugh.
Dane sprinkled cheese on his chili. “We only feed the hot chili to pain in the ass probies like Viking, right guys?”
Another chorus went up of “damn straight” and “you bet” went around the table, and Greg took it all in stride. These guys might’ve treated him like the new guy when he first started, but he trusted each and every one of them with his life. It was a brotherhood he was so glad he’d found.
After lunch Captain Stewart called him aside and told him to take sick leave. A week to be exact. That pinched a little, because damn it would get boring being at home when he could be here at the station. He understood the rules, though. A concussion, no matter how mild, was a concussion and his doctor had recommended the same.
Captain Stewart slapped him on the back. “Good. I’m glad you’re okay.” The captain did an up nod. “You’d better rescue your girlfriend.”
“Girl—” Greg started and then saw what he meant. Three firefighters had surrounded Jenny and were talking up a storm.
Greg felt heat fill his face. He cleared his throat. No, he didn’t think of her as his girlfriend. He already had a damned obsession with her that made no common sense.
“You’re right. I’ll go rescue her,” Greg said.
Jenny laughed at something the man next to her said, and the sound of her laugh filled Greg with new life. Her voice, so soft and genuine, made Greg want to take her home and strip every last piece of clothing off of her. At the very least he wanted to sleep with her in his arms, hug her and protect her.
Whoa, dude. Slow down. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
True. She was kryptonite, a lethal combination of understated sexiness and uncompromising intelligence. She’d set his libido into motion, and he wanted to show her how much, and his patience hung by a thread. Still, he’d take this slow. As molasses if he had to.
Greg came up to the group and said, “Got my stuff from my locker. I’m outta here until next Saturday.”
Dane squeezed Greg’s shoulder. “Well, then get outta here. See you later, Jenny.”
Outside next to his car, he cupped her shoulders and pressed gently. “Thanks again. I’m gonna head home, but I’ll text you or call you later if that’s okay?”
She smiled, and he saw pleasure in her eyes. Good. He’d take that. She wasn’t running in the other direction.
“Okay. I’d like that,” she said.
She placed her hands on his chest, and the contact heightened his aggressive need to kiss her. Before he could totally wimp out, he cupped her face in both hands and kissed her forehead gently. Her silky skin beneath his lips was heaven.
“Talk to you soon,” he said and released her.
Her phone chirped with a text again, and she frowned a little. “It’s probably Donna. I’d better get back to her.”
When he left, she was standing on the sidewalk reading her text messages with that same frown on her face.
* *
Jenny returned home that afternoon after shopping for groceries. She’d studiously ignored the last texts on her phone, figuring she wouldn’t answer them until she got home. She glanced at them and saw that Manny had texted again. She put away her groceries and flopped down onto her couch, prepared to see what Manny had said on her phone. She glanced over the text conversation they’d had since this morning.
Manny: Glad to hear you’re doing okay.
Jenny: Thanks. H
ow about you?
Manny: Busy at the hospital. How is Falk? Heard he was hurt in an accident.
Jenny: He’s okay. Off work for a week for concussion.
Manny: Okay, talk to you later.
If that had been all he’d said, she wouldn’t have thought much of it. The new texts, all three of them, took her by surprise. She didn’t know what to think of them, and at first thought they might be Manny’s idea of a joke.
Manny: Don’t text me anymore, okay?
Manny: In fact, don’t even talk to me anymore when you see me. Okay?
Manny: Okay?
Jenny stared at the texts and knew her mouth was hanging open. The tone and content of his texts didn’t matter. What he’d said, going from friendly to weirdly unfriendly, didn’t make a damned bit of sense. Scrubbing one hand over her face, she groaned. What the hell had happened? Even if he meant it as a joke, it was disconcerting. She decided to call his bluff and not react to his texts at all. She’d starve him. She went about her business, but the whole text scenario bugged her because she didn’t know what she’d done to warrant the weird messages. That night Jenny fell asleep on her couch while reading a historical fiction novel about Queen Elizabeth the First. It was so boring she’d fallen asleep twice in the last hour. She glanced at the clock on her fireplace mantle and groaned.
“Crap.”
It was seven o’clock, and she’d skipped dinner. She was tired as hell. This week had taken it out of her. As she fixed dinner, she watched a news report about the meth lab fire yesterday. She thought of how badly it could’ve turned out for Greg and the others in the department. She also thought of his kiss. God his kiss…now that thought made her body turn on five alarm fire status. When he’d cupped her face so gently she thought for a microsecond he planned to kiss her on the mouth. When he didn’t, that tender, sweet kiss on her forehead had filled her with surge of longing. She would fantasize about the almost chaste kiss for a long time.
Her phone chirped and for a moment she thought another text had come in, but it kept ringing and the tone was different. She almost ignored it, half afraid Manny had decided to call her. She looked at the phone and Greg’s name flashed across the screen. Delighted, she answered.
Dallas Fire & Rescue: All Fired Up (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 5
