Bad Boy's Lust (Firemen in Love Book 1)

by Amy Starling

  I had to know the truth.

  “Mom, what do you think about that Hidden Cove apartment across town?”

  She flinched, took a bite of a bagel slathered with cream cheese, and chewed for a while before coming up with an answer.

  “Oh, it's very cute. I probably would have rented there, but I couldn't pass up the chance to be close to you, dear.”

  I slammed my hands down on the counter. She dropped the bagel; it rolled under the kitchen table, probably never to be seen again.

  “I saw you there today with David.”

  She blanched. “Y-you did?”

  “You kissed him.”

  She turned her back to me to put away the remaining groceries. Why wouldn't she look me in the eye?

  “I was trying to keep this on the down low, given Debbie's recent passing, just to avoid hurting any feelings.”

  She poured herself a glass of chardonnay and drank half.

  “David and I are in love, Elle.”

  I burst out laughing. She scowled.

  “What's so funny?”

  “I just... I don't know what to think. He was dating your sister for years up until she died. He's practically Heather's father.”

  “Yes, and we were always quite good friends. We got to talking after her funeral, and I suppose we leaned on each other for comfort in those hard times. One thing simply led to another.”

  My stomach twisted into knots. This seemed so very wrong.

  “David's not good for you, mom. Look at the way he treated Debbie.”

  She growled. “He's a wonderful man, and you take that back right now! Always working hard, making money to give his family a good life. If you had any smarts, you'd get yourself a guy like that.”

  “The man is a jerk. He's trying to steal the property away from me and his own son.”

  She waved it off. “How is it his fault that was written into the will? He isn't stealing anything. If you can't prove you deserve to own this place, then it will be given to someone who can handle the responsibility.”

  I felt like running home to hide under the covers. Instead, I stood my ground.

  “And what, exactly, were you both doing at Hidden Cove?”

  “Oh, don't you know? That's one of his.”

  “His... He owns it?”

  This just kept getting worse and worse.

  “Well, he owns the property company that does, yes. Homes Plus is under his brand's umbrella.” She sighed with affection for him. “That David, he's such an industrious fellow. Look what he's doing with himself. So smart.”

  I had a sneaking feeling that mom's interest in David was not purely for love. When she caught the scent of a wealthy man, of a man who could give her the lifestyle she believed that she deserved, she was after him like a bloodhound on a hunt.

  Where was Jayce? I had to find him. Had to tell him everything.

  I needed him right now.

  “I've got to go. Work to do.”

  “One more thing.” She reached for me. “I haven't told anyone else about this yet. David asked me to keep it secret, but how can he possibly expect such a thing? I mean, it's only the happiest moment of my life!”

  Cold fear washed over me. Somehow, I knew what she was going to say before the words left her mouth.

  I turned to face her. With a grin, she flourished her hand. A shining gold band and a massive diamond sparkled in the light.

  “David and I are getting married!”

  Chapter 14 - Jayce

  I was beginning to feel like my old self again.

  Eight o'clock on a Saturday night. Just me and the boys from the station, cruising around town like we used to.

  Hopping from bar to bar, playing pool, goofing off like we always did. Ah, good times.

  Times that I wouldn't be having for much longer if Elle got her way.

  By now, everyone had heard the news. The guys were trying their hardest to convince me of my stupidity.

  We'd stopped at a tattoo parlor so Max could get some new ink for his birthday present. They all harassed me while he sat in the chair.

  “You're not the marrying type, buddy. You're gonna break this poor woman's heart,” Carter assured me. He looked dangerous, but was a big teddy bear, really. He was also the most responsible of us all, with a wife, two kids, house, all that jazz.

  “What type am I then, eh?”

  “You're the type that gets into trouble. And trust me, good girls don't look kindly on your flavor of trouble.”

  Brett sat in the waiting area, smartly keeping his mouth shut. He knew the real reason I was marrying, but he didn't say a word. Had to buy that guy a beer later for being such a good friend.

  “Don't do it, man.” Max winced as the artist painted his bicep. “Everyone knows what happens to you when you get hitched. You lose your balls. Become a big pussy.”

  Carter threw a magazine at him. “Hey. I still got my balls, thanks very much.”

  “I just don't get it. Don't you, uh, date someone for a while before marrying them? And not too long ago, you were taking girls home two at a time.”

  “Shut it,” Brett growled. “Leave the poor guy alone. He's made up his mind. Why can't you assholes be happy for him?”

  The others piped down. Brett winked; I nodded back. Make that two beers.

  “How come you're not in this chair, huh, Jayce?” Max examined his new snake tattoo. “It's not like you. Thought you'd be sitting here next to me.”

  “What, do you want me to hold your hand?” I grinned. “I know it stings, man, but it'll be over in a minute. You can do this. Don't cry.”

  Max cussed at me, and everyone else laughed. At least they weren't talking crap about me for the first time tonight.

  “So, Elle.” Carter whistled. “I don't blame you, dude. She's beautiful in, uh... a unique way.”

  “What's that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing! It's just that she ain't your usual type.”

  He wasn't wrong. I usually found myself gravitating toward the blondes, skinny little things with big boobs that might or might not be fake. Sometimes, depending on my mood, I liked myself a brunette. And I was a sucker for baby-blue eyes.

  Elle was none of that, yet I still had this unexplained attraction to her. Her hair was pale brown and usually up in a ponytail, since she couldn't be bothered with getting it styled or dyed. Too much time to fuss with it, she said. And money better spent on other things.

  Her eyes, dark as her hair, were always full of warmth and passion. So expressive, I could tell how she was feeling with one look at her. She couldn't hide a thing from me.

  Her breasts weren't huge, but so what? I found them irresistible, two perfect handfuls that I could play with for hours. I'd give her perky nipple a teasing lick and she'd laugh, then that laughter turned into moaning before long. God, I was getting hard just imagining it.

  “Look at that dopey grin on his face.” Brett shoved me. “You know what, fellas? Jayce Reinhard really is in love.”

  I glared. “And to think, I was gonna buy you a beer.”

  Carter nodded. “Y'know, Brett, you might actually be right.”

  Normally, I would have been insulted by their teasing. Then I realized I was supposed to be in love. I was marrying her, right? Made sense. I guess I had better act like it.

  “I know that look,” Carter continued. “Man. I can't believe it's true. How long has it been with her?”

  “Long enough.”

  “Hey, I wanted dark green for the scales, not light.” Max chastised the tattoo guy. Then he looked me up and down. “This is all bullshit. Jayce has never loved a woman in his life, and he ain't about to start.”

  I stood, fists clenched.

  “You don't know me.”

  “Something else is going on here. Something fishy. I still think you got her pregnant and you're trying to save face with the family.”

  “I don't give a rat's ass about saving face with anyone.”

  “Except Elle
.”

  “She's different.”

  Carter and Brett were staying out of this one. Max and I got into heated fights all the time – usually with a few punches thrown for good measure. They were smart to back off before they got hurt too.

  “Okay, I know. You say you love her? Prove it.” He patted the chair beside him. “Get her name inked on you. Shouldn't be any problem if you're so head-over-heels.”

  I would have smacked the crap out of him if we were anyplace else. And I could have said no. Could've told him he was being an idiot and I didn't have to do a damn thing. With him, bets and dares always ended with one of us in trouble.

  But this was actually a good idea.

  If I got a tattoo of her name, nobody would be questioning our fake marriage then. Right? I mean, it was pretty much permanent.

  Of course, that could lead to trouble once we split up at the end. Oh, well. One step at a time.

  I sank into the chair. Everyone gaped at me.

  “You're really gonna do it?”

  Max looked like he was gonna faint. I smirked.

  “You wanted me to prove it. Sure, why the hell not.”

  The guys laughed among themselves and gossiped about me like a bunch of teenage schoolgirls. While the one artist finished up Max's snake, the other, Nathan, came to see what I wanted.

  I thought for a moment, then pulled off my shirt. “Do it here.” I patted the bare spot on my chest, above my heart. “Yeah. It'll look good there.”

  I knew just what I wanted, too. Her favorite flower, the orchid, with her name drawn across it. “Pink” would be under that.

  When the artist's needle buzzed to life, I realized something. I was actually kind of excited.

  “Why Pink?” Brett asked.

  “That's her nickname. Or my name for her, anyway.” I sat totally still as the first lines were drawn into my flesh. “When we were younger, she was obsessed with the color pink. Her bedroom had neon pink carpet, walls, furniture, you name it. Clothes, too. I thought it was hilarious.”

  The guys exchanged knowing looks. I ignored whatever that was supposed to mean.

  “So I teased her by calling her Pink. To this day, that's still how I think of her. Says she doesn't like it, but I know better. I see her smile when I call her by it.”

  Max clasped his hands together and sighed. “Aw, that's just so cute. Well, y'all, that does it. Jayce is officially whipped.”

  “You're wrong.”

  Was he? The sex was incredible, best I'd ever had, really. But this thing we had going on between us, it seemed like more than just sex.

  I felt something for her. Not just friendship. Actual feelings.

  Feelings I never felt before. Ones I had no clue how to handle, what to do with.

  There was also fear. Lots of it. The instinctive desire to run for the hills and never look back.

  “Looking good, man.” Brett gave a thumbs-up.

  “I dunno about this.” Max grumbled. “What about our plans, huh? You and me, we talked about packing it in and moving to the west coast. Remember? We were gonna take a break from the world. Hang out on the beach. Play guitar on the boardwalk. Pick up girls.”

  I avoided his angry stare. Suddenly, it made sense. Now I knew why Max was acting like a jackass.

  He thought I was going to abandon him for Elle.

  “Nothing was ever set in stone,” I said quickly.

  “Really, dude? We talked about it all the time. You told me you were sick of living in this dump. You wanted to travel. Adventure. Excitement. And now you're gonna give it up for some chick.”

  “Max, come on.”

  “You can get laid anywhere on this planet. You, especially.” His voice held bitterness. He'd always been the jealous sort. “Don't need to tie the knot just for that.”

  I'd had enough of this shit.

  “It's not just about the sex, damn it.” I shoved out of the chair, startling the poor artist, and charged after Max. “I love her, and if you can't deal with that, then you're not the friend I thought you were.”

  This time, the words didn't feel hollow. They felt real.

  Carter and Brett muttered something and went outside for a smoke. Max backed away from me, probably thinking I was gonna smash his face in. I wanted to, but held back.

  “We've been talking about this for over a year now. Look.” He pulled out his phone. “You know how we discussed getting an RV to slum around in?”

  He pulled up a photo. A camper was parked in the lot behind his house. It seemed a little old and beat-up, but I could tell it wasn't cheap.

  “Wait. You... You actually bought this?”

  “Yep. Been saving up the cash for years.”

  I sank back into my chair. Nathan paused, as if he thought I might like to erase his work and pretend it never happened. Instead, I waved for him to continue.

  “We're not gonna be young forever. Both of us, we're already 28. Don't have much longer.”

  “Much longer for what?”

  “For embracing our youth. Acting stupid. Getting drunk and high and having threesomes whenever the hell you want.” He gestured to the tattoo. “Jayce, this just isn't you.”

  “How do you know who I am these days? Maybe the club scene doesn't appeal to me anymore.”

  “Stop it, dude. I don't know what's going on with you, but this isn't right. You've got the whole rest of your life to be a responsible grown-up.”

  “I'm ready to start trying. What about you, huh? What's your grand plan for the rest of your life? Being a beach bum and screwing girls who don't give a damn about you? Brilliant.”

  He thrust his phone into his pocket. “Up until a few weeks ago, that was your plan too.”

  Not anymore. Looking at Elle made me realize something. The way I was going, chasing short skirts and drinking until I passed out all the time, was a shitty, empty existence.

  But then what? What would I do without it? Living this way was the only life I'd ever known. And it was tempting to keep on that path. At least I knew it'd bring me comfort.

  Except I wasn't really happy. I was getting lonely.

  “All done. How's it look?”

  I studied the art in the mirror. The little orchid, its petals unfurled around Elle's name.

  “Perfect.”

  I paid the guy, and away we went. Max didn't say much to me in the car. It was his birthday, and I felt bad. Maybe he hated me. I wouldn't blame him.

  It was after ten now, and things were starting to heat up at Twinkles. The parking lot was packed full of cars, and the line of people waiting to get in almost stretched around the block.

  At least they didn't have a $40 cover, like Jezebel. That place was too noisy, anyway, and the girls weren't that great. Most were rude, stuck-up gold-diggers with fake boobs and no personality.

  They weren't Elle.

  Damn it, why could I not get her off my mind no matter how hard I tried?

  “Trust me, guys. Jayce isn't feeling well, but these talented ladies will have him back to his old self in no time.”

  I nudged Max hard. “What if I'd rather not go back to my old self?”

  “We just all want what's best for you. You'll thank me later.”

  We went up to the bar, got the birthday boy a couple shots of tequila, and ordered our own drinks. Everybody else was doing hard liquor. I stuck to a nice dark beer.

  “Looks like Jayce volunteered to be the designated driver.” Brett raised his glass. “Guess that means we can all get smashed, huh?”

  Carter sipped his rum and orange juice. “Not me, man. If I come home smelling like booze, Alicia will totally kill me.”

  Max scoffed. “See what I mean? No balls. Total pussy.”

  “What are you doing at a strip club anyway? Figured Alicia would castrate you for this.”

  “She's okay with it – as long as I look and don't touch.”

  “What's the point in coming here if you don't treat yourself to at least one lap dance?”


  “No thanks. My wife's a better dancer than all of these girls.” He patted my arm. “You'll understand what I mean soon, Jayce.”

  I used to pick on Carter like the others. Used to think he was a pansy for letting his wife tell him what to do, what time to be home, how much he could drink, and on it went.

  Now? I kind of respected him for it.

  The other two wasted no time ogling the topless waitresses. I winced as Brett slipped a dollar into one's underwear and slapped her ass. She nearly dropped her tray of drinks, but giggled anyway.

  A few weeks ago, I would have joined him. Tonight, I just didn't care.

  “Hey, man. You thinking about having kids?”

  The question took me by surprise. No, of course I wasn't. You didn't have babies in a fake marriage. That would be an epic disaster. I mean, what would you do with the kid once you split up? It wasn't like you could sell it on eBay or whatever.

  Gently used baby, complete with dirty diaper and nonstop crying. $50, Buy It Now. (No returns accepted.)

  I laughed at my own sick sense of humor.

  “Jayce?”

  “Sorry. Kids? I dunno. We haven't really talked much about it.”

  “Seems that's the kind of thing you talk about before getting married.”

  I shrugged. “Don't think she cares either way. Never mentioned it to me before.”

  Carter swished his ice cubes around. He was drinking so slowly that they were melting and watering down the booze.

  “You might think so, but I bet you a hundred bucks she'll start getting broody soon. Not all women are like that, mind you. Some are even adamant they don't want children. Then it's like they hit a certain age, and bam. It's all they can think about.”

  “Sounds like you're talking from experience.”

  “Sure am. Alicia had a great job; second in command at her company. She turned 30 and couldn't get babies off her mind. We decided hey, if we're gonna have 'em, better do it while we're young.”

  It was the complete opposite of what Max's life philosophy was. He thought youth was to be spent partying. Carter decided he'd give the best of himself to his wife and girls.

  What about me?

  I had no idea. I didn't know anything anymore.

  “So then what?”

  “We planned to have just the one, but got surprised with the twins. She loved them so much, she quit her job to stay home and raise them.”