Into the Flames

by Multi-Author

  Lexi smiled, and the corners of her eyes crinkled. “I don’t know how much dancing I’ll be able to do, but I’ll be there.”

  “Great. I’ll share the story I promised over beers.”

  “I’ll hold you to it.”

  Knox brought her hand to his mouth and grazed her knuckles with his lips. “I want to tell you about my niece, Chelsea.” If she’d been his own daughter he couldn’t have loved her more. His voice cracked, and dammit to hell, he couldn’t stop tears from forming. He blinked them back and tightened his jaw.

  Lexi frowned with obvious concern and touched his cheek with her other hand. “Take as long as you need. I’ll listen.”

  A boulder lifted from Knox’s chest. His lungs filled and cleared when he breathed again, as if the country air around them had swept through his body and filtered out the bad. The sunlight warming his shoulders fueled him with energy.

  “Kelly’s Pub. Eight o’ clock.” All of a sudden, he felt himself grinning, and couldn’t stop.

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” she replied, smiling too.

  The emergency siren blared. Knox stood from the picnic table and held out his hands to help Lexi down. “Gotta go.”

  He gave her a quick hug and headed for his turnouts and his truck. When he climbed up to open the driver’s-side door, he turned back to look, and his heart leaped at the sight of Lexi still standing there. She waved, and he waved back. The gesture placed another crack in the barrier around his heart.

  Maybe Lexi would crumble the wall he’d built.

  Chapter Seven

  The first thing Knox noticed when he walked through the heavy oak doors of Kelly’s Pub was the noise. The second thing he spied was Kelly Flannery behind the bar. The big man’s red head bobbed as he mixed drinks and poured beers for the crowd, like he’d done since his retirement from the West Arbor Fire Station when he opened this place, one month after Knox became a candidate.

  Two vintage firefighting boots in size extra-large—one right and one left—were affixed to either end of the bar, where patrons were encouraged to leave donations for the station. In addition to proceeds from the monthly beer bash, Kelly provided the extra cash to subsidize the needs of the current crew, from food to laundry expenses and anything in between. Kelly was a pillar of the community, and the firehouse’s best friend. The first responders idolized him.

  Knox waved to Kelly, and the older man waved back before pulling another pitcher of beer for those waiting at the three-deep bar.

  The raucous chatter inside the room assaulted his ears like a cacophony of foreign languages. It took him seconds to understand why—and then it hit him—the voices around him sounded happy. Festive. Relaxed. States of mind that, until now, had become as strange to him in his self-exile as if the talk he heard was gibberish.

  Then he saw Lexi Wentworth waiting for him at the bar, and the noise cleared like the silence after a thunderstorm.

  Suddenly, the snippets of conversation around him made sense. “Another round. Keep the change. Let’s shoot pool.” Knox parted his way through the throng to Lexi’s side.

  Though he’d only walked a few yards to meet her, his heart raced like he’d run a marathon. The inside of his mouth had gone dry and his pulse rushed blood to his ears. He smiled at her like a kid on his first date, and when she smiled back and her face lit up, the look of welcome in her eyes almost brought him to his knees.

  It had been so long since he’d felt such aching anticipation. It had been so long since he’d felt like he could breathe. It had been so long since he’d felt.

  Lexi reached out to take his hands, and when she said hello, something inside him gave way. His breathing came easier, the pulse in his neck slowed, and his pounding heart reminded him that Lexi excited him, and that was a good thing. All at once, he accepted there was no place else he’d rather be than here, with her, surrounded by friends.

  He squeezed her hands in greeting, mindful they were in a public place, though he would have rather kissed her senseless. He touched his tongue to his bottom lip to moisten it and stared into Lexi’s stunning amber eyes. The subdued light in the room made the golden flecks seem brighter beneath her long, dark lashes, and the coral-colored blouse she wore above her slacks made her cheeks and lips look flushed. He realized she was wearing makeup—preparing for him, maybe hoping to please him—and he liked it. He liked it a lot.

  He wanted to tell her he’d thought about her all day, or that he’d worn cologne for the first time since…whenever…for her, or that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but he didn’t say any of those things. Instead, he said, “I’ll buy us a round and find a table.”

  Lexi surprised him again. She made a half-turn toward the bar. “I got us covered.” Behind her sat a pitcher of beer, two glasses, and a plate filled with soft pretzels and Kelly’s secret mustard sauce.

  His stomach rumbled at the sight of his favorite snack. “How did you know?”

  Lexi pointed to a large table near the dance floor. “I can’t take credit. Your crew mates told me.” She waved, and they waved in return. Knox could tell they were bursting with curiosity, but they gave them space and returned to their conversations.

  He pulled her to him slowly and gave her the kiss he’d been holding back. The moan she issued as they deepened the kiss made him want to kiss her again.

  He lifted his head. “We’ll join the group later, after the music starts.”

  Lexi nodded. She pointed to an empty table for two against the far wall, and picked up the platter of soft pretzels and a handful of napkins. Knox took the pitcher and beer glasses and they made their way to the more private spot.

  They set down the items and took the seats opposite one another. Knox poured the beer and offered the soft pretzels to Lexi. Over their simple meal they made small talk, and shared details about their respective jobs, until the story Knox had promised loomed over them like a big gray blanket. It was time for him to unpack his baggage.

  And so…he took Lexi’s hand and began to talk. And talk. And talk. The conversation flowed, though speaking the words “chemo” and “radiation” and “pain” were like barbs slicing his lips and tongue.

  He took gulps of beer to clean his palate of the horrible words and to dull the ache in his chest, and then spoke about happier times with his late niece and their family. The love he felt for them must have been evident, because Lexi’s eyes filled with tears, and she let them fall, and the next thing he knew, his cheeks turned wet with the tears he’d held back too long.

  The tears were like a cleansing that drowned his pain and washed it away. His lungs opened and he took deep breaths, feeling closer to the woman he’d just met than to anyone else he’d known in a long time. He’d cried in front of her, but she gazed back at him with empathy, and not disdain, for his unmanliness.

  It had been freeing to unburden himself with someone who cared about him personally, who hadn’t also suffered over Chelsea’s passing, or listened because it was her job. For a long time, Knox hadn’t felt like he had the right to grieve like the others, because Chelsea’s parents and grandparents suffered more. He’d needed to be there for them—a strong shoulder to lean on.

  Lexi stood from her chair, came around to his, and eased herself onto his lap. Without speaking, she put her arms around him and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. Then she held him for what seemed like a long time, until the muscles in his neck and back loosened, and his breathing returned to normal.

  When Lexi returned to her seat, Knox said, “I’ll hold on to the good memories of her.” It was ironic that an empathetic and beautiful woman could soothe him better than weeks’ worth of grief counseling.

  Neither spoke for a while after that. Instead, they drank their glasses of beer and ate their soft pretzels slathered with Kelly’s amazing dip. Finally, Knox said, “Helluva first date, huh?” He couldn’t help feel embarrassment creep in for his over-sharing.

  Lexi
lifted her glass to him. “The best first date ever.” She took a sip. “You kept your promise and told me what’s been holding you back from your relationships. Your honesty is refreshing. Please don’t ever stop telling me what’s on your mind. I won’t judge you. I only ask that you do the same for me.”

  Knox’s spirit lifted once again. This woman got better and better. “Deal.” They clanked the rims of their glasses together to cement their pact.

  The band that had taken the stage began to play. Lexi stood from her chair and held out her hand. “If I’m able to overcome my anxiety by coming here, picking up the beer tab, and asking you for one slow dance, you can damn well brush up on your skills.”

  Knox laughed and pushed back from his seat. “Seems more than fair.” They headed to the dance floor where Knox spotted several faces he recognized. None hid their elation at seeing him.

  After the song, Knox and Lexi joined his firehouse team and pushed another table to theirs to create more room. Derek Chang ordered pitchers of beer, hot wings, and mozzarella sticks to share. He held out his hand to shake Lexi’s then introduced himself and his girlfriend. “Sharon says you’ve met.”

  Lexi smiled. “Small world.” She sat next to the nurse and Knox took the chair on her other side. “Thanks for taking such good care of me in the hospital.”

  Sharon glanced from Lexi to Knox and back again. “Sorry I had to be such a tight ass about the privacy rules.” She pegged Knox with a penetrating stare. “You know as well as I do we’d both be in trouble if I’d broken them.” Sharon waved a hand. “But look at how well things turned out. I’m glad you two got together.”

  Knox couldn’t disagree, though he wished reconnecting with Lexi had been simpler. He turned back to her and gestured across the table. “Remember Lucy, our paramedic?”

  Lexi leaned forward and squeezed Lucy’s hand. “Thanks for keeping me safe, and for the pep talk on the way to the ER.”

  Knox continued the introductions. “You probably remember these knuckleheads for leering at you when you brought cupcakes to the station.” He pointed out Enrico Rodriguez, Max Brown, Ricky Stuart, and a few others. He also introduced their wives or girlfriends.

  Max and Ricky balked in protest. Max turned to his wife, who’d raised an eyebrow. “I was curious but didn’t ogle, I swear.” He patted her affectionately on the shoulder.

  Ricky held up his hands in surrender when his girlfriend glared. “Not me!”

  Rodriguez’s girlfriend, Maggie, swatted his arm. “Were you leering?”

  His expression had guilt written all over it. “But she had cupcakes!”

  Maggie gave Lexi an apologetic look. “He’s insufferable. Some days I think he’s unteachable.”

  Rodriguez gave Maggie a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll try to do better.”

  Knox glanced around the table. “Where’s Marcus?”

  Max cleared his throat as if making an announcement. He hitched his thumb toward the door. “Outside with Tanya. Talking.”

  The badge bunny had snagged his partner.

  Knox had no sooner had the thought than Marcus and Tanya came through the door, arm in arm. Tanya glowed, and Marcus looked…like a succubus had eaten half his face.

  His partner gave him a lopsided grin. “Hey.” He held out his hand to Lexi. “Good to see you again. I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Tanya looked Lexi up and down, clearly tagging her as competition, and then glowered at Knox.

  He pretended not to notice. “Anyone up for a game of pool?”

  “Maybe later,” Sharon said. Chang nodded his agreement.

  Knox took Lexi’s hand and they headed to the game room in the back.

  “Was Marcus with you the day you stopped by the hospital to ask about me?” Lexi asked after they claimed a pool table.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “My friend, Daniela, thinks he’s hot.” She tipped her head toward the main room. “Seems like Daniela’s not the only one.”

  Knox had to smile at the reference to Tanya.

  “He’s sure to like Daniela, since she’s just about perfect.”

  “Maybe we should introduce them.”

  Lexi kissed his cheek. “We will.”

  Knox’s mood continued to improve. “I take it this means we’re dating.” He figured as much since their earlier conversation, but experience had taught him not to take anything for granted.

  Lexi grinned. “Guess so.”

  Knox took her in his arms and gave her a long, slow, totally thorough kiss—and damn whoever was watching. He intended to talk to her about being exclusive, but would save that discussion for later.

  In the meantime, he racked up the balls, grabbed a cue stick and chalk, and took the first shot. The break was clean and three balls fell into pockets before he lost his turn. He smiled up at Lexi. “This really is my night.”

  Lexi chose a cue, rubbed the tip with a square of chalk, and leaned over the table to take her turn. Knox became so absorbed in watching her incredible backside and imagining the thong she wore that he almost missed her sink five balls in a row.

  Knox laughed, but it sounded more like a garbled groan. “I think I’ve been hustled.”

  Lexi smoothed her hair over one shoulder and took another shot. “My dad and I used to play when I lived at home. My brothers too.” The shot scratched and she stepped back from the table to make way for him.

  “Do you play softball as well as you shoot pool?”

  Lexi shook her head. “I’m not terrible, but not great, either. I’d rather be a spectator and eat hot dogs.” The glint in her eyes when she smiled over at him made his belly clench. She had a way of looking at him that made him feel special, and lucky—even when she was kicking his ass at pool.

  “Our firehouse crew plays the police league two Sundays a month. Want to come to the game next weekend? Two o’clock at Shadyside Park. Bring your friend if you want. I’ll even buy the hot dogs.”

  She sank two more balls. “Sounds like fun.”

  Knox returned to the table and added chalk to the tip of his cue. “Loser buys the next round.” No way was he letting her pay for anything else tonight.

  Two hours later, after shooting more pool and playing darts with the firehouse crew, Knox took Lexi’s hand and walked her to her car in the parking lot. Diffused light from the bar entrance puddled over the blacktop, and a few well-placed street lights guided their way. The night was warm for early June and the stars shone bright in the night sky. Aside from a few others heading for their cars, the neighborhood was quiet. Knox couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this peaceful.

  When they reached Lexi’s Jeep, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I had a great time.”

  “Me too.” Her kissable lips parted when she stared up at him. “I really…like you. And I feel safe with you.” Her cheeks seemed to flush with the admission, though he couldn’t be sure in the semi-darkness.

  Knox ran his thumb over her chin. “I’m glad.” He wanted to tell her how much he hoped they had a real shot at a committed relationship, but kept that part to himself, for now. “I like you too.”

  She offered him a smile that looked so beautiful in the moonlight he couldn’t resist touching her cheeks, and her mouth, and her hair. “I don’t want to wait until the softball game to see you again.”

  “Me either,” she said. “Let’s plan something.”

  “We will.” He kissed her to seal the deal.

  “Night,” she said, when they separated. He’d practically had to pry himself off her. His attraction to Lexi had grown stronger over the course of the night. Her pleasing personality, ability to handle herself with his crew, and candor about her struggles with anxiety only served to make him feel closer to her. Some people were never that honest about themselves. He and Lexi had shared details about their personal tragedies, and the intimacy had made him want her more.

  Lexi pulled her car key from her pants
pocket, turned to go, and then turned back to him with a questioning look on her pretty face. “Can I ask a favor?”

  He wrapped a tendril of her long hair around his fingers. “Of course. Ask away.”

  “Would you stop by my classroom one day next week, dressed in your gear? For my students? They want to meet the firefighter who saved Ginger and me before the school year ends. I could have a quick lunch with you afterward. There’s a great pizza place nearby.”

  The reference to her students, and the warm glow in her eyes when she mentioned them, gave him another look at her tender side. Knox liked that about her. He also liked that she could hold her own at darts, laugh a lot, and beat him at pool. “That’s no favor. That’d be my honor.”

  The smile she returned warmed him from the inside out.

  He imagined her again in her transparent nightie and thong and his brow lifted at the picture inside his head. “They know the story about your rescue?”

  Lexi read the look on his face and laughed. “The sanitized version, of course. The one where you saved a kitten in a tree and helped their favorite teacher. My wardrobe was never questioned. I’m grateful no one’s gossiped about me or posted pictures on social media. At least not yet. I know I was lucky.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.” If he’d seen anyone near the scene taking pictures or video, he’d have crushed them like a bug. “Of course I’ll visit your kids.” Anything to see her again and push their relationship forward.

  He moved in to kiss her again, and she kissed him back with more fervor than she’d offered before. He slid his hand down the length of her neck to caress her shoulder and massage her upper arm. The fingers on his other hand wove through her hair, which was thick and soft against his skin. She pressed against him—breasts to chest, hips to hips, and thighs to thighs—and when her belly brushed his erection beneath his jeans, he almost lost his mind.

  He wanted to make love to her so badly that he trembled. Sex with Lexi would be epic. Mind-blowing. The best he’d ever had—he just knew it. And he’d make damn sure it was her best too.