Dallas Fire & Rescue_Whine and Rescue

by Donna Michaels

  Afterward, she slipped inside the stables to pet the beautiful horses. She needed a break from socializing and glimpses of Noah making the rounds smiling and joking while several female guests hung on his every word, and those gorgeous arms. Something strange, and not so pleasant, rippled through her gut.

  No way was she jealous. One had to have feelings for someone for that happen and her feelings for the man needed to stay in the past. Her mind was still trying to absorb that when she rounded the far stall and ran into Noah.

  “Layla, sorry. You okay?” He steadied her with two big hands clasped around her upper arms.

  “Yeah.” Her voice came out a little breathless as she placed her palms on his chest to push away, but in the space of a heartbeat, her body took over and ignored orders from her mind to release him and leave.

  Darnit.

  Even though she was a little taller than average, she only came up to Noah’s nose. When he’d been eighteen, he’d been this tall, but lanky with the threat of muscles. That had been before he’d joined the National Guard and DFR. Though looking at him now, one would never know. The man had filled out, with solid muscle and a triple dose of testosterone. And…goodness, he exuded a level of confidence that announced he was comfortable in his skin, knew what he was doing, and although he’d listen to whatever anyone had to say it didn’t necessarily mean he’d take the advice. It was damn sexy. She met his gaze and drew a shaky breath.

  His eyes were dark and heated, body taut with the tension flowing between them as he reached out to set his hands on her hips and inhale. “God, you smell good.” His voice was rough as sandpaper, and shiver-inducing low.

  Heat sliced through her. She bit her lip and couldn’t stop staring at his mouth or find her breath. He wasn’t breathing either. Without permission, her hands slid over his shoulders to wrap around his neck. Noah uttered her name on a rough exhale.

  Pulling her closer, his eyes filled with a deep intensity as he settled her against the hard planes of his body and lowered his head. “Now’s the time to stop me,” he warned.

  Layla appreciated his hesitation and the chance to back out. But she appreciated him more when his lips came down on hers, and when he kissed her to within an inch of her life. Then his hands were roaming and her hands were roaming, caressing him everywhere, delighting in the way his body quivered under her touch. And she quivered too. He had one hand around her back, shoved in her hair, while the other slid slowly up her ribs to cup a breast. And when he brushed a thumb over her peaked nipple, she moaned and pressed closer.

  Man, his hands were big and perfect and driving her wild. He tightened his grip on her and whipped them around, trapping her between him and the stall. Something inside him seemed to snap. He pulled her tighter and kissed her harder, longer, deeper. She hesitated for less than a second before cupping his face and kissing him back with a passion that shocked even her, and nearly knocked them both to the moon.

  “Layla? You in here?” her godfather called out, and it had the same effect as a cold soaking.

  They broke apart and she pushed Noah away and pointed toward the double side doors as a plea for him to leave. The last thing she wanted was to become an issue between him and his boss. The two men needed to work with clear heads, not resentments hanging over them. And her godfather had made it abundantly clear in the past he did not want her dating any of his men. A rule she’d never had an issue with…until now.

  Until Noah.

  Although, she had no intention of getting involved with her old crush. So why the heck she was just checking him for tonsils was a complete mystery.

  “Yes, Earl. I’m right here,” she said, stepping around the corner and into the walkway. “What’s up?”

  “There you are.” He nodded with a smile. “I need you to fill in for your dad in horseshoes. You ready to take on Robert and Noah? As soon as we find Noah, that is.”

  “Yes, of course.” She smiled.

  But no, she was not ready to take on Noah. Not in any way, shape or form.

  ***

  After making a quick trip to two stores the next day, Noah returned to knock on Layla’s door. Last night, once again, he’d camped in the hall without her knowing. When he’d mentioned it to her the other day she shot him down, so he knew he’d have to be discreet and get his ass back into his apartment before she came out. So far, so good. No more notes, and Layla was safe.

  Same couldn’t be said for his back, though. Sleeping while sitting was not his favorite position, and it reminded him of Iraq and memories best left in the sand.

  “Noah? What are you doing here?” Her tone wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t exactly welcoming either. It kind of hovered around cautious.

  He held up his bags. “Came to install that camera for you.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, and after a beat, stepped back. “That’s right. Come on in.”

  He stepped inside and Rescue jumped down from his perch on the back of the chair and sauntered over to rub against Noah’s legs. Setting his bags down, he crouched to pet the cat. “Hello, Rescue. How are you?” The cat purred while his owner responded.

  “Lucky I love him. Bugger got out again.” Layla shook her head. “I hope this camera helps me figure out how.”

  “Me, too.” Because if it was the work of her admirer, then maybe they’d catch the guy on camera. “I’ll have it up and running in a few minutes.”

  “That’s great. You won’t mind showing yourself out when you’re done, will you?” she asked, grabbing her purse off the chair and heading for the door.

  Where was she going on a Sunday afternoon? Did she have a date?

  His stomach tightened.

  “George, one of the café cooks, called off sick so I have to go fill in,” she explained, unknowingly setting his mind at ease.

  Although, George didn’t. The way the guy ogled Layla when she wasn’t looking, sent alarm bells ringing in his brain, and tightened the muscles in his chest and neck.

  Hell, he knew it was an alpha thing, but still, he vowed to keep an eye on the guy.

  “Ah.” He blew out a breath as he removed the camera bracket from the box. “I heard there was some kind of bug going around.” He made small talk, when he really wanted to discuss that killer kiss in the stable yesterday. It knocked him on his ass, and he knew she felt the same.

  “Yes,” she replied, and for a moment his mind faltered trying to figure out what she was answering. “Anyhow, when you’re done, come on down and I’ll fix you lunch on the house. It’s the least I can do to repay you for installing the camera.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her it wasn’t necessary, but this gave him a chance to spend time with her without forcing his presence, so he agreed. “Okay, thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

  After ordering Rescue to behave and stay put, she left the apartment and Noah got to work. Layla had already gotten permission from the landlord to mount the camera, so all he had to do was angle it to catch a perfect view of the door, then mount it to the wall with two screws. It took less than ten minutes, and that included cleaning up his mess.

  “You’re all set.” He walked into her café a few minutes later and dropped down onto a stool at the snack bar, while a young couple sat at a table by the window, and a father and son occupied a booth in the corner.

  She turned from the grill to flash him a smile. “Thanks. My fingers are crossed that it sheds some light.”

  He nodded, and liking the way her gaze remained unguarded and warm when he stayed on safe topics, Noah inquired about the past ten years, happy to answer her questions in return. After an hour, he discovered two things. One, she was warm, kindhearted, and sexy-as-hell. Two, she was cautions, leery of his touch, and extremely attracted to him.

  Her breath caught whenever he was near. So he made up his mind to do whatever it took to gain her trust, bust down her walls, and hopefully, get inside her heart as fully as she was rooted in his.

  Of course, sleeping outside her
door again tonight when she told him no, and sneaking behind her back as his captain’s eyes and ears weren’t going to win him any brownie points. He just hoped she didn’t find out before he had a chance to tell her himself.

  Chapter Five

  A slight scuffling sound outside her door alarmed Layla, early the next morning. She jumped into action, adrenaline flowing through her veins at the prospect of finally finding out who kept leaving typed sticky notes on her door. And maybe being somehow responsible for Rescue getting out.

  So far, the camera had yielded nothing and her cat hadn’t left the apartment, but she was pretty certain it would pay off. Like now, with her being in the right place at the right time to hear this scuffling. She unlocked the door, then thrust it open to find the reason behind the noise.

  Noah.

  And his sleeping bag?

  “What’s going on?” She stepped into the hall, noting a worried frown settled across his brow, while a slice of guilt flashed through his eyes. “Noah? Have you been sleeping outside my door when I asked you not to?”

  He lifted his chin and straightened his shoulders. “Yes.” His gaze was dark and challenging and he held up a hand when she opened her mouth to respond. “Until we catch the culprit, I’ll be here every night I’m not at the station, so don’t bother trying to argue with me, Layla.”

  She knew what battles to fight and which ones to let go.

  This was the latter.

  “All right.”

  His brow lifted at her answer, and she smiled at his response while warmth spread through her chest and down her body at his thoughtfulness and caring. She owed him, but had no idea how to repay. It was something she needed to chew on. And it was a good thing he started another rotation today, because she just might’ve been foolish enough to invite him in and repay him by getting them both naked.

  After promising to call if she needed anything, Layla returned to her apartment and busied herself with making breakfast for her and her sister who was due to stop by any minute, since she was dropping Robert off at the station this morning.

  Definitely a good move not inviting Noah into her apartment to get naked.

  The onions and peppers were already sliced for their omelets by the time her sister arrived.

  “Mmm…smells good and you haven’t even started cooking. Need any help?” Christie dropped her purse on a stool before helping herself to a coffee.

  “No. I’m good.”

  Her sister carried her coffee back to her seat and settled at the island. “I saw Noah on my way in. He was looking a little stiff.”

  Her heart lurched, guilt rippling through her belly. “I caught him this morning. Apparently, ever since that last note, the poor guy has been sacrificing a decent night’s sleep just to safeguard my door.”

  Christie’s eyes widened. “He’s sleeping outside your door?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. He must really care about you, Layla.” A wicked gleam entering her sister’s eyes. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “What?” Her voice cracked. Surely she heard her sister wrong. She approached the counter and frowned. “What did you say?”

  “I said, what are you going to do to reward the guy.”

  “But it’s Noah. I-I can’t reward him like that.”

  “Why the hell not? You’ve been crushing on the guy since puberty. The two of you have been fighting it for far too long.”

  “But…you’re marrying his brother.”

  “So?”

  “Well, he’ll be family. What if something happens and we split up? I don’t want to make things awkward for you.”

  Christie reached across the counter to squeeze her hand. “That’s sweet, sis, but you need to worry about yourself, and your needs. Besides, there’s no guarantee things will go right with me and Robert, either. I hope to God they do because I love him to death. But, in any relationship, there’s no guarantee either way. Don’t let fear make you pass up this opportunity.”

  Her mind still couldn’t grasp the bombshell her sister dropped. “So you’re saying I have your blessing to explore this thing between me and Noah?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying, Layla. Go for it.”

  Well, hell. That changed things.

  ***

  Her mind was still on that change the following afternoon when Noah knocked on her door, and started a fluttering in her stomach as she stepped aside and let him in.

  “I just stopped by to see if you caught anything on camera.” He nodded to the device mounted on the wall.

  She shook her head. “No, and Rescue hasn’t done his disappearing act once since you mounted it. I swear it’s like he knows.” She chuckled. “Would you like a drink?”

  He hesitated a moment before nodding. “Thanks. Water is fine.”

  Forcing her wobbly legs to carry her to the refrigerator, she used the task as an opportunity to get her emotions under control. But all she could keep thinking was her sister gave her blessing and told her to go for it. Take a chance.

  Her whole body shook at that thought.

  She drew in a breath and turned to hand him a bottle of water, her pulse hiccupping when she found him right behind her. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” He grasped the bottle, but his focus was on her lips.

  Breathing became difficult, but she did manage to clear her suddenly dry throat. “How was your shift? I heard three calls while I was up here.”

  “We had a few more than that.” A smile twitched his lips and she watched them as he drank his water. He slowly lowered the bottle and set it down.

  Layla nodded, awareness spreading through her, thanks to the potent man. He was standing so close she could smell the fresh scent of soap and hot male. It was no use. Her brain was shutting down as her body came alive, vibrating with need, while they stared at each other.

  Only with him. Her body only ever had this reaction to Noah.

  It was intoxicating.

  “I should go.” He cleared his throat while reluctance dimmed his expression.

  But the thing was, Layla was tired of denying her attraction to him and decided to take a stand. Now. She frowned up at him. “Why?”

  His eyes widened on an inhale. “Layla, I want to stay. God knows I want to stay.” The heat in his gaze confirmed his words. “But you know why I can’t.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Christie gave her blessing, said we’ve been fighting this for far too long, and I’m pretty sure your brother feels the same.”

  “He does. He told me.”

  She smiled. “Then why do you have to go?”

  He stepped closer and lifted a hand to lightly brush her cheek with his thumb. “Years ago, I made a promise to your grandfather and I’m trying not to break it.”

  “Promise?” Her stomach lurched. She didn’t like the sound of this. “What kind of promise?”

  “He asked me to leave you alone. So I did.”

  She inhaled. “By moving away?”

  “How else was I going to keep from touching you?” That thumb of his now strummed over her lower lip and everything inside her warmed.

  God…all this time she was the reason he left?

  “Grandpa had no right to ask you that.”

  “Sure he did. He cared about you, Layla.”

  “I know, but you wouldn’t have hurt me. I know this, Noah.”

  “Not intentionally, but with me in the guard and deployable, he didn’t want that stress on you. I’m sure of it.”

  Anger and compassion mixed and her chest warmed with both. He’d cared about her and respected her grandfather, but so much time had been wasted.

  “That was my choice, Noah. My choice, and I would’ve chosen you.” She reached up to cup his jaw, treating his lower lip to the same sweet torture. Her confession and touch were getting to him, wearing him down. The darkness in his gaze was haunted and heated at the same time. “That’s all in the past now. I’m no longer that virgin teenager. I don’
t care about that twelve-year-old promise.”

  His gaze softened and lips twitched. “I do.” He leaned close, kissed her cheek, then straightened. “And I can’t get involved with you while I’m working under your godfather.” He released her and drew away from her touch. “Good night.”

  She opened her mouth, but what could she say? Once again, a well-meaning person stood in her path to Noah. Darnit, she wished they’d let her live her own life, but she didn’t want to force the man to compromise his morals for her. That could only come back to slap her in the face. No, Noah was going to have to make that decision on his own.

  She just hoped to God it was soon.

  Tamping down her disappointment, she leaned against the island and watched him stop to pet Rescue, who was perched on the back of the armchair, before he straightened and walked out of her apartment. Her lifelong crush just turned down her unofficial offer of sex. She walked to her cat and treated him to more petting. “I probably should be hurt or humiliated,” she told him. His ears twitched but he didn’t have any words of wisdom for her, just rose to stretch before jumping down and disappearing in her bedroom. “Actually, I am…a little.” But mostly, she was warmed by Noah’s integrity and the fact he’d wanted her so much back then he had to move to another state.

  That was pretty great for her ego.

  Once she snapped out of her self-serving stupor, she left a purring Rescue to gather the dishes from the counter and carry them to the sink. Tonight wasn’t a total loss. The two of them had opened up about the past and their true feelings.

  He left Texas all those years ago because he wanted her.

  Technically, it sucked. He’d left, and she never got to be with him. Now he was back, but wouldn’t touch her because of that promise, and because he worked for her godfather, who no doubt, gave him the same “hands off” speech he apparently gave all the firefighters. They always looked, but didn’t touch. Flirted, but never asked her out. Except for her ex…who was a jerk and she wished had heeded her godfather’s warning.

  Too bad Noah did. For a moment tonight Layla thought she’d actually gotten past his iron-clad will and connected. Her body was still pouting when a knock sounded at her door.