Chapter 5
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS. TEMPTATION LEANS ON THE DOORBELL
MAJOR
“Oh, sorry. It’s just we were being playful, I didn’t mean to…” She pauses. “How old is your daughter?” she continues.
“She’s three,” he replies with a small smile.
I’ll never forget the day we opened up the garage bay doors and all of our eyes landed on the car seat that sat perched up against the brick wall of our station.
None of us heard the baby crying until the garage doors were opened, which led me to believe she was sleeping peacefully until she heard the creaking of the metal when the overhead doors lifted.
Wade’s face fell instantly when he recognized the seat. Lily’s name came out in a frantic whisper as he ran over to her, dropped to his knees, unbuckled the strap, and pulled her into an embrace.
I witnessed him realize so much in one moment.
His girlfriend left him.
She safe surrendered their own child to his fire station.
He was, in the blink of an eye, a single dad.
Lily immediately calmed and cooed in his arms like she knew, too, and something shifted in him instantly. From that moment on, nothing else mattered but Lily.
Wade might be a moody pain in the ass most days, but he’s loyal and loves with his whole heart. He’s a caretaker and wears the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I continue to watch as Abby asks questions about Lily and how easily Wade opens up about her. He’s usually reserved and shares nothing, but there’s something about Abby that intrigues all of us and I see a side of Wade I haven’t seen before.
He has a crush on her.
Jasper does, too. It’s harder to pinpoint because he’s a natural flirt, but there’s a nervousness to him that I typically don’t see in his free-spirited personality.
My gaze bounces over to Jasper who’s listening to Wade tell a story about Lily’s love for Lego demolition and he’s just as interested in his story as Abby is.
These two fight nonstop but they’re the best guys I’ve ever worked with.
Jasper would run into a burning building to save a pet spider if he had to, thinking nothing of his own safety if it meant saving someone or something else.
He’s both brave and spontaneous, a bit of a loose cannon but he’s selfless.
Wade is more calculated and the most strategic of anyone I’ve ever met.
The two together are like oil and water, but somehow combined, all of us make the best team in the field.
Lately though, I’ve noticed a difference between the two of them. They fight worse than ever, but the tension isn’t the same.
The feeling is…different.
There’s an underlying sexual tension and I’m unsure if I’m just reading too much into it or if my gut is leading me in the right direction.
Jasper likes Wade. And the nicer Jasper is to him, the more Wade pushes away.
But I don’t think he wants to.
“Major.” Jasper’s voice surprises me as it pulls me out of my thoughts. “Abby wants to do a video for her socials.”
“Oh, right. Let’s do that in the garage. We can have the trucks in the background.” I glance over at Abby, raising my eyebrows to ask her approval.
“Sounds perfect.” She bounces out of her seat with excitement and I can see how giddy this makes her. She must be a natural giver and it makes me wonder how much of that translates over to her in the bedroom.
She’s called me sir, twice. Not that I’m counting. But both times it lit my dick up like a billboard in Times Square.
I wonder if she’s naturally submissive, giving herself to someone else or if her giving nature likes to be in control while she pleases.
I can’t help but watch her hips sway as she walks toward the door and my neck attempts to follow her around the corner.
Jasper chuckles, and it’s the second time he’s pulled me out of a stupor while wrapped up in thoughts of Abby.
“Make your move, Maj.” He tips his chin in the direction she headed.
It’s not often I feel distracted by a woman, but I can’t seem to keep my head on straight or my imagination for that matter.
I’m flustered by her and even more embarrassed that the guys can sense it. So, I say the only other factual thing I can think of.
“I’m too old for her.” I stand, picking up my plate and walk over to the sink, rinsing it before placing it in the dishwasher.
“I doubt she thinks that,” Jasper replies, placing the rest of the dirty dishes in the sink.
Ignoring his comment, I reply, “I’ll clean up. You guys go help her set up for the video. I’ll be right there.”
Wade and Jasper glance at each other, like they’re both thinking the same thing. But they say nothing, thankfully, as they follow Abby to the garage.
I know they’re confused because neither one of them has seen me show any interest in a woman since my divorce, so this is an entirely new situation for them. Hell, it is for me, too.
It’s been years since a woman has caught my attention, yet she comes sauntering in here, with her cocoa colored eyes and bright sunshine smile and I’m a puddle at her feet.
Placing my palms on the corner of the sink, I lean into it sucking in a deep breath.
She’s a gorgeous temptation and a dangerous one, considering it’s obvious all of us are into her.
My interests are different though. My ex couldn’t understand it, hell she didn’t even want to try, but something in my gut tells me Abby won’t be nearly as judgmental as she was.
Shaking my head, I pull myself out of my own thoughts yet again today. I need to stop this. “Get yourself together,” I whisper to myself.
“Maj, we’re ready!” Wade calls out.
Grabbing the towel, I wipe off my hands and head toward the garage.
We’ll get through this video and thank everyone for their donations, then send Abby home. We have too much work to do and it’s Christmas Eve. I’m sure she has other things to do than spend it here with us.
Plus the longer she stays the more a temptation she’ll become for all of us.