Chapter Fourteen PAISLEY
Chapter Fourteen
PAISLEY
The following morning, I stood under the hot water as it beat down on me.
My body was still pinging with desire and the sated aftermath of yet another orgasm delivered by Russell’s nimble fingers.
He left me relaxed and boneless in a way I had never been before.
I should’ve been freaking out, but I couldn't even bring myself to do it.
He’d already left the house, and this morning should’ve been awkward, but somehow, it wasn't. I knew we would argue again. I knew it would get weird, but I wanted to relax in this bubble for now. I'd woken to his warm hands teasing me awake. We’d fallen into slow, teasing kisses. He’d deftly rolled a condom on before sliding into me from behind.
He slowly brought me to an orgasm that rolled in deep waves through me, sending shudders all the way to my toes.
After that, he'd made pancakes, which were very good. He’d finally left to go help his mom with something. I knew the regret would come, but at this moment, my body felt as if I had been someone else's sensual feast, and I wanted to savor the feeling.
I didn't have to work today, so I wondered what I should do with myself. After getting dressed with my skin still feeling hypersensitive, I was relieved when my phone rang, and Phoebe asked if I wanted to meet her for coffee. That was perfect. A little distraction would help.
Once we were seated at a table at Firehouse Café, Phoebe looked over at me, commenting, “Well, you look like someone who had a very good night.”
“Um, what?”
Her lips twitched. “You don't need to tell me anything, but there's a vibe.”
“Oh, my God.” I looked over at Phoebe, feeling the heat flash into my cheeks. Not for the first time, I wished I didn't blush so easily. Auburn hair came with fair skin and freckles and blushes, at least in my case. “What do you mean?” I countered, trying to sound nonchalant and probably failing.
Her brows hitched up, and she smiled slightly before shrugging. “Nothing, I guess.”
I cleared my throat and took a swallow of my coffee. “Just had a good night's sleep.”
“That's always a win,” she replied easily.
I was relieved when she dropped it at that.
We chatted about work as we sipped our coffee.
I looked toward the door when I heard someone call Phoebe's name. Glancing over, I saw Madison Glen waving over at our table. She was with Graham, my new boss, the very guy who’d picked up on the tension between Russell and me and told us to stop arguing. He'd even forced us to talk about it.
Even though there was no way Graham could’ve known what happened last night, I suddenly felt guilty.
Madison was stunning. Her almost black hair hung in a glossy fall down her back.
She wore fitted jeans tucked into cowboy boots and a belted sweater under a lightweight down jacket.
She even looked good in a cute knitted hat.
I could never pull off a look like that.
Phoebe smiled over at her. “Hey, Madison.”
Madison turned and said something to Graham, and he released her hand as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek. The only word to describe the look he gave her was hot.
“Wow, Graham's got it bad,” I commented to Phoebe.
Her eyes twinkled with her smile. “He sure does.”
Madison stopped by the table, dividing her gaze between us. “How's it going?” she asked.
Phoebe nodded and gestured to me. “Good. You two have met, right?”
Madison looked down at me with a warm smile. “We have, but only for a minute. You’re on Graham’s crew, right?”
“I am.”
“I’ve been in town a few weeks longer than you,” she offered with a wink.
She slipped her cream-colored knit hat off, smoothing a hand over her hair.
“I just moved here a few months ago, and I’m still getting adjusted.
Moving somewhere new can be a little intimidating.
I'm guessing you're handling it better than me because you're a firefighter.”
The uncertainty that flickered in her eyes relaxed me. While she was gorgeous, her openness about the travails of moving somewhere new mirrored my own insecurities. “I don't know about that. I can handle a fire, but moving is always a challenge.”
“I'm a city girl, and it's easier to be invisible in the city. I like this small town, but it's different,” she observed. “Where are you from?”
“A small town in Washington, just outside the Cascades.”
“So, you know the small town drill, then?” Her lips quirked with her question.
I shrugged. “Sort of. I have learned that rentals are hard to come by here.”
Madison chuckled. “Now, I lucked out there. I inherited my grandfather's place. That's what brought me here.”
“You want to sit with us?” Phoebe asked.
Madison glanced over her shoulder toward Graham, who was now at the front of the line, then looked back at Phoebe. “Sure. Graham and I drove here in separate cars because he's headed into the station after this.”
She sat down in one of the empty chairs across from me. “So, did you know Graham before you moved here?” I asked.
Her hair swung on her shoulders when she shook her head. “I didn’t know anyone. It's a new relationship.” A tinge of pink crested on her cheeks.
“He's a good boss,” I offered.
“And a really nice guy,” Phoebe added.
“You've known him for a long time because you grew up here, right?” Madison prompted when she looked toward Phoebe.
Phoebe nodded. “That’s right. Graham's always been a good guy. He grew up fast when he had Allie.”
I'd heard Graham was a single father, but it still surprised me. “How old is his daughter?” I interjected.
Madison’s lips twitched at the corners. “She's a freshman in high school, just turned fourteen. She's a good kid, but she's definitely been testing him lately.”
At that moment, Graham arrived beside our table, immediately handing Madison a coffee cup and a plate with a bagel on it.
“The bagels here are really good,” I commented.
“I know. I was so relieved when I got a job because then I didn't have to worry about cutting back on my coffee time and bagels here,” she said with a little laugh.
Graham chuckled, dipping his head in acknowledgment to Phoebe and me. “I'm headed to the station. Will I see you two there?”
Phoebe cocked her head to the side. “Noooo,” she said slowly. “Our crew isn't on duty this weekend. Why are you going in?”
Madison's laughter rang out, and she looked up at him. “He's a workaholic.”
Graham shifted on his feet, looking sheepish.
“I'm just doing a little paperwork, that's all.
I'm only working half the day.” I was relieved at his explanation.
He didn't seem like the kind of boss who expected us to be working when we weren't on duty, but I was still new enough that I wasn't totally sure.
“I’d better get going. I'll see you tonight.” When he looked down at Madison, the intimacy flickering in his eyes made my heart squeeze, and I felt as if I should look away.
Madison blinked up at him, reaching for his hand and giving it a little tug. He leaned down and dropped a lingering kiss on her lips before straightening. “Yes, you'll see me later.” She waved with her fingers, her nails perfectly done, of course, as he left.
Phoebe cast Madison a sideways look. “That man has got it bad for you.”
Madison flushed, shrugging. “I'm not so sure.”
“Uh, I may not know you well, but I have to agree with Phoebe on that,” I offered dryly.
Madison took a deep breath and a sip of her coffee. “Maybe he does, but I’m not used to it.” After another sip of coffee, she divided her gaze between us. “What are you two up to today?”
“Meeting for coffee,” Phoebe replied with a laugh.
“Well, I'm headed to Anchorage for some errands. Want to keep me company?” Madison asked.
As soon as she looked at us, uncertainty flickered in her eyes, and she began to open her mouth again before Phoebe interjected quickly. “Of course! Can we go to Costco?”
“Oh, there's a Costco in Anchorage?” I cut in.
Phoebe nodded firmly. “There are two.”
“Well, count me in.”
“We can do whatever you want. I just need to drop some paperwork off at the office. I'm also trying to make friends. In order to do that, I’ve been told I actually have to reach out to people,” Madison explained.
Phoebe gave her an understanding look. “It's hard to make friends when you're a grown-up.”
Since we were on the topic, I nodded in agreement. “It's weird.”
“Well, we have a shopping trip,” Madison said. “Plus, I want to hear about Russell.”
The minute Madison said that, I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. “What do you mean?” I ground out.
“Graham thinks Russell likes you, and now you're roommates.”
I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. I wasn't going to fess up about last night because that would be a problem. Opening them, I tried to shrug casually. “I have no idea what Russell thinks or if he likes me. Plus, we're not really roommates.”
“What do you mean?” Phoebe asked.
“I rent the upstairs, and he's downstairs. It's kind of like two separate apartments, but in the same house.”
Madison’s lips twitched, and there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. Phoebe was responding to a text on her phone while Madison took a bite of her bagel. When she finished chewing, she offered, “Sure, you're not roommates then. Whatever makes it easier for you.”
Phoebe set her phone down, chiming in with, “I can't speak for Russell, but I think you have a crush on him.”