Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
JESSE
I wiped down the last truck, grunting in satisfaction. It gleamed. Everything in the station did, ready for the open house in a few hours. We had all worked to make sure it was sparkling.
Beside me, Miller sat in the sun, his back to me. He wasn’t as happy being at the station this time. His cat friend wasn’t with him. I had told him in the truck to get used to it.
“She’s not staying, boy. They’ll be gone before you know it,” I informed him, my voice sounding bitter, even to my ears.
Why I was bitter, I had no idea. She had agreed to the rules. My rules.
Our conversation from the other night kept playing in my head. We had agreed not to see other people. Again, something I brought up and she agreed to.
I was having a passionate, incredible affair with my tenant.
No strings attached and a time limit since she planned on leaving in a few months or more.
Sex was unbelievable. Talking to her was pleasurable—she was intelligent and funny.
I even liked sleeping beside her. And although I complained, I liked being the one who was around when she needed help. It made me feel good.
And we did it all under wraps. No one knew.
So why was I so pissed off about the whole thing?
I shut my eyes and shook my head. I had left the house without saying goodbye.
Warning her to stay out of trouble. I let her think I was annoyed with her about the garden boxes when I wasn’t.
I took Miller with me instead of leaving him the way I’d planned since she felt better with him around.
I hadn’t checked in. No texts, no teasing, nothing.
And I’d barely slept all night worrying about her.
But I stayed silent, not reaching for my phone.
I was acting like the asshole she no doubt thought I was right now.
And I had no idea why.
I had a feeling she wouldn’t come this afternoon. I couldn’t blame her after the way I acted.
I sighed as I headed to the kitchen, Miller following me close.
I would apologize when I got home and hoped she would forgive me.
The alarm went off just before the open house started. I raced to the truck, and we headed out. I noticed the older ladies walking to the station. They came every year to visit and fuss over us, always bringing baked goods with them. I didn’t see Casey, but then, it was still early.
Two hours later, we were back, tired, wet, and dirty. A fire in a restaurant kitchen was always difficult, and this one had been burning a while before we got there, the owner certain he could handle it.
Until it hit the cooking oil. Then he decided to call us.
I scanned the parking lot, but I didn’t see Casey’s SUV.
Either she had come and gone, or she wasn’t coming.
I felt the heavy rush of disappointment, but I had no one to blame but myself and my stubbornness.
I should have left Miller. I should have texted her.
I shouldn’t have been a coward and instead manned up and called her.
We jumped off the truck and quickly got to work refurbishing it, ready for the next incident.
We changed into fresh gear then we headed into the event inside, knowing how much the kids would love it.
I was anxious, hoping Casey would have arrived while we were busy.
I’d have a hot shower after I spoke to her.
I scanned the crowd, Casey nowhere to be seen.
There was a group of kids, excited and full of questions, and I kneeled down to their level to answer them.
The crew that had stayed behind was talking with various people, one person seemingly drawing a lot of attention.
Through the small crowd, I spied a vivid blue dress and creamy skin on display, the low back showing off the woman’s shoulders and arms to their advantage.
There was something familiar about the set of the shoulders and the dark hair that was piled on her head, long pieces hanging down her neck and back.
I shook my head and returned my attention to the kids, promising to talk more and have pictures taken with them by the fire truck as soon as I met with some people.
I rose to my feet, my height giving me the advantage of a clear view of the woman across the room.
She turned, and I almost fell back to my knees.
It was Casey.
In a dress.
She told me once she didn’t even own a dress.
Whoever helped her find that one needed to be praised or smacked. I couldn’t decide which.
She was breathtaking. Achingly beautiful. And so fucking sexy, my cock roared to life simply at the sight of her.
And the crew was standing too close and being way too familiar with her. She was laughing and smiling, seemingly not noticing me at all.
I wanted to go over, drag her away, and kiss her senseless. Let them all know she was with me.
Except I had been the one to insist on privacy. Keeping our relationship between us.
And suddenly, I knew why I’d been so upset the past few days.
Because I didn’t want to keep it hidden. I wanted to be able to walk up to her and kiss her. Take her hand and tell her how beautiful she was. It didn’t matter if it was for a month or a year—it was what I wanted.
I wanted exclusive and no more hiding.
And that started right now.
CASEY
Jesse wasn’t there when I arrived at the station. Martha told me he was responding to a call, but he would be back soon. “It was contained,” she assured me.
“Okay.”
“You look incredible.”
“Oh,” I said. “Thanks. I feel a little, um, odd.”
“You don’t look odd,” she assured me. “You look summery and, frankly, sexy.”
I leaned forward, whispering, “I haven’t worn a dress since I was a kid and my mom made me.”
She laughed. “Well, it suits you.”
“It was Lou’s,” I confessed.
She looked surprised.
“I found it in a tote with some pictures. I thought it was pretty so I tried it on, and it fit. I mean, it’s a bit long, but I’m okay with that.”
“I don’t think I ever saw Lou in anything but pants,” she mused. “The occasional skirt years and years ago. But I would have remembered that dress.” She squeezed my hand. “She would have loved you wearing it.” She waved me off. “Go mingle. Your man will be back soon.”
“He’s not my man. We’re just friends.”
She smiled. “Yes. You wore that dress for your friend .” She was laughing as she walked away.
I skirted the room, my brilliant idea suddenly feeling wrong.
When I’d tried on the dress, I was excited that it fit.
A little tight in the chest and long, but otherwise perfect.
I pulled the back up as high as it went, and I had a white sweater in case the building was chilly.
I wore a pair of my fancy sneakers. They looked like lace, and I thought they matched the little trim on my chest. I wore my hair up, letting strands fall down my neck and back.
Lip gloss was as far as I went with makeup.
I recognized a few of the crew from the days when I dropped off food. Lori was there, and we talked for a while. She was horrified to hear what happened with Chris, but she assured me he was more of a work friend to Cal and she wasn’t overly fond of him.
“Too full of himself at times,” she confessed. “I tried to like him since he worked with Cal, but…” She trailed off. “He often shows up uninvited. He hasn’t been around since that weekend. I hear he’s seeing someone in the next town over.”
I grimaced. “Good luck to her.”
“Cal will be here soon,” she told me. “And I hope you come back for more karaoke. You were so great!”
“Maybe next week.”
We hugged, and she slipped away to see if Cal had arrived yet. I spoke with the “old biddies,” as Jesse teasingly called them. They were sweet and welcoming, a couple offering their grandsons’ phone numbers, while the others plied me with cookies.
I finally got away, only to run into four of the firefighters. One was the probie I had met whom Jesse was helping. Alan was sweet and earnest, standing a little too close for my comfort.
I felt him before I saw him. The crew returned from their incident, walking in together.
I had seen Jesse in his T-shirt and pants before, but never in full gear.
In a group, he stood out. He was a walking poster boy for the fire department.
Mark was beside him, a good-looking man, but he paled next to Jesse.
At least to me. And then Jesse dropped to his knee, greeting some kids and giving them his full attention.
Alan touched my elbow. “So, you work with computers? That’s cool.”
“Um, yes.”
A few more crew, including one of the female firefighters, joined us, and I enjoyed talking to her.
She was strong and fit, wearing her gear proudly.
We discovered a shared love of outdoor decorations and chatted about that for a few moments until she was called elsewhere.
I was just wondering how to slip away, knowing Jesse was back, safe, and busy.
He hadn’t even spared me a glance, so I knew he was still upset.
And I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
“I have to get going.” I smiled at the small group of men around me. “Thanks for keeping me company and answering all my questions.”
Alan frowned. “Can I walk you to your car?”
“Oh, that wouldn’t be a good idea,” I muttered, remembering the last time someone had walked me to my car.
“I don’t mind,” he insisted.
“But I do,” a voice behind me spoke.
I didn’t have to look to see who it was. I knew that gruff, displeased tone anywhere.
Thorne.
I turned, meeting his gaze. I expected it to be removed, cool. The way it was during our first few encounters.
I didn’t expect the intensity emanating from his eyes. The fire.
Alan frowned. “Sorry?”
“I’ll walk Casey to her car if she needs to be walked. But she’s here to see me,” Thorne stated firmly, not taking his eyes off me. He had a smear of dirt across his cheek, and his hair was wild, making him look gruff and sexier than ever.
But what was he doing?
Alan looked between us, then grinned. “Oh, my bad. Nice to see you again, Casey. Feel free to bring more cookies anytime.” He winked.
Thorne growled.
Like an animal. I swore he bared his teeth. Alan and the other two firemen turned and hurried away. They muttered something to one another, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
I crossed my arms, glaring at Thorne.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” he replied, an edge to his voice. “Simply speaking the truth. I invited you here.”
“Well, since I wasn’t sure I was still welcome under your invitation, I invited myself. I hadn’t expected you to even speak to me.” I lifted my chin. “In fact, I’m not sure I want to speak to you.”
He leaned forward, his voice low and rough. “Then you shouldn’t have worn that dress.”
My eyes widened. He continued to speak.
“You have no idea how hard I’m trying to hold myself back.”
“H-hold back?” I sputtered.
His voice dropped even more. “I want to throw you over my shoulder and take you to some quiet corner. Kiss you until you are breathless and peel that dress off you.”
I was shocked. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“I was mad at myself. And it took you walking in here looking like a siren from the sixties for me to realize why.”
“Why?” I asked, almost whimpering.
“Because as soon as I saw you, I didn’t care that I was being watched. I wanted to yank you into my arms and kiss you in front of everyone. Let them know we’re together.”
I blinked.
“I don’t care that it’s only for now. I don’t care what happens in six months or a year. Right now, we’re together. We’re exclusive. And I want to be able to show it.”
“What stopped you?”
“You hate being kissed without permission,” he replied frankly.
“I wasn’t sure you wanted that.” He drew in a deep breath.
“Because that dress is so fucking spectacular on you, and I don’t want to ruin it.
I need to have a proper shower before I touch you.
I want you to wear it for me again. When I take you out on a real date. ”
I was so shocked at his words, I was barely able to speak.
“A date?” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“Um…”
He frowned. “Will you let me take you out?”
“We’re not going to the bar for the pasta special, are we?”
He threw back his head in laughter. “No, Pixie. I promise you something so much better than pasta night.”
“Okay, then.”
“Good. Now, this is what is going to happen. You go and chat to Martha or someone safe. I’m going to go and have a hot, soapy shower so I don’t get you dirty when I touch you.”
I tilted my head. “I like it when you get me dirty,” I whispered.
He shut his eyes. “Pixie, I’ve had a hard-on ever since I walked in here and saw you in that dress. Don’t tempt me. I’m hanging on by a thread.”
I grinned at him. “ Do you have private showers?”
He pulled a hand through his hair. “Jesus,” he muttered. “Just what I need—getting written up for having sex with my girlfriend in the station.”
I felt a shiver at the word girlfriend . I’d never been called that before.
“Okay, I’ll stay down here. Hurry back.”
“As fast as I can,” he assured me. “But I’m going to have to find a quiet spot. I need to kiss you and ask you to forgive me for my behavior.”
“I already did.”
His eyes softened, a smile playing on his lips. “I still want that kiss.”
“I’ll give you two.”
“I’ll be right back.” He lifted his hand as if to touch me, then pulled back. I grabbed it and pressed a quick kiss to his knuckles. He touched a finger to my mouth and turned, hurrying away.
He was as good to watch leave as he was to arrive.