Chapter Twenty
LYLA
Being back at the station felt weird. The last time I was there was right before the accident. I pushed away thoughts of that day. So far, I couldn’t remember much anyway.
I looked around as we entered the bay. Our main truck was gone, and the building was quiet. The crew was likely at Adam’s putting out the fire.
Exhaustion sat heavy in every part of my body. It had been a long, stressful day, and it looked like it was going to be a long night as well.
I followed Adam up the stairs. He looked back at me as I slowed, fighting a yawn with zero success.
“We should probably try to get a bit of sleep before the guys get back,” he said, spinning to face me as we stepped into the common area.
I nodded. Sleep sounded like a great idea. “Yeah, I need to lie down for a bit.”
Once in the bunk room, he stopped at his bunk. It was already made. I had almost forgotten he was supposed to be on duty tonight. I glanced around. Maybe I could just rest on an unmade bunk. Or one of the chairs in the common area.
He lifted his blanket with a wave. “Climb in.”
I raised a brow and looked cautiously around the room. He wanted to share his bed?
“Nothing’s going to happen,” he added quickly. “I just want to hold you, and I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
With a few words, I could’ve ended whatever we’d started earlier. But was that what I wanted? It appeared my decision was made when no part of me could utter those words.
Climbing in, I scooted over, leaving what I hoped was enough room for Adam. These bunks were definitely not made for two.
Laying down next to me, Adam wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me close to him.
I breathed him in as I rested my head on his chest. His crisp, clean scent that always reminded me of a day on the water invaded my senses.
And with my arm draped over his torso, it was impossible to ignore the muscles that lay beneath.
God, this felt good.
“We can take this slow, Lyla,” he whispered. “I wanted you to know how I feel, but I need you to be sure this is what you want before anything happens between us.”
I nodded, needing time to digest all of this. The thought of being with him was half exciting and half scary. I let myself inhale all that was him, comforted by his heartbeat and his soothing embrace, as I started to drift peacefully off to sleep.
My eyelids fluttered open again sometime later as noise from the guys filling the common area filtered into our space. I raised up on my elbow and looked down at Adam.
He smiled sleepily at me and reached up, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I could get used to waking up like this.”
Would I ever get used to the adoration and desire aimed at me? Based on the way my stomach was flipping from his touch and intense stare, I wasn’t sure I ever would. But I totally liked it, and craved so much more of it.
“I guess we should go get an update,” he added as his lips formed a tight line.
“Probably.” Although I questioned if I wanted to know.
He stood, helping me up, and we headed toward the common area. Once we stepped into the room, the guys all spun to look at us. The silence as everyone stopped talking at once was jarring. They glared at Adam with annoyance, except for Zack who had a smirk on his face.
Jay crossed his arms over his chest. “Next time there’s a fire in your apartment building, shoot us a text and let us know if you’re going to leave the scene.”
“Sorry.” Adam flinched. “I told Ethan what my plan was.”
Zack smirked. “He updated us…eventually.”
“It was a bit chaotic.” Logan shrugged. “He had to deal with a drunk idiot who refused to evacuate, and then Dylan showed up.”
If Dylan was there, that meant it wasn’t an accident. I waited for the news I sensed coming, still not sure if I wanted to know or not.
“So… not a simple dryer fire?” Adam asked.
“Definitely not.” Seth shook his head with a frown. “Trash can.”
“Maybe someone was smoking and threw the cigarette in there.” At this point I was grasping onto whatever I could. Anything that would indicate it was an accident and not malicious intent.
All eyes turned to me with sympathy, and my hope vanished.
“Not likely,” Jay finally said. “Dylan and Ethan found evidence of forced entry into the vacant basement apartment.”
“Fuck,” Adam gritted out.
“Good news is it didn’t do any real damage.” Zack’s cheerful tone stood out among the seriousness of the rest of the room. “You should be able to get back into the apartment tomorrow afternoon.”
I swallowed down a gasp. The idea of staying in Adam’s apartment by myself caused my heart to hammer in my chest.
As if Adam could sense my dread, he reached out and ran his hand up and down my back. “Don’t worry, we’ll stay here for now until I can figure something out.”
I nodded. Was it too late to take him up on the offer to leave town?
Zack’s brows pulled together as he studied us, then the corner of his lips lifted into a smirk. “I’ll call my parents. I’m sure they’ll let you guys come stay at the lodge. It’s gated, plenty of people and security.”
I’d almost forgotten that his parents owned a small resort in the mountains only thirty minutes away. Would we be safe there? The apartment building had plenty of people too, and look how that turned out.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Adam pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call Dylan and see what he thinks.” He glanced down at me, his hand still rubbing my back. “I’m going to make a cup of coffee. You want one?”
“Sure, thanks.”
Adam walked over to the coffee maker, and I sat in one of the chairs, slowly starting to relax. Maybe the lodge would be safe. If anything, it made me feel better than going back to Adam’s place.