26. Jensen
TWENTY-SIX
JENSEN
The weeks following our early Valentine’s Day were hectic. I was glad we’d gotten a little time alone because we sure hadn’t had a moment’s peace—or alone time—since then. I was currently working on a few touchups and additional secret illustrations since getting all the products and displays moved in.
It was only three days until the soft opening of A Place for All. Tatum was driving both of us crazy with details for the media blast she’d put together. However, she did enjoy finding all the illustrations I hid around the space.
She was going to do a contest for people to find all the secret ones I was adding.
Everyone loved a treasure hunt—or in this case, tiny little illustrations.
Like the little bee I was adding to Bell Flower Soaps’ display. I had a pretzel for Mama’s Bread as well as a sweet star ring for McTavish Jewelry. I had a half dozen more to do today before my shift at The Mason Jar.
I glanced over my shoulder at Lyric, who was running around making sure the finicky background stuff had been finalized. Today’s stressor was making sure all the boxes were unloaded, and the vendors were set up on our internet to actually sell their wares.
The local newspaper would be on site to capture the opening, as well as a video crew from the local news station. We were already used to Tatum, who always had a camera in our face. She’d been filming short and long form videos for each booth to showcase the products as well as the vendors. All our social media channels were chock full of teasers, and the whole town seemed to be buzzing.
I’d heard plenty of chatter about it at The Spinning Wheel as well as The Mason Jar during my shifts. I was pretty sure a mix of spring fever, thanks to a rather brutal winter, and the concentration of local talent had helped the town get behind the opening.
I was so damn proud of Lyric for pulling this off.
My pocket buzzed and I was tempted to ignore it. Far too many people seemed to have my number these days. But since we were getting right up to the wire, I didn’t have that luxury.
My heart rate went haywire as I saw the name on the display.
Ben
Interviews for the spring probies are tomorrow.
Tomorrow ?
The worst fucking timing.
When Adam had told me the next hiring would be in the spring, I expected after we were done opening A Place for All.
How the hell was I supposed to escape away when were currently in the final set-up phase?
When?
Ben
11 in the morning.
I’ll be at the station.
Ben
Good. Can’t fucking wait, man.
Same.
Anticipation thrummed through me. All I’d been working toward was so close.
The need to share with Lyric was overwhelming, but I was also nervous about telling her. What if I didn’t get chosen? There were a ton of people in my class who would be gunning for a spot with the CCFD.
Captain Mills ran an elite firehouse.
Nerves thrummed through me the rest of the day. But it had lit a fire under my ass to get the last of the illustrations done.
So I didn’t get waylaid by something else, I went to find Lyric before I headed off for my shift at The Mason Jar.
I found Sheba first, who was trotting around the vendors, getting all the attention she could stand. I crouched down to her. “Where’s Lyric?”
Sheba’s head tilted in that adorable way then she trotted off. Quickly, I followed and ended up in a storage room off to the side of the atrium doors. I didn’t even know the room existed.
I heard Lyric’s voice as she spoke quietly to her dog.
I closed the door to the room behind me and found Lyric with her iPad propped on a pile of boxes and her sitting on a portable stool.
“Hiding?”
She jumped and twisted in her chair, then she sagged. “You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”
I laughed and wound my way through the overflow stock from the vendors to the little space she was wedged in. “You have a perfectly good office.”
“I know, but everyone knows where my office is. I needed an uninterrupted hour to make sure everyone was logged into our network. That and some quiet.”
I bent down to kiss her. “I understand completely. Your secret’s safe with me.”
She wound her arms around my neck and held on.
I moaned into her mouth. “I have to go to my shift.”
“How long do you have?”
I leaned back enough to arch a brow at her. “How long do you need?”
She nibbled on her lip, then she stood and backed me farther into the closet. When my back hit a shelving unit, her busy fingers went right to my zipper.
“Lyric.” I tried to stop her questing fingers, but she was fast and obviously had a goal in mind. As usual, the minute she touched me, I instantly hardened.
She grinned up at me. “Hello there. It feels like I haven’t gotten my hands on this perfect cock in days.”
I tipped my head back as she fisted me tight. “He definitely has missed you.” I reached for her shirt to get under it, but she dropped down into a crouch and pulled me out. Before I could react, she had her hot mouth around the head and took me deep into her throat.
“Fuck, fuck.” I buried my fingers into her hair. “Lyric. Wait.”
She took me deeper if that was even possible and my brain short-circuited as her wet mouth dragged me up and over into an eye-searing orgasm. I couldn’t hold out against her and her happy hum of approval had me sagging against the shelves.
“Jesus.” My heart was rocketing so fast, I could hear it in my ears.
She grinned up at me and tucked me back into my jeans before standing up to finish zipping me up.
“That wasn’t fair.”
“Seemed fair to me.” She went onto her toes to brush a kiss over the corner of my mouth.
I slid my hand down her ass, then up to the stretchy waistband of her yoga pants. “Tit for tat?”
“Don’t you have a schedule to keep?” Her golden eyes were warm, and that secret smile tipped up her lips.
“I do, but fuck, I gotta know.” I slipped my hand around to the front of her pants and into the cotton of her panties. I blew out a harsh breath. “Wet for me. From getting me off?”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Yes.”
“You’re so fucking sexy, Lyric. And if I had the time, and you hadn’t drained my brain out of my dick, I’d turn you over those boxes and fuck the hell out of you.”
“You are very resilient.” She gave a quick moan as I pinched her clit between my knuckles firmly.
“I am, but I ran out of condoms.”
“Oh.” She dropped her head back. “Handily, I think that won’t be a problem for much longer. God, right there.”
I rubbed her harder. “And why is that?”
“I have an appointment with my gynecologist tomorrow.”
My fingers stilled. “You do?”
“Birth control. I want to feel you inside me. Every part of you.”
I groaned at the thought. “I’ve never been bare inside anyone.”
She smiled and then her face contorted as I strummed her faster. “Yes, yes.”
“Inside you whenever I want?” I said against her ear. “Anytime?”
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“Fuck, yes, it is.” If it was at all possible, she got even wetter. Her nails dug into my forearm as she broke.
Her little pants made me insane. And I wished for that birth control right now.
But feeling her fly apart for me would never get old.
She sagged against me with a little laugh, then she buried her face against my neck and hauled in a deep breath. “I’m very glad you found my hiding spot. But if you tell anyone, I’ll kill you.”
I laughed as I cupped her face to kiss her forehead. “Understood.”
She gave me a sleepy smile. “Now I want a nap.”
“You always want to sleep after I make you come.”
“I know and you’re always energized. Figures.”
I laughed. “I need the energy to get through this shift at The Mason Jar. It’s ladies' night.”
“Well, make sure you remind them you already have one.”
“Never fear on that end, baby. I don’t want anyone else.” I tucked a curl around her ear. “What time is your appointment?”
“I’m doing it at lunch.”
“Cool. I gotta stop at my apartment for a few things, so let me know if you need any candy, ice cream, or whatever after.”
She laughed. “It’s not my period. Even if it is a little uncomfortable, I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” I dropped a kiss on her mouth. “But if you need anything, let me know.”
“I will.” She played with the hem of my shirt. “Are you staying at my place tonight?”
“I’ll be late, but I’ll be there.”
“Okay.”
She followed me into the front of the storage room and plopped back down on her seat. Sheba was curled up in her shrimp formation beside her chair.
“Don’t work too hard. We’re really close to being done.”
“I can’t wait for opening day and yet at the same time, it feels like we’ll never be ready.”
“We will, I promise. We have so much to look forward to.”
“Thanks, Jensen. I don’t know that I could have done all of this without you.”
“You would have—but you don’t need to do it alone anymore.” I kissed the top of her head and stuck out my head to make sure no one was around before I slipped out and headed through the doors.
Everything was coming together.
I just needed to make sure to hold on a little longer, and then I could tell her that both of our dreams were coming true.
After I got through my shift. And rocked my CCFD interview.