2. Sawyer
SAWYER
“It’s not a total loss.” It’s not a lie, but it’s not the entire truth either. They definitely can’t stay here tonight, but it’ll be up to her insurance as to whether she’ll need to rebuild or tear it down.
Raven crosses her arms as she stares over my shoulder at the smoldering house behind me. “You don’t have to lie to me. I have eyes.”
“Do you guys have a place to stay tonight?”
Her eyes flick to mine, and I’m struck by how blue they are. Intense. Piercing. When this woman looks at me, it’s like I’m truly being seen for the first time.
“Are you hitting on me? Let me guess, this is the part where you tell me you have room, and we can stay with you.”
Fuck, she’s prickly and I like it. It’s not a bad line. “The thought honestly hadn’t crossed my mind. But we do have resources if you need to secure lodging for the night.”
She frowns. “There’s another property we can stay in, but it’s not exactly in the best shape.”
“As long as it has four walls and a roof, you’ll be in better shape than this place.” I point behind me with my thumb.
She narrows her eyes at me as though she’s about to give me a piece of her mind. “We’re fine. I don’t need your help.”
“You keep saying that, but you changed your mind pretty quickly.” No clue why I’m poking this woman, but there’s something about the way I’m getting under her skin that makes me feel alive for the first time in years.
Maybe because I know she’d never go for a guy like me, so I might as well run my mouth. What do I have to lose?
“I called you because my house was on fire and you put out fires, you moron.”
“See, was it so hard to admit you need me?”
“You’re the last person I need or want.”
“I think the lady doth protest too much.” I want to wink at her, but I’m not sure it’d go over well.
If it were possible for steam to billow out of her ears, it would. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
A shit-eating grin lights up my face. I’m an instigator, and I know I’m pushing all the right buttons on her. It’s almost too easy. “You kiss all the boys with that mouth? Cuz I’d like a turn.”
She throws back her head and lets out a maniacal laugh. “You? You’re the person everyone looked at and decided, ‘Let’s elect this guy our chief’? Are you kidding me?”
“Gonna stop you there. That’s not remotely how it works.
” I may be terrible at knowing when to shut up, but if there’s one thing I’m an expert on, it’s fires.
“I have a bachelor’s in fire science, dozens of advanced certifications, and years of experience moving up the ranks.
I put in the work to get where I am. No one handed me anything.
And I’m the guy leading the crew who kept your house from being a total loss, so a ‘thank you’ would be nice. ”
Damn. I shouldn’t let her get under my skin. I hope that didn’t come across as mean as it sounded.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she gives me a once-over, her eyes lingering below my belt a hair too long. “Ooh, hit a nerve, eh? Do you have to list out all your accomplishments like that to overcompensate for other shortcomings?”
“Are you trying to turn me on, sweetheart? If you want, I can show you exactly how wrong you are.”
What has gotten into me? And why does it feel like my brain is buzzing with excitement right now?
She huffs, snapping her mouth shut, so I take a step closer to her. Big mistake. Her vanilla and amber scent hits me, and I cross my hands over my crotch to hide the evidence of her effect on me.
“Raven! I came as soon as I heard it on the scanner,” yells RJ, a rookie at my station, as he runs up to us. He hugs her, and I’m instantly hit with a pang of jealousy.
She pats him awkwardly before practically shoving him off her. “Don’t be an idiot. I’m fine.”
Gripping her shoulders, he looks her over. “Where are the kids?”
He knows her kids, and she’s calling him names. Why does that rile me up so much? I’m about to give the rookie a hard time when Jonah comes running up. “Uncle RJ!”
Uncle. Releasing a relieved breath, I look at RJ.
How did I forget he had a sister? I know everything about my crew.
Birthdays. Partners’ and kids’ names. Their favorite candy.
I’m a thoughtful motherfucker. I’m old, but not old enough to forget him mentioning a sister.
“This is your sister? How come you never mentioned her?”
“It never came up?” RJ shrugs as he drops to his knee in front of Jonah. “What happened, little man?”
“I started a fire.” RJ’s head whips to Raven’s, and a contentious silent conversation passes between them.
“I hate to be that guy, but if this is your family, you know you can’t be here.” I may be a fun and carefree guy, but I take protocol seriously when it comes to my team, especially after RJ disobeyed orders recently.
RJ pulls his shirt off one-handed and tosses it to Raven, who swats it away. “Put your clothes on, idiot.”
He looks at me. “I’m still on desk duty, and my shift was almost over. I’m not here officially, just heard it on the radio and came to check on my family. I’m here as a civilian.”
“You’re already on thin ice, rookie. Don’t push it.” My tone is stern, but the slight smile on my face lets him know that I’m teasing. “He started a small fire on the porch swing. The rest was in the back part of the house, probably started by a candle.”
“I must’ve knocked over my candle on my race out of the room. Shit,” Raven mutters.
“Shit, shit, shit,” Jonah parrots as he runs back over to the swing.
Raven drops her head in her hands. “I’ve got to watch my language.” She looks exasperated, as though there’s more exhausting her than this situation.
“Eh, don’t be so hard on yourself.” I take a step toward her, fighting the urge to touch her shoulder. “Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Yeah, but not everyone has a child whose stim is repeating words he hears.”
“Stim?”
“It’s when someone makes a repetitive noise or movement. Sometimes it helps regulate emotions or soothe sensory-seeking behaviors,” RJ says before Raven can open her mouth.
I scratch my jaw. “I didn’t know there was a name for that.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, moron,” she huffs.
RJ whips his head to hers, a slight look of shock coloring his features, then he turns back to me, hardening his expression.
“Like I was telling your sister before you showed up, she’s gonna need a place to stay for a bit.”
“I’ll stay at the property on Stanley Street,” Raven says to RJ.
“What, 217? The one you mentioned wanting to sell?” he asks.
Raven shakes her head. “No, 237 Stanley.”
“Are you sure? I thought you said it wasn’t in great shape.”
“It’s not, but I don’t have any other options at the moment.”
“Stay with us.”
“You know that’s not an option. There are way too many people in that house. It’ll be sensory overload for Jonah.”
RJ nods in understanding. “Yeah, I figured.”
I stand there awkwardly, looking between them, clueless about what to contribute to this conversation. I’m way out of my league with this captivating woman, but I want nothing more than to learn everything about her.
——————
“Knock, knock.” RJ’s head pops into my open door as I look up from my desk.
“Come to ask for another vacation? You’re not getting any more time off, paid or unpaid.”
A huge smile lights up his face. I can’t help teasing the guy.
He’s one of our most promising rookies, but he took a two-week vacation over the summer to reconnect with his first love.
And while I was thrilled it worked out for them, I ended up having to discipline him when he disobeyed orders on a scene recently.
Turns out the fire was at his girlfriend’s house, and he ran in to save her books.
It was reckless, incredibly dangerous, and ridiculously romantic.
“I cannot apologize enough for my actions, Chief. It won’t happen again.”
I wave him off. “Water under the bridge. Did Summer like the library?”
“Loved it. Thank you again for helping me with that. It turned out way better than I could’ve done by myself.”
“I was happy to help. You get everything sorted with your sister?”
He takes a seat in the chair. “About that. You’re pretty handy…” he trails off.
My eyebrow lifts in curiosity. “I am.”
“Would you be interested in helping with a bigger project?”
“Depends.”
“The place Raven is staying isn’t set up for Jonah’s needs.
She’s called around looking for contractors to help with some renovations she needs done, but you know what it’s like here in town—everyone’s booked up.
Her only real options are outside the city, and they’re all scheduled out for months, but Jonah’s already had several meltdowns, and there’s only so much I can help with. ”
I tug on the back of my neck as I consider his proposal.
I love working with my hands, and I have a weakness for helping people, especially kids.
Do I want to spend more time around that frustratingly beautiful woman?
Hell yes, I do. But I’m certain she doesn’t return my interest. Even though I may look like a big tough guy, I’m a softie at heart, and I don’t want to piss her off more than I already have.
Besides, I’m terrible at figuring women out.
“I’d love to, but something tells me she wouldn’t be on board with this little plan.”
“Not true.”
I quirk an eyebrow in question. “Really? Not only has she stated more than once that she doesn’t want my help, but she called me a moron.”
A huge grin lights up RJ’s face. “See? That’s how I know you’re the perfect person for the job.”
“I’m not following.”
“Raven only insults people she likes. It’s kind of her thing.”
Fuck, why does that turn me on a little? “You trying to set me up with her?”
RJ laughs nervously. “Maybe?”
“Look, I appreciate your honesty, and I’m flattered that you think I’d be an acceptable suitor for your sister, but I dunno if it’s wise to mix business and pleasure. Besides, she doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman that’d want to be set up or tricked into a date.”
“She doesn’t work for you at the station, and there are no rules against dating your subordinates’ family members, are there?”
“No, but—”
“I know it’s unorthodox, but I think you’d be good for her. I’ve never seen her show any interest in anyone before.”
Color me intrigued. Wait, what am I saying? “This is a bad idea. For so many reasons. Besides, you can ask my ex-wife—I was a terrible husband.”
“Oh, I can help with that too. I have instruction manuals.”
He hands me a book. There’s a couple on the front in a passionate embrace. “A romance book?”
“Yup. It’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to please a woman.”
“Jesus.” I’m not sharing any of the dirty images my brain is conjuring up, so I shoot him a stern look.
He throws his hands up. “I’m not talking about the sex parts. Don’t fall victim to that misogynistic thinking. These books will tell you how women want to be treated outside of the bedroom too. How to show up for her. How she wants to be treated and cared for. Yearned for.”
“I dunno…”
“Start with this one. The parts that make women blush the most aren’t the fucking, it’s the buildup. The little glances and touches that aren’t remotely sexual but carry emotional weight. The feelings behind the urges are what matter.”
“Huh. That’s pretty insightful.” I glance down at the book. “Ayana Cox. Is she any good?”
“She’s Summer’s favorite. Just don’t mention the book to Raven.”
“I need to think about it.”
“At least go over there and check out the place. You can always change your mind if it’s too much.”
“The project or your sister? I want to make it clear that those are two different things. Something tells me she wouldn’t appreciate being referred to as a project.”
“And that’s why I trust you. You’re one of the best guys I know.
Fair and disciplined when you need to be, but you also know how to let loose and have fun.
Raven needs more of that in her life. She’s been through a lot.
Hell, I put her through a lot this summer by falling for her best friend.
And Summer and I, along with her other mom friends, want to see her happy. ”
“And you think I could make her happy?”
“She doesn’t hate you.”
“Not exactly inspiring confidence there.”
“Raven doesn’t let a lot of people into her circle. She doesn’t waste her time on small talk with people that annoy her.”
“Oh, I annoy her alright.”
“Oh, we all do. But she doesn’t let just anyone get under her skin like that. She likes you. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t engage. If she’s sparring with you, that means you intrigue her.”
My heart leaps in my chest at the thought. “Fine. I’ll check out the house and see what I can squeeze into my schedule.”