Chapter 8
Joelle
I watch as the paramedics work on Evrard, forcing myself to stand still and not run across the street to check on him. His captain walks over, kneeling down to talk to him. Evrard gestures my way, and I hear him say, "That's the woman I'm falling for."
My heart stops. Did he really just say that? The words echo in my head, and I feel heat creep up my neck. He's falling for me? Not pretending? Not faking it for his grandmother? Actually falling.
After about ten to fifteen minutes, I watch Evrard peel off his turnout coat, drinking water as his fellow firefighters make good work of the house fire. He catches my eye and gives me a small smile and a wave, so I walk over.
"Are you alright?"
"I mean, now I'm totally okay. It can happen. My device failed, so I inhaled some smoke, but it's all good. I promise," he says, giving me a grin that makes my heart slam against my ribs.
"You sure? When they were working on you, I got really worried," I admit.
That was the understatement of the year. When I saw him stumble out of the burning house, watching the paramedics rush to him, my entire world tilted. The thought of losing him, this man I barely know but can't stop thinking about, terrified me in a way I've never experienced.
"I'm totally sure," he says, forcing himself up and brushing off his pants. "In fact, let me walk you back to your house. I should check on the neighbors as well, make sure everything and everyone is okay."
We walk in silence to my house. When we reach the door, I turn to him, a bolt of courage washing over me.
"I heard what you said," I admit.
"You heard what I said?"
"Yeah. To your captain. About me."
"Oh, shit. I said it that loudly?" he says, looking horrified.
We stare at each other for a beat before I jump up and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips against his.
His arms wrap around me as he holds me tight, our mouths opening as we explore each other.
My entire body sizzles from his touch. When he places me back down on my feet, I have to catch my breath.
We stare at each other for a moment, smiles dancing on our lips.
"So," I say, "are you off on Saturday night?"
"I am."
"Well, then you should come over for dinner."
Evrard grins at me and shrugs his shoulders.
"I don't think I could ever say no to a dinner cooked by you."
The week drags by. Every day feels like an eternity as I prep for Saturday night. I test recipes, practice my plating, and change my mind about what to wear at least a dozen times. Petula calls me three times, laughing at how nervous I am.
"You've got it bad," she says during our last call.
"I know," I admit, staring at my closet. "I really, really do."
Evrard sighs, placing his fork next to the plate and sits back with a contented sigh.
"Holy smokes," he says, and I can't help but laugh.
"Satisfied?"
"Very," he says, picking up a flower from his plate. "These are seriously edible?" he asks, studying the flower in his hand.
"Yeah," I say, popping one in my mouth.
He does the same, chewing it, and makes a face that tells me he thinks it's decent enough.
"Do you feel ready for my grandma's ninetieth birthday party next weekend?"
"I do. I love Mermaid Tears Winery, so that should be fun. I've never been there for a birthday before."
"She booked the entire place for the event. It's going to be quite the shindig," the sexy fireman says with a soft laugh.
"As it should be for someone turning 90."
After putting the plates in the dishwasher, we retire to the living room, sipping wine and softly talking on my couch. Soon our mouths are once again exploring each other.
When the clock above the mantelpiece hits ten, Evrard sighs and says, "I should get going. I have work tomorrow, but I'd like to tuck you into bed first."
"You want to tuck me into bed?" I say, playing with his shirt collar while studying his baby blues.
"Yeah, if you don't mind," he says with a sexy, lopsided grin.
I wash up and get into a sleep shirt. My pussy throbs at the sight of him watching me crawl into bed.
Evrard leans down and kisses me, then whispers, "Can I do something before you fall asleep?"
"Like what?" I say, my voice barely a whisper.
He begins kissing down my neck, then looks at me for permission before lifting my sleep shirt.
He reveals my naked breasts and licks my nipples until they're hard.
Then he continues kissing down my soft belly until he reaches my pussy.
When his mouth greets my clit, I cry out with pleasure and grip his hair.
His tongue swirls around my nub, flicking and sucking on it.
I writhe under him as he eats me out. My orgasm explodes through me, and my thighs clamp on his head like a vice. I don't even realize it until I catch my breath.
Evrard kisses my inner thighs and works his lips back up my belly to my mouth.
I giggle and whisper, "Sorry about that."
He grins at me. "That was the best compliment I've received in quite a while."
The delicious firefighter stands, fixing the blanket and tucking it around me on the sides. He leans down again, kissing my lips softly.
"I'll talk to you later, okay?" he says before walking out of the bedroom.
A moment later, I hear the front door shut behind him as I grin like a fool in the dimly lit room.
I touch my fingers to my lips, still feeling the ghost of his kiss. This fake relationship isn't fake anymore. Not for me. And judging by what he said to his captain, not for him either.
I'm falling for Evrard Boyd. Hard.