Chapter 14
14
EMBER
A new day... a new attempt at the prize. A new day to demonstrate that I am actually good at my job.
I walk up to the fire station with my head held high, determined that this is the day I speak to Connor Penmayne and get the interview I so desperately need from him.
But, before I even reach the fire station, I already bump into him. The man is standing to the side of the main doors, hidden from the public except for any watchful eye like me.
And he’s doing bicep curls with weights - a solitary workout. He’s wearing a tank top emblazoned with the name of Crystal River Fire Department . Does this man ever wear something not connected with his work? I’m not complaining, though - the tank top lets me see his bare arms, and what a sight they are. His muscles tense and stretch with every pump. His tattoos stretch up his forearm to his shoulders.
I noticed it the first time I saw him, but it’s even more clear today that his arms are massive , to say it lightly. His athleticism is pretty damn impressive.
And it’s an addictive show that I can’t turn away from...
As I spot him lifting the weights, he sharply turns in my direction.
“Ember Mortensen.”
His baritone voice betrays no surprise at my presence. He is a man who doesn’t get startled easily.
I stop in my tracks and look at the firefighter. He’s caught me off guard standing out here by the doors, that’s for sure. I only hope to God he didn’t catch me staring at those exposed biceps. He drops the heavy weight down to the ground next to his feet and crosses his arms as he glares at me with those impenetrable eyes and waits for my response.
“Hello, Connor. How are you today?”
“You’re back,” he remarks coldly.
“I’m back, yes.”
“To talk to me, I presume?” he asks.
“Yes, I am. You’re ready to have a chat?”
A flicker of... something crosses the man’s face as he stares me down. It’s some kind of emotion other than his usual distaste.
“I know all about you, Ember Mortensen.”
“Oh, really?”
“You work for my father.”
He knows. Somehow.
“I am an investigative journalist who works for your father’s media,” I reply. “I don’t work for him. I’m not some hitman hired to take you out.”
Connor chuckles darkly.
“That’s bullshit,” he says.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well, clearly my father has sent you here to interview me, right? I would say that classifies as working for him.”
“Would you like to sit down and talk about it?” I ask him with a chirpy smile. “I’ve got all the time in the world. I’ll be happy to do an interview right here and right now. You can tell me everything about your father, and your opinion of him.”
Connor grimaces. His crossed arms look so intimidating and... big .
“You’re a tricky one, but I’m going to be polite, Ember, and tell you no . I don’t want to sit down and talk to you.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Seriously. Not now, and not in the next million years.”
“You know I’m not going to stop, right?” I ask him. “I’m going to keep annoying you until you finally relent. I’ll wear you down.”
“You’ll wear me down?”
“Yep. I’m really rather good at it, if I may boast.”
Connor chuckles again and shakes his head dismissively. He reaches down and picks up the heavy weight again and proceeds to continue with his bicep curls.
“Try all you want, Ember Mortensen, but you’re not going to get anywhere with me,” he says.
I watch on as he effortlessly flexes his thick biceps.
Don’t stare at those arms... don’t stare at those arms...
“Just try me,” I retort. “I will wear you down.”
But the man has stopped listening. He’s too busy with his workout, or at least he wants to appear to be.
He wins this time.
And so I walk away.
But I will be back. For sure.
I’m not going to let him deter me. I’m going to figure out his weakness. I’m going to keep trying to pick at his defenses until he’s finally talking to me.
I’m going to write that damn article. No matter what.