Chapter 19
19
CONNOR
When Ember finally leaves the station and is safely gone from view, I turn to my crew with a heavy thundercloud growing in my heart and furious heat brewing in my veins.
“What the hell was that, guys?”
Eric is trying to hold back laughter at my question. The other firefighters don’t respond – unlike Eric, they’re too damn terrified of my reaction.
“We like her, Connor,” Eric says, shrugging. “That’s it. That’s all there is to it.”
Now it’s my turn to let out a laugh. A twisted, dark laugh.
“She’s got you all in her pocket, doesn’t she? She’s got all you tough firefighters going crazy for her just because she buys you a coffee and flashes a pretend smile. Can’t you see her for who she truly is? She’s a journalist, and that means she’s a devil in disguise.”
“She’s a nice girl, Connor,” Eric says.
I scoff dramatically.
“ Nice ? Eric, listen to yourself.”
“Come on, you never talk to women, Connor.”
“Yeah, there’s a reason why I don’t,” I retort. “My life is not suitable for a girl, and it’s certainly not suitable for a venomous journalist out for my blood. She is not a woman I need to be talking to.”
“You’re really going to stay as a celibate monk for the rest of your life?”
I nod at my friend seriously.
“Yes.”
Eric rolls his eyes at that.
“She’s clearly interested in you,” he says. “Just talk to her. That’s all. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? I’m sure you’re grown up enough to know not to get yourself into any trouble. Why the silence?”
The other firefighters swivel their heads between my friend and me like it’s an intense tennis match. They’re too afraid to say anything in case I explode.
But I’m not going to explode - I’m going to remain calm and try not to get angry at my crew. Even though they invited a viper into our den, they are still my closest buddies. I mean them no ill will.
But this is starting to really get on my nerves now. My life was drifting along perfectly fine before Ember showed up to cause trouble. I knew this was going to happen the moment she rocked up in our small town. I tried to warn my crew about talking to her. I’ve tried to keep her away from me.
I just want to be left alone. I just want my peace.
I don’t want my family intruding into my space.
But there is a secret part of me that agrees with Eric - it has been a long time since I’ve actually communicated with a woman, and even longer since I actually meaningfully spoken to one, or – dare I say - flirted . Ember can press my buttons, but it’s undeniable there’s a chemistry between us. You’d have to be an idiot not to see that. And I’m no idiot.
But. Still...
I need to explain my position one last time to my crew, it seems.
“She’s only interested in writing some fake article about me that’s full of bias and misinformation,” I reply. “She can flutter her eyes and be cute, but she’s after one thing only, and that’s to progress her career with a hit piece on me and my family.”
“She is nice, Connor,” Eric says. “Surely she’s not just after that, yeah?”
“You don’t understand what it’s like being a Penmayne,” I say.
“Oh, boohoo ,” Eric replies. “Just give her a chance. Talk to her, it ain’t going to kill you.”
I growl and sit down. There’s no point in arguing any further with my friend. He doesn’t understand.
I really don’t want to get involved with my family again, and Ember is walking proof of the influence of my father. He would love it if I allowed her to write an article about me.
Well, I’m not budging on this.
But I can’t stop thinking about Ember... her eyes... her skin... the way she makes me soften... the way my cock seems to respond so goddamn positively to her sight...
Things are getting dangerous.
My life is getting unsteady. All because of a woman.
And that is truly terrifying.