The drill unfolds like a choreographed dance, each firefighter knowing their role. Ryan’s voice rings clear and confident, directing his crew with a natural authority that quickens my pulse and sparks some not-so-innocent thoughts of him commanding me in the bedroom. I begrudgingly shake my head at the thoughts of his hands and lips on me.
Blake and Romeo take the lead in running the firehose line, and behind them, I watch Holden wrapping up the line in heavy loops. The others I’ve met, Chris, John, and Tristan, are mirror images of each task. They all could be in a county firefighter calendar, and it would outsell any NYFD calendar.
“So,” he says afterward, both of us sharing a laugh as Romeo dramatically reenacts Holden’s stumble during the drill, “dinner tonight my place? I promise not to serve anything that requires a blowtorch.”
“I’d love to, since I am staying there.” The words tumble out easily.
The moment he turns away, I grab my phone and text: Nic! Call me ASAP! I need something sexy, dinner and more with Ryan tonight!
My phone buzzes seconds after sending the text. Nic’s excitement radiates through the speaker before I say hello.
“Tell me everything! When? Where? What are you wearing?”
I duck into an empty office at the station. “Tonight, his place of course. And oh god, I didn’t pack anything lust-worthy.”
“Ember, breathe.” Nic’s laugh echoes through the phone. “You could wear a paper bag and Ryan would still look at you like you hung the moon. But since you asked...”
“I didn’t ask?—”
“Wear something comfortable. Though...” Her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. “You might want to consider wearing something lacy and inspiring, if you know what I mean.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “You read my mind!”
“Preparation is key. Isn’t that your event planner motto?”
I peek out the office door to make sure no one’s within earshot. “Pretty sure my motto wasn’t meant to apply to underwear selection.”
“Everything’s an event if you plan it right,” Nic sing-songs. “Oh god, I’m starting to sound like my sister Izzie. Damn, hormones.”
“Want to help me shop?”
“Already grabbing my keys.”
“Perfect see you soon.”
Chapter 7
Full Blaze
Ryan
Irun through the equipment checklist, marking off each item while Blake checks the oxygen tanks, his movements precise and practiced. My mind drifts to Ember—how she brightens every room she enters, how she’s transformed our fundraiser plans with her creative touches, and remember those late-night texts that leave me grinning like a lovesick teenager with a raging boner.
“Earth to Ryan.” Blake waves his hand in front of my face, his eyebrows raised. “That’s the third time you’ve checked the same gauge. At this rate, we’ll be here forever.”
“Sorry.” I scratch my neck, feeling the heat rise to my face. Caught daydreaming again. “Ember... she gets me, you know? The other night, we talked for hours about everything from stupid stories from when we were kids. She knows how to fly fish and loves the water. Ember is so witty and funny, too. I’m?—”
“Man, I haven’t seen you this gone over a girl since high school, when half the cheerleading squad was falling over themselves to date you,” Blake teases, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Remember Jenny Matthews was following you around with those homemade cookies for the Sadie Hawkins dance?”
I snort, setting down my clipboard on the truck’s bumper. “Please. These days, they’re all chasing after Cody. Remember the beach volleyball tournament a few summers ago? That group of college girls tripped over themselves to get his attention.”
“God,” Blake rolls his eyes, adjusting the strap on one tank. “Don’t remind me. Though it’ll be awhile before he’s breaking hearts again. Eight more months left of deployment, right?”
Cody, our brother, went into the military after college. He needed the structure and the challenge out of our small town, but damn, I miss his crazy antics.
“Yeah.” I lean against the truck, missing our youngest brother. “He’s going to flip when he sees all the changes here. And you’ll be a full investigator by then.”
Blake’s face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Got the final interview in a month. It’s happening. County says my case study analysis is spot-on.”
