We get the same side glances everyone gets when they enter. No one faints or stares outright. There are a few familiar faces, but no one I have to say hi to or they’ll think I’m snubbing. Jake waves us over to the bar where he’s standing with a group of guys, a few of them from high school “Well, well.” He whistles, nodding at our joined hands. “Check out the new couple.”
“You two,” Daphne says, appearing at his side. “I mean, wow. I didn’t know, but it’s great.” She gives me a big Daphne squeeze. “I heard Lara went back in LA.”
“She left this afternoon. It’s good for her to get away. I take it you heard about the fire yesterday?”
“We all did. I’m so sorry you’re going through all this.” She looks over at Brady, who’s chatting with Jake. “But you’ve got a great guy?” She looks like she's dying for the tea.
I'm not pouring. “Yeah, Brady's an amazing fireman. He rescued Ollie Barnes from a burning forest.”
“Oh my god. That’s horrible. I didn’t know he was in that much danger.” Daphne furrows her brow. “How are you handling all this?”
“Fine. For now, I’m staying at my parents’ place and trying to figure out my next move.”
“I heard it was arson? Is that true?”
I shrug. “That’s the theory at this point.”
“If you need anything, you must let me know.” She hugs me again. “Now, get yourself a drink.”
“I will.” As I say the words, Brady hands me one of the two bottles he’s holding. We find an empty table across from the pool table. It’s private and quiet enough.
We clink bottles, and I take a nice, long sip. The beer cools me down. No one is staring at us. People are in their groups, chatting away. Brady sits back and takes a swig of beer. “Confession time. You’ve got me nervous about ice skating this winter.”
“Afraid of a little ice, Firefighter? You only like things that are hot?”
“Well, when you put it that way, it kinda makes sense.”
In the time we take to finish the beers, we tease and laugh about our ice-skating competition this winter.
“You've got to be at work tomorrow,” I say with a nod at his empty bottle.
“Yeah, unfortunately this is one-beer night.” He brushes my hands with his knuckly fingers. “How about we get you home?” There’s an invitation in his gaze for something hot and dirty, and I’m dying for it.
“Yeah, lets.”
We make it through the gauntlet of goodbyes and back out into the cool night. Only I’m not cold because I’m holding Brady’s hand and leaning against him.
We cross the street to the next block. “How do you feel about everyone in town knowing we’re more than friends?”
I glance up at his hair blowing around his collar. It would feel so good between my fingers. “Friends with benefits?”
“Yeah, Sammy. I want those benefits.”
His words hit every one of my erotic places. “Me, too.”
We get to his SUV. In the blink of an eye, I’m backed up against the door, and his body is flush against mine. His leg rises between my knees. I take him by the shoulders as we crash in spectacular, hot, desperate kisses.
Needy sensations flood my core. I wrap my arms around his midsection, molding myself to the curve of his body. His erection, hard and high, presses against me. He moans. Ourkisses get slower, deeper, and more sensual. The horniness I had earlier is nothing compared to this bone-deep longing. “God, you’re a good kisser.”
“I was going to say the same thing about you.” He nuzzles my neck and lays kisses over my skin.
What if he didn't have work tomorrow? Would I go back to his place tonight?
Yes, absolutely.
I ease back from his mouth. He’s in a daze of plain, almost unhinged, lust. Exactly how I want him.
I move my body against his, seductively, teasing his erection. “You make me want to lose control.”
