Page 44 of Tempting Fire

“What is it?”

“I have to go. We have a big one. This is my day on duty, I need to get back to the station house.” He gave Drake a significant look.

“I’ve got her, Man. Do what you need to do.”

“How bad is it?” Chloe asked.

He glanced at his phone. “There are multiple stations involved. I’ll know more when I get to the scene.”

“Where is it, we’ll go with you,” Evie said.

Chloe shook her head. “That’s not how it works. We go to the station house and wait. Isn’t that right Zarek.”

“That’s what you do if it is a really long fire,” he agreed. “But just because we’re hitting it hard to begin with doesn’t mean it will last long.”

Chloe looked at him. He was lying to make her feel better.

“If you don’t text me in an hour, we’re going to the station, is it a deal?”

“Make it two hours. It takes time to suit up, and then load and unload.” She eyed him. That sounded plausible.

“I’m not bullshitting you, I promise.”

“Honey, all the gear they have us wearing takes at least a half hour to get in and out of,” Drake inserted.

“You guys are both full of shit, like you don’t do drills getting suited up,” Evie stated.

“Two hours,” Zarek stated again.

Chloe nodded. “If I don’t hear from you in exactly two hours, I’m going to the station.”

“We’re going,” Evie said.

That made Chloe feel better.

A horn honked outside.

“That’s Luke, I’ve got to go.” Zarek put one hand on her shoulder, and the other he used to tip up her chin. “I’m coming back safe and sound. We’ve got unfinished business.” He gently pressed his lips to hers, her flesh melted, her bones seared, and her hair caught on fire. The man could kiss. Her eyes were still closed and she felt the smile on her face when he whispered in her ear. “I have something important to tell you when I get back.”

Her eyes popped open to look into his jade green ones.

She was a molten puddle on the floor and she didn’t have the wherewithal to respond. He gave her a heart stopping grin, then was gone.

“Earth to Chloe.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been standing there looking at the door for three minutes. Are you sure you’re better? I’m thinking you might have some new symptoms, like the kissing disease. Are you suffering from Zarek cooties?”

She shot her sister the bird.

Drake laughed. “Is there anything to drink in the house?”

“Help yourself to whatever is in the fridge.”

“Evie, want to help me make something for dinner?” Drake asked.

“We could order pizza,” Chloe said.