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I’ve been dreading this moment all day. Seeing him is the last thing I need after a long weekend of no sleep. When I saw the fire drill on the agenda, I debated taking a sick day and leaving. But today is art project day, and the kids have been looking forward to it since last week. Maybe I won’t even see him. It’s not like he’s the only one who works there. They have shift changes. With any luck, he’s off today.
I was embarrassed to admit I was jealous of Jenny and her stupid rose. I don’t know why I even cared. There was no chance I would have taken it.Says the girl who had her acceptance speech ready.Why does he torment me at every turn? I wish I could shut everything Ben Wallace in my brain off. No— scratch him from my entire memory. But he insists on invading my mind. Stalking my dreams. Even unconscious, he has this effect on me. My latest dream had him offering me that rose, amongst other filthy things. It was so intense, I woke up completely drenched, unable to determine if it was a nightmare, fantasy, or reality. I spent the rest of my weekend sulking. I didn’t want to stand in Jenny’s way if she liked him. But I also couldn’t fathom them going on a date. Him being sweet to her. Kissing her the way he kissed me.
My jealousy got the best of me, and I called her, fishing for information. If she called him, fine. I was just curious to know. If she didn’t, that was fine too. I didn’t care whatsoever. When she revealed she had, in fact, called, my stomach sank. Then she followed up with how she’d left a message and hadn’t heard back. She sounded disappointed, which made me feel like a bad friend. I want nothing more than for her to be happy. Even if it’s with my jerk nemesis.
We make our way through the closest exit doors, which happen to be at the front entrance. Classes are lining up in the field as the fire engine pulls in.
“Look, Ms. Fischer. They’re here! They’re here!”
I look over, the pit in my stomach back, glimpsing Ben in the passenger seat. “They sure are, Hailey.”He sure is.
I escort my class onto the field, a proper distance away, and we turn to face the school. “This is so cool. Wish we had pretend firesallthe time.”
I raise my brows at Billy. “Fires are bad. We want to prevent them.”
“But if we did, what would firemen do?”
They would never come around, leaving me and my confused emotions alone. “They would become, uh. . . babysitters.”
Hailey’s eyes light up. “I have a babysitter. She’s fifteen. She talks to her boyfriend all the time. One time, he came over while my mom and dad were gone. She let us eat ice cream and watch bad movies while they went upstairs. You could hear them talking, then we all heard—”
“Okay! Remember, it’s important to stay quiet during a fire drill. Raise your hand. Who’s excited to show the class their art projects?”
Everyone raises their hand. Billy is overzealous, waving his hand excitedly. I tell him he can put it down, then realize it wasn’t my question that has him so worked up. “Over here! Over here!”
I make the mistake of looking over my shoulder.Great.So much for avoiding him. And go figure, he looks edible in his full get-up. I hate myself for not looking away when he pulls his hat off and brushes his wild hair back in place. Also, screw the sun for picking the worst moment to shine into the deep pools of his crystal blue eyes.
“Hi, Captain. Ben. Are you here to put out the pretend fire?”
Yeah, the one setting my panties ablaze.
“Hey, Billy. I sure am.” Ben meets his eyes, his smile genuine.
“Wow, you remember my name?”
“Of course, I do. It’s my job to. I have to be able to call out to you if we’re ever in a situation and I need your help.” Billy’s eyes light up with excitement. He looks up at me like he can’t believe Ben, the almighty firefighter, would actually need his help.
“Wow. Cool. Do I get a badge?”
Ben’s chuckle is dumb and sexy and I wish that magical sound was for me.
“How about this? Next time I’m around, I’ll bring you all badges.” The children go nuts. I love watching their faces beam with happiness. Ben stands straighter, and I sense the moment his eyes turn to me.Breathe, Makayla.
“Ms. Fischer.”
“Captain Wallace,” I say, meeting his eyes.
I love the way he says my name. No, I hate it. Ugh, I crave it. The way he can break me down just by looking at me. He’s sporting more facial hair than normal, but it suits him.Oh, come on, it makes him a million times hotter. Don’t reach out and touch it. Don’t reach out and—
“Captain Ben, Ms. Fischer said we have to prevent fires, but if we do, you won’t have a job and will have to babysit. Can you come babysit me? I can ask my mom.”
Ben raises his brow, staring at me. “She did, did she?”
“I just said if there were no fires to put out, you would need to find something else to do.” Like go down on me, that scruff tickling the insides—Jesus! Shut up.
Ben eyes me. Raising his hand, he cups his jaw, his thumb brushing over his stubble, taunting me.
“Do you have fleas,CaptainWallace?” I ask him.
