AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I just hoped my dad wouldn’t disown me and cut Grayson out of his life once the truth came out. If forced to pick, I would always pick Grayson.
7
Grayson
I WAS A DEAD man. If I let this happen with Gillian and me, Travis would lose it. Gillian was his little girl. She and Billy were all he had left after Alyssa’s death.
That first year was hell for Travis. The station stood by him, helping with the kids and offering support with housekeeping and meals. It was during that gutting year he and I became close. Best friends. He trusted me with his kids. Now I’d betrayed him.
But being with Gillian for any length of time meant more to me than my friendship with Travis. I’d take whatever he threw at me. Same with Jared and Don.
Shit, come to think of it, all of Station 38 would probably be up my ass about it. We were a small station. Most had been together for twenty years, like Travis, Jared, and Don. Half the crew had known Gillian since the day she was born.
I’d been the new guy thirteen years ago.
Fuck. I had no idea what I was getting into. I never shied away or ran from danger. I was a firefighter. Every day on the job was a risk. Hell, just breathing and going about the day could end in tragedy for anyone.
I only had one life.
For twenty years, I’d been a bachelor. Never finding the right woman. I’d searched in earnest for a long time. Trusting people didn’t come easy for me after being burned by my high school sweetheart. However, I trusted my crew with my life. We had to in our line of work. But women? Never. Until Gillian.
I tried not to look at her too much sitting across from me in the restaurant. When our eyes met, I tingled down low. I wanted her so fucking much. And not just in my bed. Gillian knew me better than anyone. Maybe better than Travis. Over the years, I’d opened up to her, kept my walls down. It never occurred to me to keep my guard up with her. Now I knew why.
She was the one—my perfect match.
“How about a drink afterward?” Pam whispered into my ear, pressing her breast into my shoulder. She was well past tipsy after three margaritas. “We could go to my place.”
Gillian glared at me, but she had to know this was all Pam, not me.
“No thanks. I work tomorrow,” I lied gruffly so my girl could relax. I was off the next two days, but she didn’t know that. Or I didn’t think she did. Unless Laura had asked Travis for my schedule. Shit, I hated the idea of people snooping into my business.
Travis elbowed me on the other side. “Damn, man, what’s gotten into you?”
“You should have asked me first about”—I jerked my head toward Pam—“then I could’ve told you I wasn’t interested.”
Travis considered me a long second. His hardened gaze had me shifting in my seat. “Is there someone you haven’t told me about?” His voice was low, so no one else could hear him.
Gillian stood, catching both our attention.
“Where’re you going, honey?” Travis asked.
“The ladies’ room.” She rolled her eyes, looking flabbergasted.
I couldn’t blame her. I was just as annoyed.
Ty licked his lips. The little fucker had been ogling her all damn night. I couldn’t believe Travis hadn’t put him in his place. I sure as hell would’ve if it were my daughter getting eye-fucked.
A hand crept across my thigh toward my cock. This damn woman was pissing me off. So much for her being perfect. I wasn’t a goddamned piece of meat. I never treated women this way.
“Stop it,” I hissed, pushing her hand away. She had no respect whatsoever. I was over this dinner. I pushed out my chair and headed for the bathroom.
This restaurant was small, a bit of a hole in the wall, so it only had three bathrooms: one for women, men, and a family unit with a changing table inside for babies.
Gillian stepped out as I pushed the men’s door open. I must have had a death wish because I grabbed her hand and reeled her inside with me.
Her beautiful light-green eyes bulged. “Are you crazy?”
“Yes. Crazy for you.” I crushed my lips to hers and groaned as our tongues met. If she wasn’t a virgin, I’d fuck her on the spot. It took everything in me to hold back. I wasn’t gentle when it came to sex. I fucked. Hard. It kept me emotionally closed off to love and the romantic shit women desired. I used to think my dead heart would never heal after Lucy. Not one woman I’d tried to have a relationship with made me feel half of how I felt with Gillian. Not one. I thought I’d never experience love. Never have a family.
