Torched: A Rough Firefighter Romance Read online

  I closed my eyes, trying to determine what to do next. Snagging the paper, I tentatively pulled it open. “Oh, no.” My hands were shaking, and I glared at the door, half expecting to see the mayor’s face, gloating. His tactics of trying to frame people wasn’t going to fly with me. I rubbed my eyes and folded the paper, placing it into my inch-thick file. This was just another part of the puzzle. My thoughts drifted to Blaise, wishing he’d remained behind.

  Blaise certainly hadn’t come here to talk about the case. He was hurt, angry, and confused, and damn him if he hadn’t smelled like the forest, so exotic and musky, reeking of testosterone and... “Damn it.” I had to get my mind out of the gutter. He wasn’t going to let me get off that easily without explaining. Seeing the text had rattled him and I knew he’d noticed what I was wearing when I arrived at the crime scene last night. I could either push him away in order to keep him out of the situation or trust him completely. And if I trusted him, laying out all the cards, there was a chance he’d push me away. I had to take that chance.

  Grabbing my phone, I called him, holding my breath as it rang, but only once. When the call went straight to voice mail, I knew he was pissed as hell. A voice mail wasn’t going to fix this. I grabbed my things, determined not to come back to the office. I’d gather more evidence and sequester myself in the lab facility, but my relationship with Blaise was equally important. I had to see him. I had to tell him how I felt. I also needed to give him some kind of explanation before it was too late.

  I drove by his house, even going to his door, although the Harley wasn’t in the driveway. I sat down on his front porch for a few seconds, checking my watch. He wasn’t due at the firehouse for several more hours. Sighing, I walked back toward my car, remembering the beautiful moments from the night before. The way he’d commanded my body, taking full control had been exciting and exactly what I wanted. And in a moment of passion, I’d whispered words I’d never said to anyone else.

  I. Love. You.

  Thank God, he hadn’t heard. Did I feel this way about him? Yes. No. I wasn’t sure. How would I know what love was? I didn’t read romance novels, didn’t care for chick flicks. Had I experienced heart palpitations? More than just a few. Was my mouth dry, my pussy wet every time I was around him, or sensed him near? Mmm... I bit my lower lip as I started the engine. But was this enough for love?

  Only time would tell. That is, if we were given that time.

  As I drove to the scent of the previous night’s fire, I thought about everything the mayor had said. Was I looking in the wrong direction regarding the evidence? Were the men already let go in on some kind of conspiracy? Were all the fires somehow connected to the mayor? How about the timing of my appointment? Joseph had denoted four other extremely qualified candidates, even throwing that into my face, but had kept the position open in an effort to coerce me into accepting. I didn’t like where this was going to any degree.

  By the time I looked at my watch again, it was after one-thirty. I knew enough about the action regarding flames as well as certain mechanisms used to create a backdraft. Whoever had rigged Nick Fabios’ front door knew exactly what they were doing. The slightest amount of air, just a mere hint and the fire hovering in the walls and ceiling, crawling like a serpent, would be allowed to breathe. The gas line had been cut, creating a vacuum inside the house. The poor bastard never knew what hit him. Still, this fire hadn’t been set off like the last ones. This one was very personal.

  I’m not certain why I had an innate fear of walking into Ladder Company 19 other than because of Blaise. Opening up to anyone was difficult but to this man, to someone I actually cared about was gut-wrenching. I finally snagged the keys, shoving them into my pocket and walked across the street. The bay doors were open, and the engines recently cleaned, but the main garage was empty. My footsteps even echoed when I walked in. I heard whoops and hollers coming from the back and took a deep breath before moving in that direction.

  I nodded to two of the female firefighters as I walked in, but none of the guys noticed me. They were far too busy crowded around a television, watching a basketball game. I had to clear my throat twice. I recognized Blaise’s friend. From what I could tell, Jake Hanson was a good guy.

  Jake’s smile turned into a curious look as he nodded. “Investigator Gregory. To what do we owe this extreme pleasure?”

  “Cut the crap, Jake. She’s just doing her job.”

  “Yeah, I know. What do you need?” Jake repeated.

  “Is Blaise, I mean Lieutenant Tompkins here? I have a few questions about last night.” Yeah, like that sounded professional. I could have asked several of the other team members the same questions. My excuse was weak. While looks were exchanged, not one of them gave me any crap. Thank God, because someone was going to hurt today. I was that angry.

  “Yo, Blaise. You have a visitor.” Jake gave me another once-over before turning his attention back to the game.

  I tried to act nonchalant, but I was nervous, my stomach churning. My little voice continued to pester me about whether this was love. Stop. Stop! Oh, the day had been for shit already.

  Blaise’s footsteps were heavy as he walked out from another room and in the next few seconds, you could have heard a pin drop in the place. Even the sound seemed reduced on the television. “Investigator.” He was wearing a skin-tight bright red tee shirt with the letters CFD sprawled across his chest. Everything about this man was the epitome of masculine, so damn rugged. For a minute, I was lost in his incredible blue eyes, forgetting why I was here.

  I finally heard a chuckle from the back, breaking my fantasy.

  “Lieutenant. I had a few questions about last night.” The fact I felt flushed didn’t help the situation.

  “Sure. Let’s take a walk.” Blaise walked past the others, Jake smacking him on the arm.

  I gave a respectful nod to everyone, especially when the captain walked out of the kitchen. Everybody remained on edge. They had no reason to. I wasn’t gunning for anyone’s job, but they certainly had no idea what agenda I had, let alone the mayor’s, which was something I was questioning as well. I was no longer certain he actually wanted me to do the job I was hired to do. We walked outside, moving away from prying eyes. I’d never felt so uncomfortable around him before.

  “Okay, I’m here. What questions do you have about last night?” He slumped against the brick building, shoving his hands into his pockets. His tone was ice cold, as if I didn’t mean a thing.

  “I wanted to talk to you, not about the case.” Tick. Tock. I had a terrible feeling he was going to blow me off.

  “So talk. What do you want?”

  “You’re angry with me.”

  Blaise exhaled and kicked his boot against the concrete. “I don’t have any right to be angry with you.” He glanced over his shoulder at the doors. “We’re not really even dating. I was a thing and that’s cool.”

  “You weren’t a thing, Blaise. You were much more. You are much more.” I still found it difficult to look into his eyes.

  He huffed then shook his head. “Alright. Then why did you lie to me? Why can’t you tell me what’s really going with you? Not the damn case you’re working on. You and I get close, then you shut down. That’s fine if we’re nothing but fuck buddies, but I’m not sure I want to do that any longer.” Laughing, he leaned his head against the building. “Maybe that’s all you think I am, or I want. If you’d asked me three months ago, hell yeah, that’s cool. I’m different now.”

  “Why the change?” The words were caught in my throat.

  He hesitated. “I care about you, Genevieve. I get we don’t know each other that well. I also get that your job is important to you, but I don’t want a wall between us. I want the truth. If you’re seeing someone else, just be decent enough to let me know. I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”

  I inched closer, reaching up until I could just touch his face. There was so much I wanted to say to him. Two seconds later, I jerked my hand back. “I’m no
t seeing anyone else and I don’t want to. Are there some complications from my past? Yes, but I’m trying to resolve them. Unfortunately, I feel like I’m caught in a maze.”

  There was that hesitation.

  “Then let me help you. Whatever it is, I’m at a least a pretty good listener.”

  He seemed to take my slight reluctance as if I was shutting him down. Throwing up his hands, he snorted. “You play like you want a dominating figure in your life then you turn the tables. I’m not wired like that. I didn’t realize this was just a game to you or I certainly would’ve played it differently.”

  “It’s not a game!” I shot back.

  “Could have fooled me.”

  Rubbing my temple, I tried to think of exactly what to say that would matter. “I told you the truth. I’ve been a submissive for a number of years. I crave a dominating man, a forceful hand, but you, everything about you confuses me.” My breasts ached, my nipples crushing against my bra.

  “Why, because you care? Because I’m not one of your ridiculous playtime doms you go to some club with? Because maybe I value everything about spending time with a woman, including talking? Yeah, I know, stupid, huh?”

  I opened my mouth twice before I could answer. “That’s beautiful and exactly what I want.”

  We both remained quiet.

  “But you can’t do that. Can you?” he asked quietly.

  “Yes, I can.”

  “The ball’s in your court. If you want to just be friends, then it ends right here. If you want more, then you’re going to have to confide in me, at least to some degree. I don’t know where this is going and I sure as shit am no expert on any kind of relationship, including being the perfect dominating personality you need, but I’m willing to try.”

  Why was I fighting so hard against myself? Why couldn’t I just push all the negativity aside? I squinted at the sun, feeling a warm wash of heat sliding between my legs. This man was worth trying everything for. “You know, you’re right about dating.”

  “Meaning?” Blaise asked, a slight smile surfacing on his face.

  “Meaning, we should. Just not close to here, at least not yet.”

  “O-kay. What about your contract?”

  I’d seen the way the mayor had looked at Blaise, questioning, demanding. He was doing everything to slam the door on Blaise’s career. Damn the asshole. “We won’t be egregious, but I refuse to be told who I can and can’t date. I want this, Blaise. I play at being submissive but surrendering completely to you is going to take some time.”

  “Lady, we’ll take all the time you need.” He inhaled, his eyes flashing even in the bright sun. “What I could do to you.”

  “Later. Sir.”

  “Hmm... Okay then.” He laughed. “I think I know a place we can go if you’re game, as long as we can talk.”

  “I’d like that and yes, we can talk.”

  “Pick you up around seven-thirty. Got a short shift today. That is, if you can tear yourself away from catching the bad guy.”

  I longed to reach out, to hold him and just forget about the world. I also wanted nothing more than to have his scent covering every inch of my body. “It’s a date.” As one of the firefighters walked out, grabbing a smoke, I took a couple of steps back.

  He moved closer, crowding my space. “That means I’m going to need your address.”

  I could tell he thought for certain I was going to refuse. “Can you remember it, Mr. Fireman, or do I need to write it down for you?”

  “You’re so going to get it for that.”

  After letting him further into my world, I realized that not only did I want him in all phases of my life, but that I might learn to understand that elusive word at some point.

  Love.

  Maybe...

  * * *

  Be prepared for anything tonight...

  The blip of my phone created a tingling sensation shifting down the insides of my legs. At this rate, my panties would remain damp the entire night, if not soaking wet.

  Yes, sir.

  And I was indeed prepared for anything, with the exception of his reaction if I told him everything. The ugly truth about myself wasn’t something I was proud of. Hissing, I fought off the contempt for myself as well as my behavior.

  The new window had been installed that very afternoon, allowing an excuse to stay away from the office. Even the mayor had tried to call twice. I’d already given what I knew regarding last night’s fire to the local police, the coroner confirming the blast had been the cause of death. Testing for the type of accelerant used wouldn’t be finalized for a day or so. Tonight was about letting go. I glanced one last time at the dress, violet in color. I had an entire collection of sexy outfits, things I’d tossed into the bottom of a box before shoving it in the back of my closet. I hadn’t planned on wearing anything of this nature in a long time. Now? I wanted to look my best for Blaise, for the roughish hunk who’d ceremoniously ripped his way through my tattered mask, exposing all my vulnerabilities.

  I heard another blip and rushed to the phone, excited about a new command, a hot little requirement. My excitement quickly faded. “You fucker.” Instead of an email or a phone call, this time the threat was simple.

  Tick. Tock.

  I typed out a string of nasty words then one by one deleted the letters, simply blanking out the screen and placing the phone into my purse. I wasn’t going to acknowledge the jerk in any manner. What did the arsonist think I was onto? Yes, it was widely known I’d run tests and what my findings were at least by the police. Maybe there were indeed certain connections within the fire department or maybe law enforcement and the news trickled out, finding its way to the arsonist. Maybe the asshole was running scared.

  I came close to punching the wall with my level of frustration. Don’t let him ruin the evening. If you do, the asshole wins. As usual, the little voice was spot on. I moved toward the window, closing my eyes.

  When I didn’t hear the rumbling of his Harley, I had a sinking suspicion something had happened. I checked my watch, my heart sinking, the worry suffocating. Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps on the front porch, the surprise almost forcing a yelp from my lungs. One quick look and I was flooded with relief. Thank you. My sentiment was said to God knows who, but I was grateful.

  I had butterflies in my stomach and my mouth was dry. This was our first real date, after all. When I opened the door, I wasn’t certain what to expect. He stood with his forearm against the doorjamb, a wry smile on his face. Instead of his usual faded blue jeans and tee shirt, he’d chosen a cobalt blue shirt, the stunning color matching his sultry eyes. Dark linen pants were matched with what had to be snakeskin cowboy boots, giving him that long and lean look.

  And heat pooled between my legs.

  “Are you prepared for anything, little lady?” Blaise’s accent was more exaggerated.

  “Why, yes, sir,” I whispered, giving him a fake southern drawl of my own.

  He issued a growl as he wrapped his hand around my wrist, yanking me forward. “You look good enough to eat.” As he captured my mouth, he gyrated his hips against mine, making certain I understood exactly what he hungered for. He tasted like his favorite whiskey, only this time laced with something brutally controlling.

  I’d thought about his words, his proclamation all afternoon. There was nothing more that I wanted to do but surrender to this man, body and soul. When he let me go I gasped for air, licking my lips in appreciation. “Wow.”

  “There’s more coming.” He held up his index finger, placing the tip under my chin. “If you’re a very good girl.”

  God, I loved the rough and tumble aspect of him, the way he grabbed onto dominance like a moth to a flame. I glanced around his shoulder, looking for the Harley, trying to catch my breath. “Where’s the bike?”

  “You didn’t really think I was going to let you go on an actual date riding on the back of my Harley, did you?”

  “I think that sounds incredible.”


  “Not where we’re going. Not tonight. Brought my other baby. She’s much better for hard spankings and even harder fucking.”

  Now, he had my curiosity piqued as well as my pussy clenching. He was pushing all the right buttons. His other baby turned out to be a huge black Ram, the chrome accents gleaming in the last of the fading sun. When he had to boost me into the seat, I couldn’t help but be reminded that he was all male as his hand smacked my ass, only once but with enough force my panties were now drenched. I shuddered as he swaggered around the front, climbing inside. “Exactly where are we going?”

  He revved the engine, giving me one stern, dominating, and lust-filled look. “A surprise as I told you and something you need to remember, my sweet Genevieve, I run the show tonight, tomorrow night, and the night after that.”

  “Mmm... Yes, sir.”

  Resting my head up against the seat, I allowed the world to pass by, shoving aside the case, my fears, and all the other anxieties. Now, I wished I hadn’t brought the work phone. I was tired of being on the end of someone’s puppet rope. It had been years since I’d been to Charlotte, but I could tell he was driving out of the city. He pulled off the interstate and by that point, he had his hand planted firmly on my thigh, oh so domineeringly. Ten minutes later, I noticed the sign for Lake Norman and leaned forward. “We’re really going to a lake?” Visions of naked swimming danced in the back of my mind.

  “Girls who ask too many questions get punished before dinner.” His deep voice reverberated in the cab, giving me several mischievous ideas of exactly how to misbehave.

  “Yes, sir.” Lights in the distance drew my attention as they flickered like some magic was behind their luminescence. Even from the parking lot, I could see shimmers as the water rippled. There were boats off to one side, large and small, yachts to fishing boats, all swaying softly from the light breeze. The beautiful setting was serene, dozens of people sitting on a double decker veranda. Colorful string lights were everywhere, their vibrant hues dancing off the surface of the lake. “This is amazing.”