Torched: A Rough Firefighter Romance Read online

  Five minutes later, I pulled onto the street, able to see the building. I threw the gear into park and shuffled through my things until I found the paperwork. Ladder 24 was considered one of the worst firehouses in the city, or so I’d been told. Their reputation was iffy, safety techniques ignored. While I was no building expert, it was easy to tell the doors and windows could certainly use a paint job. Certainly, there was no TLC. The fire engines were at least due to be replaced later in the year. The rest? I’d see during my inspection.

  I found the badge I’d been given in my purse and snapped it to my blazer. Why did I feel like I was walking into a lion’s den? The bay doors were open, the fire engines and EMT vehicle parked inside. So far, a quiet morning. My heels clipped against the concrete as I walked inside, my eyes moving from side to side.

  A couple of the crew were cleaning one of the engines and they immediately threw me a look, glancing up and down. Maybe they weren’t used to seeing professional women.

  “Can we help you, miss?” The older man jumped down from the ladder, wiping his hands as he walked in my direction.

  “I’m here to see...” I was forced to take another look at my papers, a damn dead giveaway I had no clue what I was doing. “Looking for Captain Dillon.”

  The man scrutinized me even closer, finally noticing my badge. His eyes opened wide, a sneer crossing his face. “Fire Investigator Gregory. How nice to meet you.”

  “Hey, Frank, you gonna give that woman a spanking like you talked about at the bar?” The deep male voice came from an undisclosed location. “Why don’t you pull her over your knees right here?”

  What the hell? I refused to even flinch.

  Frank sneered, his eyes dropping to the floor as he touched his belt, the one keeping his fat gut over his pants. “I’ll let the captain know you’re here.” Huffing, he turned around, the contempt dripping.

  My anger flashed. “Wait a minute. What’s your full name, Frank?” I tried to keep my tone even, pretending his surly comment held no bearing. I could see the other fireman sliding down the ladder, backing away. “Both of you.”

  The older man whipped around, his expression one of utter hatred. “Lieutenant Frank Abbott and my teammate is just a regular ole firefighter. His name’s Julio Sanchez and we don’t want your kind around here. Why don’t you scamper along and find a nice secretarial job? Obviously, you have no clue what you’re doing.” He touched his belt again and I was ready to deck him.

  “I beg to differ, Lieutenant. However, I’ll take that up with your captain.” The younger man was already gone and within seconds, I heard footsteps, several of them coming in my direction.

  “That’s enough, Abbott. I’ll talk to Investigator Gregory for all of us.” He held an air of authority, although I could see past his bravado, his eyes telling me exactly the same thing Frank Abbott had the guts to say.

  I held out my hand. “Investigator Genevieve Gregory. Good to meet you, Captain.” While he managed to shake my hand, the grip decidedly firm, I could also tell this was for show. The others stood around us in a semi-circle. I half expected they were preparing for a physical confrontation. I tried to remind myself that this was to be expected.

  “Wish I could say the same, Investigator. Let’s go into my office.” He didn’t wait for any retort, simply took long strides toward the back, moving down a long hallway and straight past the men’s shower area. News was like rocket fuel and three of the firefighters walked out of the shower room completely naked, giving me harsh glares followed by leering looks.

  Ignore them.

  I was almost to the captain’s office when I overheard the first of what I knew would be many lewd comments.

  “A solid night in the sack is what the bitch needs. Show her who’s boss.”

  My mama, one proud woman, had taught me many things, including how to be a lady and turn the other cheek. Not this time. I needed to make certain news got around fast that I refused to take any crap. Throwing my head over my shoulder, I gave him a huge smile before sauntering back in his direction, clucking my tongue against my cheek as I issued a solid once-over.

  I heard snickering coming from all sides.

  He’d wrapped a towel around his waist and stood with his arms folded, daring me to say a damn thing. I placed one hand on my hip before yanking the material from around his waist, allowing it to flow from my fingers to the floor. Giving his cock the full attention of my stare, I even lowered my head, looking closer. “You know, I like men with real dicks, not the size of gherkin pickles. Come back to me when you’re all grown up.” With that, I turned on my heel, taking my time as I headed back toward the captain.

  “Ho-ly. Fuck.”

  “Woo-hoo. She’s got your number, Patty boy.”

  Even though I heard the poor man call me a bitch in what sounded like two languages, I kept walking, the deed done. That would go out to every firehouse in some manner.

  The captain closed the door behind me, immediately jumping down my throat.

  “I’m not going to tolerate that kind of shit from anyone with regard to my men. Am I clear?” Captain Dillon huffed, his face reddened.

  I walked to within an inch of him and kept my cool. “As long as you make certain your crew understand and learn the term respect, we’ll have no issues. I’m here to perform a job, one that I was hired to do with cooperation, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I’m sorry that I’m not your personal choice as investigator for the city, but guess what? You’re stuck with me. How about you answer my questions, give me a tour, and I’ll be out of your hair in a flash. Can you handle that, Cap-tain?”

  * * *

  “You did what?” My best friend in the entire world coughed, spitting out a gulp of wine as she blinked several times. Karen Miller had also kept me from eating more than one carton of ice cream on at least three bouts of anxiety during the last ten days. I was glad to have at least one old friend in town. We’d gone to college together, kept contact through Facebook, a few phone calls. “No way. You didn’t really say that to him. Did you?”

  “I most certainly did,” I huffed, raking strands of hair away from my face. After spending several hours with the same kind of shit occurring at each stop, I decided a couple of drinks out with my bestie was in order. “One of the assholes even mentioned spanking me. Right. I don’t deserve that shit.”

  I certainly wasn’t going to tell her about my experience with a stranger.

  “No, you don’t, but I doubt you did anything to improve your status. They’re goading you, seeing what you’re made of.” Karen shook her head. “But I like the set of balls you have. Heard the mayor needs someone to stand up to him. I think the man needs a punch in his fat gut. Oops! I shouldn’t have said that.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. I did have far too many rough edges, or so my former boss had written on more than one review. This time, I knew my instinct had been spot on. “The asshole deserved it.”

  “You say that about every man.”

  “Not every man,” I said as casually as possible. Well, almost.

  “When was the last time you had a real date?”

  I didn’t have to think about her question. I wasn’t good at dating and fucking in a dirty bathroom didn’t count. “I’ve been working on my career. You know that.”

  “Yeah, since it took you moving here to actually come and see me. And you need some hot sex, honey. Trust me, it’ll put you in a better mood.”

  I knew exactly what some men would say. I required a dominating man, taking me over his knee whenever my behavior deemed it necessary. That would take trust and I certainly hadn’t met a man who rose to the occasion since arriving in Charlotte. “I’ll date when I’m ready.”

  Karen took a sip of her drink, gazing around the small bar. “We’ve come here three times since you’ve been in town, and I’ve never even seen you flirt with a man. Or even fantasize about a nice ass.”

  “As if there are any in this place hot enough to f
lirt with.” I could tell by the look on her face that she’d noticed someone. A man to be exact. “Don’t you dare try to fix me up. The online dating gig was a disaster. If you remember.”

  “What I remember is that you refused to meet the guy, and he was perfect for you.”

  I burst into laughter. “Uh, no. John called me, and we had a wonderful conversation. I was all set to meet him until he texted me a picture of his cock. How quickly you forget.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Karen muttered. “Seriously though. You need some time for you, a quickie. A one-night stand.”

  “A one-night stand could mean diseases and complications. Like marriage? I don’t need a screaming wife coming after me.” I stole a quick glance around the crowded bar, finding at least two men who certainly were rugged and sexy enough to warrant a second look. Guilt riddled me once again, becoming almost suffocating. What if the mystery man was married? What if he found out I was still thinking about him? Why are you looking for him? I was pathetic.

  “I see who you’re staring at. Damn hot in those skin-tight jeans. Why don’t you go talk to him? Just say hello? I double dare you.”

  “As if your love life is any better!”

  “At least I date,” she chastised. “Come on. Just say hello. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

  I gave her a contorted and hateful glare, considering all the nasty retorts that could leak out of my mouth. Karen was right. I was uptight, burdened by the concept of the new job, and my only relief was alcohol or Ben & Jerry’s. “Just a hello and you leave me alone?”

  “Scout’s honor that I’ll leave you completely alone. If you hit it off, I’ll disappear.” Her grin was wicked sly.

  I ran my fingers through my hair, grateful I’d at least changed out of what I now considered my uniform. “Fine. One greeting. Nothing more.”

  “You got it.”

  As I slid off the barstool, plastering on my usual and very well practiced smile, I took two steps. And that was the exact moment a gorgeous blonde rushed to the man’s table and the greeting wasn’t platonic. “See. What did I tell you?”

  She exhaled and tapped her fingers on the table. “That’s just one guy. I’ll find you another.”

  “Like hell you will.” I sat back down, huffing and leaning over my wine. Time to order another. I only had to walk home and didn’t need my full faculties for that.

  “Oh, and I might have a little surprise for you tonight.”

  I pointed my finger at her. “Don’t you dare.”

  “Nothing big, for Christ’s sake. Can’t a girl get her bestie something she deserves?”

  “Only if it’s not walking on two legs.”

  Karen’s eyes scanned the bar like a lion hunting for prey. I allowed my thoughts to drift to whether I’d accomplished anything today, other than harsh words, pointed statements, and promises that they had everything they needed. One of the captains had been nice, at least letting me in on why he believed they had issues with arson. Although I had to admit, his tale was farfetched. Some huge corporation coming in town, pushing all the little guys out. The scenario was rough at best.

  “I’ll be right back,” Karen said as she jumped off the stool.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To the little girl’s room, you goofball. Geez. Relax. Order another glass of wine.”

  I waved her off, rolling my eyes given her chastising expression. I fiddled with the glass, finally flagging down the bartender and ordering another round. Karen knew the kind of man I craved, the darkness flowing through me. She understood that I enjoyed my share of kink. What she didn’t have total knowledge of was how far I’d gone to relieve my fantasies. The games played were dangerous, at least in my mind, but for very personal reasons. Entering into a relationship of any kind simply wasn’t going to happen.

  The wine arrived but Karen hadn’t. While there were plenty of women to fill up the two-person bathroom, I was beginning to wonder if she was all right. A few seconds later and my skin tingled, heat flashing between my legs. I had keen senses and I could tell a hard body was mere inches away. A hand was placed on my shoulder and the amount of electricity rocketing through every cell, every muscle could light up all of downtown Charlotte.

  “I understand a beautiful woman would like to buy me a drink.”

  There was no adequate way to describe his voice, the deep baritone, the rugged and husky vibe other than to say my pussy clenched. It was also one I recognized. Oh. My. God. “I’m sorry?”

  He moved beside me, leaning over the bar. “Your friend, Karen?” When he turned his head, he swallowed several times. “Well, I’ll be damned. Small world.”

  I’d never felt so uncomfortable in my life. “It’s you.”

  “Hey, I remember the night fondly.” His smile was genuine, his baby blue eyes catching the LED lighting behind the bar.

  Thank God, I was wearing a dress instead of ugly clothes. Whoa, what the hell was I thinking? I was shaken, embarrassment riding along my jaws. I had no idea what to say.

  “Karen did this?” The realization that she’d set me up floated into my wayward mind. I glanced around the bar, trying to locate her. She stood at the door, waving just before walking out. I was so going to kick her ass. “My ex-friend.”

  He laughed, the sound equally as sexy as the spoken word. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell her about our...experience. I have a friend like that. There are days I could bury him under a load of fresh concrete. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you and I honestly had no idea.”

  “Do you know Karen?” This was my surprise. Yep. I was going to beat Karen to death.

  A smile curling on his lips, he leaned closer, his hot breath cascading across my face. “Known her for a couple years.”

  I caught a glimpse of his full physique and was forced to hold my breath, my panties damp from my wicked thoughts alone. He was well over six foot three with muscular arms and a broad chest, and the way he fit into a tight pair of jeans was what vibrators were made for.

  Gorgeous.

  Roughhewn.

  All male.

  “Look, there’s no reason we can’t start over. Is there?” he asked in an unassuming way, far less dominating than the other night.

  I thought about his request. We were both adults and there was nothing wrong with what had occurred between us.

  “All right. I’ll play along. Karen just thinks I need a hot night, or a blind date. My guess is she convinced you to play along.” I found myself laughing around the stranger, the sound bitter. Who the hell was this man? The scent of him reminded me of a thick woodsy forest, a very sensual husk mixing with just a hint of exotic spices.

  He shrugged, the sexy dimple giving him a slight boyish appearance. “Karen has a way of twisting my arm.”

  I just bet she does. My instinct told me that this wasn’t a good idea, but if he was okay with Karen then maybe he was an all right guy. Maybe. “I tell you what. I’ll buy you that drink. Why not? It’s been one hell of a day.”

  “I understand completely.” He moved onto the stool, his eyes showing a deep appreciation, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the fact I was purchasing him a drink. “I don’t even know your name. What do you do for a living that drained the light out of your beautiful eyes?”

  I thought about his comments and for the first time in years, I didn’t care if his real name was Blaise or where he lived, and I certainly had no desire to tell him my life’s story. “Let’s make a deal since we’re starting over. I’ll call you Fred. You call me Jane. We’re going to enjoy a drink together without talking about our real life.”

  He seemed almost relieved, his eyes twinkling even in the shadows. Holding out his hand, he waited until I complied, bringing my fingers to his lips. He rolled his mouth over them, pressing light kisses across my knuckles. I was terrified I was panting and knew my lace panties were now soaked. “That’s perfect.” His whisper was laced with a dangerous husk, reeking of a sinful undertaking.

>   The bartender walked over, finding out his drink selection and I realized my entire body was quivering. I clenched my fist, still feeling the effects of his mouth, his lips. Whew. His accent was desirable, and I wanted to ask him where he was from, but that was against the rules I’d created for this adventure.

  “Well, Jane. Are you up for a few...entertaining questions?” He asked, his grin impish.

  Was the man goading me after the night we’d shared? Hmmm... I inhaled and the musky scent filtering into my nostrils was full of testosterone, a forest, a lake. “Why not? After all, Jane is the naughty girl answering them.”

  He swiveled the stool, gazing into my eyes. “Is Jane an adventurous girl or does she prefer conventional dates?”

  I laughed, perhaps more because of the interesting question. He already knew the answer. “I’m very adventurous. Within limits.”

  He smiled. “We’ll assume that I’m not an ax murderer and you’re not married. Yes?”

  I was comfortable with him already. “A very good assumption.” There was such a connection between us, the kind of attraction that was rare, at least for me. I could sense he felt the same. I also had difficulty breathing.

  “I will ask, what does Jane like in her men?”

  The question was pointed but since they were both playing out a fantasy, Jane could afford to be truthful, at least to a degree. “Jane prefers her men dominating, controlling.”

  “Fascinating.” One eyebrow lifted as he took in the information. “Does that mean that Jane is in need of discipline?”

  Another question he knew the answer to. Everything about this man was far too exciting, dangerous in my mind. This shouldn’t be happening, but he’d excited me more than any man ever had.

  I ran my finger around the lip of my wineglass, dipping the tip inside and licking the drop of wine in a languishing motion. “Absolutely. Jane is a very naughty girl. She has difficulty following rules and requires significant rounds of spanking.”

  “Hmmm... I will tell you that Fred is a very dominating man. He requires full submission at all times and doesn’t have any problem pulling out his belt when necessary. He also expects absolute obedience at all times.”