Hot As Hell

by Vivian Wood

  Hell. Maybe these things really do work.

  Cade glanced at his watch. Ten minutes until his appointment. He got out of the car, pulled his jacket on, and started to walk down the block. It was a part of town he’d never been to before.

  Once he turned the corner, he noticed a park across the street. Canadian geese squawked and chased after little kids who held big bags of bread when they got too close. The parents took photos and laughed as they perched on the benches.

  When he turned the next corner, he saw a bakery. It filled the street with an aroma that reminded him of Lily. Baguettes lined up in the window like soldiers. By the third corner, he looked forward to whatever he might find next.

  Maybe those walks worked. Maybe what Dr. Hersh has been saying would really work.

  22

  Lily

  Her heart fluttered when she heard his knock at the door. Lily pulled the Alsatian bacon and onion tart out of the oven and set it beside the tarte Tatin she’d whipped up earlier that day.

  “Glad you could make it,” she said as she opened the door.

  “Well, this isn’t quite as sexy as the lavender robe… and what you had, or didn’t have on, underneath, the last time…” Cade said as he pulled playfully at her apron generously covered in flour and oil stains.

  Lily blushed. “I made you dinner.”

  “Yeah, but last time, dinner—well, dessert was code for something else.” Cade stepped into her living room and took off his jacket. “Can I help with anything?”

  “You’re not disappointed, are you?” Lily asked. A flurry of worries gathered in her stomach. “I mean, I thought actually making you dinner, you know, it would be—”

  “It’s great,” he said. Cade leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I was just teasing. And it smells amazing by the way. My offer to help is probably a bit empty. I’m pretty useless in the kitchen.”

  “I don’t know. I could probably think of a few uses for you,” she said with a wink. “But actually, if you want, you can open the white wine on the table. I couldn’t get it.”

  “That I can do.”

  Lily rushed into the kitchen and picked up the casserole dish. In the little makeshift breakfast nook, she scooted over the salad full of seasonal ingredients she’d picked up that morning.

  “Damn, that looks professional,” Cade said. “What do you call it?”

  “It’s just a kind of quiche,” she said. “Jean-Michel has been working on it with me.”

  Cade’s face clouded for a moment.

  “A Parisian man who can bake,” he said. “Tough to compete with that.”

  “What, you’re jealous?” she asked. Lily whipped off the apron and hung it on the hook overhead. “Do you think Jean-Michel is attractive?”

  “I don’t know if I’d say that,” Cade said quickly as he sat down across from her and filled their wine glasses. “I mean, I only saw him once, that first time I went into the shop. I wasn’t exactly checking him out. I was kind of busy checking you out.”

  Lily felt her face turn even pinker as she sliced the quiche.

  “Well, it’ll break his heart, but I’m going to have to tell him the feeling isn’t mutual.” Lily slid a slice of the quiche—perfectly baked, she noted—onto Cade’s plate.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, Jean-Michel was certainly checking you out. I had to tell him not only are my brothers straight, but so is their best friend.”

  Cade nearly choked on his first bite. “Oh. You mean—”

  “A Parisian man that can bake? Yeah, sometimes it’s called a cliché for a reason.”

  “Well now I feel kind of stupid,” Cade said. “Thankfully, the most amazing dish ever makes up for it.”

  “You really like it?”

  “Before just now, I could honestly say I don’t like French food, but I think you just converted me.”

  Lily smiled and dug into her own slice. She was aware of the happy little bubble they’d created around themselves. Ten days.

  It had been ten days since they’d gotten together with no walls up. And she was scared to death that any minute it would come crashing down. She could feel how shaky and vulnerable it was.

  Of course it can’t last, she reminded herself every day. It made her grateful for every moment of happiness they did have together.

  Just don’t mess it up, she told herself.

  “Don’t fill up,” she said. “There’s still dessert.”

  Cade’s ears perked up at that. “And by dessert, you mean—”

  “Tarte Tatin. Come here, I’ll show you.” She stood up, finished her wine in a single swallow, and pulled him into the kitchen.

  “You made this?” he asked.

  “Don’t act so surprised. I do work in a bakery.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “Don’t talk, just taste,” she said, and plucked a pinch of the sweet dessert out of the dish.

  When she brought her fingers to Cade’s lips, she truly intended to leave it as a sweet flirt. But as soon as she felt his lips on her fingertips, when he took her wrist and held her hand close—sucked her finger slowly—she knew the tarte would have to wait.

  “It’s sweet,” he said. “But not as sweet as you.”

  He hoisted her onto the counter and shoved the prep dishes out of the way. The sounds of the clang of them hitting the floor shrouded the groan in his throat.

  Cade reached up her thighs and searched for her underwear. All he found was her wetness, her want, and her heat.

  Cade cradled her jaw and leaned her head back.

  “Sneaky girl,” he said.

  Lily laughed. She heard the rattle of his belt. He squeezed the flesh of her thighs and brought her toward him. Just when she thought she was about to slip off the edge, he slid inside her.

  Lily wrapped her legs around his waist to hold him closer. She felt a tug at her chest followed by a series of pops as her snap-button shirt came undone. The air was cold on her breasts just long enough to harden her nipples, and then his mouth was on them.

  His tongue flicked across her nipples while she rode him as best she could perched on the counter.

  “You know you can see the shop from here,” he said into her ear.

  Lily’s eyes popped open. She tried to twist around to look out the kitchen window, but Cade held her close. Below, she saw broad backs clad in denim bent over vintage cars.

  “Shit,” she said.

  “Don’t be shy,” he said. “How about we give them a good show?”

  She knew if they were caught, she’d regret it the next day. The guys would give her knowing looks, and the loudmouthed one might even say something. But he felt so good.

  Damn, he just feels so good.

  Suddenly, Cade lifted her up. She squealed. “What are you doing?”

  “Changed my mind,” he said. “Decided I don’t want to share you.”

  With every step he walked her toward the bedroom, she held on tighter. With every step, she felt him sink deeper into her. Cade laid her on the bed and never exited her. He was on top of her, all-consuming, the only thing she could see or breathe. At that angle, he hit her G-spot just right.

  Lily moaned into his ear.

  “You’ve got me close,” she said.

  “Let go,” he urged. “Just know that when you do, I’m not going to stop. I want you to keep coming for me…”

  Lily felt the first orgasm build up at her center. She exploded onto him and called out his name the entire time. Cade slowed and worked every last layer of pleasure out of her.

  She was sensitive, but didn’t want to stop. As soon as she thought she could handle more, she whispered in his ear. “Hey. Where’s that second round you promised me?”

  Cade increased his pace, and Lily couldn’t tell if her first orgasm was still going or if it was a new one that built inside her. This time, when she reached her peak, he came with her.

  “That wasn’t the dessert I spent three hours m
aking,” she said as he lay heavy on top of her.

  He laughed and pushed himself to one side. “Sorry. But I’m starving again now. Tarte in bed?”

  Lily walked to the kitchen, naked and not caring if the people below saw. She grabbed the entire dish and brought it to bed. Cade scooped out a piece with his fingers and popped it in his mouth.

  “Damn,” he said. “I never thought I’d think the whole Suzy Homemaker thing was so hot—”

  She smacked him playfully. “I’m not a homemaker,” she said. “Trust me, I wouldn’t have the calluses I do if I were.”

  “I didn’t mean it as an insult,” he said. “I’m just saying. You know, if we’re official or whatever … I’ve just never had a girlfriend before. And don’t think I’m complaining, but I didn’t think if I ever did that, you know, she’d be like you. You’re better than I could have ever imagined.”

  “Girlfriend?” she asked, shocked. “Official? What … what do you mean—”

  “Oh,” he said. “Sorry, I just kind of assumed. I mean, I thought we were on the same page—”

  “Yes! I mean, we are. I just… we didn’t even talk about it, so I thought…”

  “You thought what?”

  “You know, that we weren’t putting a label on it. Or whatever.”

  Cade laughed. “Is that the kind of guy you think I am?”

  Lily looked down at the dessert, embarrassed.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s not just you. Every guy in his twenties, I thought that was the thing. The whole play it cool until you get married schtick.”

  Cade laughed harder. “I’d like to think there would be a little more communication between meeting and getting married. I mean, if we have kids, I’d rather it not be a surprise.”

  “You want kids?” she asked. With me?

  “I never thought about it seriously, but, yeah. I think I do. One day. Don’t you?” he asked. “Although I have to be totally honest. There’s a part of me that kind of hopes for a redo of my own childhood. But I guess we all bring our baggage to the kid thing, right?”

  “Talking about kids right now is a little too weird,” she said. “But, yeah, I agree. One day. How about we just stick with the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing for now?”

  “Okay. So… do we need to pinky swear or something? How do you make it official?”

  “I think a pinky swear will work fine,” she said. As he looped his finger through hers, she couldn’t remember ever being so happy.

  23

  Cade

  My receptionist just sent your clearance to Captain Crane.

  Cade stared at the text from Dr. Hersh. That’s it? he thought. It seemed too easy.

  Does that mean I can return to duty? he replied.

  You have medical clearance. Returning to duty is up to Captain Crane. Do you have time to talk?

  Cade groaned. He was so close and then Dr. Hersh threw in that little question. It was almost like being in a real relationship.

  Sure.

  Immediately, his phone rang.

  “Hey, Doc,” he said.

  “Good morning, Cade. I trust you’re happy with the medical clearance?”

  “Well, yeah. Of course.”

  “Good. I’m sure Captain Crane will have you on the team in no time.”

  “Crew,” Cade reminded him. “So if I’m cleared, what do you need to talk to me about?”

  “Well, medical clearance is a big step, but mental health and managing the kind of trauma you sustained is going to take much longer than the few sessions we’ve had. It’s my strong recommendation—and one that I included in your clearance—that we continue sessions.”

  “You want to keep seeing me,” Cade confirmed.

  “Yes, but not necessarily as frequently as we have been. My recommendation is twice a month.”

  “Huh.” Cade realized he didn’t hate the idea.

  He’d gotten used to Dr. Crane and the strange, sci-fi furniture that didn’t fit his personality. “I … I guess that would be okay.”

  “Great. I’ll have my receptionist call and set up our next few appointments.”

  Cade hung up and pulled on the most recent firehouse t-shirt.

  Might as well look the part when I arrive, he thought.

  He grimaced when he saw Aiden’s truck in the firehouse lot. Since the incident in the parking lot, he’d largely managed to avoid Aiden without Elijah getting suspicious.

  It was clear Aiden had avoided him, too. In order to keep up appearances, he’d asked Elijah out for drinks a couple of times. Both times, Elijah came alone.

  “Where’s Aiden?” he asked each time.

  Elijah always shrugged as he took a pull of beer. “Had something to do.”

  “The crew’s all here!” Elijah crowed as Cade walked in.

  The new recruits he’d trained clapped him on the back, but he saw Aiden with his jaw clenched in anger. Before Cade could figure out how to handle it, Aiden turned his back to him and went back to his task.

  Well, this is going to be awkward.

  “Hey, Aiden—” Cade started as he walked toward him, but his voice was drowned out by the alarm that started to wail.

  “All crews head out,” Crane’s voice boomed over the system. “Including Charles.”

  Shit. So this was it?

  He hadn’t had an induction like this since his first day in Montana. As he raced to his locker, he felt the immediate rush of adrenaline mixed with naked fear. That was a first, and he wasn’t sure what to think of it. Fear hadn’t even been part of the equation before.

  Cade suited up and raced to the airfield behind the station. He noticed the recruits he’d worked with stuck close to him.

  God, no. Please don’t let them be counting on me.

  “You six, go,” the captain called. Cade’s heart fell deeper when he realized he was on a rappeller group with not only Elijah, but Aiden.

  If anything happens to either of them, that’s it, he thought. There’s no getting over that.

  As the helicopter lifted into the air, he worked on his breathing. Even count in, even count hold, even count exhale.

  You’re a goddamned firefighter, he told himself. Dangerous and stupid things are second nature.

  In the past, every time he ascended with a crew, he was always first. He wanted to get the lay of the land, make sure there weren’t any surprises on the ground. But now? He was worried. There was no other word for it—and he’d never been worried before.

  Below, the small wildfire had just started. It was small, but clean and hot. The chopper raged all around him. It filled his head with vibrations that made it hard to think.

  Elijah nudged him hard through the suit. Fine? Elijah asked in rudimentary sign language as he tapped his thumb to his sternum.

  They’d both signed up for American Sign Language in high school as their foreign language requirement, stupidly thinking it would be easier. It wasn’t, but what little they remembered had stuck.

  Cade nodded and shrugged. For a moment, he though he saw his Montana crew below. Heard their screams.

  They’re not there, he told himself. Breathe.

  The pilot gave the signal to go, and Cade forced everything out of his head. All he saw was white. A soothing, calm white. His body took over, and Cade reached for the harness. Even if his brain couldn’t fathom it, his body couldn’t handle anything but to rappel out first.

  As soon as he hit the ground, he looked up to count the suits that came behind him. Five. Two he knew were Elijah and Aiden. The other three were new recruits.

  I got you.

  “Trenches, go! Now!” Elijah commanded.

  Cade was impressed. When he’d left Salem, Elijah was somewhat on the track to be a leader, but still had that boyishness to him. Now, it was gone. Elijah was all business, and Cade saw a trace of his dad in him.

  Cade threw himself into the work. He didn’t look up when he started to sweat. He didn’t stop when the pain in his back got
so severe he wondered if it was causing permanent damage. He kept his peripherals on the boots and suits around him. There were always five pairs. Always.

  When he grabbed a shovel, he felt instant blisters blossom on his hands from the heat even through the gloves. Cade refused to flinch. His body was a machine, but it couldn’t stop the worry that broke through in his mind. It barreled through the serene whiteness and weighed on his brain.

  What if something goes wrong? Five pairs of boots. He checked over and over again without a lift of his head.

  For five hours, he pushed through. The trenches were strong, sure to hold.

  That’s what you thought last time. The worry grew heavier, spread from his brain to his shoulders. The pain in any other moment would have been excruciating, but in the moment it served as a means to ground him.

  I’m alive. There couldn’t be this much pain if I wasn’t.

  In the distance, he thought he heard yelling and he paused for a moment.

  Nothing. It was just the wind.

  Cade went back to work. The walkie-talkie crackled for a moment. He bristled, but there was nothing. He waited for the voice of Barron, of Dominguez, but there was nothing but the whisper of static.

  “… hear me?” Cade felt a sharp shove on his shoulder. It heated up the pain and traveled fast down his spine. Finally, he looked up and Elijah stood over him.

  “Huh?”

  “I said you’re on firebreak! Didn’t you hear me call you on the radio?”

  “Uh … no,” Cade said.

  Briefly, excuses flooded through him. Truth, too. I was too scared to listen.

  “We’re done here,” Elijah said. Cade scanned his surroundings. Five suits. “There’s another crew coming in to relieve us. We just have to hike down to the main road now.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Cade stood up straight, though the pain was almost too much to bear.

  Elijah looked at him strangely. He opened his mouth, but snapped it back shut.

  We’re both too tired for this, Cade thought.

  As the two of them started down the trail together, Cade turned back to look at the fire. It had largely burned itself out. Elijah marched ahead of him.