FLAME AND A FIREMAN

by C. S. Chatterly

  Cathy leaned forward. "God, I was so hoping you'd come to me and ask about him! It's been two days and you never called."

  "I thought maybe you didn't want to see me again. I know I acted like the guy you set me up with wasn't good enough."

  "Lisa, I'm sorry about the things I said to you. I was just pissed and shot my mouth off."

  "Me, too. It's not like I didn't know exactly what was going on. At least, I know you wanted me to have a really good time, but I just sort of panicked when Pluto turned out to be a man you believed I might like, and not some bordello employee. I've always gone to that place to get away from any would-be Lotharios my mother or somebody else sends my way. I knew those men were only after my money."

  "This guy isn't, Lisa. On my life, I swear he's not like that. Ian and I met him some months ago at a charity baseball game between the P.D. and the fire department. Now, I don't want you to get pissed when I tell you the rest."

  "Go on," Lisa prompted when Cathy stopped.

  "When Ian and I got to know this man, it hit me how alike the two of you are. I knew you'd never let me set you up with him, just the way I wouldn't let you set me up with Ian. Remember?"

  "Go on."

  "We got to know him better and, woman, he's got your name written all over him. For a number of very good reasons."

  Lisa sighed. "Okay, okay. You think this guy is a perfect match for me. What the hell was he doing at the annual charity baseball match-up? Was he someone you met in the bleachers, or a sponsor or something?"

  "No."

  Lisa stared at her and waited. But all Cathy would do was sit there with that little know-it-all smile on her face. "Cathy!"

  She finally laughed. "He's a firefighter."

  For a moment, Lisa stared at her in confusion. "He's a what? H-how in the world did you get a firefighter to go in on that bordello stunt? Why would Monique let you do it?"

  "Monique let you do it to me and Ian," Cathy shot back.

  Lisa leaned toward her. "Honey, this may seem a little gauche, but I paid for that. And by your standards, it wasn't cheap. What I can afford to get Monique to do would cost you, Ian and this fireman a month's salary combined. In fact, I was so wrapped up in my own problems, I never stopped to consider how this must've put you guys back. You've got to let me reimburse--"

  "Lisa, shut up. Just keep your mouth closed and listen."

  Lisa immediately did as her friend commanded and sat back in her chair.

  "We could've introduced this guy to you by any normal means. A dinner party or drinks at Flaherty's Bar where the firemen hang out, or any number of other places. But after we got to know this man, and Ian and I told him about how we met, I got this idea we could do the same for you. He really wanted to meet you, but the idea of doing so under normal circumstances sort of bothered me."

  "Why? It would've been a hell of a lot easier and seriously less expensive."

  "Yeah. But when you find out who he is, you'll see why we set you up to meet at the bordello. At first, he was really skeptical of the whole thing. But when Monique pitched the idea of breaking in that new Underworld theme room to him and let him go the whole nine yards with the makeup, he kind of got into the spirit of things.

  "Besides, he thought that once you knew who he was, you would think he was no better than the wealthy men who've been sucking up to you for your money. He knew how you felt because it's happened to him dozens of times."

  Lisa stared for a moment. "He's had wealthy men sucking up to him?"

  Cathy burst out laughing. "No, you idiot. He's had that treatment from women and he knows what it feels like. He thought, just like Ian and I did, that a little fun at the bordello might break the ice. You have been talking lately about how the men chasing you are as boring as hell."

  Lisa laughed at the pun. "You're right. I was more intrigued by that invitation than anything I can remember for a very long time. I had to go. I knew it was a set up, but I had to do it anyway. My mistake was in thinking you were just doing it to get me out of my bad mood. I really didn't know you meant for me to take such an interest in this man that I'd want to see him again."

  "Well...you are, aren't you? Interested, I mean."

  Lisa tried to keep her chagrin hidden. "You can say I told you so any time you feel like it. But you were right. I was mesmerized. The entire scene with the cave, his makeup, and even his acting had me really captivated." She paused. "But there was something more."

  "What?"

  "It sounds stupid. But he said a few things that made me think he really was concerned about me. I got to wondering why he'd care. Granted, you'd talked him into fun and games. We're both adults and knew what we were getting into. But why was he so profound about certain parts of my personal life? I knew you or someone had to have told him some aspects of my behavior that were very private."

  "What aspects?" Cathy softly asked.

  Lisa shrugged, not wanting to detail some of the things he'd said to her. At least, not yet.

  Cathy sighed and drank another sip of her coffee. "I think you need to talk to him. But if you ask me, he just wanted to get your attention in a way no one ever has. I was responsible for telling him that you weren't an ordinary woman, and wouldn't be happy with a man providing mundane entertainment. The bordello seemed to be the perfect place. I hope you don't take that the wrong way, Lisa. It's just that, in all the years I've known you, commonplace pursuits have never been your style. I'm not judging you. That's just what I've seen."

  For a moment, Lisa seriously considered that statement before responding. "What if...what if I want something else now? What if I've decided I need to change my attitude and my lifestyle?"

  "That's your decision. But you have to know why you want to make the change."

  She nodded in agreement and chewed on her lower lip before saying more. "There were some things the guy at the bordello said that I couldn't get out of my head."

  "What?"

  "He said he likes walking in the rain, looking up at the stars and reading." She took a deep breath. "None of those things really costs any money. And something about him touched me a little. I don't know what it was. But it was like he could see himself and me enjoying those times together and being happy."

  "Suddenly, the parties and galas, and all the museum openings seemed even more garish and pretentious. Especially when you have a guy who doesn't seem to want anything more than to share a good book or a quiet moment." She gazed into her friend's face. "Does any of this make any sense at all?"

  Swallowing back tears, Cathy pulled her notepad forward, opened her address book on her desk and copied down some information. "Here. I think you're ready for him, my girl. Just take a deep breath, and go out and find yourself somebody real. Not the jerks you've been with. Okay?"

  "Thanks," Lisa quietly responded as she reached for the paper Cathy handed her. "I'm gonna try."

  * * * *

  Lisa stared at the emblem on the side of the building. Engine 83--Ladder 83 had a nice ring to it. She walked into the open bays where the trucks should have been parked and called out.

  "Hello? Anybody home?"

  From a room just off the garage area, an older man in a firefighter's uniform appeared. He smiled when he saw her and walked forward. "Hi. Can I help you?"

  "I'm looking for someone named Devlin Garret. I was told he was on duty."

  "He is, miss. But he's out on a call right now. I expect him and the rest of the crew to be back any time now. The dispatcher had them returning to duty about forty-five minutes ago. With rush hour traffic, they probably got slowed down on the way back. Is it urgent?"

  Not wanting to cause any trouble because of her presence, she pulled out her badge and hoped she wouldn't be seen as some woman chasing a firefighter. "I'm Detective Portelli. My business isn't really urgent, but I do need to talk to Mr. Garret."

  "Look, Detective Portelli, I'm up to my neck in paperwork. But if you'd like to hang around, you can sit in the lounge and help y
ourself to some pretty old coffee. As soon as Dev gets back, I'll let him know you're here."

  Liking the man's friendly smile and his kind attitude, she unwound a little. "Thanks. That'd be great. And your coffee can't be half as bad as that stuff we make at my precinct."

  She followed him into a large lounge where beat-up furniture didn't seem out of place. Though the furnishings were older, everything was neat and tidy. But the room needed the stations' occupants to make it seem less cold.

  "I'll get you that coffee and check up on the trucks. If you need anything, just yell out for me. I'm Eddie Thompson. And I'm sorry I can't keep you company, but you know how paper work is."

  "That's quite all right, Eddie. Thank you for your help."

  * * * *

  She was alternately sitting and pacing when the sounds of large equipment approaching told her the shift had finally returned. Her hands suddenly seemed unable to hold the cup any longer, so she put it down on the nearest table. She was shaking hard and nothing in her police training could compensate for the sudden onset of nerves. But this wasn't a police matter. It was a personal one.

  She hadn't even really planned what to say or how to approach him. What if she didn't even recognize him? What if he told her to go away and not to bother him again? Maybe she should have contacted him by phone and asked him to meet her elsewhere. With the passing of time, he might now think the entire incident at the bordello was some kinky fun that was over.

  It would certainly be a sad novelty if she was the one who was dumped. No man had ever told her to get lost. It was usually the other way around. And the thought he might just do it put a lump in her throat for some reason.

  She took a deep breath, pulled her coat tighter around her and stood in the lounge waiting. The sound of voices riveted her. Eddie was now in the doorway, talking to someone outside in the hall. He turned to her and smiled as he'd done when she first arrived.

  "Hello, Miss Portelli. He's kind of scruffy looking, but we keep old Dev around for grins." He patted a very tall man on the back as he walked into the room.

  "Just a few minutes, Dev. Then you need to get cleaned up and hit the sack. Dave said you took some heat up in that attic. It wouldn't hurt to let the medics look at you again."

  "Sure thing. I won't be a minute or two." Dev pulled open the front of his turnout jacket to help himself cool off and stared at the woman in front of him.

  Lisa couldn't move or speak. Even when Eddie waved in departure, she stared at the firefighter in front of her. She couldn't make her mouth access her brain at all. Standing there was Pluto, minus the wig, paint, horns and ears. Of course, this time he wasn't nude. And his uniform was covered by layers of ash and soot. Still, she couldn't remember seeing anything in her life that captured her emotions more. Here was a real, live man. No Wall Street image and no play boy. Just someone doing a job few would. A guy who loved books and stars...

  "Hello, Lisa. God...you look wonderful!"

  Those soft, heartfelt words had her vision blurring. She quickly walked toward him, but stopped short when he held up his hands to fend her off.

  "I've got stuff all over me you don't need to be exposed to, honey. But God knows I do want to hold you."

  She shook her head. "Why? Why would you want to hold me? How can I mean anything to you? We're virtually strangers," she choked out.

  "But you're here anyway. And you want to be held, don't you?"

  "Yes."

  He took a step toward her. "How did you find me?"

  "Through Cathy Sullivan."

  "Why did you come looking for me?"

  "Because," came her simple answer.

  "Well, it's a good thing you did. Even when I thought you didn't want to see me, I was gonna call Cathy and get her to set us up again. In a less ostentatious place this time."

  "Devlin Garret. That's a nice name, you know?"

  * * * *

  "Everyone calls me Dev." He looked her over and felt as if his heart was floating. "I've been thinking about you every day and night. You probably believe I'm all kinds of an idiot for falling in with that bordello stunt, don't you?"

  "I don't think you're an idiot. Not unless I am. I certainly had no qualms about going there."

  He moved closer still. "I wish you could know how lost I've felt lately."

  "Me, too." She cleared her throat. "I-I wanted to talk about that. Wh-when do you get off duty?"

  "Tomorrow evening."

  She licked her dry lips and delved into her pocket for one of her personal calling cards. "Um, I don't suppose you could stop by my place?"

  He took the card, looked it over and noted the address and phone number. "If you're very sure that's what you want."

  "Damn it, you know I do," she blurted. "That's why I'm here."

  He took one more step and was within inches of her. "I'll be there, Lisa. I promise."

  "D-don't let me down. Okay?"

  "Not in this lifetime or any other."

  "'Kay," she responded softly as his dark gaze almost locked her in place. "Y-you'd better go get cleaned up." She watched him run one hand through his thick brown hair and wanted to run her own through the dark brown pelt as well.

  "Tomorrow, around six?" he asked.

  "Six," she quietly repeated, then slowly forced her booted feet to walk out of the room and back to her car.

  * * * *

  When a muted knock sounded on her door, Lisa uncharacteristically opened the door without even checking first. Dev stood there wearing a white dress shirt, brown leather bomber jacket, and blue jeans. Even his winter boots seemed just like something any other guy would wear. No Armani suits or hand-crafted leather, Italian shoes. He carried a single, orange-red rose in his hand.

  "Come in."

  He handed the rose to her. "I thought the color was appropriate."

  She took the beautiful blossom, smelled the spicy scent of it, and smiled. "It's perfect." Even more so because there's just one. It sort of made a dramatic statement where a dozen of them would have been too much. "I'll put this in some water."

  "Something smells fantastic."

  "Lasagna. I'm told I make the best in the city. Do you like Italian?"

  "Love it. Does that mean I'm invited to dinner?"

  She slid the rose in a crystal vase, then placed it in the center of the dining room table, between two candles. "I-I was hoping you'd be hungry."

  * * * *

  He was. More so for her company than anything. Dressed in a chocolate brown sweater and a long, matching skirt and riding boots, she looked good enough to eat. Her soft hair floated around her shoulders like dark red wine. He wanted to run his hands through it and get all tied up in its length. She'd affected him in a way no other woman ever had.

  The emotions running through him were both electrifying and confusing. He didn't know how she would respond to him when there were no games being played. He was no longer Pluto. Just someone with a lot of explaining to do. Maybe she wouldn't find him that exciting now the guise was shattered...even though she'd searched him out and found him.

  Dev tried to keep his mind on necessary matters. He opted for a conversational opening that seemed safe for the time being. "This is a great place you have."

  She nodded, wanting to get the mundane pleasantries over. "I guess we ought to clear the air about some things." She paused. "Would you like some wine or something else?"

  He moved toward her and stopped when they were only inches apart. "Nothing to drink, but I am definitely interested in the 'something else.'"

  She took a deep breath and dove to the point. "Dev, I thought you were someone employed by the bordello. If I'd known Cathy wanted you and me to be... Well, if I'd known she and Ian were trying to match-make..."

  "You probably wouldn't have responded to the invitation at all," he finished for her.

  * * * *

  She nodded in confirmation and decided get to the heart of the matter. "I'm a little wary of relationships. Since I'm sure Cat
hy has told you about me, you probably know men usually see me as more of an asset than a companion."

  "You've been dating turds."

  That made her laugh. "I like a man who gets straight to the point and nails it."

  "You should smile more. Your face lights up when you do," he complimented.

  "Thank you, Dev."

  He looked around the room with its expensive antiques and glowing candles. "Can we sit down somewhere? The explanations might take a while."

  "Of course. Let's go in the living room."

  After they were seated on the sofa, Lisa gazed at him a moment. "I guess you know enough about me. Tell me about you and why you'd be talked into portraying Pluto."

  "Have you ever spent any time in Newport?"

  Confused by the question, she tilted her head. "Sure. My folks and I have friends there. We visit them every summer."

  He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it across the back of the sofa.

  Lisa watched him and wondered where her manners had gone. He'd had to ask for a place to sit and she hadn't so much as offered to hang up his jacket for him. The handsome man sitting next to her was rattling her world in a hurry. It was an unusual feeling to have anyone affect her so radically.

  He turned back to her and sat forward. "I don't suppose your friends ever told you about a Newport family well known in that area. Their last name is Garret."

  She thought for a moment then felt her face go numb in shock. "You're one of the Newport Garrets?"

  "Yeah, that's me."

  "Oh, my God!"

  "See, I could be talked into the bordello stunt because Cathy knew I wouldn't want most women to know who I was right away. Playing Pluto gave me a chance to talk to you without revealing myself. Since you were used to visiting the bordello, I figured you wouldn't mind what Cathy had done once you found out." He scooted closer to her. "I've heard so many good things about you from Ian and Cathy." He took her hands in his. "I just had to meet you. Forgive me for the way I did it. But even with Cathy's and Ian's assurances, I was worried you'd be like a lot of other women who--"