by Karen Kelley
“I had this thing for firetrucks and ambulances when I was growing up. I got my firefighter certification, then took it further, and became a licensed paramedic. I like helping people, and the adrenaline rush that goes with it. Besides, money isn’t everything.”
“Yeah, most people with money usually say that. I have to admit, I kind of like having money. It certainly helps to pay the bills.” Speaking of which. “Why are you living at the Gables if you have your own winery?”
“It’s close to my job. Besides, most everyone who works at the fire department lives here.”
Goody, I was surrounded by co-workers. Rita knew I liked my privacy. Why the hell did she set me up? I’d mistakenly thought she liked me. And that was one of the reasons I shied away from getting close to anyone—they’d burn you every time.
“I still like my privacy.”
He nodded, turning serious. “Absolutely.”
Why did I get the feeling he wasn’t going to pay attention to what I wanted? I might as well lay everything out on the table. “I never date anyone I work with either.” That should cool his engine, and it was the truth—most of the time. I’d made a few exceptions in the past.
“Too many complications,” he agreed.
Good, I was glad we had that settled. Then why was I skeptical when he’d agreed with me? It was too early in the morning. I finished my coffee, then came to my feet. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll unpack my coffeepot today.” Hopefully, he would take the hint.
He came to his feet, and we walked to the door, but before he opened it, he turned back around. There was only a foot between us. He casually brushed the hair away from my face, then fingered some of the strands. I took a step back. My hair weaved through his fingers.
“I figured it would be as silky as it looked, and I was right. You’re a beautiful woman Fiera Murphy. It’s going to be damned hard to keep my distance, no matter what your rules are. We just might have to break them.”
And then he was gone, closing the door behind him.
For a moment, I couldn’t move. Had he read my thoughts?
My cheek still tingled where his fingertips had brushed across it. Had he felt the electricity that arced between us? I shook my head as I turned and made my way toward the bedroom. Dammit, you’d think it had been months since I’d had sex. It hadn’t even been that long ago.
I paused in the hallway, thinking about the last man I’d slept with. Jeremy Wright. He was an RN at the hospital who worked mostly in ICU. Nice looking. Friendly.
Of course, Jeremy hadn’t created the kind of excitement that Layne did with just one touch. Sex with Jeremy had been good sex, just not great. I had a feeling sex with Layne would be beyond anything I’d ever experienced. Even more reason to keep my distance. I definitely didn’t need that kind of complication in my life. What a shame, though.
I stripped out of my nightclothes, then pulled on underclothes. I’d unpack today, and not worry about anything else. I slipped on the blue jean shorts I’d worn yesterday and grabbed a fresh, green t-shirt. It was a dark shade of green, like Layne’s eyes. Sheesh, I really needed to stop thinking about the guy.
It took me the rest of the morning to unpack and get everything put away. I flattened the boxes, then stored them at the back of the closet to use next time. It just made everything easier to have them on hand.
I jotted down a quick grocery list, dropped it into my purse, and left the apartment. My feet slowed at the apartment next to mine, but I resolutely walked past it. Nope, I wasn’t going to think about Layne. He was like a bothersome gnat buzzing around my head. If he wasn’t careful, I’d smack him. But he did make a mean cup of coffee.
I found a grocery store and parked.
I had to remember never go to the grocery store when I was hungry. It didn’t help that I loved to cook and made most everything from scratch. Stuff that came in boxes, usually tasted like stuff that came in boxes. At least, I had basic ingredients back at the apartment, so my cart wasn’t too full when I checked out and then loaded everything in the pickup.
I glanced at the town as I drove back to the apartment complex. Rush, Texas seemed big because it flowed right into the outskirts of McKinney, which wasn’t far from Dallas, and there were all these small towns in-between. The usual stores and fast food places lined the streets, along with billboards for different services.
As I parked my pickup in the space that was assigned to me at the Gables, I indulged in a fantasy of owning a place in the country and having a garden where I could grow everything fresh. If I wanted to make a salad, I could pick it from my garden. And maybe an orchard so I could can my own fruit. I smiled and shook my head because I knew that was all it was—a fantasy.
I turned off the engine, as a shiny, black, double cab pickup pulled in next to me. I glanced over at the driver--Layne. Was the guy following me? No, of course he wasn’t. I was just being paranoid. When he smiled at me, I gave him a short nod, effectively dismissing him.
Except he wasn’t very good at taking hints, because he came over to my pickup. I ignored him as I walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.
“Here, let me help you,” he said.
“I can carry my own groceries,” I told him. Of course, I knew it would take me at least three trips. That didn’t matter, I could still do it myself. I didn’t want him to get the idea I needed his help.
I looped a couple of the bags onto my wrist, then grabbed two more. Ignoring me, he reached in and got the rest.
“It would take you three trips to get all these groceries to your apartment. We can do it in one.” Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the elevator.
I glared at his back. Oh yeah, I bet that really bothered him. I bumped my hip against the door to close it, then followed him to the elevator.
Once we were inside, he turned to me. “You know, it doesn’t hurt to accept someone’s help.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“Then it was lucky I pulled up at the same time as you.”
The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. “Yeah, that’s me, lucky,” I mumbled as I began walking toward my apartment. I set my bags down in front of the door, then unlocked it, and pushed it open. I knew he was right behind me, because I could feel his eyes watching me. I set my bags on the table, and he carried his to the counter.
“Thank you for your help. Goodbye.”
He grinned and leaned against the sink. No man should look that sexy when he grinned. My eyes narrowed to let him know it was time for him to leave. He seemed unfazed. He pushed away from the sink and stepped closer to me.
My space was suddenly filled with the spicy scent of his cologne. It was the kind of scent that was meant to draw someone closer. The kind that sent my imagination into directions it shouldn’t be going.
I had to force myself to stand my ground. I was congratulating myself as I raised my chin and crossed my arms in front of me. I wouldn’t let his magnetism tempt me.
“Has anyone ever told you how stubborn you are?”
I frowned. “I’m not stubborn. Just independent. Has anyone ever told you how pushy you are?”
He laughed lightly. “I think I’m going to like having you as my neighbor.” He lightly scraped his knuckles down the side of my face.
And then he was gone—again. It was as if he took all the light with him and left me in the dark. Which was crazy, of course. Still, before I unpacked the groceries and put them away, I went around opening the curtains to let more light inside.
As I unpacked, I kept out the ingredients I’d need to cook the roast I’d bought. Keith and Ginny were the last foster family I’d stayed with. Ginny had been a fabulous cook, and I’d been eager to learn. She was in her early thirties, and I was sixteen when I went to live with them. I always thought of them as an older brother and sister.
They were a nice couple, but there were always people coming and going. Keith knew I liked quiet, and it was partic
ularly noisy one day, so he took me to work with him. He was a mechanic for an ambulance company. I was immediately hooked on the flashing lights and the sirens.
But Ginny was the one who taught me how to cook. My mother certainly hadn’t been able to teach me anything. The best she ever did was open a box and put it in the microwave. Ginny passed along her love for cooking down to me.
I seasoned the flour with spices, then dredged the meat through it, before carefully easing the roast into the hot oil in my iron skillet. I cooked the meat until the roast was brown on both sides. After I put it into my Dutch oven, I added onions, carrots, and water, then put a lid on it and slid the pot into the oven. As I was cleaning the kitchen, the doorbell rang.
“Can the guy not take a hint?” My lips were compressed into a thin line when I opened the door, except it wasn’t Layne on the other side.
The tall, curvy blonde smiled. “Hi, I’m Zoey, and this is Darby. We thought we would stop by and introduce ourselves. I’m one of the paramedics, same shift as yours, and Darby’s one of the dispatchers.”
More people. Great. They didn’t look as though they would leave, so I stepped back and invited them inside. I’d let them get their curiosity appeased, then very gently tell them that I liked my privacy.
Darby chuckled. “I’d say you have a nice apartment, but it looks just like ours. Except for the decorating, of course.”
“I’m not much for decorating. In fact, I usually don’t stick around in one place for very long.” Maybe they would take the hint that I didn’t do chummy relationships. At least ones that were long-lasting.
Zoey sighed as she came in. “Layne mentioned that you moved around a lot. I’ve never been out of the state of Texas. I bet your life is so interesting.”
“What else did Layne say about me?” What was it with these people? Did they not have anything better to do than talk about me? If that was the case, they led very dull lives.
Darby shrugged. “That’s about it. Just that you didn’t stay in one place very long.” She drew in a deep breath. “Whatever you’re cooking smells great.”
“Just a roast.”
“Layne is a great cook,” Zoey said. “And have you tasted his coffee? It’s absolute heaven.”
“His coffee is delicious,” I conceded. “He brought me a cup this morning.” They didn’t look as though they would be leaving anytime soon. I had to admit I wanted to know a little bit more about the ambulance service from a woman’s perspective. “Would you like some tea?”
Zoey frowned. “I don’t suppose you have any soda or wine?”
As a matter of fact, I did. I’d bought a couple of bottles at the grocery store. “Moscato?”
“Perfect,” they said in unison and followed me into the kitchen.
I got down glasses, then poured us each some wine.
“Layne’s family makes the best wine,” Darby said. Zoey nodded her head in agreement.
We carried our wine back to the living room. I sat in the chair, and the other two sat on the sofa. “So what is it with Layne? Why is he even working when he apparently has his own winery?”
Zoey took a drink. “They do make excellent wine. But you’re right, he doesn’t need to work. He and his brothers run the coffee shops, too. Actually, they have managers. They also have an exclusive housing development. His brother Ryder talked them into that one. I heard the housing business is booming.” She was thoughtful for a moment. “Layne’s probably the best paramedic I’ve ever been around. His gut instinct is right on the mark. It’s as if he has inside information on the calls he goes on. It just comes naturally to him. Paramedics like him are few and far between.”
Darby hadn’t said a word, just sat there sipping her wine and watching me. “But be careful. The guy has left a trail of broken hearts behind him.”
I’d already suspected as much. “He’s a player,” I said.
Zoey shook her head. “It’s deadlier than that. The guy oozes sex appeal, and there’s no immunization for it.”
“Did you fall for it?” I couldn’t resist asking.
She laughed and shook her head. “Layne and I grew up together. His parents are friends with mine. They used to play cards almost every Saturday night. Now, they take cruises together. Layne and his brothers are more like family.”
I looked at Darby, my eyebrows raised in question.
She laughed. “In my dreams. The first time I met Layne, I swear I couldn’t breathe for all of two minutes. If he would’ve said, I want you in my bed, I would’ve been there in nothing flat. Except he didn’t.” She frowned. “I think it’s because I’m short. Guys automatically think of me as a little sister.”
“Start wearing heels?” I suggested.
It took a few seconds before Darby began to laugh. Zoey joined in. Apparently, my expression showed my confusion, because Zoey started to tell me what the joke was.
“She tried heels one time.”
“I thought I’d broke my leg, but only twisted my ankle,” Darby said. “After I got off crutches, I decided I was better off wearing flats.”
“My foster mother taught me how to walk in heels. I’ll teach you if you’d like,” I blurted without thinking. The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to call them back. What was I thinking? I was only encouraging them to return, and to ask questions.
“Foster mother?” Zoey said with a look of pity.
I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. “Yes, Ginny was very cool. She’s also the one who taught me how to cook.”
“If I had someone who could teach me to walk in heels, I might try again,” Darby said, effectively ending any prying.
Zoey looked as if she’d like to continue chipping away at my past, but instead, she raised her glass. “Maybe just a little bit more wine.”
I smiled. I could handle that.
“And then I’ll tell you the lowdown on Layne. I’ve seen all of his moves over the years, and I can warn you what to watch out for.”
I was smiling as I went to the kitchen. Okay, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad getting to know Zoey and Darby. They seemed nice. I just wouldn’t let them get too close. Close was never good. It only led to more pain.
Chapter 4
Layne
It was damned difficult being near Fiera without kissing her. The back of the ambulance seemed to shrink by the second.
“IV fluids?” she asked. “Set-ups?”
Oh yeah, that’s what we’d been discussing before I got lost in the liquid brown of her eyes. They were the color of warm brandy swirling around in the bottom of a glass. I’d have to remember to keep my head screwed on straight when we were on a call.
I tapped on a clear cabinet door. “All your fluids are in here. The catheters and tubing are right below it. Most units are all set up about the same.”
She nodded. “A few things are different, but for the most part it’s the same as the last ambulance I worked on.”
“Until you get the hang of the area, and learn our protocols, we’ll have three people on this unit. It shouldn’t take you that long, though. Zoey and Cliff are on the other ambulance in case one of us needs backup.”
“I’ve met her and Darby. They seem nice,” she said.
I could just imagine what they talked about. Zoey was like a pesky little sister. I grimaced. “Whatever Zoey tells you about me, take with a grain of salt.”
She laughed.
Damn, she had a great laugh. It was light and musical, and was gone just as quickly. I had a feeling she didn’t laugh very often. Sadness lurked deep in her eyes. Before I could ask her about who had hurt her, she turned away, and the moment was gone.
We stepped out of the back of the ambulance, and I breathed a sigh of relief, until she brushed several loose strands of hair away from her face. That one gesture reeled me back in.
Yeah, I’d lied to her when I agreed about not getting involved with anyone I worked with. Usually, I didn’t, but I’d make an exception for her. And it was only
a half lie. I wouldn’t get involved at work, but off duty was an entirely different story.
“Now I wish I wasn’t leaving,” Jake said as he joined us, but he was looking right at Fiera.
“Just remember why you’re leaving,” I reminded him. I’d already introduced him to Fiera, and he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her. I had to admit, even wearing the black slacks and the white shirt that was our uniform, and with her hair tied back, she still managed to look sexy as hell.
He grinned. “Oh yeah, I’m getting married and moving out west.”
The overhead suddenly blasted.
MVC, Tenth and Jefferson.
“Let’s roll,” I said as I started toward the driver’s side. “Jake, you get in the back, and Fiera will ride up front with me.” We usually split the driving and the calls, so one person wasn’t doing the same thing all of the time. I wanted Fiera to be comfortable at doing both, but she still didn’t know the area well enough to get behind the wheel going to a call.
We fastened our seat belts at the same time. I noticed she looked calm on the outside. I’d seen my share of paramedics pinging off the wall whenever they went on a call. Some of them could handle it, and some of them couldn’t.
I noticed excitement made her eyes seem brighter. Yeah, I knew the feeling. It was that adrenaline rush every time you turned on the flashing lights and hit the siren. It was like a drug. Most people said we were adrenaline junkies. They’d be right.
“Ready,” Jake told me through the small opening between the cab and the patient compartment.
I called in route as I pulled out of the station, a firetruck pulled out right behind me. “We’re only about five minutes away,” I told Fiera. “Less if the traffic hasn’t started backing up.”
We came up to an intersection. “Clear right,” Fiera said.
I eased through, even though traffic had stopped. It wouldn’t be the first time someone thought they were in more of a hurry than we were. What really bothered the hell out of me, was when we’d roll on a call that involved a child, where seconds could mean the difference between life and death.