The Fireman's Pole

by Sue Brown

  The huge barrel-chested gardener with an expletive for every other word?

  Colson’s lips twitched. “Do you know another Joe? You really had no idea?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “You do know I’m gay?”

  “I know about you, but you and Joe—why didn’t you tell me?”

  Colson poured out more tea. “Try not to choke on this one, sir.”

  “How long have you been together?”

  “Twenty-five years. I was seventeen.”

  Ben sipped at his drink and tried not to feel envious at the thought of Colson and Joe’s relationship.

  “Joe doesn’t like anyone gossiping about him,” Colson said. “I don’t mind who knows, but he’s a very private person.”

  “So you’ve spent all this time in the closet?”

  Colson shrugged. “I love him. Besides, it’s not like people don’t know we share a home. I just let Joe think no one knows. It makes him happy, and I’d do anything to make him happy.”

  “Why, Mr. Colson, you are very devious.” Ben knew they shared a cottage; why had he never joined the dots?

  Colson smirked at him over the rim of the teacup. “Yes, your lordship. I like to think so.”

  The smile slipped off Ben’s face. “Everyone knows about me too.”

  “Does that bother you?” Colson asked.

  “A little,” Ben admitted. “I thought I’d managed to be discreet.”

  “I think you were,” Colson said carefully.

  “Were?”

  “Before….”

  Ben gave a wry smile as Colson hesitated. “Before Dale?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s different.”

  “He makes you happy.”

  Ben nodded. “Is it too soon?”

  “To be happy?” Colson asked. “Is there supposed to be a time frame?”

  “How long for you and Joe?”

  “About fifteen minutes. Give or take ten minutes.” Colson pulled out his wallet and handed over a picture of two men, their arms around each other. They were laughing and staring into each other’s eyes. Ben recognized Colson immediately, but Joe was a shock. Ben couldn’t remember Joe being that young and carefree. “This is the day we met.”

  “I wish I’d known,” Ben said.

  “Don’t tell Joe. He’s still under the illusion you think he’s a confirmed bachelor.”

  Ben snorted. “Up to five minutes ago, that was the case.”

  “This may be presumptuous, Mr. Ben, but I’m glad you met Mr. Maloney.”

  “You didn’t like Sabrina.” Ben didn’t even bother to phrase it as a question.

  “Ms. Barrett didn’t make you happy like Mr. Maloney does.”

  “I thought I could marry her.”

  Colson nodded, and Ben felt he was holding back on what he really wanted to say.

  “You can say it.”

  “It’s never a good idea to marry for business.”

  Ben sighed. “I knew it. I just didn’t want to admit it. So you like Dale?”

  “He rescued Mrs. Wilson. Of course I like him.”

  “He thinks you’re hot!” The minute the words left his mouth, Ben wished he could’ve taken them back.

  “I am hot,” Colson said. Ben got the impression he was pleased and embarrassed at the same time.

  “And modest.”

  “That too.” Colson got to his feet and placed the cups on the tray. “I’m going to find Joe. He’s hiding somewhere in the garden. Do you want me to get you some dinner?”

  Ben shook his head. “I’m having dinner with Dale tonight.”

  “In that case, I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Mr. Ben.”

  “Good night, Harry.”

  Colson raised his eyes at the unusual use of his first name, but he said nothing as he left the study.

  Ben shook his head as he thought about Colson and Joe. They’d spent their lives hiding their relationship. He could understand living like that; he knew plenty of men in his social and business circles who conducted discreet relationships with each other. But Dale was different. Ben already knew Dale hated hiding his relationship with Baz. He couldn’t ask Dale to step back into the closet again.

  He yawned and closed his eyes. Then his phone started ringing. “Bloody hell, can’t I have five minutes? Yes?”

  “Is this a bad time?”

  Ben’s irritated mood vanished at the sound of Dale’s voice. “Not for you. It’s just been busy.”

  “Are you still at the fair?”

  “I’m in my study. Hiding.”

  Dale chuckled. “Not very well, if everyone keeps finding you.”

  “I was never any good at hide-and-seek.”

  “Of course you aren’t. They even find you in the dark corners.”

  “Perhaps you can help me?” Ben suggested.

  “Play hide-and-seek?”

  “I was thinking more the hide, less the seek.”

  “Sounds good to me, babe. How about hiding in my cottage?” Dale sounded as exhausted as Ben felt.

  “What time do you want me there?”

  “About eight.”

  Ben yawned, and he heard Dale’s answering yawn.

  “Don’t do that,” Dale scolded. “I’m having a hard enough time staying awake as it is.”

  “I’m going to have a nap,” Ben said, not remotely repentant.

  “Bastard!”

  “I know!” Ben was happy to be very smug. “Have there been any callouts?”

  “Not yet, but it’s early in the day.”

  “Fingers crossed it stays that way.”

  “Me too, Ben. Uh… I’ve got to go. The commander’s calling a meeting.”

  “Okay. See you at your place.”

  Ben scowled at the phone after Dale said goodbye. Fuck it, he needed a nap. He turned off the ringer and stretched out on the sofa. If anyone needed him, they could bloody well wait until later.

  AT eight o’clock precisely, Ben pushed open the gate of Dale’s cottage, a bottle of merlot in his hand. The smile of anticipation slipped from his face when he saw a man at the door talking to Dale. Ben knew who it was. Dale had shown him a photo of his ex-boyfriend. For a split second, Ben felt like bolting; then he took a deep breath and walked up the path in time to hear Baz’s “Hey, babe.”

  “What are you doing here?” Dale made no move to let Baz into the cottage. From the scowl on his face, he didn’t seem pleased to see Baz, who was also holding a bottle of wine. Ben was pleased to see his wine was better.

  Baz seemed to realize Dale’s lack of enthusiasm for his sudden appearance. “Aren’t you pleased to see me?”

  “No,” Dale said flatly.

  “Aw, come on, Dale. Invite me in. We can drink the wine and talk.”

  Then Dale spotted Ben and he smiled, pushing past Baz to join Ben. “Hey,” Dale kissed him on the cheek.

  Ben forced a smile on his face. “You’ve got a guest. I can come back another time.”

  Dale grabbed Ben’s hand. “You’re the guest. Baz is just going.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I didn’t invite him.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to him?” Ben knew Dale had been devastated at Baz’s betrayal. If they had things to discuss…. “We can always make this another night.”

  “Fuck that,” Dale said succinctly. “Give me a minute and he’ll be gone.”

  Dale put his arm around Ben’s shoulders and turned to where Baz waited, the cheesy grin gone and a frown on his face. “Ben, this is Baz, my ex. Baz, this is Lord Calminster.” He was not giving his ex-boyfriend permission to be friendly. “We’ve got dinner plans, so now’s not convenient. Give me a call next time.”

  Baz looked incredulous that Dale expected him to leave. “I’ve driven all the way here.”

  Dale shrugged. “You should’ve rung first. I’m busy.”

  “You didn’t wait long to replace me,” Baz said snidely.

  “At lea
st I waited until I was out of the relationship,” Dale snapped, and Ben felt the shudder that went through him. “’Bye, Baz.”

  Dale pushed Ben through the front and shut the front door. “Go through to the kitchen,” he said to Ben. They both jumped as Baz thumped the front door in anger. But then they heard him stomping down the path and the gate slamming shut. Dale forced a smile for Ben. “Thank Christ for that. He’s got the message. Sorry about that. Baz never was known for his sense of timing.”

  Ben moved, pushing Dale up against the wall, and kissed him with a fierce intensity. Taken by surprise at the sudden onslaught, Dale parted his lips, and Ben thrust his tongue in, exploring Dale’s mouth. He rested his hands on Dale’s hips, his fingers biting in almost painfully. Even though Dale had made it obvious he didn’t want Baz there, his sudden appearance rattled Ben. Their relationship was still so new, he needed to do something, had to stake his claim, and from the way Dale opened up, he seemed more than happy to let Ben get all toppy.

  Eventually Ben pulled back and stared at Dale. He licked his lips before he said, “He’s not having you again.”

  “I don’t want him.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Dale cupped Ben’s jaw and fixed him with his gaze. “I am sure. Baz had his time and fucked it up. I’m only interested in you.”

  Ben nodded once and tried to step back, but Dale caught him by the hips and pressed them together. The kiss might have started in anger and jealousy, but now they were both turned on. Dale pressed his arousal against the mound in Ben’s jeans.

  Ben hissed, and his eyes grew darker. “Dinner. Can it wait?”

  “Yeah, it’s only a beef stew and it’s in the slow cooker.”

  Ben wasn’t interested in the menu, just if it could wait the time it took for Dale to fuck him through the mattress. “Your bedroom, now.”

  Dale led Ben up the stairs and into his bedroom. The duvet was turned back, and in pride of place on the bedside table, there were lube and condoms. Ben could have called him on it, but he was more interested in getting Dale naked and spread out, ready for him to feast on. He’d spent all day watching Dale from afar, unable to talk to him, let alone touch him. Now the ex had been dismissed, there weren’t any staff to interrupt them, and Ben wanted to rub up against Dale and remind Dale who he belonged to. He slipped his hands under Dale’s T-shirt, reveling in the feel of warm skin and soft hair.

  “You don’t have anything to prove,” Dale said unexpectedly, his words breaking the silence in the room.

  “Huh?” Ben stared at him, confused.

  “You don’t have anything to prove, Ben. Baz is in my past. You are my present.”

  “And the future?” It came out more of a challenge than Ben expected.

  Dale picked up one of Ben’s hands and licked across the inside of his wrist. Bastard! How did he know doing that was guaranteed to make Ben’s knees wobbly? Dale picked up his other wrist and did it again. The anger and aggression from Baz’s appearance faded away. This wasn’t a boardroom deal; their merger had been signed, sealed, and delivered from the first moment Ben caught a glimpse of that tantalizing furred belly.

  “And the future,” Dale said and leaned in for a kiss.

  Ben had never had a partner who loved kissing as much as Dale. On the other hand, he’d never wanted to kiss anyone as much as Dale. He loved a hard masculine mouth with the roughness of scruff beneath.

  Dale stopped kissing and breathed into Ben’s mouth. He slid his hands down Ben’s torso and cupped his dick through his jeans. Ben groaned and shoved his groin into Dale’s touch.

  That was enough talking. Ben needed skin and action. A certain fireman had a pole and Ben was determined to slide down it. He kept one eye on the spider in the corner, though—just in case it decided to join in. He definitely didn’t believe in threesomes.

  Chapter Seventeen

  THE shrill alarm sounded. Dale shoved in the last mouthful of cake and washed it down with tea, then headed for Bertha.

  “Jesus, I hope Miller’s not starting again,” he muttered.

  The police hadn’t found Oliver Miller since the last fire.

  Tank and Mick were already there, and they were huddled over the paper.

  “Where’s the shout?” Dale asked.

  They turned to him, both pale and his stomach churned.

  “What’s the matter with you two? You both look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Tank waved the paper at him. “It’s the shout.”

  “Yeah? Don’t tell me my cottage is on fire.”

  He grinned at them, but Tank just shook his head.

  “Not your place. It’s Calminster Hall.”

  Dale felt the blood drain from his head.

  “Don’t you dare fucking pass out,” Tank muttered. He pushed and shoved Dale into the cab and climbed in the driver’s seat. For once Dale didn’t protest at not taking the wheel. He knew he wasn’t safe to focus on driving right now.

  “Are you okay?” Mick asked, his expression sympathetic.

  Dale was one breath away from a meltdown, so no, he wasn’t okay, but he just muttered something incoherent and thankfully Mick left him alone.

  As they raced down the drive to Calminster Hall, Dale could see thick black smoke pouring out from the right-hand side of the building.

  “The commander’s called for backup from Winchester,” Tank said. “The police and ambulances are on their way.”

  “We’re going to need all the help we can get,” Mick agreed. “Any reports of casualties?”

  “Not yet. The fire started in the servants’ quarters. They’re not sure how.”

  “Fuck!” Dale muttered, thinking of the elegant rooms being destroyed by the fire.

  Tank gave him a hard stare. “You gonna hold it together?”

  “Yep.”

  “Sure?”

  Dale snapped a glance at him. “I’m a fucking professional. You know that.”

  Tank’s lips twitched.

  “Shut the fuck up,” Dale said. He ignored the snorts from the others.

  Tank pulled up in front of the house and jumped out. The staff huddled to one side, moving out of the way as the other appliances drove into the courtyard. Tank and Dale headed toward the small group. Dale could see Colson, Mrs. Wilson and Lisa; everyone except Ben. Fuck! Where the hell was Ben? Dale frantically searched the crowd, there was no sign of him.

  The butler limped toward them, his face and hands soot-stained. “Thank you for getting here so quickly. We can’t find Mr. Ben.”

  Fear pitted itself in Dale’s stomach, but he kept his face as impassive as he could, knowing Tank wouldn’t hesitate to make him stand down if he thought he would endanger the team.

  Tank glanced at Dale before he said, “Is everyone else out?”

  Mr. Colson’s face grew pinched. “Everyone except his lordship. He was going to take the dogs for a walk, but we found them in the kitchen. The grounds staff are combing the gardens and parkland for him. We searched through as much of the house as we could before the smoke got too much.”

  “Where did the fire start?” Tank asked.

  “We think in the boot room, but we don’t know how. The security guards went through the house, but they didn’t find him.”

  Tank snapped out orders to the crews, getting the appliances around the back. Before he could relegate Dale to the outside, Dale said, “I’m going to find him.”

  To give Tank credit, he didn’t argue, but he gave Dale a firm “Stay in formation and don’t fucking try anything stupid.”

  Dale gave one nod and focused on getting on his breathing apparatus. He was a fucking professional. He repeated it like a mantra to stop his head spinning off into la-la land.

  They entered the house via the main hallway. The fire appeared to be contained to one side, the smoke minimal in the large empty space. Tank sent Dale’s team along the east wing, and the other along the west wing. As they cleared room after room, the tension grew i
n Dale. The smoke got thicker, but the flames appeared to be contained downstairs. The large dining and reception rooms that were rarely used except for formal occasions were empty. Mick and Dale cleared them and then headed into the smaller rooms. Still empty. They cleared the whole wing and headed back to the hall, the other teams arriving back at the same time. They all shook their heads at Dale. Fear pitted itself in the base of Dale’s stomach. Where the hell was Ben?

  All the teams met back in the hall. The lord of the manor was still nowhere to be found. Then they headed downstairs, Dale and Mick taking one of the servant’s staircases. Mick opened the door to one of the small rooms that served as a storage area.

  “He’s here!”

  Was he still alive? Fear consumed Dale, but he couldn’t afford to fall apart now. He had a job to do and that was to get Ben out of the house before the fire took hold. Dale rushed to kneel by Ben. He was lying facedown in one corner of the room. Dale carefully turned him over. Ben was unconscious, but Dale didn’t have time to see if he was breathing or not. He hoisted Ben over his shoulder, headed out of the room, and up the stairs. Mick followed, hard on his heels.

  The smoke was thicker than it had been before. As they exited through the ornate doors, Dale saw an ambulance had joined them. The paramedics rushed forward, and one of them tried to relieve Dale of his burden. Dale ignored them and laid Ben down on the gurney. He was limp and still, a nasty bump on his forehead, and unconscious—or worse. The paramedics elbowed Dale out of the way to start work on Ben. Mick squeezed Dale’s shoulder, a silent support Dale appreciated.

  “Is he all right?” Dale asked as the paramedics examined Ben. He couldn’t hold back the panic threading through his words.

  “He’s alive,” the male paramedic said, not taking his eyes off his patient. Dale sagged with relief.

  Mick tugged him aside. “Let them do their work.”

  Dale wanted to argue, but he was needed elsewhere. The fire wasn’t fully contained yet. He forced his worry to one side and went back to work.

  The fire had spread fiercely through the servants’ area, but thanks to the early discovery, it hadn’t spread too far through the main part of the house. By the time the fire was out and Dale and the fire crews wearily gathered by the appliances, Ben had been taken to hospital. Dale saw Colson speaking with Tank, although his eyes widened when he saw Joe, the head gardener, with his arm around the butler as if he was never going to let him go.