by Cathryn Fox
When she angled her head, letting her hair fall over her cheek, his heart slammed against his chest. He briefly closed his eyes and sucked in a tight breath as a theory began forming in his brain.
As understanding struck harder than a loose fire hose, a noise sounded deep in his throat. Jesus, did she really have no idea how beautiful she was, on the inside and out? Did she really think that scar on her cheek made her unworthy, less desirable—a scar that spoke of strength and courage? Is that why she always kept a safe distance and pretended she didn’t want him? Because she thought her flaws would keep him from wanting her in return? In all ways?
“Madison,” he said, but before he had a chance to question her, or tell her how wrong she was, his cell phone rang.
They stared at each other for a moment, then when the faint smell of smoke drifted by on a breeze, Madison’s eyes widened and she said, “You’d better get that.”
Sean reached into his pocket, grabbed his cell and flipped it open. “Yeah?”
“Sean, it’s Jim. Can you get down here? We’re short-staffed tonight and we need all the help we can get.”
“I’m on it.” Knowing Jim wouldn’t call while he was off duty unless they really needed him, Sean snapped his phone shut. While he had so much he wanted to say to Madison, he knew now was neither the time nor place.
“I have to go.”
She nodded. “I know.”
He climbed to his feet and grabbed her hands to pull her up with him. When their bodies collided, she pulled away quickly and began rummaging around on the ground, looking for her clothes. After fastening his own pants, Sean found her jeans and held them out to her. When she took them, he caught sight of her ripped panties. Instead of handing them back, he stuffed them into his pocket, gave her a sheepish smile and said, “I’ll replace those.”
She dressed quickly then slipped into her sandals before gathering the blanket. “No need,” she whispered, looking everywhere and anywhere but at him.
After they climbed back down the ladder, he turned to her, and when he tried to pull her back into his arms for a kiss, she inched away.
Her smile looked forced, and while her voice sounded light and breezy, he could hear the strain of emotions beneath. “I better go back to the girls before they send out a search party.”
Sean frowned and ran his hand down her arm. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“There is nothing to talk about, Sean. We had some fun. Tomorrow life goes back to normal. I’ve done this before, you know.”
With smoke growing thicker in the air, he didn’t have time to talk to her, to tell her how he truly felt. And really, why would she believe him? He’d taken her to the rooftop to have sex with her, for Christ’s sake. Why would she think he wanted anything more than a hurried fuck from her? Or that their lovemaking meant something to him—that she meant something to him?
Jesus, he was an asshole, and with the way she was pulling away from him, he had a sinking feeling that he just might have screwed up any chance he had of developing a real relationship with her.
The fire-station bell sounded in the near distance, and while he wanted to talk to Madison, he knew it would have to wait. When Madison lost herself in the crowd, he rushed from Harry’s and spotted Carter climbing into his car as he hopped into his own. Sean threw his car into gear and drove the two short blocks to the station.
Once inside, he pulled on his gear and made his way to the waiting truck. He tried to get his focus on the job as the truck negotiated the narrow town streets, but when it took the corner and headed down Keep Crescent, his head came up with a start, and panic invaded his stomach.
As the truck slowed down in front of Madison’s condo, his world shifted. He jumped from the passenger seat and ran up her walkway to assess the damage. Carter was already there.
“It started out back,” Carter said, nodding his head toward the line of trees fringing her backyard.
Sean ran along the gravel walkway leading to the rear of the condo and found the ground-level deck engulfed in flames. A movement, combined with the rustling of trees in the woods, heralded someone’s presence. He sensed he was being watched, and unease chased along his skin, but when he narrowed his eyes and peered into the dark, his search came up empty. Passing it off as an animal, he turned back to see fiery embers shoot high, as the old wooden deck sparked and crackled under the assault. Fortunately, the fire hadn’t penetrated the inside of the condo.
Moving quickly, Sean made his way back to the truck. He helped with the hose then ran around back with it. He turned it on and doused the flames, filling the night air with acrid smoke and ash. Less than ten minutes later, once the fire had been extinguished, he shut down the hose and helped his colleagues wind it back up.
Just as he was about to go back to appraise the damage, he spotted Madison standing outside her car next to her friend Haley, a stricken expression on her face.
She looked like she was about to bolt out back, and since it was no place for her while his crew sifted through the rubble, he said, “Madison. Wait.”
“Sean, what the hell?” she rushed toward him, breathless.
Before she could pass, he gripped her arms and tried to calm her. “There’s no damage inside. Just your back deck.”
As she stared past him, smoke danced in her eyes, but beneath that haze he saw something else, something he’d seen in her eyes only one time before. Fear. He didn’t have to ask to know that the blaze had sent her thoughts spiraling back to that dreadful night at the factory.
When she angled her head to mask her emotions behind a curtain of hair, his stomach clenched. “Madison, are you okay?” he asked. She nodded, but he felt a quiver race through her. He put his arm around her. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
Before he had a chance to take her someplace safe, somewhere that didn’t remind her of the horrific blaze that nearly killed her, Carter came up to them.
Carter’s glance settled on Madison. “The data’s not in yet, but my gut tells me the fire was deliberately set.”
Shock spread across her face as she gave a hard shake of her head. “Who would do that?”
“That’s what I want to know,” Carter said. “Do you have any enemies, Madison?”
Madison looked down in thought. “I don’t think so,” she answered.
Carter turned concerned eyes on Sean and questioned, “How about you? Any enemies?”
“Not that I know of,” Sean answered.
“Come on, we all have people who don’t like us.” He cocked his head and added, “Yeah, even a guy like you, Sean.” As Sean though it over, Carter continued, “Anyone you’ve pissed off, lately? Any crazies?”
Madison shot Sean a glance, the look on her face speaking volumes. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Since Madison was a former cop, Sean could only bet that she’d just come to the same conclusion as he had, especially considering how he’d gone off with Madison earlier tonight, and not Tara. His jaw clenched and he tightened his grip around her waist. “It’s worth looking into.”
She leaned closer and he could feel her reaching out to him, unconsciously seeking his comfort, the way she’d done only once before, a year ago. “She’s very possessive toward you.”
An eerie feeling fell over him as he thought more about Tara. Not only did he get the sense that someone was watching him lately, the weird, stalker-like letters were getting more and more threatening. He didn’t recognize the handwriting, but with Tara’s controlling behavior, he’d begun to wonder if they were coming from her. He hadn’t mentioned it to Carter because his friend had been dealing with enough of his own personal shit over the last few months.
“Who are you two talking about?” Carter asked, his deep tone pulling Sean’s thoughts back.
Sean glanced past Carter’s shoulders and scanned the tree line. “Tara Kennedy, a reporter I dated a few times, was covering the photo shoot tonight, and was acting a little possessive.”
“She can stay with me,” Haley said. All eyes turned to Madison’s friend. She’d been so quiet throughout the whole exchange Sean had forgotten she was even there.
Sean shook his head. “No. She’s staying with me.”
“I’ll stay with Haley,” Madison rushed out, and when she tried to break free of his hold, he held her tighter, refusing to let her run away from him this time.
Haley nodded in agreement, but when she saw the look Sean was aiming her way, she began back-peddling. “Oh wait, maybe you should stay with Sean. I forgot. I have a friend coming in from out of town and she needs the spare room.”
“Haley,” Madison said, her voice grating in warning. “What are you talking about?”
Haley whacked her palm to her forehead. “Totally slipped my mind.”
“I’m your best friend and you just conveniently forgot to tell me that.”
“I’m also needed at the hospital bright and early tomorrow morning so I won’t be there when you wake up, and after the fire, I’d rather you not be left alone.” She gave a big smile and added, “A therapist’s work is never done.”
“I thought you just said your friend would be there.”
“Oh, well, she has to leave early too.”
“Good, then it’s settled,” Sean said as he climbed out of his work clothes. “You’ll stay with me.”
Madison opened her mouth to voice an argument, but when a loud noise sounded in the background, Carter said, “Get her out of here.” Madison shook her head and gave a resigned sigh.
With that, Sean guided her back to her car. After he threw his gear into her backseat, he held his hands out. “I’ll drive.”
Madison took one last look at the condo, and when he spotted a wave of discomfort moving over her face, his heart went out to her.
She absently shook her head and said, “I can drive.”
Sean kept his hand out. “I know you can drive, Madison, but tonight we’re doing things my way, okay?”
“Sean…”
“Listen. You’re capable, I know that.” Not only did he know it, it was one of the things he loved most about her, but he also knew that there were times when it was okay for a person to drop their guard and let someone else take care of them. And right now was definitely one of those times. “But just give me this, okay? Call it male pride if you have to.”
A moment of hesitation, then he felt something in her give. “Fine,” she said, and as she slapped the keys into his palm, he heard her grumble something under her breath.
After she settled into the passenger seat, he circled the car. Madison turned her head and watched the smoke rise in the sky. Beneath that guarded exterior he once again caught sight of her vulnerability, and it brought his protective instincts out full force.
Sean, of all people, knew how strong she was, and he also knew Madison was always in charge, always taking care of others, and while he respected her and her career, tonight they were damn well going to do things his way. He was going to take care of her, even if it meant tying her to his bed so he could see to all her needs.
Less than ten minutes later they pulled up in front of his bungalow, a house he’d purchased a few years back. He loved his place, even though he rarely spent much time there. He usually crashed at the firehouse, and when he wasn’t working, he was either out with friends or helping out at the animal shelter along with the other guys from the station.
Madison climbed from her seat and met him at the front of the car. He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the side door of his house. When he reached for his keys, he shot her a glance and gave an apologetic look. “My place is a mess.” Honestly, he’d never cared about the disorder before, but it suddenly mattered to him. Probably because she mattered to him and he wanted her to feel safe and comfortable.
“It’s okay,” she said, and stepped inside when he pushed the door open for her.
She stood just inside the doorway and he followed her in, giving her a little nudge. “Come on, make yourself at home.”
Madison slipped out of her sandals and stepped into his kitchen. As she strolled through the house, her sweet scent leaving a trail behind her, Sean watched her. She moved around his place with ease, and he followed close behind when she entered his sparse living room.
Sean cringed when his glance landed on the open pizza box on his coffee table, an old, dried-up slice still inside. With his foot, he kicked the lid closed and began picking clothes up off the floor, but she put her hand on his arm to stop him.
“It’s okay, Sean. Really. You don’t need to fuss because of me.” Her smile was warm and genuine, and when she gave an easy laugh, it turned his insides to mush. “Besides,” she added waving her hand around. “Half the time my place looks like this, anyway.”
With that, Sean dropped the pile of clothes back onto the floor and gave her a dubious look. “Now why don’t I believe that?”
“Come by unexpected some time and you’ll see.”
“What exactly will I see?” he asked, and when their glances collided, he knew Madison had read all kind of sexual innuendoes into that statement. As much as he’d like to carry her to his bedroom and turn those innuendos into reality, he summoned his restraint and worked to marshal his libido. He certainly wasn’t about to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable.
Tonight’s fire had clearly brought back painful memories for Madison. While he wanted to talk to her about what happened between them earlier and prove to her how much she meant to him, he knew it would have to wait. What she needed from him tonight was understanding and comfort, and that’s exactly what he was going to give her.
She cleared her throat, and when she glanced at her watch, he suspected she was about to feign exhaustion and bail on him.
Wanting to spend more time with her, he wasn’t about to give her the chance. “I’ll order pizza.”
She stared at him for a moment, as if she was thinking things through, then gave a slight nod. “Okay. Pizza sounds good.”
When he reached for the phone to call in the order, she stepped farther into his living room and pulled back the dark curtain to expose the bay window, and the beach some hundred feet over the hill.
“You have such a great spot here,” she said. “Very private.”
After he ordered, he hung up the phone and flicked on the corner lamp. As he watched the warm glow fall over her body, it occurred to him just how much she looked like she belonged in his place, how her mere presence made his house feel like a home.
Since the fire and especially over the past few weeks while she’d been in charge of his security, he’d gotten to know and like Madison. Christ, there really was no denying that she’d come to mean so much to him in such a short period of time, and he damn well planned to do whatever was necessary to make her realize just how special she was and just how good they could be together, inside the bedroom and out.
As he stepped up behind her, loving how right she looked in his house, something warm pressed against his heart and there wasn’t a thing he could do to wipe the wide grin from his mouth.
Madison turned to face him and, despite the warmth of the night, hugged herself. Then she cocked her head and gave him an odd look. “You okay, Sean?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because you have a strange look on your face.”
“Strange?”
She gave an easy laugh. “Yeah, you’re kind of freaking me out.”
With that, Sean chuckled and slipped her hand in his. “Come on.”
Madison stiffened. “Where to?”
“Shower?”
“I don’t think—”
“I run out of hot water pretty quickly, so you can go first.”
“Oh,” she said then looked at her clothes.
“Don’t
worry, I’ll find something for you.” He left her at the bathroom door, hurried to his room, then returned with a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. “They’re big, but they should do the trick.”
Madison gave him a smile. “Thanks.”
When she shut the door, he went to the kitchen to wait for the food to arrive. Just because he wasn’t going to act on his urges didn’t mean he wasn’t going to think about Madison’s naked body in his shower, warm water caressing her gorgeous curves as she lathered herself with his soap.
Fuck…
Less than thirty minutes later, Madison came sauntering down the hall, looking warm and cozy and so damn adorable he knew it was going to take all his self-discipline not to peel those oversized clothes from her beautiful body and have his wicked way with her again. Truthfully, Madison might not look like the other curvaceous women he’d once gravitated toward, but her slight, lithe frame was the epitome of lush femininity. Firm and toned yet soft and sensuous in all the right places.
When she plopped down onto the sofa next to him, he could smell his soap on her skin. Wild images of him burying his face in her neck, or between her legs for a better whiff, rushed through his mind and renewed his need for her. He handed her a slice of pizza and took a big bite of his own before he was tempted to fill his mouth with something else, something that was poking against the white T-shirt she was wearing and beckoning his mouth.
“Mmm, delicious,” she said around a mouthful. Then she glanced down the hall. “Where is your spare bedroom?”
“Ah, about that.”
She pinched her lips and studied him with quiet regard. “What about it?”
“Well, I have one. I just don’t have any furniture.”
She swallowed and asked, “How long have you lived here?”
“I’ve never had overnight guests before.”
She arched a dubious brow, disbelief written all over her face. “Oh really?”