Up In Flames (Flirting with Fire Book 2)

by Jennifer Blackwood

  They were all quiet, and she didn’t know what her friends were thinking about, but thoughts of Reece kept floating in and out of her mind, like the tide along the shore. Flashes of places she wanted to take him. Skiing at Hoodoo, paddleboarding in Bend, checking out new restaurants popping up in the city. Heck, she could make a list of activities for each season.

  “Think we’ll all still be doing this when we’re ninety?” Madison asked.

  Sloane didn’t even have to think about it. These two had been with her through everything. If they could make it through zits and maxi pads, then adult diapers and hemorrhoids should be a breeze. “Um, is there really any question? I mean, if Erin doesn’t give herself a heart attack by then.”

  “At least I have a nurse friend who can bring me back to health,” Erin said, patting Sloane’s thigh.

  “We’ll be like the Golden Girls,” Madison said as she unwrapped a Hershey’s Kiss and popped it into her mouth.

  “I’d be Blanche,” Sloane said.

  Erin snorted. “No, you’re definitely a Dorothy.”

  “Am not.” Was she? Maybe she’d been that way for the past few years, but right now, the way she felt was light. Less snarky. Maybe that was what good sex did to you. It changed the wiring in a person’s brain. She’d heard about cases in her clinical psychology stint where major life events could change certain synapses. Maybe Reece had bumped a few of those loose.

  “Plus, I’m Blanche, and Erin is Rose,” Madison said.

  “Am not,” Erin said.

  Both Sloane and Madison exchanged glances. “Totally are,” said Sloane. “And ninety seems like so far away.”

  Erin nodded. “Yeah. Feels like a whole lifetime.”

  “I want to travel the world by then,” Madison said. “There is this cruise that goes down the Nile River. I want to do that and then see all the pyramids.”

  “I want to be retired and be a tester for planner supply products,” Erin said. She let out a contented sigh.

  Madison and Erin turned to her, waiting for Sloane to proclaim what she wanted to accomplish by then. “I want to fall in love by the time I’m ninety.”

  “Oh, honey. I think that’s coming sooner than you think,” Erin said.

  Maybe. For the first time in a year, she gave herself permission to hope.

  They all drank from their glasses and stared out at the ocean. The breeze was cool as it floated into their cozy cluster on the porch. The outdoor fireplace flickered, and Sloane fed it another log.

  Maybe they were right. Reece had shown her that she didn’t need to have her guard up around all men. That there were decent ones out there, ones who would make her feel wanted. Sexy. Things she hadn’t felt in years.

  Suddenly, Sloane felt the effect of all the wine she’d drunk tonight, her world going fuzzy around the edges, more topsy-turvy than she usually allowed. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night.”

  Erin yawned. “Me too. Just need to give Jake a call.”

  Sloane slipped inside her room and shut the door behind her with a soft click. She pulled out her phone and saw that she’d missed a few texts from Reece.

  Reece: Where are you? I need to discuss the turn of events in Supernatural. Also, why did you pick a show with so many seasons?

  Reece: Seriously, why are these brothers complete idiots when it comes to each other?

  Reece: Miss you.

  The last one made Sloane’s lips curve into a smile.

  Sloane: Didn’t you know that people do really stupid things for the people that they love?

  It was late—almost a quarter till midnight. She didn’t expect Reece to answer. He usually fell asleep before eleven when he wasn’t on his shift. It was strange thinking that she had picked up so many little tidbits about him over the past couple of weeks.

  When she saw the three dots pop up onto her screen signifying that he was typing, her pulse raced under her skin.

  Reece: Sam is a whiny bitch boy.

  Sloane: I’m going to ignore that you just said that about my man.

  Reece: Didn’t know you were already claimed. Guess I should back off.

  Sloane: Well, I guess I have been seeing this one guy. He’s pretty accident prone, though.

  Reece: Does this guy at least have someone to stitch him up? I know a nurse. She has horrible bedside manner. Takes way too much pleasure poking people with needles.

  Sloane: Sounds like my kind of gal.

  Reece: Me too.

  She turned over in bed, resting her head on the pillow. The bed was too big for one person. Even starfished across the middle, her arms couldn’t touch the sides.

  Sloane: Wish you could be here.

  Reece: And what would you do with me if I was?

  Sloane giggled. And then hiccupped. She’d never sexted before. Usually if the person she was dating was in the mood, he’d say something like, “Hey, want to come over for some fun?” That was the end of that. Nothing romantic or sexy about it, but it did get the job done. Reece made her feel things. She wanted to be sexy. For him.

  Sloane: If I wasn’t two drinks past proper brain function, I’d think of something sexy to say.

  Reece: Get some sleep, Smurfette. Can’t wait to C U when you get back.

  She had someone to come back to. A warmth settled over her.

  Sloane: I relinquish you from your last task. Score is settled.

  Reece: Don’t worry. I can think of other favors that’ll make up for it.

  Sloane pulled up her laptop. Reece was done with the tasks she’d given him. She could have emailed his chief a couple weeks ago, but honestly, she wanted more time with him. And a secret part of her was worried that as soon as she gave him a glowing recommendation, whatever was between them would vanish. Obviously that was ridiculous. But as she was learning, relationships were anything but rational.

  She clicked on the email tab and loaded up a message. Might as well start the draft. The room was swirling, but she was suddenly too amped-up to sleep. A draft pulled up onto the screen, and she typed in a few words.

  Dear Chief Richards,

  I’m happy to report that Reece Jenkins has fulfilled his duty as my humble manservant for the past month. It was very, very hard. Just like certain parts of his body. But he knows just what he’s doing. Especially with his tongue. God, that sucker is amazing. Anyway, I know you’re probably busy fighting fires or something, so I won’t take up too much of your time. Reece is amazing. Everything about him. I know it was unintended, but this brought us together, and I have you to thank for that.

  xo

  Sloane Garcia

  Sloane giggled and closed down the computer. Obviously that email would never see the light of day, but it was fun to write it out. She could just imagine that grumpy old man’s eyes bugging while reading it. She’d write Reece a real email when she got back into town. One that was professional and gave him a glowing review. Because if his boss was a hard-ass like Reece claimed, then he needed some help. She nestled under the cool covers and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  Sloane woke up the next morning to seagulls, ocean waves, and the throbbing pain of a hangover. Too much wine. She vaguely remembered kicking back a few glasses last night, but nothing out of the ordinary.

  She squinted her eyes and managed to pull herself out of bed and make her way to her purse out in the main room to grab a bottle of aspirin.

  “Rough night?”

  Erin was in the living room, reading a book. Madison was on the couch, watching an episode of Real Housewives. They both looked like they were completely unfazed by a night of drinking.

  “How do you two look so good? I feel like death warmed over.” Double that. Like twice-baked potatoes.

  “Did you drink water before bed?” Erin asked.

  Sloane scrubbed her hands over her face. Her mouth was dry and her breath could possibly knock out anyone in a five-mile radius. “I knew I was forgetting something.”

  “Rookie mistake. Brea
kfast is on the stove,” Madison said.

  She glanced to the stove, where a pan with french toast and sausage sat. Bless her friends. She grabbed a glass from the kitchen and filled it with tap water. After swallowing a couple of aspirin, she filled a plate with food and went over to the couch and sat next to Madison.

  “I’m glad I have you guys.”

  Madison tore her attention away from the show. “Because we always fix your hangovers?”

  “That, and because you’re the best.” She shoved a piece of french toast in her mouth.

  Erin flipped through her planner and tapped her pen to the page. “I was thinking after breakfast we could—”

  “No,” Madison and Sloane said in unison.

  Erin held up her hands in surrender. “Fine. We’ll see where the day takes us. Sheesh.” She closed her planner.

  Sloane leaned back against the couch and raked the tines of her fork through the syrup on her plate. Some of the women were getting into it on the show, one of them pouring a drink into the other’s hair.

  “Oh, girl. You are so brutal,” Madison squeaked, covering her mouth with her hands. “Take Bianca down.”

  “Too bad you didn’t get a chance to go on that reality show. I think you’d be the silent, plotting type.”

  Madison swatted her. “Would not.”

  The three of them settled into easy conversation as they continued to watch the show. After breakfast, they spent the rest of the morning on the beach and arrived back into town that evening. She couldn’t wait to see Reece tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Reece walked through the entrance of the station and set down his backpack in the sleep area. The past few shifts had been eventful during the night, and Reece had almost decided against bringing anything to sleep in.

  Jake and Hollywood were already sitting at the table across from the kitchen, playing paper football, waiting for the morning meeting to start.

  The chief was still in his office, which gave Reece at least a few minutes without the guy breathing down his neck.

  The chief breezed out of his office, wearing a gruff expression on his face. He looked more pissed off than normal. This close to retirement, Reece didn’t blame him. Most of the guys who were close to checking out weren’t there mentally.

  “Busy day today,” Chief Richards said. “We have the Toys for Tots drive ending soon. Need one of you to drive the gifts over to the receiving center.”

  “I’ll do it at the end of my shift tomorrow.” Reece hated kissing ass, but if it got him in the chief’s good graces, he wasn’t above doing backflips at this point.

  Chief nodded, his sour expression not changing. “Cole, go ahead with the lesson for today.”

  With that, Hollywood flipped to the tabbed sheet of paper in the medical binder. “Figured we could go over neck-injury procedures.”

  Reece listened to the information and nodded along, comparing his prior knowledge to the info Hollywood relayed. After the lesson, they decided to go wash the truck, since A shift had left it a mess the night prior during all the storms. Mud caked the rear steps of the engine, clear up to the ladder-stowage deck. Tree debris was caught in the wheel wells. It looked like they’d taken Engine 11 for a little off-roading expedition. In actuality, they’d had to help with the mudslide on 84 early last evening. Reece had kept by his phone just in case they needed more men on the scene.

  Reece grabbed a couple of buckets and the soap while Jake untangled the hose from the station bay.

  “What’s got you smiling today?” Jake asked.

  “Sloane gets home today. I get to see her tomorrow after our shift ends.” He’d turned into one of those cheeseball Hallmark cards and had zero qualms if anyone noticed.

  “Seems like you two are getting along lately. Something change?”

  Everything had changed. In a matter of weeks, they’d gone from wanting to strangle each other to sharing a bed. The thought gave him whiplash. And now he was one of those schmucks who had a stupid grin plastered on his face. For the first time in a while, he was happy.

  “You know, Christmas is this week.”

  Yeah, he still needed to get presents for his family. He’d go with his typical gift card for his sisters and something for the food truck for his mom. Last year he’d bought her a new mixer so she could retire the one that’d been in use since before Reece had been born.

  “You trying to hint that you want me to get you something? I figured I didn’t have to dress up, now that Erin’s in your life.”

  Jake gave him a quick spray with the hose. “Sloane will be over at the house on Christmas. Erin already set it up since Sloane’s parents are in Florida.”

  The last time he’d had a woman over for a holiday, he’d given Amber a promise ring. And that was how he learned the hard way that promise rings were complete crap. But Sloane wasn’t Amber. She wasn’t the type to screw him over. The shredded remnants of his heart clung on to that, to the fact that he could trust her.

  “Do I need to get something for her? Mom says to, but we haven’t been seeing each other that long.”

  Jake shrugged, then went on to spray the soap off the engine. “Depends.”

  “On what?” Reece continued scrubbing at the dirty wheel well.

  “Do you want to keep that relationship?”

  “You mean a gift is expected?” This was why he didn’t do relationships. He didn’t like the expectations. He didn’t think that Sloane would expect that of him. She knew him. Knew that he would rather show his appreciation for her in other ways. Like the ones he planned to do when he was off shift in the morning.

  Hollywood came around the corner and soaked his sponge in the soapy water. “Cheap-ass Reece complaining about buying a Christmas present for his new lady? Don’t drop the ball, man.”

  “I’m not dropping the ball. There is no need to do presents this early in a relationship.” Although his opinion was starting to waver, with Jake and Hollywood staring at him.

  “I know you’re a cheap ass, but if you care about someone, you get them a little something for Christmas,” said Jake.

  “I dressed up as Santa one year. That was enough of a present,” Hollywood said, waggling his brows.

  “Yeah, and how well did that relationship turn out?” Reece said.

  “Doesn’t have to break the bank. Just has to show her that you care,” Jake said. “I’m getting Erin a few packs of washi tape and new pens for her planner because I know that’s how she gets her rocks off.”

  Reece knew Sloane. Had known her for years. He knew what she liked. What she hated. There had to be something he could find her.

  “You could always get her a movie. Chicks dig those Lifetime flicks,” Hollywood said, taking a towel to the engine.

  “Sloane thinks they’re lame. Says there’s not enough kissing in them or something.”

  Hollywood’s brows shot up. “Sounds like you’re really into her.”

  Yeah, he was surprised too. Just a few weeks ago, he was worried that she’d poison his food.

  Before his friends could bust his chops, the chief busted through the engine-bay door, the handle smacking against the wall with a loud clang.

  The chief looked directly at Reece, his face red, the vein in his forehead visible, even from a distance. “Jenkins, in my office now.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The chief’s tone made the hair on the back of Reece’s neck stand up. Chief Richards channeled grumpy asshole better than anyone Reece knew, but this took it to the next level.

  Hollywood clapped him on the back as Reece passed him, and he caught the door before it slammed shut.

  He trailed behind the chief, and it brought him back to his middle-school days when he’d be sent to the principal’s office with Jake. He followed the chief into the office and shut the door behind him.

  “I got a disturbing email from a Ms. Sloane Garcia last night.” The vein in his head was still throbbing. Not a good sign. He hadn’t
seen him this mad in . . . ever.

  Reece’s mind raced. It’d been a great night. They’d texted until he fell asleep. What the hell could have gone wrong between then and now?

  “What did it say, sir?” he said cautiously.

  Richards waved his hand dismissively. “As an employee of the city, it is important for us to uphold a certain image.”

  “I’d say I’ve done my part in that.” What was he getting at? What was in that email?

  The chief’s hands were clasped on the desk, and he leveled Reece with a look of disgust.

  “Did you have inappropriate relations with a contest winner?”

  Shit. Why would Sloane send an email like that to the chief, of all people? “To be fair, I have known Sloane my entire life. She’s my little sister’s best friend.”

  “And someone who could ruin our image as a station. You do realize we are under a hiring freeze, and extreme budget cuts are heading our way. Between that and a serial arsonist on our hands, we have reporters up our asses trying to find their own connections. Do you really think people are going to want to make donations if they think we’re screwing around when we’re supposed to be working?”

  Anger flashed hot in Reece’s blood. He’d always taken his job seriously. He took pride in his work. And he knew Sloane. She wouldn’t say something like that. This had to be a misunderstanding.

  “I don’t know what was in that email, but I can assure you that what I do in my off time has nothing to do with my performance on the job.”

  “I’d like to believe that. But with your actions over the past month, two injuries sending you to the hospital, I find that hard to believe.”

  Reece stared at the chief, his fingers digging into the chipped plastic handles of the swivel chair. This was unbelievable. He knew the guy had it out for him, but what happened on calls wasn’t completely in his control. “What are you trying to say?”

  “I’m saying that I’ll have no choice but to bring you to the ethics board.” He paused and gave him a hard look. “Unless you start looking for a place to transfer in the New Year. Then this can all just go away. I hear there’s an opening at Mount Halo.”