A giggle threatened to slip out of me, so I slid off the chair and walked away as quickly as I could. I didn’t look back, but I was pretty sure he was watching me go.
When I reached the bathroom, I slumped against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart. I pulled out my phone.
You two are the absolute best. James isn’t just hot—he’s basically on fire. You were right! Let’s see where this date goes. XOXO
I hit the send button for my text to Maria and Zoe. I then turned off the volume and stashed my cell at the bottom of my purse. I found, now that I’d told the girls I was pretty excited, I wasn’t yet ready to explain why. I wanted to keep this newfound sensation to myself for just a little longer and see where the night took me.
I freshened up and gave myself a chance to take a breath. Then, it was time for more of Mr. Hot.
* * *
DUSTIN
I watched Samantha walk away, her hips swaying in an inviting rhythm that had me hook, line, and sinker. I grinned again, excited with how the night was going, before turning to glance around the bar, which I hadn’t actually seen much of.
Just then, my gaze snagged on a newcomer. He was almost as tall as me, but thin, with sandy, curling hair and eyes hidden behind thick glasses. He was definitely the type of guy I would expect to work where Samantha did.
The guy looked around desperately. If he was the mysterious James, then that made sense, as he was obviously late and probably rattled. Plus, he was also wearing a button-up green shirt sort of similar to mine, though it was obviously too big on his wiry frame.
I looked towards the bathroom, wondering what Samantha would do if she saw him, before an unexpected idea came into my head. Moments later, I found myself walking towards him.
“You James?” I asked when I reached him.
He looked at me, surprised. “Yes.”
“I thought so. Look, were you supposed to be here on some blind date?”
His shoulders hunched up in panic. “Oh, no. Who are you?”
“Oh, I’m nobody. It’s just this real pretty girl stormed out of here about ten minutes ago. She said something about being stood up by an asshole called James and took off.”
“Damn,” he said quietly. “I should’ve just paid for a cab.”
I shrugged and nodded. His shoulders slumped back down.
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem,” I replied, working to keep my face neutral. “You might wanna give your friend a call. Maybe she has another friend she can set you up with. I don’t think this one is gonna give you another chance.”
“Right. Thanks, again. Have a good one.”
“You, too.”
He straightened his shoulders before turning and exiting the bar. For a moment, I felt bad, but on the other hand, he had been late and Samantha hadn’t seemed to mind meeting me instead in the slightest.
I headed back to the bar and was just finishing my beer when Samantha reappeared. She’d re-applied her lipstick—a sexy bright red, which I noticed matched her stilettos—and a blush remained on her cheeks.
I hadn’t lied to James. She really was gorgeous.
“Hey, there,” she greeted me, a shy smile on her face.
“Hey. I was thinking maybe we head out of here and…I don’t know, maybe continue our date somewhere else? If you don’t mind.”
She smiled slowly. “I’d like that.”
The purr was back in her voice. I didn’t think she was even aware of it. But it was definitely turning me on.
“So where to, Mr. Adventurer?” she asked as she grabbed her purse.
I shrugged. “Why don’t we find out?”
* * *
SAMANTHA
He offered me his arm once we were out of the bar. Without hesitation, I slid mine through his, pleased that despite the difference in height, I was able to keep up with his stride.
“Left or right?” he asked.
“Left,” I immediately answered.
He looked down at me.
“Oh, so you have a plan in mind after all?”
“I’m a lefty,” I laughed. “I always choose that direction first.”
“A southpaw,” he teased as he obligingly turned left.
“Yeah. There aren’t a lot of us in tech, so we tend to notice if someone is. Is it different at your firm?”
“Um, it’s pretty even, actually.”
“That’s still way above the average,” I told him.
“Look,” he said, pointing.
I followed his finger to see two squirrels chasing each other around a tree.
“Nice,” I said wryly.
“Hey, what’s wrong with the little guy trying to get himself some tail?”
We both laughed at the awful joke and continued walking. It was a beautiful evening, almost rare for that time of year in Philadelphia. The air was crisp, but not uncomfortable, and there wasn’t a hint of rain. For once, the sky was absolutely clear, and a full moon shone down on us.
I couldn’t have picked a better time to go walking with a handsome stranger if I’d tried.
We crossed over to the next block. I thought James was taking us left again, but several harried voices caught his attention. I followed his gaze to see half a dozen people crowding under a tree. Then, I heard a woman cry out.
“Somebody, please help my Coco!”
“What’s that about?” I asked James.
He squeezed my arm. “Let’s find out.”
Bemused, I nodded, but he was already moving forward. When we arrived, James locked in on an older lady in a thick terrycloth bathrobe and slippers. She was clutching her hands together, her eyes wide with fright.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” James’ authoritative voice cut through the noise. “What seems to be the problem?”
The lady turned to him and reached out her hands. Without hesitating, he held them reassuringly.
“It’s my cat, Coco. We lived upstairs over there in those apartments, and she jumped—she’s never done that before. But now she’s stuck up in that tree. I tried calling her, but I think she’s too scared to come down.”
James placed a reassuring hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, ma’am. I can help. Do you have a ladder?”
The lady shook her head. He looked around, but the other people present only shrugged. Then, he nodded, took a step towards the tree, and looked it up and down. Just as I was about to ask what he was planning, he took a running jump and hooked his arm around the lowest branch.
The crowd gasped—me right along with them—as he pulled himself up and disappeared into the branches. Moments later, his feet appeared. Again, almost effortlessly, he grabbed the lowest branch with one arm and dropped down. He swung for just a moment before he landed on his feet.
In his other arm, he held a small tabby cat. At that, my jaw dropped open. He was so strong and agile, and with the way he was holding Coco, he knew a thing or two about animals.
Watching him soothe the cat before he handed her back wasn’t just surprising, it also spread a tingly, pleasant feeling throughout my body.
Can this guy get any hotter?
He waved at the old lady and turned back to me. I’d been so caught up in my thoughts, I hadn’t paid attention to what he’d said or when he’d given the cat back.
“You okay?” he asked.
With a snap, I shut my mouth, which had still been hanging open. I nodded once and he smiled.
“You’re pretty good with animals,” I told him. “I’m a little jealous.”
“Why’s that?”
“I love animals—always have—but I work too much to have one of my own.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll happen. Animals can always sense a friend.”
He then offered his arm again and I took it. This time, I let my fingers squeeze a little harder, feeling the thick muscles flex against my hand. I stopped abruptly. He looked down at me.
“How is it you have a desk job? You’re s
o strong. Did I get it wrong? Are you gonna tell me you’re actually an undercover cop or something?”
His eyes widened in surprise. Something weird was going on, and I was going to find out.
* * *
DUSTIN
She was pretty, and smart, all right. I could tell she was starting to figure it out, so I decided I better get it over with.
“I have a confession to make. I’m not actually in tech.”
She withdrew her arm from mine so she could cross hers.
“So, what do you do, then?”
Best to just be out with it.
“I’m a firefighter. In fact, my name isn’t even James. You got the wrong guy.”
“Oh…” she said softly. But to my surprise, she didn’t move. “So…what did happen, then? To the real James? Did you have something to do with him not showing?” she asked, her voice still soft.
“Er, well. No. Not exactly. Remember when you went to the bathroom?”
Surprise spread across her face. “He showed up then?”
“Yeah. And I, uh, maybe told him that you’d already left.”
Her mouth dropped open for a moment.
“Wait. How did you know who he was?”
I laughed.
“I figured maybe we were wearing something similar, and he walked in with a green shirt, tall, thick glasses, and a panicked look on his face.”
“Oh, no. He was worried about being late?”
I shrugged.
“After missing out on meeting you? He should’ve been.”
A huge smile spread across her face, followed by twin roses blooming once more on her cheeks. I was starting to like how much I made her blush.
“So, not James. What is your name, then?”
Right. I guess it was time for proper introductions. I stuck out my hand.
“Dustin. Dustin Waller, of Philly Fire Station 23.”
She nodded her head and smiled.
“That’s actually a pretty good number.”
“23?”
“Yep.”
The twinkle in her eye gave her away.
“So, let me guess. Twenty-three years and some odd months ago, a bright little star was born, and her name was Samantha…”
She picked right up on my cue.
“Samantha Blissett, born and raised right here in the city.”
“Hey, me, too.”
This time, I didn’t offer my arm. Instead, I slung it around her shoulders and pulled her next to me as we continued walking. She didn’t appear to mind one bit.
“So, what else should I know, Samantha Blissett from Philly?”
“Wait, wait. How old are you?” she asked.
“Oh, right. I’ve just passed the quarter-century mark. Officially filled with wisdom, and all that.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide in mock surprise.
“An entire quarter-century. Impressive.”
“Thanks. I thought so, too. So, you’re really at some tech company, then? You weren’t just pretending to like nerdy stuff?”
She threw back her head this time as she laughed.
“One of us thought they were actually on a real date, you know?”
“Wait. You’re honest with someone on a blind date?” I asked.
“I guess so. Don’t have anything to hide.”
I stopped and looked at her.
“Should I have told you the truth? Would you rather be back there with the real James?”
She stared up at me for a moment before shaking her head.
“No. I’m good.”
“Good.”
She broke our gaze first, the telltale blush visible even under the streetlights. Trying to put her back at ease, I decided to steer the conversation back to a lighter note.
“So, how is it? That place you work? Do they treat you right?”
“Oh, well. I guess. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I was incredibly lucky to get a job there.”
“Why’s that?”
“Okay, you’re not in tech, so you probably wouldn’t know, but it’s a huge company and really successful. A position there means I’m gaining a lot of great experience, and if I ever moved jobs, I’d have a top-notch firm on my resume.”
“Would you?” I wondered out loud.
“Would I what?” she asked.
“Change jobs. I mean, if you could,” I replied.
She shrugged.
“Maybe, if the opportunity was there, you know? But it wouldn’t be any time soon. Got to put in the time, pay the bills.”
“I get that.”
“And you. A firefighter. How did that happen?”
I shrugged.
“It’s something I always wanted to do. When I was little, it seemed to me all the firefighters were like real-life heroes, so I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”
“Would you ever change it?”
Despite our conversation, the question still surprised me.
“I don’t think I’d ever just give it up, if that’s what you mean,” I finally said.
“Why not?”
“Because firefighting is more than a dream to me. It’s constant proof that I’m really living and making a difference. There’s something about the surge of adrenaline when I jump into action that just reminds me how important life—and saving lives—is.”
“Like earlier tonight, with the cat?”
“Exactly. I didn’t have to think. I didn’t waste time wondering if I could get it down.”
“You acted on instinct,” she finished.
I looked down to see her staring up at me, her eyes full of understanding. I realized at the moment that I really wanted to kiss her, so I changed subjects again to keep myself in check.
“A Philly native, huh? What part?”
“Oh, uh, the east side. You?”
“Northwest. Figures, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“So, what’s it like over there?”
“Fine, I guess. My…parents weren’t big on traveling.”
“Oh. Are you close?”
She looked away, and this time, I noticed her jaw clenching.
“They’re not around anymore.”
Obviously an uncomfortable subject.
“Anyway, I guess I just stayed in the same places and didn’t do too much exploring. Definitely no touristy stuff.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Um, I guess…the Liberty Bell?”
I halted abruptly and spun her to face me.
“You’ve never visited the Liberty Bell?”
“Uh, nope.”
“Even though you’ve lived here your whole life?”
“I was sick for the school trip, never got around to it afterwards. Sorry. Should I not have admitted that?”
I let her shoulders go.
“No, it’s…” I shook my head. “I just can’t believe…never?” I asked, cocking my head at her.
She raised her eyebrows and shook her head. And that’s when I got my second great idea of the night.
“Well, I won’t stand for it.”
“You won’t—”
“It’s not right, living like that. So, we have to go.”
“To the Liberty Bell? When?”
I flashed a grin at her. “Tonight.”
“What?”
“It’s the only natural solution to this crisis.”
“But…” She looked around helplessly. “It’s closed.”
“Nope. It’s open, for us.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I’m pretty sure the center closed hours ago.”
Before she could deny me anymore, I grabbed her hand firmly and entwined my fingers with hers.
“And why should that stop us?”
She laughed and I joined her. Our night of adventure was just beginning.
* * *
SAMANTHA
I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting when I headed to my blind date that night, but a visit to the Liberty Bell had
n’t once crossed my mind. Yet there we were, half an hour later, standing in front of the glass walls of the Liberty Bell Center.
“It’s closed,” I told Dustin. “Very closed.”
He looked over to me, his lazy grin making me smile in turn.
“Only to the public. You’re getting a private tour, missy.”
Unbelievable, and unbelievably hot.
“So, how do we get in, then?”
Dustin walked around to the side of the building.
“Over here. It’s where the fire escape system exits. We’re just going in backwards.”
“Aha! I knew you had a plan,” I said, starting to feel a bit more excited about the prospect of breaking into a historical site.
“You ready?” he asked, holding his hand out to me.
“I’ve never been one for breaking rules,” I replied nervously.
“Isn’t it time you started?”
Instead of answering, I reached out and coiled my fingers around his. He smiled and my pulse sped up. I was also pretty sure my blush was back.
But I quickly forgot that as he pulled me forward.
For the next ten minutes, we climbed hidden ladders, shimmied through a chute, and wiggled out between two windows. With every turn and twist, my excitement grew.
When we finally were inside, I was shocked to see we weren’t just in some part of the center. The Liberty Bell itself was only a dozen feet away.
Dustin gestured towards it.
“Ta-da!” he sang in a half-whisper.
Breathless and not really thinking, I leaned up and pulled his head towards me. Heedless of the consequences, I kissed him, caught up in the moment.
He must’ve been feeling the same, because he didn’t hesitate at all.
Instead, he wound his arms around my back and slid his hands down until he was cupping my butt. Then, his tongue slid between my lips and I forgot to think at all.
His mouth tasted delicious, slightly tangy, with a hint of beer—the perfect complement to my unexpected thirst. As he thrust his tongue deeper, I pressed myself against him, feeling the hard lines of his chest muscles against my breasts.
“Hello?” a voice called from down the hall.
Dazed, I pulled away. Dustin glanced over his shoulder.
“Security guard. We better go,” he whispered almost too quietly for me to hear.
His Eternal Flame Page 2