Feel the Heat

by Lorie O'Clare

The tears wouldn’t stop. She used her sleeve to mop them from her face.

  Although she could still hear music, the room was quieter than downstairs. If she could just figure out—

  Footsteps and voices in the hall helped dry her tears. Please don’t let it be the creep. She held her breath and listened.

  The door squeaked open and Hannah backed into the corner, wishing she were invisible.

  The couple who walked in probably wouldn’t have noticed her if she’d stood in a spotlight. They kissed and shed clothes as they stumbled across the room, and were down to their underwear when they fell together onto a bare mattress that had either been left behind long ago or brought in just for the party.

  Hannah wondered if she could get out without them seeing her.

  “We don’t have much time.”

  The guy’s voice, deep and lusty, sounded familiar, and there was something about his blond hair and build. He was tall and slender but athletic looking, like Lee Evans.

  Lee had always been one of the best-looking boys in town, in a scruffy sort of way. Hannah had known him all her life, but she’d only discovered how great he looked when she’d stumbled across him playing basketball shirtless last year. He’d been the star of her erotic daydreams ever since.

  Over the past few years, she’d seen Lee with more than half the girls in school at some point, as well as a few who looked older than high school age. The redhead in his arms at the moment had probably left college behind.

  It was Lee, wasn’t it? Hannah couldn’t be certain since their faces were hidden by shadows, but she was fairly sure. The hall light illuminated their bodies from the shoulders to the knees. Muscles in his back and arms flexed as he reached down and pushed the woman’s panties to her thighs, then removed his shorts. She kicked off her panties and wrapped her legs around him. His hands slid up to her breasts and hers ran over his back.

  Oh my God, they’re about to do it.

  Hannah had never actually seen a couple have sex. She knew she shouldn’t watch but was drawn to the sight. She could almost feel his hands on her flesh and taste the kisses she’d fantasized about for a year.

  The woman raised her knees on each side of Lee, and he reached between them.

  Hannah swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She should leave.

  The woman murmured and rose up to meet his force as he entered in one long stroke. They froze, joined, for a moment, and then started into a steady rhythm.

  Hannah’s crotch grew heavy. She imagined what it would feel like to have Lee thrusting into her as she watched him thrusting into the redhead.

  The couple grunted and moaned together as their movements quickened with thrusts wet and deep.

  “Harder,” the woman said, her voice thick. “I’m coming.”

  Hannah bit her bottom lip to quiet her breathing and fondled her own breast, squeezing the hard nipple.

  “Oh, fuck, yes,” the woman whispered.

  Lee pumped harder, faster, and then both cried out in ecstasy.

  Their movements slowed and then stopped, and they lay together breathing hard.

  Lee rose up on his elbows. “Shit. Who’s in here?”

  Hannah gasped and charged through the doorway, praying he wouldn’t see her as more than a blur. Once clear of the room, she glanced back as she ran and then stopped with a grunt when she hit something.

  Or someone.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I—” She stared up at … Lee?

  “You okay?” he asked, grabbing her arms to keep her from falling.

  She nodded as a storm of emotions washed over her, leaving her in tears again. Her embarrassment at getting caught watching the couple in the room faded to some strange sense of relief at knowing the guy wasn’t Lee and then gave way to the helplessness she’d felt when Sterling first ran out on her. “Not really.” She wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands.

  Lee released her arms but didn’t step away. “Who brought you here? Mason?”

  She nodded.

  He sighed. “I saw him leave with someone else.”

  She nodded again.

  “Guy’s pretty stupid for being so rich.”

  Hannah laughed and wiped away fresh tears. “Thanks.”

  “Want a ride back to town?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He followed her down the stairs and through the crowd. She tried not to look at anyone, hoping they wouldn’t notice she was crying.

  Her tears finally stopped as she walked beside Lee in silence to an old pickup truck parked at the edge of the yard. He opened the passenger’s door and leaned in to rearrange things. “Sorry for the mess,” he said, backing out.

  The truck smelled of motor oil and leather, with a hint of stale French fries. Before he closed her door, she caught a glimpse of jeans and shirts folded and stacked on the seat, as well as a tool belt on the floorboard, nearly hidden by old newspapers, empty fast-food bags, and crushed Coke cans. Hannah buckled her seat belt, then flattened her hands between her knees to ward off the cold night air.

  Lee jumped in and pumped the gas pedal. The ancient engine roared to life on the second try.

  “She’s loud, but the heater works,” he said. “It’ll warm up in a bit.”

  He had a soothing, deep voice that was nothing like the one she’d mistaken for his. How could she have been so wrong? Maybe it was because in all the years they’d known each other she couldn’t remember him ever saying more than a dozen words to her.

  The truck bounced through a ditch and onto the road, and trash tumbled over her feet.

  “Sorry,” he said.

  “Looks like you live in your truck.” She pushed the mess to one side and glanced over to gauge his reaction.

  His face, glowing green in the dash lights, gave nothing away. He wore a crooked smile she’d always found more than a little attractive. “Sometimes.”

  They followed the gravel road until it tied into pavement. He looked at her once or twice, probably to see if she was still crying, but didn’t say anything.

  “I’m sorry you had to leave the party for me,” she said.

  “No big deal. I was just looking for someone.”

  Hard to believe they could live all their lives in a town the size of Tillman and know so little about each other. She was fairly sure Lee lived somewhere on the outskirts of town with his father. Had his mother died, or were his parents divorced? She didn’t know. And he didn’t show up at school every day, but when he did he sat quietly through classes. She had no idea if he’d ever been in any real trouble. In spite of her fantasizing about him almost daily, they may as well have lived on different planets.

  “Do you mind dropping me off at my house? I live at Two-ten Elm.”

  “No, I don’t mind.” He smiled again. “And I know where you live.”

  “You do?”

  “Sure. It’s the nicest place in town.”

  He obviously knew more about her than she did about him.

  Twenty minutes later, he pulled to the curb across the street from her house and turned off the engine. “Sure your dad’s home?”

  She gazed out at the dark house. “Yes, I’m sure. He goes to bed early.” Her stomach knotted at the thought of telling her father she hadn’t really planned to stay at Crystal’s house. He would be so disappointed in her.

  “Want me to walk you to the door?”

  She met Lee’s concerned gaze and shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll be fine.”

  “He won’t hurt you, will he?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Good.”

  She frowned at the realization that his question might be grounded in personal experience. Was that why he spent so much time in his truck?

  Hannah slipped out the passenger side and walked quietly around the front of the vehicle, the crunching of gravel under her shoes the only sound in the night.

  Lee waited, leaning against the driver’s door.

  “Thank you, Lee. I really appreciate yo
ur help.” With her hand on his arm, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

  He sucked in a quick breath.

  His lips were incredibly soft and warm, and he tasted a little of mint.

  Unable to move, she stood looking up at him, feeling his breath whisper across her face, enjoying his masculine scent. His eyes glistened in the soft lights from porches and windows as they studied hers. Then he dipped his head and returned the kiss.

  His mouth opened, parting her lips, and he cupped her face with one hand as his tongue swirled around hers.

  She felt suddenly dizzy and fell against him.

  He wrapped an arm around her and drew her up hard as he reached deeper, tasting, inviting her closer.

  She’d never been kissed like this, only dreamed of contact so sensual and perfect, and grabbed his shirt to hold on. The world around her faded to nothing but his touch and scent, and his amazing mouth.

  He pulled her into his embrace.

  He was hard beneath his jeans, and awareness flared in her belly, drawing her closer. She remembered the sounds of the couple and the way their bodies met in urgent need.

  Then suddenly his hands were on her shoulders and his mouth was inches away.

  Gasping for breath, she stared up at him.

  The skin around his eyes crinkled with a smile. “You better go in,” he said softly, “before it’s too late.”

  Heat clawed up her neck as she realized what she’d just done. He must think her an immature idiot for throwing herself at him. Girls probably did that all the time.

  Then his warm palm cupped her cheek again and he tenderly kissed her lips. “Good night, Hannah,” he whispered against them.

  She stumbled when he released her.

  Turning, she hurried across the deserted street. At her front porch, she retrieved the key from under the flowerpot and glanced back.

  Lee leaned against his truck watching her, one boot crossed over the other, arms folded across his chest, wearing his crooked grin. She’d never seen a sexier guy in her life.

  1

  “Chief?”

  Lee smiled as he turned to answer. After only three days, he wasn’t quite used to being chief of his own fire department. “Yeah?”

  Tommy pointed toward the front door. “You got company.”

  Lee dropped the sponge into the bucket, splashing suds on his boots. He nodded toward the half-washed engine. “Can you finish this by yourself?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.” Wiping his hands on his pants, he walked around the engine to find his guest wearing a suit and waiting outside his office. “Well, Mayor Richards. What an honor it is to have you visit.” Lee stuck out his hand. “Sir.”

  Charlie Richards laughed and accepted the handshake. “Cut the crap, Lee. Do you have anything resembling coffee around here?”

  Lee led the way to the kitchen. “I can scrape something out of a pot.” He filled two cups, placed one in front of Charlie, and sat across the table with his own.

  They sipped, and Charlie winced. “This is pretty bad.”

  “Yep. Keeps me awake when nothing’s burning down.”

  Charlie sipped again. “You know, I really want to thank you for taking this job.”

  Lee shrugged. “It was an offer I couldn’t pass up.”

  “Oh? Too many women chasing you around in Seattle?”

  He laughed. It was good to sit with someone he’d known all his life—something he hadn’t done in twelve years. He wasn’t sure Charlie would understand.

  “Things have changed a bit around Tillman since you left, huh?” His friend studied him from across the table.

  “I suppose. Having you as mayor is a major change.”

  Charlie nodded. “Yeah, I guess it is. Lisa really turned my life around, you know?”

  Lee had met Charlie’s wife and their two girls, Katie and Amy, but still had problems coming to grips with him settling down. Charlie had been the biggest partier he’d known in high school.

  “I have to tell you, Lee, how much I appreciate you covering my ass all those years. If you hadn’t pulled me out of the ditch now and then … well, I guess I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”

  “Hey, let’s don’t get too mushy, huh?”

  Charlie nodded. “Check.”

  They drank more coffee.

  “Oh,” Charlie said, “our city manager’s back from her conference. You probably want to go over your budget request with her before the council meeting Monday. The council listens to Hannah, so you definitely want her on your side.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  Charlie grinned. “How long has it been since you’ve seen Hannah Hayward?”

  Lee worked at keeping the effect of just hearing her name off his face. “Fourteen years.”

  “Ah.” Charlie drained his cup and rose. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” He placed the cup in the sink and stopped at the kitchen door. “And don’t forget the barbeque on Sunday. It’s the last one of the season, so it’ll be a pretty big deal. I’ll need you there to make sure we don’t burn down anything.”

  Lee raised his cup. “You got it.”

  “Thanks for the coffee.” Charlie waved as he hurried away.

  “Chief Evans is here.”

  Hannah glanced up from the spreadsheets. “Send him in, Mattie.”

  The young woman, looking strangely flushed, nodded and disappeared.

  When Hannah looked up again, she sucked in a breath of surprise.

  Holy cow!

  The man who stood in the middle of her office was tall and broad shouldered, with sandy blond hair just long enough to be sexy. A dark blue T-shirt stretched across muscles that rippled when he moved, and it bunched over what were no doubt washboard abs. He filled his faded blue jeans nicely enough to be a model.

  Hannah swallowed hard as she rose and extended her hand. “Lee. How nice to see you again.”

  He took her hand firmly in his and flashed the crooked grin she’d admired so long ago. “Pleasure’s all mine.”

  Excitement tingled up her arm as he held her hand longer than necessary and studied her with eyes the color of warm chocolate.

  When he finally released her hand, she cleared her throat and motioned toward the guest chair.

  Lee sat, taking her in as if sizing up a meal.

  Hannah resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. What was the matter with her? It was just Lee Evans, a guy she’d known forever, not some international film star.

  Well, that wasn’t exactly true. She’d never really known him, had she? The night their senior year that he’d rescued her, she’d realized he knew a lot more about her than she did about him. When she’d thought about it later, that realization had embarrassed her, made her feel like a snob.

  Now she felt more like a starstruck groupie than a snob.

  Get a grip.

  She straightened a stack of papers. “So, what brings you to my office?”

  “The budget.”

  “Ah, yes.” She thumbed through the stack she’d just straightened until she found the page she wanted. “Your budget request is much larger than a town this size can afford. We’re not Seattle.”

  “That’s true. Fortunately.”

  “Oh? Didn’t you like Seattle?”

  He leaned back in the chair. “You know what they say: Bigger isn’t always better.”

  Heat climbed up the back of Hannah’s neck and flashed across her cheeks at his suggestive comment. She suddenly remembered feeling him hard against her as he kissed her all those years ago.

  “Although,” he continued, “it’s sometimes more fun.”

  She hated that she was blushing but could do nothing about it.

  “Whatever you say,” she said, shooting for nonchalance.

  His soft chuckle made her blush even more. She needed to redirect the conversation and his attention.

  “Are these items in order of priority?”

  He leaned forward to peer at the paper. “
Not necessarily.”

  “Can you prioritize them?” She handed the list to him.

  He took the paper and shrugged with one massive shoulder. “Everything on here’s important. Maybe I can give you a tour and you can help me.”

  Something in his voice sounded like a cross between a proposition and a challenge, and she answered before she could stop herself. “Perhaps.”

  “This afternoon?”

  “Uh, yes, I think I can do that.”

  “In an hour?”

  She checked the clock on her desk, trying desperately to remember what was on her schedule. Her brain wouldn’t click into gear. It seemed stuck on the possibility of spending time with the hunk of a man now standing in front of her desk.

  “An hour and a half,” she managed to get out.

  “Good.” He leaned over to place the budget request back on her pile and smiled down at her. “See you then.”

  In spite of her best efforts not to, she watched him walk from her office, his tight jeans showing off the most amazing male butt she’d ever seen. She listened to his footsteps fade down the hall, and then fell forward onto her desk.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered.

  “You need something?” Mattie leaned through the doorway.

  Hannah straightened and shook her head. “No, nothing.”

  The young woman stepped in, lowering her voice. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

  “What?”

  “The fire chief. Isn’t he incredible?”

  Hannah opened her planner to write in the appointment and glanced out the window at the firehouse across the street. “I hadn’t noticed.” She looked up to see Mattie raising her eyebrows in disbelief.

  “Whatever you say, boss.” The young woman left, shaking her head.

  Taking another deep breath, Hannah closed her planner and turned to gaze back out the window in time to see the front door of the firehouse close.

  The thought of Lee just across the street did nothing to slow her heart rate. He’d certainly grown into the promise he’d shown as a teenager of being handsome. She still remembered the excitement of kissing him, of standing in his arms. No doubt she’d blown the whole thing out of proportion over the years. After all, she’d been only seventeen at the time and hadn’t had a lot of experience. Still, he’d definitely aroused her.