Sex and the Single Fireman: A Bachelor Firemen Novel

by Jennifer Bernard

“No.” She drummed her fingers on the bench. Why was she letting one confusing man rule her thoughts like this? Maybe a date with Todd Dane was exactly what she needed. A simple, no-strings-attached evening of fun with a nice baseball player. A play date that wouldn’t roil up her insides and make her all swoony. Sabina Jones was not the swoony sort. Not at all. “Sure, I’ll go out with Todd.”

  She sent him a sweet smile and a thumbs-up, which made him laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He was cute.

  Katie scowled suspiciously. “Are you sure? I saw the way Roman looked at you. Like he wanted to eat you alive.”

  “Well, he does have a way with a lecture. And I have a way of pissing him off.”

  “Not that kind of eating alive. I thought the two of you would burst into flames right there on the bleachers.”

  Sabina flushed hot enough to burst into flames all on her own. “Nothing’s happening between me and Chief Roman. Nothing can and nothing will. Now go tell your brother he’d better take me someplace nice. I have to take Carly home. I’ve barely seen her since I got out of the hospital.”

  But Carly wasn’t on the field. No one could remember seeing her in the last few minutes. She wasn’t in the bathroom, a charming structure assembled from blocks of concrete. Nor was she under the bleachers looking for stray balls. Maybe Luke knew where she was.

  But she couldn’t find Luke either. Maybe he’d gone home with Roman; but that was impossible. Roman had left early and Luke had stuck around for the rest of the clinic. He was probably catching a ride with one of his buddies. But she was Carly’s ride. Carly wouldn’t have skipped out on her. Had some pervert been watching the game? Had he lured Carly away with candy and balloons?

  She tried to quell her sense of rising panic. Carly wasn’t six. It would take more than balloons to fool her. It would take chloroform and a white van with tinted windows, and even so Carly would know what to do. She’d practically grown up on the streets.

  Just as she was starting to get seriously worried, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Whirling around, she let out a whoof of relief. Carly stood before her, grubby and bruised.

  “Hey, Sabina.”

  “Where have you been?”

  Carly frowned at Sabina’s panicky tone. “I helped the coaches take the gear to the van. Sorry, it must have taken longer than I thought.”

  Sabina brushed some grass off Carly’s shoulder. “I didn’t even think of that. Don’t mind me, I’m a little scattered lately. I can’t even use painkillers as an excuse anymore.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me.” Carly leaned on one hip, her typical sassy stance.

  “I know. You can handle just about anything.”

  “And have.”

  True enough. Carly had seen a lot of crap in her short years. “You ready to go?”

  “Yep. All ready.” Carly shouldered her gym bag and winced.

  “Are you all right? Let me take that.”

  “Yeah right, you’re on crutches, Sabina. Besides, it’s nothing. Happened when Todd Dane was showing us his trick for stealing second.” She set off for the curb where Sabina had parked her mother’s Volvo.

  Roman’s words came back to her, his question about whether something was up with Carly. Since the fire she hadn’t had much time with Carly. Was she missing something? She picked up the pace, swinging faster on her crutches, but by the time she caught up with Carly at the Volvo, the girl had launched into a detailed comparison of the Dane twins, which one had better fielding skills, which one’s jokes were funnier, which one’s hair was a nicer color. Carly was entering the dreaded teen years, that was all. Everything was just fine.

  Roman rapped on Luke’s door, the door that had been shut tight far too often lately. Inside, a bass line throbbed. After some thumping around, Luke opened it. His room was, as always, a mess—the floor a carpet of discarded clothes, school binders splayed facedown in the corner, old Transformers pieces popping up like neglected monsters. Roman, with his firehouse training, always winced at the sight of Luke’s room, but he’d learned to keep his mouth shut.

  A man’s room was his castle, he’d told Luke early on. He could do what he liked there, as long as he stayed within the rules.

  Luke still wore his San Gabriel Hardware team T-shirt, but he’d changed into his jeans. Roman remembered the time his son had gotten David Cone’s autograph on a cap and worn it nonstop for the next month.

  “Tell me you haven’t made a vow to never change your shirt now that Jake and Todd Dane have been in its presence.”

  “Huh?” Luke blinked wide brown eyes at him. He looked distracted, a little spacey.

  A terrible suspicion filtered into Roman’s mind. Was his sweet, innocent boy doing drugs? Maybe Ralphie had gotten him into pot, or—his brain went into a wild spiral of fear—crack. Was that why Luke kept locking himself in his room, why he was keeping secrets from his own father?

  He seized Luke’s chin and tilted his head up so he could examine his son’s eyes. Dilated pupils, that was a sign of drugs. Bloodshot eyes. What else? If Luke was doing drugs . . . He’d drag him back to New York, that’s what he’d do. No wiggle room on that rule.

  Luke’s eyes looked not only perfectly clear, but perfectly furious. Luke jerked his head away. “What are you doing, Papa?”

  “Just checking something,” Roman mumbled, embarrassed.

  “Geez, Papa. What, you think I’m doing drugs?”

  They stared each other down. Roman blinked first. He cleared his throat. Should he apologize? Why did he never know what to say to Luke anymore?

  “What do you want, Papa?”

  “I just wanted to see how the clinic went after I left. Coach take you home?”

  “No, I hitched a ride. With a drug dealer.”

  “Very funny. So how was it?”

  Roman waited for Luke to invite him in, but he didn’t. Instead he stood, gripping the edge of the door, clearly waiting impatiently for this father-son moment to pass. “Cool. Jake said if I keep working hard I can probably play for USC. He thinks my fastball needs some work. Too easy to read. I have to disguise my motion more.”

  “Good. Let’s do it. I’ll get my glove.”

  “He didn’t mean right this minute.” Luke glanced over his shoulder, where his computer was displaying a manic field of stars. “I’m busy right now.”

  “Later then?”

  “Sure.” Luke gave him a furtive look, something Roman had never seen on his face before. “That’d be great.”

  With a firm hand, Roman kept the door open one moment longer. “Luke, if something was bugging you, you’d tell me, right?”

  “Of course.” Luke rolled his eyes with some of his old spirit, but it didn’t fool Roman. Something was definitely up. He resolved to keep an extra close eye on his son for the next couple of days. “By the way, Papa, did you hear that Todd Dane has a crush on Sabina? He asked her out.”

  “What?”

  But Luke was already closing the door, and Roman wasn’t about to make a fool of himself asking questions like a sixth-grader.

  He wandered into the living room and flicked on the TV. He wasn’t sure what made him feel worse, the scene with Luke or the news about Todd and Sabina. So what if Todd had a crush on her? Who wouldn’t? Didn’t mean anything. A good football game, that’s what he needed. Or maybe a boxing match. When everything on TV seemed to be a sappy Christmas movie, he tossed the remote aside and stretched out, arms behind his head. He gazed up at the plaster ceiling with the smoked-glass light fixture and turned this new information over in his mind. It didn’t take long to come to a very firm decision.

  Sabina couldn’t go out with anyone else. Absolutely not.

  The idea of her holding another man’s hand as she walked into a restaurant, the man taking her coat, letting his fingers linger in her silky hair, giving him one of her sparkling smiles . . . no, no, no. Not going to happen. Not up for debate.

  He had to call her right away and communicat
e this important message. He snatched up his cell phone and punched her number. He’d figure out what to say once she answered. Maybe something like You’re mine, woman, all mine.

  He snorted. She might roll her eyes at the caveman approach. Maybe he should work on something with a little more finesse.

  Sabina’s outgoing message answered the call. Her husky voice told him, “You’ve reached my cell. I’ll get back to you. Eventually.”

  Eventually. Not good enough. Savagely, he ended the call without leaving a message. What could he say? If Todd Dane even thinks of asking you out, I’ll beat his ass into the outfield and back again. You come here where you belong. In my bed. I’ll let you out when I’m good and ready.

  God, he was a primitive beast of a man. Sabina was an independent, intelligent woman who wouldn’t appreciate playing prey to his hunter. Finesse, Roman, Finesse.

  He dialed her home number. When Annabelle answered, he nearly hung up, since he had no idea how to express any of this to Sabina’s mother. Feeling like a teenager, he said, “Hi, Annabelle. I’m looking for Sabina. Is she around?”

  “Is this Todd Dane?”

  “No.”

  “Not . . . Greg Harrington, is that you?”

  Roman’s teeth hurt from clenching his jaw too hard. Greg Harrington? The action star? “No, this is Roman. Battalion Chief and Section Commander Roman,” he added for extra impact, to make up for the lack of car chases in his life.

  “Oh. My, that’s quite a title.” She sounded far too amused. Enjoying this, was she?

  Roman summoned all his patience. “May I speak with Sabina, please?”

  “No, I believe she had plans tonight.”

  He kicked his footstool, sending it toppling. “Thank you.” He hung up before he could say something inappropriate, like You crazy lady, how the hell did Sabina come out so levelheaded?

  And compassionate.

  And strong. And heroic.

  And beautiful. Well, that part wasn’t a surprise. But she could so easily have made a life by trading on her looks. Instead she’d chosen something uniquely hers. The San Gabriel Fire Department was lucky.

  But he wasn’t about to let Todd Dane get lucky.

  Sabina gazed into Todd’s non-black eyes, which held not a hint of midnight blue in their depths. She admired his hair, the color of Malibu beach sand—most definitely not black as a pirate’s. Nor was his physique, though fit and trim, anything like the massively powerful body of . . .

  But she’d sworn not to think about Roman tonight. Not to let him tie her up into knots any longer. She smiled at Todd, who answered with a delighted grin.

  “Did I do okay? Katie said I had to prove up and pick someplace worthy of you.”

  “Worthy?” Uh oh, he wasn’t seeing her as Taffy McGee/Sally Hatfield, was he?

  “You’re a firefighter. According to Katie, the firemen of San Gabriel walk on water. If anyone has a bad word to say about any of you, they’d better keep it to themselves around her.”

  Sabina laughed. “As my aunt used to say, ‘She’s a pistol.’ ” Well, the aunt on You and Me said that. Frequently. “And yes, you picked the perfect place.”

  He’d chosen an upscale Thai restaurant with ivory tablecloths, candles nestled into little bronze elephants, well-trained waiters, a rippling jazz piano in the background. The only thing missing was . . . but she wasn’t going to think about him right now.

  Todd twirled some pad Thai around his fork. “Is it difficult being a female firefighter?”

  Score one for Todd Dane. He actually looked interested in her answer. He wasn’t what she’d expected in a baseball player. For some reason, she’d assumed he’d be like the actors she’d dated, except he’d talk about his stats rather than his latest reviews. But he was funny and down-to-earth and hadn’t once mentioned his batting average. And every woman in the restaurant was eyeing her with envy. He was a good-looking man, the kind any sane, single woman would want a play date with.

  “It was hard at first,” she answered. “I had to prove myself. And I had to get used to the firehouse atmosphere. They teased me a lot. Tested me. But they were never mean or unfair. Now I love them all like brothers.”

  Well, with one glaring exception. But she wasn’t going to think about him.

  “I heard Brody switched to the academy. How’s the new guy?”

  Had he read her mind? A slow wave of red started at her neck and cruised up her face. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t stop it. She held a napkin in front of her face, hoping her blush would fade before it became too obvious.

  But Todd was no dummy. “Ah,” he said. “I had a feeling.”

  “No. It’s not like that.” She felt horrible suddenly, as if she’d led him on. But she hadn’t. She’d intended to have fun with him, enjoy his company, flirt a little.

  But now that he’d invoked the image of Roman, she knew it was impossible. Her smile dropped away. She lowered the napkin with a resigned sigh. “I’m sorry. I thought . . . I don’t know what I thought. You’re a nice guy and Roman . . .”

  Todd held up a hand. “Never mind. No details required. I’m still glad I got to know you.”

  “Me too.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “Can you excuse me for a moment? Restroom.”

  In the ladies’ room, she splashed water on her face, disgusted with herself. She’d been willing to use a perfectly nice, gorgeous man as a way to forget about Roman. Sure, he would have been a willing accomplice, most likely. But it wasn’t cool. It was the kind of thing she’d sworn never to do when she left Hollywood. No games, no using people to further a career, no playing with people’s emotions—none of the things that had been done to her.

  She’d sworn to be real. Real and honest and true to herself. And yet, here she was, on a date with a man she wasn’t interested in, after the man she wanted—craved—had thrown down his challenge.

  If you want honesty, you come find me. The words still ricocheted through her mind, just as thrilling as ever.

  Digging around in her purse, she pulled out her cell phone. She’d turned it off when Todd had picked her up, which was another of her post-Hollywood policies. Now she turned it on, her fingers trembling with impatience. She had to call Roman. She couldn’t wait one more minute. She needed to hear that black coffee voice more than she needed oxygen.

  When her screen lit up, she saw that Roman had beaten her to it. He’d called three times. The first time he hadn’t left a message, but the second time, about ten minutes ago, he had.

  “Sabina, it’s Roman. Call me immediately, as soon as you get this message. It’s urgent.”

  The next message, which he’d left two minutes after the first, shocked her to the core.

  “Sabina, Luke is gone. He left with Carly. I don’t want to call the police until I talk to you or her parents. He wouldn’t have done this without a good reason. But I can’t wait any longer. Call me when you get this and if I’m still nearby I’ll pick you up. Otherwise, get hold of her parents and see if you can get any information. Thanks.” His voice roughened. “I . . . please call.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Todd insisted on waiting with Sabina outside the Green Elephant. Even though it was the gentlemanly thing to do, she had to grit her teeth to keep from telling him to go home. All she could think about was Luke and Carly off together somewhere. Where? Why? None of it made any sense.

  While she waited for Roman, she called Carly’s mother, but got no answer. She left a message with an urgent request to call back right away. Other than that, she had no brilliant ideas.

  It didn’t take long for Roman’s Jeep to come screaming up to the curb. He must have sped the entire way. He started to get out, but Todd stopped him with a hand gesture. He took Sabina’s crutches while she got in the passenger seat, then opened the back door and inserted them in the backseat.

  “I hope you find them,” he said, addressing both Sabina and Roman. “Let me know if we can help. Any of us. We’re a big famil
y.”

  “Thanks, Todd.” Sabina smiled at him. “And thanks for dinner.”

  “My pleasure.” His wistful smile held a little sadness, but Sabina didn’t feel too guilty. She had a feeling Todd Dane would be just fine.

  Sabina stole a glance at Roman as he pulled away from the curb. He looked about as cheerful as a rock mountain surrounded by a thundercloud.

  “So how do you know Luke’s with Carly? Did he leave a note or a message?”

  “E-mail.”

  “What did it say?”

  “Here.” Roman tossed her his smart phone, which was displaying Luke’s e-mail. Sabina scanned it quickly.

  Dear Papa,

  I’m sorry but I have to do this. Carly needs my help. I promise to be very careful. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Please don’t call the police. Carly says they’re even worse. We’re going to find her father, then she’ll be safe.

  Your loving son,

  Luke

  “Carly’s father? He left when she was little. She’s never even seen him.” She handed his phone back. “Have you tried Luke’s cell phone?”

  “Off.”

  “I tried Carly’s mother, but she isn’t answering.”

  Sabina could see a muscle working in Roman’s jaw. “It sounds like Luke is trying to rescue Carly from something. What’s her family situation?”

  Sabina felt sick to her stomach. Had she missed something? “Crappy. Her mother goes on a bender every so often. The boyfriends come and go. She’s had to grow up fast, but I didn’t think anything unusually bad was happening. But I haven’t . . .” She shook her head helplessly. “I haven’t seen her much since the fire. Whenever I asked, she said things were fine.”

  “Same with Luke. Damn it.” Roman’s knuckles went white on the steering wheel. He looked wild in the glow from the dashboard. “He sneaked out on me. He knows I hardly ever check my e-mail at home. When I do, it’s first thing in the morning, never at night. But I was checking on a Christmas present I’d ordered and saw Luke’s message pop up. I thought he was in his room. I’d talked to him earlier in the evening. I even heard him go to bed. He yelled, ‘Good night Papa’ and turned everything off. When I got his e-mail I thought it was some kind of joke. But I ran into his room and he was gone. Out the back fucking window.”