by Jill Sanders
Abby chuckled. “It’s just part of the job, I suppose.”
“So, I heard you had a run-in with crazy Kelly.”
Abby glanced up at the woman.
“Don’t get offended. You’re in a small town now. Everyone knows everyone’s business.”
Abby nodded a little.
“I hope you don’t take her too seriously. She’s just jealous. And off.” Katie tapped the side of her head.
“Does everyone in town know about this?”
Katie sat down in the chair opposite her desk and leaned back. When she pulled off one of her shoes and started rubbing her foot, Abby smiled.
“Sure.” She shrugged her shoulders. “We all put up with it since her mother’s the principal of the school. Around here, that’s almost as powerful as being the mayor, like Lane’s mother. With great power… blah, blah, blah. Anyway, if she gives you any more problems, just let Patty know. Patty’s been looking for her replacement for a while and this would be the last hit to the nail.”
Abby nodded, not sure that she wanted to be the woman who was seeing Kelly’s ex and the reason she had lost her job. Then Katie’s words played over in her head.
“Lane’s mother is the mayor?”
Katie chuckled and nodded. “Anyway, I wanted to see if you wanted to go into the city with me sometime. My dad runs a charter business that flies up there every other weekend.” She leaned down and put her shoe back on. “I was going to go in and get some shopping done. You know, hit the mall and maybe have lunch.”
Abby thought about a possible visit with Jenna and hanging around the mall with Katie to buy some new clothes with her first paycheck. The thought of getting to the city without having to drive excited her.
“Sure, sounds great. Just let me know when and where to be.” She smiled.
“Great.” Katie jumped up and grabbed the folder of signed paperwork. “I’ll let you know more details when I do. Dad usually heads out around six in the morning and returns around seven at night.”
“Perfect.” She smiled and watched the woman walk out. It was so nice to have friendly people to work with.
Of course it helped to have Lane’s story of Kelly confirmed. Not that she didn’t trust him, but it was nice to know that the entire town knew about the stalker.
She made a mental note to ask him more details about his family life. Finding out his mother was the mayor of the town she lived in from someone else was kind of shocking. But she couldn’t blame him. When they were together, they talked about so many things. She’d never really gotten around to asking many questions about him personally… at least not yet.
After work, she rushed home and changed into what she deemed a perfect outfit for the night.
The tight black jeans and the cream-colored, off-the-shoulder sweater was one of her favorites. She’d bought high-heeled boots just before leaving the city.
She took the extra time to re-curl her hair and apply a little more makeup. Just as she was finishing up, she heard a knock on the door and rushed to answer it.
“Hey.” She smiled when she saw him standing outside, holding a small bouquet of flowers.
“Hi.” He smiled and leaned in to place a light kiss on her lips, and then he held the flowers towards her. “I’m sorry for not warning you about my crazy ex.”
She chuckled and took the flowers. “They’re beautiful.” She buried her face in them and took a deep breath. She stopped and looked at him. “And for not telling me your mother is the mayor.”
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “I guess that never came up either.”
She smiled. “I’ll just go put them in water before we leave.”
He followed her in and smiled. “How did you get all of that unpacked?”
She giggled and glanced at him. “I guess you could say I was working on anger last night.”
He frowned and she wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
“Lane, it’s not your fault,” she added.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I should have…”
She walked over to him and placed a kiss on his lips. “Don’t. If we walked around constantly feeling guilty for the things we should have done…” She shrugged her shoulders. “We wouldn’t really live life.”
He smiled and nodded. “True.”
“Okay?” He nodded and wrapped his hands around her hips. “Good. Now, I’m starving.”
He smiled. “Let’s go. I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh? Another one?”
He chuckled. “This one I hope will be pleasant.”
She smiled and locked her door behind her. When he chuckled, she turned to look at him.
“What?”
He shook his head. “You live in Pride. One of the safest… Never mind.” He shook his head and took her hand to lead her down the stairs.
The drive to his house was short and she enjoyed watching the little houses go by. Most of them were quaint one-story homes, but as they got a little closer to the water, she noticed some bigger ones.
“How long have you lived here?” she asked as he turned into a long driveway.
“A few years.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I purchased the home the second it went on the market.”
He pulled into a wide driveway and parked in front of a two-car garage. “It’s the only one on the street with an over-sized two-car garage.” He nodded to the building.
“Why would you need two?” she asked, looking at the garage. It sat slightly behind a larger two-story Craftsman style home. There was a large covered front porch with a single glass front door. The lights were on in the home, allowing her to see through the big main room. Her eyes moved back to his.
He smiled. “I’ll show you before we go in.”
He rushed around and opened the door for her and then took her hand and walked her towards the garage. “I’m working on it during my off weeks.”
“Off weeks?” She glanced at him in question.
“Yeah, we work a pretty crazy schedule. Two weeks full hours, double shifts, two weeks of half shifts.” He shrugged. “Chief thinks it keeps us on our toes.”
He opened the door and when she stepped into the dark garage, she gasped. There, parked in the middle of the two-car garage, was a small, older sailboat. It was beautiful. Its hull was being sanded, but the rest of it was perfect.
“It’s beautiful.” She dropped his hand to run her fingers over the wood. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“You like?” he said from behind her.
“I love it.” She smiled at him. “How long has it taken you to do all this?” She ran a finger over the gleaming wood of the railing.
“About a year.” He walked over and helped her up the ladder to the deck. “I still have some stuff to do in here.” He ducked into the cabin and she followed him. “I need a new mattress, the kitchen appliances.” He shrugged. “Once I get her in the water, I’ll have to have the mast and rudder put on. But, until it’s ready, she’ll stay in here.”
“It’s wonderful,” she said, sitting down on a wood bench. “Do you sail?”
He shrugged. “Not much. Not after my dad died. He used to take Angie and me sailing.”
“Angie?”
“My sister.” He glanced towards the doors. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded, wanting to know more, but feeling like now wasn’t the time to push. “Starved.”
When they walked into his house using a back door, they were greeted by a small black lab. The little dog jumped constantly at Lane’s legs until he bent down and picked her up so she could cover his face with doggie kisses.
“There, now will you please greet our guest?” He set her down and chuckled when she walked over and sat down at Abby’s feet. When Abby leaned down to pet the dog, it held up its paw.
“Oh, well.” She took it and shook it. “Hello there, Lady.” The dog seemed to smile up at her. After the shake was done, Lane opened the back door to let her go out.
&nbs
p; “She’s only been cooped up for half an hour, but with her, it’s a ritual.”
She smiled and glanced around. The kitchen was attached to the living room, and both rooms were open and airy. Almost every light was on in the two rooms. She smelled something wonderful and felt her stomach respond instantly.
“It smells wonderful,” she said, smiling at him.
“I hope you like it. I put it on to simmer before leaving.” He walked over to the stove and flipped the heat up again. “Almost done.”
She followed him and smiled. “I love linguine.”
“Perfect.” He nodded. “Why don’t you have a seat.” He nodded to the table that was all made up. White china sat on cream-colored place mats. She couldn’t have picked out a more perfect setting if she had searched herself. Even the table was one of class. Its dark wood gleamed under the setting. The dining room area was obviously used but well maintained.
She walked over and explored the bigger living area. There were two leather chairs facing a huge flat-screen television. A soft-looking sofa sat off to the side, so someone could easily lay down and watch the TV.
Pictures of boats or water hung all around his house. The place looked like it was professionally designed.
“I like your place.” She glanced over at him. “Did you decorate it yourself?”
She heard him laugh. “No, my mother took it upon herself to do all the decorating. But I was allowed to give a little input,” he said as he opened the door to let Lady back in.
She smiled. “Are you two close?” she asked, watching Lady rush into the room and sniff her feet.
He chuckled again. “She would claim not close enough. She lives a few houses down the street. In my childhood home.”
She smiled and bent down to rub the small dog, who instantly rolled over and exposed her stomach for a scratch. “My parents still live in the same house I grew up in. It’s right next to my mother’s brother’s place. My cousin and I were neighbors.”
She heard him moving around and knew that he was dishing her plate.
“Don’t give me a big pile this time,” she called out and smiled when she heard him removing some food from her plate.
“I don’t see how you survive on such little food,” he said, shaking his head as he carried the full plates into the dining area.
“I don’t run up and down stairs and ladders for work.”
He shrugged his shoulders and sat down next to her.
They ate in silence for a while, with Lady sitting at his feet, begging for scraps. Then he asked about her first days at work, and she answered every question he had. He listened to her talk, and she got the impression that he genuinely cared whether or not she liked her job.
“Have you always been a firemen?” she asked when she’d answered all his questions.
He nodded. “Knew what I wanted to do the second I picked out my first Halloween costume.” He smiled. “It drove my parents nuts that I always wanted to be the same thing every year.” He smiled. “How about you?”
She laughed. “By the age of nine, I was balancing my mother’s checkbook because she couldn’t get it right.” She smiled.
He nodded. “I’ve always been good with numbers as well. After my father died, my mother put me in charge of his estate.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t trust computers and can’t stand that I pay all of her bills online.” He smiled.
Abby laughed. “What about your sister?”
His smiled faltered a little. “Angie was diagnosed with autism at an early age.”
Abby thought about it. “Wonder Woman.” She smiled. “I think I’ve met your sister.” She smiled. “At Sara’s Nook.”
He smiled. “She is what she wears.” She chuckled. “That might explain why she’s been going around for two days claiming she’s Abby. I thought that she’d overheard me talking about you to my mother.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh?” She leaned forward a little and set her fork down. “And just what were you saying about me to your mother?”
He smiled as he put another big mouthful into his mouth.
She laughed. “Not telling, huh?” He just smiled at her.
“How about some dessert?” he said after depositing their empty plates in the sink.
She turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Is that my surprise?”
Chapter Eleven
How was he supposed to concentrate when she looked at him like that.
“No, but now that you mention it.” His fingers dipped into those soft hips of hers, pulling her closer to him.
She smiled as his head dipped towards hers. When he deepened the kiss, he heard her moan and felt himself sliding. “I’ve missed this,” he said against her lips. “Dreamed about you.” He ran his mouth down her neck slowly. “Hoped that it would happen.”
“Lane.” Her fingers dug into his hair, holding him against her heated skin. “Take me to bed.”
He felt like he’d conquered the world as he lifted her up into his arms and started towards his bedroom.
When he set her down again, her body slid slowly down his. Every inch of her sexy, curved body rubbed up against his, setting off wildfires on his skin. He wanted her. Hot and naked.
Forcing himself to take a few deep breaths¸ he slowly peeled off her clothes. As he lifted the sweater over her head, lust shot to his core when he realized she was naked underneath.
“My god.” It came out as a whisper. “Perfect.” he said, running a light finger over her soft skin. “I could spend hours, days, years, enjoying you.” His eyes moved to hers. He watched as they softened and closed when he ran a fingertip over the peak.
“I love to watch your skin turn pink as I touch you,” he said, watching her tongue dart out and lick her lips. When he kissed her again, he took it deep as he peeled her tight pants away from her skin. Again, he was pleasantly surprised to see that she was bare underneath. “You’re asking for it,” he growled against her hips. “Had I known you had nothing on underneath this, I doubt we would have made it through dinner.”
She chuckled as she tugged on his shirt.
“I’ve wanted to run my hands over you again since the first time,” she said, watching her fingers play over his chest. “I can’t get over how nice this is.” She smiled and looked up at him.
He grew even harder than he’d been before. “Abby, I need…” He watched her nod her head.
“So do I.” She wet her lips again. This time, the movement caused him to groan. Then he was ravishing her lips, taking the kiss deeper than he’d ever gone. His hands rushed over her exposed skin as she tugged quickly on his jeans. When he was freed, she wrapped her hand around his length and he almost jumped out of his skin with desire.
“I need to…” He glanced around, wishing he could gain a little control. He handed her a condom package and watched as she slid it over him.
“No, don’t. Go ahead and let go.” She smiled up at him. “You won’t hurt me,” she said as her hand stroked him. When she ran a finger over the head of his cock, he quickly pushed her onto the bed and settled between her legs. In one quick motion, he was embedded into her.
With each pump, her legs wrapped tighter around his hips. Her hands were trapped under his as he held them over her head, pinning them to the mattress. His mouth was covering hers, swallowing every moan as he pumped in and out of her.
When he felt her tighten around him, he glanced up and watched her face as she came around him, only to lose himself.
***
The best part of the evening was watching Abby open her small present. He never would have thought that a simple sweatshirt from the firehouse could mean so much to someone. When she smiled and slipped it over her head, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling with her.
“It’s too big.” He frowned.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled as she rolled up the arms a little. “Soft and perfect for the nights when you’ll be stuck at work, and I’m wishing I was in you
r arms.”
His smile faltered as he stepped closer to her. “Makes me wish I had something silky from you.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Maybe I’ll have a surprise for you next time.”
He felt himself growl even before the sound escaped him, and she laughed.
Driving her home later that night and leaving her alone in her apartment was the hardest thing he’d had to do in a long time. He’d tried to convince her to stay at his place, but she’d insisted on going home so she could get some rest before work the next day.
“I wish you could stay with me this weekend, but I start my two weeks on.” He frowned.
She smiled. “We’ll have time. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”
He nodded and kissed her until he wished he could stay at her place. But he was on early shift and would most likely be sleeping the next two weeks at the firehouse. Even Lady would be staying there with him.
By the next morning, he was wondering how he was going to live without seeing her, being with her that night. If it wasn’t already pure torture, the guys around the house made it even more so.
They joked with him, taunted him about the whole scene with Kelly. He wished they would lay off, but he supposed it was just payback for all the times he’d given them shit about their love lives.
Love lives. Is that how he felt about her? Of course, his mind had run over the question for days. He’d never really been in love before. Not like this.
He’d only known her for a few weeks. How could it be love so quickly?
A few days into his long shift, he ran into her at a gas station as he and Jeff were filling up the support unit truck. She’d been filling up her new car and when he walked over to her, she’d smiled and leaned back on the car.
“Hi,” he said, not stopping until he’d pushed her up against the car. He’d kissed her until they were both breathless. “I’ve missed you.”
She’d sighed and glanced around. “I’ve missed you, too.” Her fingers played over his hair and he realized he was due for a haircut.