“Oh, these are nice, Martin. How'd they look on her?” As Tom grilled him, Avery's face burned with anger. Just seeing another man handling Emily's panties had him seeing red.
“I swear to God Tom, give them back. Now.” Before Avery could ask again, Tom flung them at him.
“Calm down, dude. I was just fucking with you." Tom laughed, playfully punching Avery in the shoulder. He stuffed the panties into his pocket, setting the microwave to reheat the leftover pizza. Tom lingered.
“So, how was your date last night?” He asked. Avery couldn't help but smile at the thought of his night with Emily. She evoked something deep within him, something he wasn't familiar with at all.
“It was good. We had some pizza, took a walk on the beach, and watched a movie. Pretty typical.” Avery wrapped up the last of the pizza and put it in the fridge.
“You forgot to mention how you ended up with her panties. Last time I checked that only happened when you got some action, dude.”
“We didn't sleep together. Stop prying." Avery said, drumming his fingers on the counter.
“Why are you all over-protective and shit dude? What's happened to you?” Tom questioned. Avery was acting different and he could tell. Normally all the guys would share the details of whatever conquest they made. It wasn't that Avery was embarrassed of Emily, the complete opposite in fact.
“I just don't want to talk about it right now, Dalton. Move on.” Avery grabbed his pizza out of the microwave and headed towards the long table in the kitchen. Sliding down onto the bench to eat. Leave me the Hell alone, Tom.
“Martin," boomed a voice from behind him. Avery dropped the slice of pizza in his hand and turned to see Sullivan in the doorway.
“Yes, sir.”
“Relax. Mind if I join you?” The intimidating man eased onto the bench beside him. Depending on his mood, the captain could be your best friend or worst enemy. Today it seemed as though he was in a good mood, at least for now.
“Sure, Captain. Would you like a slice?”
“No thank you. I just wanted to see how your date with Miss Taylor went. That's all.” Avery looked around before answering the Captain. There was no one around to eavesdrop.
“It went well. There's not much else to say about it.” Anytime Avery talked about her, he smiled. The captain could see his admiration for the woman in his face.
“You like her, huh boy?” His tone was unmistakably paternal.
Like her? He couldn't help but think it was more than like. She fascinated him, almost everything about her intrigued him. More than that, he was excited to be dating her.
“I really do,” he answered sincerely.
“Good. As long as you treat her right, we won't have a problem.”
“Of course, sir.”
The husky captain stood from the bench and went on his way, leaving Avery to his own thoughts.
He pulled his phone out and sent her a text.
Avery: Thanks for the surprise in my lunch. Miss you. Xoxo
“He did what?” Becca questioned, sipping her Corona, which had a slice of lime tucked in the bottleneck. Her long, brown hair was pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head. She wore a pair of neon-yellow Ray-bans and a white-and-orange-printed bikini.
“He brought me roses on his way to work this morning. This was after our first real date last night. He's too good to be real and that country accent he's got goin' on? Fuckin' damn.” Emily tucked her bottle of Woodchuck cider into the sand next to her beach chair.
“I can't wait to hear how good he is in bed." Becca laughed, following Emily down towards the water. “Because if he's good in bed, you have finally found yourself a keeper, girl.”
They waded into the sky-blue water to cool themselves. The water was exactly what Emily needed. Since getting out of the hospital, she hadn't been as tolerant of the heat as before. She wondered if it was because of the medications they continued to have her on until her follow-up appointment the next week.
“I could have found out last night, if I had tried.” Emily shot Becca a smug smile and made her way back toward the shore.
“Well, why the hell didn't you?” Becca was almost yelling at her. Emily's face started turning red with embarrassment.
“I didn't want to. Not yet. It was too soon," she said, shaking her head. "I want to do this right and really get to know him."
Their attraction was undeniable, but one of her biggest mistakes in the past was jumping into bed way too soon. If this was something that would last, she would take things as slow as she could tolerate without going insane.
“Did you take a picture of this boy for me yet?” Becca snapped her out of her own head. Emily started laughing at her.
“God, you are such a creeper!” Emily teased her as they returned to their beach chairs.
“Can you blame a girl for wanting to see the guy who has my best friend all doe-eyed? Don't even try to play it off, Em. You would do the same thing!” Becca was right and Emily wouldn't take kindly to being excluded from the fun.
“I have an idea.” Emily laughed as she started plotting. Picking up her phone from her beach bag she typed out a text message to Avery.
Emily: What firehouse do you work at?
Emily patiently waited for a reply from Avery, but she didn't have to wait long.
Avery: Station #1 on Beach Street. Why?
Not far from her apartment at all.
“Wanna make some brownies, Becca?” Emily asked. Becca looked confused. “I'm willing to bet firemen eat brownies too!”
“Why don't we pack up and get on that,” Becca said, collapsing the umbrella under which they lounged.
Emily picked up her phone to give Avery apt warning.
Emily: I know some good Samaritans who want to do something nice for the local firemen.
They dragged the gear back to the apartment and heaved it all through the front door. Emily's phone went off as they set the beach chairs in the laundry room.
Avery: Does that mean I get to see you again today?
Emily felt a warmth settle into her chest, a smile spread across her face. He was excited and she was just as excited to see him.
The afternoon had become busy at Station 1, Avery had been running calls all afternoon. Car accidents, a kitchen fire, and the typical "strange odors". He was just settling in to order something for dinner when the front door buzzer alerted the entire station that there were visitors. He hoped the rest of his crew didn't notice how excited he was.
Tom was right on his heels.
“I wonder who that could be,” Tom teased out loud.
Avery ignored him, getting to the door in record time. Captain Sullivan had answered it before he could get there and was standing with Emily and another woman. Their arms overflowed with trays of baked goods. Something that Avery guessed must have taken them hours to accomplish.
“These ladies wanted to thank y'all for responding to Miss Taylor's accident.” Captain Sullivan spoke as he winked at Avery. “Firefighter Martin, why don't you show them to the kitchen—you too Dalton.”
The two men took the trays of goodies from the women and hauled them to the kitchen. Becca took that opportunity to look at Emily with wide eyes as she mouthed 'holy shit!'.
“Thanks ladies.” Tom said as he placed the trays on the counter.
“Oh, it was no problem. I wanted to do something nice for you guys. I mean, you did cut me out of my car.” Emily tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Avery planted a sweet kiss on her lips. "Thanks for this," he said. Someone cleared their throat from the doorway, they turned to see that it was the captain.
"Well! I guess now that we've dropped these off, we'll just go!" Emily said, her face flushing with embarrassment. The captain stopped them.
“You girls don't have to go.” They both stopped dead in their tracks, slowly turning around to meet the gaze of the towering man. Something was familiar about his kind eyes, though she couldn't place where s
he'd seen him.
Firemen filtered in from the station's nooks and crannies. Several sets of eyes fell on her and both women fidgeted in their unease.
“Guys, this is Emily Taylor. Emily, meet the guys, and Kelsey.” A short, slender woman with dark, pixie-cut hair peered around all the guys, giving a shy wave. She scooted around the men, smiling as she approached.
"I was part of the crew that cut your VW open. You look like you've recovered pretty well. That was one nasty wreck!” Kelsey looked her over with concern. The closer she got Emily noticed more about her. She had deep mahogany eyes and creamy-brown skin. Kelsey was an extremely pretty woman and the polar opposite of Emily in every way possible.
“Yeah, I ended up with a nasty bump on my head and a little memory loss. But nothing too big thankfully. I scored a new car out of the deal though.” She was sure they wouldn't get her twisted sense of humor. She laughed awkwardly.
As Becca flirted with the ogling flock of firemen, Avery's eyes stayed on Emily. When the men began disemboweling the trays, Avery took Emily's hand and led her away from the group.
His voice dripped with his southern twang as he tenderly took her soft hand in his, leading her out of the grand room and onto the apparatus floor. “Come on with me." Fire trucks of all shapes and sizes were lined up behind the closed bay doors. Before she could take in too much, Avery pulled her into a small door leading into a locker room.
“You have no idea how much I've missed you,” he admitted, running his hand along her blushing cheek stopping to cup her chin.
Did he just say he missed me? Her heart melted as she fully absorbed the sentiment.
She'd had so much shitty luck in her life up until the accident. Why did it go so right when she was with him?
“I hate that my job keeps me busy for days on end.” He radiated pure happiness, taking her in his arms. She felt so incredibly safe when he hugged her. It had to mean something. Maybe he's the one, she thought.
“I missed you too," she said, smiling. "I like being with you, a lot, Avery.”
"Me too, babe. Me too," he nodded and pressed his lips to hers. Every kiss with him was lightning. She broke away, flushed and dizzy like she always was after their making out.
“As much as I want to hide in this closest, or whatever the hell this is all night, we left my slutty best friend out there with an ass-ton of firemen. I am worried.” They both erupted in laughter and went in the direction of the kitchen.
“You really are worried about her, huh?” Avery questioned as they turned the corner to see Becca and Tom making out against the back of the fire truck outside the door. His hand snaked up her shirt while hers was clearly planted on his crotch. Emily turned to Avery with a grin on her face nodding towards the oblivious couple.
“See!” Emily mouthed while eyeing Avery.
Avery picked up a water can and sprayed Tom in the side. He protested unintelligibly, backing away from Becca.
“You hoe-bag!” Emily chided, snickering. Becca's face was red with embarrassment. "Do you want to explain yourself?"
“Hey! I'm not the only one!” she shot, laughing. "What were you and hunky man doing in the locker room!" She giggled and turned for the front door. Tom attempted to chase her down.
“Can I at least get your number?” He asked, running after her.
BACK TO WORK?
It had been two days since their moments of happy isolation in the locker room. Two nights in a row, Emily had dreamt about their meeting. In her dreams, he'd taken her right up against the lockers instead of parting ways with her. Both mornings, her vibrator had seen some serious action.
The more thought she put into it, the more she just wanted to throw any reservations she had to the wind and screw the hell out of Avery the next time she saw him. It was nice to think about but, she knew that acting on it would just get her into trouble.
Their text messaging conversations had remained constant over the past two days. Any time Avery wasn't on a call, he was texting her. She was still not cleared to go back to work yet, so his messages provided a much-needed distraction from her boredom.
Tonight Avery would be picking her up for their second official date. They planned on dining at a small restaurant on the water, only a mile from the house in which she'd grown up. To pull her thoughts away from the empty house, she decided to go shopping for a new dress.
A voice interrupted her as she was locking her apartment door. “Emily?”
“Dr. Hart?” She suffered a sense of panic, glancing around for a neighbor—anyone who could come to her aid. Her key still in the lock, she unlocked her front door so she could make a quick escape if need be.
“Emily, please call me Jared. There is no need for us to be formal.” He walked toward her and she froze when she felt like fleeing. He was smiling but for some reason it made her cringe. “I was wondering if you had a minute to talk?” He spoke with a measure of caution, as if at any moment she might scamper away like a frightened deer.
“I'm actually on my way out,” she said. "Is there something you need?"
“I was thinking if you had time, we could grab some coffee,” he reached out for her but she recoiled. His touch was cold and unsettling, unlike anything she had felt with Avery. She relocked the door and headed for her car.
“I don't have time,” she said, keeping a brisk pace. She mashed the unlock button on her car remote.
"What about tomorrow or the next day?" he asked. "It doesn't really matter when." He followed her closely. She couldn't bring herself to turn around and look at him again.
“Ems, please. I will do anything!" he begged.
“I'll think about it,” was all she said as she lowered herself into the driver's seat. She closed the door, instantly hitting the lock button. Her heart raced wildly. The fact that he not only knew where she lived, but also had the nerve to come here, made her feel violated and exposed.
After a long nap and hot shower, Avery was ready to pick up Emily for their date at The North Turn. She loved the beach and the restaurant had a beautiful deck you could dine on, directly on the water. After dinner he planned on taking her for a walk down the beach.
Stepping out of the shower he toweled his body off before picking up his phone and noticed a text message waiting for him.
Emily: I'm ready when you are ;)
His heart skipped a beat and he quickened his pace. Over the years, he'd been in a hand full of relationships. His high-school sweetheart, Zoe, came to mind first. His mother had loved her, but he hadn't loved her enough to marry her like his mother wanted.
His mind rewound to a year ago when Erin had broken his heart. With Erin, he thought he'd found someone worth his time. She'd given him the impression she genuinely cared about him too. Unfortunately, he'd gone to visit her after a long shift and found her in bed with another man. After that, he'd sworn off dating for a while.
It wasn't until Kelsey fixed him up on a blind date with Quinn that he'd changed his tune. After only two dates, she became way too clingy for his tastes. With clinginess came expectations, ones that he was sure he couldn't fulfill.
Everything with Emily was different. He had become the clingy lover, and they weren't even truly lovers yet. He hoped that would change soon. It was on their second date that he wanted to cement some things by formally asking if they could be exclusive.
Avery reached her parking lot on time. He left the truck unlocked as he approached her building, only to stop short at the site of her speaking to a chunky, balding gentleman. He interrupted them, smiling at the stranger.
“Your chariot awaits, my lady,” he said, sweeping her knuckles up to his mouth and pressing a tender kiss to them.
“See ya around, Em,” said the stranger, slinking off towards the staircase that led to the second floor of the building.
“Aww, I think we broke his heart,” Emily said feigning a pout. “He means well, I think he is just lonely,” she felt a pang of pity for him as Avery boosted her up into his
truck.
“So, where are we off to tonight, hot pants?” she asked, chuckling. Avery laughed. Hot pants? He loved her random sense of humor.
“I was thinking we'd go to this little beach-side favorite of mine. The North Turn, ever been?”
“You forget I was born and raised here, I love The North Turn. It's one of my all time favorites. Two thumbs up for an awesome choice, Mr. Martin. I am impressed already, and the night is young.” She openly flirted with them, as they made their way down Atlantic Avenue.
As they walked down the beach, Emily held Avery's hand. In her other, she clutched a tall glass with a fancy, tropical mixed-drink. Conversation turned to their respective childhoods. So much of her youth had been spent on the sand they were walking on that very moment. They slowed to a stop, the surf catching their toes. He pulled Emily into his arms.
“You know Emily, it has only been a week.” His eyes locked with hers. "This has been the most fucking amazing week ever. I never thought I could find someone I am just... so comfortable with.” He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “At the risk of sounding corny, do you want to go out with me? Officially?” He watched her with his breath held, eagerly waiting for her to make her reply.
“I haven't been officially asked since middle school," she said, punctuating the sentence with a giggle. He looked more serious than she thought he would. Her smile warmed from teasing to genuine. "Yes...”
Before she could put her drink down, he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up off of the sand. She dropped her cup and wrapped her arms and legs around his strong body.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss. Desperate need passed from her body through his and echoed back into hers. And in the roaring ocean waves, they reveled in the primal instincts which drove all lovers together.
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