A Perfect Moment

by Becca Lee

  The previous night, I’d ribbed Preston relentlessly. It was just too darn easy. Hell, he practically begged me to take the piss out of him when he shared his bare-butt plans with me. He was just lucky Jo wasn’t here. We’d ended the night with a sweet kiss after he’d followed me home and walked me to my doorstep. He was determined to have a real date. And as far as dates went, it was pretty perfect. Yet in saying that, without the addition of the delicious kisses it was pretty much just like it always had been: laughter and free-flowing conversation was what we’d always had. I’d half expected there to be a bit of tension, maybe a few awkward silences thrown in, but nope. It was normal, awesome even, but most definitely natural.

  I managed to get myself showered, dressed and even put together two cups of coffee in travel mugs by 6:45am. Never let it be said that I couldn’t get a damn lot achieved in forty-five minutes. Stepping on to the porch, I didn’t have time to sit down as right on time, Preston pulled up. He immediately jumped out of the car, engine still running, and bound up the steps to greet me. A warm smile played on his face as he planted a sweet kiss on my lips. I could definitely get used to these starts to the day.

  “Morning, beautiful. Is that for me?” He eyed off one of the cups of coffee in my hand.

  “Sure is, handsome.” I smiled and passed him his coffee.

  He grinned, gave me another tender kiss and took the mug out of my hands. “Thanks, babe. You’re bloody awesome.” He took a sip of his coffee and smiled in appreciation. “And shit, you always make me the best darn coffee. I have no idea why you make us go out for caffeine when you make it so good.” He tilted his head and beckoned me to his car as he spoke.

  I was surprised when an unexpected warmth filled my stomach. He always raved about my coffee. This was nothing new, but damn, hearing his praise almost had me going giddy. I shook myself out of my daze, unfortunately, spilling some of my own precious coffee on the ground. “Shit.”

  Preston turned and looked at me. He rolled his eyes. “Come on, klutz, or we’re gonna be late.”

  I shook the drops of coffee off my hand and picked up my pace. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we, hot stuff?”

  He opened the passenger’s side door for me and rolled his eyes once again. “Hot stuff, huh?” he said, his voice filled with amusement. “You know what, babe? I’d be more than happy to show you exactly how hot I am after this stupid-arse shoot.”

  It was my turn to laugh and roll my eyes as I got in the car. “Sure thing,” I scoffed, “porn star.” I added the words at the end.

  He was in the process of closing the door when it tore open again. Preston’s head and shoulders leaned through the door, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Porn star, ‘ey?” His hands grasped my wrists and held them down to my lap. He leaned in closer and stopped when his breath was hot on my ear. He caught my earlobe with his teeth, pulled lightly, and then trailed kisses and licks down my neck and back up again. My breath hitched. Once his breath was once again near my ear, he whispered, “I’m more than happy to spend some time re-enacting with you, baby. Just say the word.” He kissed me once more, pulled his body out of the car and closed it.

  Holy crap on toast! My speeding heart felt ready to burst out of my chest. It was going triple time. I wondered just how he managed to get me all hot and most definitely bothered with a few simple words, kisses and licks. I groaned and then forced my slightly shaky hand to my mouth, which amazingly, still held my coffee. Thank goodness for travel mug lids. If not, I was confident that the wetness I felt between my legs would have been caused by my spilling coffee on my lap.

  Preston entered the car with a shit-eating grin on his face. Arse. He’d gotten me all hot and bothered, and now I was going to be watching him strip off. I was a glutton for punishment, for sure.

  “So, I’m not sure how long this will take. Are you sure you just want to hang around with me all morning? I could always—”

  “Not a chance in hell,” I interrupted, grateful that his talk had severed the tension. I looked at his profile and smiled. “I cannot wait to see you in action. It’ll be fun.”

  He grunted. “For you, maybe.”

  “Yes, definitely for me, but come on. You can’t pretend that you’re not just a bit excited. Professional photo shoot, having three women looking at your sexy abs? But obviously only one of them drooling.”

  “Huh? Three women? What? What are you talking about?”

  I feigned being indignant. “Well, obviously, the only women allowed to look at your bod in the calendar are your mum—so she can be all proud of you—Jo, so she can rip the shit of you for your lifetime.” He looked at me briefly and lifted an eyebrow. “What?” I continued, “You know I’m speaking the truth.

  “And what about the third? You said three women. You also said something about ogling.”

  “Well, that will be me. I’ll just duck into wherever this porn calendar of yours is being sold, and rip out all your pics. I can’t have women throwing themselves at Mr November, or whatever month you’re going to be. It’ll just be awkward. And I don’t know why, but I imagine it to be messy. I can’t handle that. So yeah, that’s the three of us.”

  Preston pulled into the fire station car park, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. Turning off the engine, he unbuckled his belt and turned toward me. “You not wanting other women to take in all of this handsome, baby?”

  I raised an eyebrow. It was a look that I’d perfected over the years. “Erm ... no, it’s not that, obviously.” It totally was. “Í told you, messy women rocking up in random places, ruining our dinner or some crap like that just won’t work for me.” I sounded completely convincing. I was sure of it. But from the look on Preston’s face, I expected him to call bullshit.

  “Whatever you say, beautiful.” He leaned in, brushed his lips against mine and gave me one of his shit-eating grins. Again. Damn, I need to stop giving him ego fodder. “Right, let’s get this nightmare day over with.” He stepped out of the car and walked around to let me out. Holding hands, we made our way inside the station.

  After a brief talk inside with a multitude of people who were all speaking really loudly and milling around in what I hoped was some sort of organised chaos, Preston pulled me toward a room at the back of the station. Once inside, the noises cut off, much to my relief. I was in the midst of a sensory overload. The station was filled with men, some already in costume. It made me laugh; firefighters dressing up in firefighter “costumes”. Go figure! I hadn’t been able to take much in, mainly because it was too crazy and busy, but also because Preston ushered me out of the main room pretty darn quickly.

  Once we’re alone, I took in the space. It was a large bathroom with a shower cubicle and a changing space. I sat down on the bench seat and happily watched as Preston stripped out of his clothes and donned a pair of “firefighter” trousers teamed with red braces, of all things. I looked up at the row of hooks on the wall; above each was a name, paired with costume. Most were empty, including Preston’s, who was now standing in front of me wearing his getup.

  “I know, stupid, huh!” He laughed as he placed the helmet on his head. “You coming to the shoot, or are you just going to sit there gawking?”

  I was seriously tempted to do just that. My bitter side, the side that knew thousands of women would be ogling the charity calendar with Preston’s ripped naked chest made me scowl and ridicule his costume. But holy shit, he looked sexy. I wanted to pounce on him, and lick a long wet trail from the V of his stomach all the way up to his nipples and back down again.

  “El?”

  “Yes?” I squeaked. I actually squeaked. I was so caught up in my daydream, and now I was horny as hell.

  He looked over his shoulder and held out his hand to me. “Let’s get this over with. ‘Cause if you look at me like that again, as though you want to jump on my face, I’ll be sporting a hard-on through the whole shoot. It’s meant to be a sexy charity calendar, not a porno.”

  I took his han
d, swallowed my desire and left the room with him.

  ***

  Wow. Who knew! Truly, Preston was hot; I was able to admit that freely and openly now that we’d got down and dirty with it. He could certainly be the object of many women’s dirty, hot fantasies. He was a firefighter, a surfer, and he was mighty fine. But holy cow, I was surrounded by drop-dead gorgeous firefighters, and I had no idea what to do with my hands, let alone know where to look.

  I had a few OCD tendencies. I was woman enough to admit it. Sitting on a chair, watching the specimens of half-naked firefighters on display, waltzing around, had me seriously hot and bothered. My usual need for cleanliness and order went flying out the window. Stage-grubby hotties, covered in baby oil, were totally floating my boat. I half expected to have the desire to get out a bucket of hot, soapy water to clean them down ... Okay, so I still definitely wanted to do that, but it had nothing to do with making them look all shiny and new. This was so much better than spending two hours browsing and salivating over stationery—it had happened more than once. No, this was something way better.

  I expected the shoot to be long and tedious. I’d watched dodgy daytime TV during my holidays with models bitching about their hard days, and I was sure that was the case for them, but for all that was good and holy, this was one of my best days ever. For a moment, I missed having Jo with me. She always loved getting her ogle on. I quickly remembered that she was now a married woman, and that her baby brother was also here, so perhaps not the best wing-woman for the job. Yet still, I was in muscled, naked, testosterone-filled heaven.

  A firm hand gripped my shoulder. “Okay, seriously, put your tongue away, Ella. I’ve been calling you for at least a minute.”

  I felt my cheeks turn pink when I looked up at Preston. I couldn’t quite read his face. All I knew was I was totally busted. I gave a lackadaisical grin and a shrug. “What? I was just—“

  “I know exactly what you were doing. Keep your eyes to yourself.”

  “That makes absolutely no sense; you know that, right?”

  Preston glared at me. “You know exactly what I mean. I’m up next. Then we just have the final shot with all of us in it. Okay? You think you can behave until then?”

  I took my time and allowed my gaze to caress his body. Just a couple of nights ago I’d kissed and nibbled virtually every inch of his sexy self, and now, he was oily and somehow even sexier. He must have seen something flash in my perusal, as the next thing I knew he was barely an inch away from me, his lips hovering over mine. “You keep looking at me like that, baby, I may have to find a quiet little room for us. Shit.” I saw him move and smirked. He adjusted himself. Beneath my smirk, though, my heart beat erratically. I was tempted to grab his hand, and maybe even his groin—I was that hot for him—and race him to find a secluded corner somewhere. His mouth hovered over mine before he took a step back.

  I breathed out heavily, my half-arsed attempt at regaining my composure. “Put your goddamned hose away and put a shirt on while you go about it,” I huffed. “Seriously, anyone would think firefighters walk around half-naked all day.” I mentally shook away the thought that had blossomed in my head with my words.

  He laughed loudly; clearly enjoying the blush I knew covered my face. I swear, if there were a pill to stop blushing I would totally take it. Winking mischievously, he turned and headed toward the waiting photographer.

  I watched on as the photographer, who just so happened to be a ridiculously beautiful brunette—I was sure that should be illegal or something— caressed Preston’s chest lightly and walked around his body, taking him all in. He smiled on cue and answered whatever questions were coming out of her mouth enthusiastically.

  I will not freak out and cut the bitch. I will not freak out—

  “So, Ella, right?”

  A tall, honest-to-God godlike man stood in front of me, blocking my view and ripping away my mantra. My eyes were immediately drawn to his toned chest before travelling up to his chiselled chin. Holy moly! I had no idea what this station was feeding their boys—and the few women firefighters floating around—but fuck me naked and hide my clothes, he was beyond—damn, I had no idea who or what to compare him to. He looked down at me, a beautiful smile on his face.

  I managed to roll my tongue up off the floor and pressed my hand to my mouth to check for drool before I managed a pathetically squeaky, “Yes?”

  I coughed my squeak away and smiled. “Hi, yes, Ella.” My cheeks began to ache with the extreme of my wide grin.

  “Do you mind if I sit?” He indicated to the small space next to me. I looked at the space and then back up at his large, firm body. There was no way he’d be able to fit in the space next to me. Not unless I sat on his lap. My eyes widened at the thought. I needed to shake myself and maybe a slap or two would be useful too. Preston, Preston—you’re hot for Preston. I needed to cool it. But I also happily rationalised that drooling over someone was okay. Preston and I hadn’t even put a name to what we were—Where the hell did that thought come from?—but even so, I could have an innocent chat with someone.

  “Not at all. I’m not sure there’s room, though.” I was now in control. Sort of.

  “Thanks.” He sat next to me, his thigh flush against mine, and his arm pressed against my own. “I thought you were you.” He laughed. “I mean, Ella.” I could detect a slight quibble in his voice. He sounded a little anxious. “I mean, from Preston’s descriptions.”

  I looked at him as he continued to speak, mesmerised by the depth of his chocolate-brown eyes. “Oh, Preston’s spoken about me?” Flutters filtered through my stomach at the thought.

  “Yes,” he continued. “Sorry, my name’s Ben, by the way.” He reached out and took my hand in his, dwarfing my fingers. His hand felt warm and familiar.

  “Hi, Ben. Nice to meet you.” I smiled and placed both hands on my lap, eyes still firmly fixed on his.

  “Preston talks about you a lot. I feel like I know you already.” He blinked and looked toward my mouth.

  Holy crap. What the hell was happening? Who the heck was this guy? I knew quite a few of the guys Preston worked with; we’d been out a few times together. I racked my brains, but I didn’t recall him mentioning Ben once. I smiled despite my confusion. “So, Ben, how long have you worked here?”

  He pulled his eyes away from my lips and met my gaze. Slight crinkles formed around his eyes when he smiled. It seemed genuine. “For just six months. I recently moved from New South Wales.”

  I’m sure that explained why Preston hadn’t mentioned him before. “How are you finding the Sunshine Coast? Humidity getting to you yet?”

  He laughed. “I’m good. I adapt well.” He rubbed his palms across his trouser leg. “So, you and Preston? You’re here with him today. He said you were good friends.”

  My smile faltered slightly. “Well, yes, he asked me to stop by. We’ve been friends forever.”

  He nodded in understanding. “Yes, he said as much.” He looked away briefly in the direction of Preston. My gaze followed his.

  Preston was now leaning against a brick wall, striking different poses with the photographer’s help. She wasn’t taking photos at the moment. Instead, she was adjusting and repositioning his body and clothes. My shoulders became taut, and my mantra almost started up again.

  “Listen, Ella. You seem like a really nice person.”

  My head spun back to Ben’s. He looked anxious and a little guilty, judging from his frown and his downcast look. “Is there something you’re trying to say to me?”

  He huffed out a breath and sighed before he continued. “Well, Preston, he’s a nice guy. He speaks about you all the time. It’s just ...” There was an uncomfortable pause as he looked at me briefly before lowering his gaze to his feet. I gestured for him to go on, even though I had a feeling that whatever I would hear, I wouldn’t like one bit. He cleared his throat and made eye contact with me once again. “You know he has a girlfriend, right?”

  And there it was. My
stomach hit the floor; my heart constricted. Fuck. There were times in my life I wish I wasn’t so in tune with knowing bad shit was going to happen. But damn, nothing about what Ben, a stranger to me, was saying made any sort of sense. Business, no-bullshit Ella was forced to the surface.

  I froze, schooled my face and feigned indifference. My heart roared in my ears; I could feel a headache forming. I had no idea what he was going on about. There was no chance he was right. I knew Preston. He was one of my close friends. Any girlfriend he had, I’d know about it.

  I racked my brains, thinking about his last girlfriend, but came up short. There weren’t any, just a steady stream of one-night stands, with the exception of Dani. I wondered if that was whom he meant. I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it.

  “You didn’t know. Shit. I’m so sorry. I always just thought it was weird how he talked about you all the time, talked about getting together with you, but he’s dating Sarah. They’ve been together for, I don’t know, two or three months now?”

  Sarah? I had no bloody idea who the hell he was talking about. He must be wrong. Logically, I knew this. “No, I have no idea what or who you’re talking about.” I looked back at Preston, who was now having his photograph taken. There was no way this was happening.

  “Hey.” Ben touched me tentatively on my arm before he removed his hand. “Listen, I’m sorry. I was just confused. I saw you together earlier. It was clear something was going on between the two of you.” He rubbed his hands down his face, regret evident in his voice and the crease between his brows. I saw glimpses of pity etched there when he removed his hands. “So, shit, just forget I said anything. They must have split up and I just didn’t know. Preston’s a good guy. I can’t imagine him pulling this kind of shit on anyone, especially you.”