“Good work, crew.” Dave’s voice made her heart kick a little. “Those who climbed the ladders in this session will do ground duties this afternoon.” A horn sounded, signaling the end of the shift, and the men all filed into the day room to have a break.
“Reece.” She jumped when she heard her name. She hoped she hadn’t fallen short in her drill that morning. “Have you got a minute?”
She removed her helmet and wiped the wet strands of stray hair from her face. Her forehead was coated in beads of sweat, and her breathing hadn’t fully recovered from the strenuous activity. Dave lowered his eyes to her heaving yellow-clad chest, then leisurely looked up until he was peering into her eyes in that unnerving way he had.
“You did really well. Just wanted you to know.”
“Thank you, Dave.” Relief swept through her, and she smiled. Quite apart from the physical exertion she’d just undertaken, she felt her heart rate suddenly increase. He smiled back at her, and she took an involuntary inward breath, making her sound like she was choking. Her face flushed.
“Well, I can see you need a break.” He turned and strode back into the fire station, leaving her rooted to the spot, feeling like a starstruck teenager who’d just met their favorite celebrity pinup boy in the flesh.
* * *
The afternoon training session was hard, physical work, but the mental side of it—working out the various tactics for a real situation—fascinated her. As a team, they devised plans, processes and routines, then practiced with hypothetical situations. By the end of the day, she was sore and tired, but elated.
The steaming shower pelted down, massaging her overworked muscles. She let the water flow over her as she looked back over the events of the day. Throughout the drills, she’d been conscious of Dave standing off to one side, observing her. She kept telling herself that he probably did this all the time, and that he was more than likely watching all of the team, but on the occasions when she dared to sneak a look in his direction, she found him staring at her, never flinching. A niggling doubt crept into her thoughts. Perhaps he questioned her ability to keep up with the men? Maybe he too didn’t like to see female firefighters. But somehow she didn’t think he was like that.
After the shower, she dressed in her gym clothes, a skimpy black leotard with bicycle shorts and a midriff, off-the-shoulder T-shirt. Her hair was still wet, so she let it hang loose. She looked forward to her zumba classes. It was a great workout, but also lots of fun. It was quiet as she grabbed her bag and walked through the darkened corridors of the station, heading for the exit and the parking lot. All the day shift guys must have gone home. There would just be the four night shift men, and at this time of the night, they’d be working out in the station gym. The place seemed deserted.
Bang! She bumped right into Dave.
“Whoa! You OK?” His voice was filled with concern. He had his hands on each of her shoulders, holding her at arm’s length. The feel of his fingers on her bare skin sent a tingle running through her. She looked into his eyes—they appeared to be luminous in the half-light of the darkened corridor. She tried to pull her gaze away from his, but it seemed held there.
“Sorry, Dave. I was miles away. Hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“It was my fault. I came out of my office and didn’t look where I was going.” Still he kept hold of her.
Her skin seared with heat under the touch of his fingers. Her heart raced. The close proximity of his face was unnerving.
He was the first to break the spell, letting go of her shoulders, and raising one hand to brush a wet tendril from her forehead, his gaze holding hers, never blinking. An involuntary shudder swept through her at his touch.
“Your hair’s wet. Are you cold?” His voice was barely a whisper.
His powerful body, so close to her in the dimly lit corridor, rendered her speechless. Instead, she shook her head. Again his hands rested on her shoulders, then gently ran down the length of her bare arms until they reached her hands, their feather-light touch on her skin making her shiver slightly, and her heart begin to beat wildly. Still, she couldn’t form any words.
“Yes. Even your hands are cold. Come out of this drafty corridor.” He gently tugged her by both hands into his office, then turned to face her. “You need something to keep you warm.” Suddenly he smiled, his even, white teeth gleaming in his tanned face. “Maybe I should go grab the calendar from the day room for you?”
She held her breath for a split second, not sure how to respond, the picture of him as the April pinup filling her mind.
He laughed softly. “Sorry, I was just trying to be funny. You don’t have to answer that. I shouldn’t have…” He dropped her hands and moved back. “Got a jacket in your bag?”
“Um, no.” She barely recognized her own voice. “I’ll be fine. Ten minutes after I get started I’m hot as hell.”
Heat spread up her face the second she realized what she’d said. She was glad he wouldn’t notice in the half-light of the dim office.
“Zumba. After I start zumba.”
“I see.”
Suddenly the conversation had become awkward. She dragged her gaze away from his mouth, fighting off the desperate urge to kiss it. His nose, fine and straight…those beautiful eyes, like none she had ever seen before. He regarded her intently, delving deeply as though trying to read her mind.
He tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes, peering at her carefully. “You know, I feel we’ve met before. There’s something familiar about you.”
Oh boy, she’d remember if they had, she thought. “Don’t think so.” Then it hit her. Hm, maybe I’ve been caught out. She resisted the impulse to glance over at the female firefighter calendar hanging on the wall.
Still he seemed to be racking his brain, trying to place where he knew her from.
“So, what time does your class start? It’s just that I wonder if…” He blinked and gave his head a slight shake, as though clearing his thoughts.
“You wonder…what?”
He cleared his throat, and brought his eyes back to hers. “I wonder if you have time for a drink?”
She didn’t believe she heard him right. Her racing heart and inability to breathe normally, sapped her of her usual confidence and command of the moment. She hoped he’d said what she thought he’d said. A sharp involuntary intake of breath rasped in her throat.
“Yes, I think I could manage to squeeze one in.”
His grip on her hands tightened. “Yes?”
A smile lit up his face, making him look even more attractive. Without a word, he moved over to the door and closed it. He went to a metal filing cabinet in the corner and pulled open the top drawer. Seconds later, he placed two glasses and a half-full bottle of bourbon on his desk and began removing the lid. He quickly poured out two shots and handed her one. Her fingers curled around his as he held the glass. She took a step closer, until her face was close to his. She smelled his aroma, the faded aftershave, that sexy man-smell. The telltale signs of desire fluttered deep inside her. Suddenly, she didn’t want to bother with zumba. She allowed his fingers to slide out from between hers and the glass. Lifting it to her lips, she took a long, slow sip.
“Maybe I could skip class…” Her voice sounded smoky, hot.
His eyes never left hers as he also raised his glass and took a mouthful.
He moved even closer. She caught a whiff of bourbon on his breath. “Don’t let me get in the way of your exercise regime.”
She reached up and traced her index finger down the side of his cheek, then across his bottom lip.
“Oh, I have no intention of letting you stop me from getting some exercise.” Their lips were only an inch apart. If she put her tongue out, she thought, she would be able to taste that luscious mouth.
He took the glass from her hand and set it aside. Her heart was beating wildly, desire making a misty film of perspiration break out on her forehead.
“Well then. We better do some warm-ups.”
<
br /> Powerful arms enveloped her and she felt his body against hers. He brushed her lips with his, then kissed her deeply, eagerly. Electricity shot through her as she returned his hungry, lingering kiss, willingly entering the passionate embrace. His tongue was warm, tasting of bourbon and salt, as he probed and met up with hers. He broke away from her mouth and bent his head, nuzzling her neck, and kissing her skin softly. Moving slowly around to the front, his lips caressed the little hollow at the base of her throat.
“Won’t your zumba group notice you’re missing?” As he spoke, his day-old stubble grazed her neck.
“I don’t care.” Her words were breathy and soft. With one quick movement, he removed her little T-shirt. He ran his hands up both her bare arms, softly, gently, deliciously, until they reached her shoulders. He inserted a finger under each of the black Lycra straps of her leotard, dragging them aside. He kissed her shoulders and tugged the top down, revealing her breasts, full, voluptuous, and begging to be kissed.
He caressed each breast, his fingers tweaking her already hardened nipples. She groaned as spasms of delight rippled through her, making her breath come in short, sharp gasps. He placed his warm, moist mouth on a nipple and sucked it gently, his tongue flicking the little pink bud. Then he moved to the other one.
Again, he lifted her with strong arms, and in one swift movement, he lay her down on the desk, reached down and gently tugged off her scant clothing, leaving her naked. She stared as he ripped off his white T-shirt and threw it, the sight of him causing her to draw in a loud gasp. The body of Adonis stood before her, much better, much more beautiful, than the calendar photo. The sculpted muscles rippled as he undid the zip on his trousers and dropped them to the floor, his huge cock springing out and standing ready for action. A surge, like volts of electricity, clenched inside her. She made a grab for his cock, wanting it badly, wanting it now!
“Not yet,” he whispered. He spread her legs and touched her wet pussy with his fingers, gently stroking all along the slit from top to bottom. Then he found the rosebud knob of her clit and softly but firmly applied pressure as he massaged it until she thought she would burst. Bringing his other hand up, he inserted a finger inside her, moving it about, exciting her.
“You’re soaking.”
She tried to speak, but just breathing was difficult. Her whole body was trembling with the sensations he induced in her. She wanted his cock inside her; she needed him to do it now. Just when she thought she could take no more, he bent his head down and licked her pussy. She nearly screamed out—the pleasure was so intense, like nothing she had experienced before. He sucked and licked her clit, then she felt his tongue enter her, probing her.
“Please, please. Now!” Ragged and breathless, she cried out for him. His tongue flicked, licked, and lapped at her. Never had she known ecstasy like this. With an explosion, she came, her orgasm making her whole body arc, her fingers and toes twitching as she held her breath, not wanting the sensation to end. He climbed on top of her, covering her face with kisses, then, finding her lips, kissed her ardently. She ran her hands over his smooth, firm back, reaching down to his buttocks. She cupped them, squeezing at the muscles, holding him tight.
Sliding her hands around, she reached between them, grasping for the stiffness that she could feel prodding her. He rose to his elbows, then drew his legs into kneeling position in front of her. She cupped his heavy balls in one hand, and held his cock in the other. The glint of a little precum sparkled on its tip, and she licked it away delicately, tasting the promise of more good things to come. She ran her tongue delicately all the way up his shaft, around it, back to the head, and then focused on the sensitive place at the base of the head. She flicked her tongue back and forward, hearing him groan.
Parting her lips, she took him deep inside her, gently at first, then started sucking, drawing on it. His body began to shake with the effort of holding on just a little bit longer. He pulled out of her mouth and, grabbing her shoulders, gently rolled her over until she was kneeling on all fours on his desk. Books, papers, and pens crashed onto the tiled floor of his office. He reached over to his desk drawer and took out a little packet, opened it with his teeth, and quickly rolled the condom onto his shaft. Coming up behind her, he used his fingers to find her wet pussy, then she felt his massive dick slide up into her. He began pumping, slowly, deeply. The spasms began again in her vagina, crushing his cock inside her with each clench.
He slid out of her, then gently helped her to roll over onto her back. He lay down on top of her, his face only inches away from hers, his emerald eyes glowing like neon lights in the dimness of the office.
“Now we’ll come together, eh?” His fingers caressed her wet clit and his cock slid smoothly inside her, deeply thrusting. They soon found their rhythm, and, breathing heavily, he pumped her hard, her body ready to explode with yet another massive orgasm.
She clung tightly as his back arched and his muscles went rigid. With a roar, he exploded inside her. A moment later the clenching in her grew to monumental proportions, and she let out a loud moan as she climaxed.
They lay there, exhausted, his cock still inside her. The only sound was their heaving, ragged breathing. He shifted and removed himself, then lay down next to her, kissing her, and wrapping an arm across her. He was the first to speak.
“Cindy? I just had to have you from the moment I set eyes on you.” His voice was full of emotion.
“And I knew I just had to have Fireman April the moment I saw him peeping out from under a pile of junk in the day room.”
His laugh filled the small office. “No. Seriously? I look that good?” He turned her face to look at him. “Maybe I shouldn’t have been so hard on Warner after all.”
Chapter Three
It was late when she turned her car into the underground parking lot of her apartment building. When she finally left Hillwood Fire Station, she went straight home, jogged up the stairs to her floor, turned her key in the lock, and let herself in.
Her cat greeted her with a heartfelt meow.
“Oh baby. You’re hungry aren’t you?” She fondled the old tortoise-shell tabby as he bent his head against her hand. “Oh Joey, you wouldn’t believe what happened to me today.” Soon, the cat was fed, and she went to the bathroom. As she removed her skimpy exercise gear, she laughed softly. So much for zumba class. She figured she’d probably had enough exercise for one day. The memory of their encounter in his office, still fresh in her mind, brought her to the point of wishing she was with him right now, feeling his hard, muscular arms around her. A swarm of butterflies flitted through her, exciting her.
Later, after a long, hot shower and wrapped in a towel, she lay on the bed, totally exhausted. Despite her enjoyment of the encounter with Dave, she had some misgivings. All the way home in the car, she’d chastised herself. On my second day! This had to be some record. But at least no one knew about it. She’d always had a thing about firefighters, and not just because she wanted to be one herself. Still, it shouldn’t have happened.
The sudden strains of a Beyonce tune blasted from her cell phone on the bedside table. She picked it up, not recognizing the number.
“This is Cindy.”
“Hi. Just checking you got home OK.”
Her heartbeat quickened when she heard Dave’s voice. “Sure. Of course.”
Silence from the phone. Pausing slightly to take a deep breath, she continued. “Look Dave. I think we both did something that was…unprofessional…and I want you to know that I’m sorry if it’s put you in a compromising position. It won’t happen again.” She bit her lip. There, she said it.
“Fine.” His voice sounded strained. “Good night.” The line went dead.
She looked at the phone for a second or two, then placed it back on the table. Already she regretted saying it, but it was best for both of them. Hell, she knew better than most the trouble it could cause.
She stared at the phone again, half-hoping he’d call back. Just the sound of
his voice turned her on. If he was in this room, she thought, I’d…
* * *
The traffic was heavier than usual as she drove to the fire station. Or maybe it was just because she was running late. Sleep had taken a long while coming last night, and when her alarm rang, she felt fuzzy-headed and tired. As she pulled into the parking lot at the rear of the fire station, all the spaces were taken.
“Great. Just what I need.”
She turned the car and drove back out onto the street, eventually finding a spot a good fifteen-minute walk from work.
When she entered the day room to put her lunch in the refrigerator, the place was deserted. She looked at her watch.
“Oh shit!” She was late for the weekly parade. Her first weekly parade. She burst through the door with a rush, then froze. All the men were lined up, facing her, standing stiffly as the flag was hoisted and the national anthem played. Knowing she’d been caught out, she quickly placed her hand on her chest as the last strains of the Star Spangled Banner played through the loudspeaker system. Across from her, Dave glowered at her, his cold green eyes glaring from a face like granite. Heat crept up her neck and infused her face. She blinked, unable to hold his gaze.
The music stopped and the men stood at ease.
“Reece, fall in.” Dave’s curt, clipped tone stung. She felt the gazes of a dozen firefighters on her. To her left, Warner let out a couple of noisy breaths and a soft, mocking laugh. She glanced at him, unsurprised to see a suggestive smirk on his mouth.
Dave continued addressing the team. “And as I said earlier—before Reece arrived—this morning we formally welcome our new graduate, Officer Cindy Reece.” The group applauded. “I’m sure you’ll all…”
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