Emerging Temptation: A BWWM Romance Limited Edition Collection

by Peyton Banks

  We rarely called each other by our first names, unless we were at the bar. I worked at one of the busiest firehouses in the city of Atlanta. We received calls more than any other firehouse in the city. My cell buzzed.

  I peeked at the screen.

  * * *

  Dad- Chandler, are you coming home for your grandfather’s birthday next month?

  * * *

  My jaw twitched. Shit, I had no intentions of going home. I Face Timed my grandfather last year on his birthday. Why wasn’t that enough? I even mailed him a new set of golf clubs.

  I pecked away at the keys.

  Me- I will think about it, Dad. I have to start my shift. I’ll talk to you later.

  * * *

  “Cassady,” Simpson shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

  I dropped my duffel on my bed.

  “Yes, Cap?”

  “Get fire engine two cleaned up.”

  “On it.”

  Atlanta summers were brutal. Hosing down the firetruck in that heat wasn’t my favorite thing to do. But I did it, especially if it was around five -thirty in the evening.

  * * *

  Cold water seeped over the sides of the red and white fire engine. I circled the sudsy sponge over the ladder on top of the truck. I glanced at my watch. Five thirty-three. I peeked around the garage. Everyone was off doing their own thing. Maybe working out or handling paperwork. I returned my attention to the street. A smile crept across my face. There she was. Shit, she was beautiful. Her black hair dangled over her shoulders. The yellow sundress fit nicely in all the right places on her petite, brown frame. Don’t lick your lips, Chandler. Play it cool.

  Her eyes met mine. The corners of her beautiful, purple plump lips ticked upward. A wider smile fell across my lips.

  I hadn’t spoken to her due to my demons. They hung over my head like a heavy burden. If I allowed her into my life, she’d witness those demons first hand. At what point would I stop allowing my past to ruin my life? She was the only woman I was interested in since the first day I laid eyes on her. I’d take a chance. No time like the present.

  I hopped off the fire engine and walked toward her. “Hello.”

  She stopped and faced me. “Hello.”

  “I’ve seen you walk by sometimes.” Being up close and personal with her almost left me speechless. Her eyes were a rich, dark brown with hints of orange. I loved her narrow nose with a semi wide base. Her eyebrows were arched perfectly. I wanted desperately to cup her oval face and run my tongue over her mocha high cheekbones. That was next on my list of things to do to her.

  “I felt it was time I introduced myself. Chandler Cassady.” I extended my hand.

  “Gabrielle Marcus.”

  I loved how her soft hand fit into mine. We shook hands too long. I didn’t care. Our hands slipped apart.

  “Your beauty is breathtaking.”

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  “Are you single?”

  “Yes, and you?”

  “Hopefully not much longer.” I winked.

  She cocked her head to the side, smiling from ear-to-ear.

  “I’d like to call you. May I have your phone number?”

  “Yes.”

  I slipped my cell from my pocket. The siren sounded.

  “Shit, I have to go.”

  “See you tomorrow,” she stated.

  “You bet your pretty ass I will.”

  She blushed again.

  All good signs.

  * * *

  I’ve dated one woman since I moved to Atlanta. One night at the bar, Captain Ben Simpson dared me to ask a cute red headed chick out on a date. They’d been busting my balls the first couple of months. Asking did I do anything other than work. I was always a loner. Never participated in many activities at my last firehouse in L.A.

  Work, work, work. Saving lives consumed me. My idea of a good time was hanging with my cousin Seth or my aunt and uncle. Or my other cousin Hayden and his mom and dad. They only ever wanted me to heal from my tragic ordeal as a child. I tried.

  * * *

  I suited up, then climbed into the back of truck one, sitting behind the captain and across from Smooch and Marks. Smooch was our back up driver.

  JT rolled out of the firehouse. He was the main driver of truck one. He’d been the driver of this truck for five years.

  The chief was looking for one more driver when I inquired about the station house. I told him I’d rather be just one of the guys on the truck. I was only interested in being one of the first firefighters responding to those in need.

  JT barreled through the streets of downtown Atlanta. I held on tight as he hugged the curb, turning onto a street brimming with tall apartment buildings. Flames and smoke curled toward the sky from the high rise. Residents of a five-story, red brick apartment building pointed and gawked across the street at the burning building.

  The truck came to a halt. I swung the door open and jumped out.

  “Cassady, you’re with me. Let’s move.”

  “Yes, sir.” I placed the oxygen mask over my face as I followed the Captain into the building. We ran up the stairs. Residents covered their mouths, coughing as they walked down the steps.

  A pregnant woman holding her young child was huddled in the corner.

  “Ma’am, you have to keep moving.”

  “I can’t. The pain is too much.”

  I glanced over my shoulder. “Marks, she can’t walk the rest of the way.”

  He pulled her up into his big arms. He was one of the tallest firefighters in our house.

  “Hang on tight, little man,” he told the little brown-haired boy.

  I slapped him on the back, then caught up with the captain.

  We knocked on several doors. A few firefighters from our team walked by clutching survivors.

  “Firefighter call out. Firefighter call out,” I yelled.

  A burning ceiling panel fell on my head. I knocked it aside.

  “Help,” I heard a faint cry.

  “Captain, someone’s trapped inside.”

  “It’s not safe, we need to vacate this floor immediately. It’s going to blow.”

  I stared into his blue eyes. “Please let me try?”

  “Hurry.”

  I stood back and slammed my foot into the door. Running into the apartment, I glanced around for any signs of life.

  “Firefighter call out.”

  “I’m in the bedroom,” she coughed.

  Burning ceiling panels dropped around me as I ran into the room. The woman laid on the floor in the fetal position wrapped in a blanket. I scooped the older woman up into my arms.

  “Captain, I’m coming out.”

  “Cassady, get off of that floor, before it collapses,” Chief Brennings ordered.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The captain pointed out the fire hose toward the flames blocking our path.

  “Hold on tight ma’am. Good thing you drenched the blanket in water, because we have to make a run for it.”

  The captain and I made a mad dash toward the stairs. The ceiling collapsed behind us. We ran down the stairs and out the door.

  Clapping erupted around us as I placed the lady on a stretcher.

  “Cassady, great job. We have it from here,” Paramedic Breanna Watkins stated.

  I removed my mask and hat as I peeked across the street. Gabrielle smiled, standing amongst onlookers in front of a small apartment building. So, that’s where she lived. A smile fell across my lips and my cock sprung to life. The desire to be deep inside her pussy was strong. Stepping into the street, I glanced both ways and ran across in the heavy gear.

  “Great job,” the crowd cheered.

  I nodded and waved as I halted in front of her.

  “Are you ok?”

  “Now that I’ve seen your beautiful face twice in one day, absolutely.”

  Her gorgeous brown face brightened.

  “We were so worried about all the people making it out of the building sa
fely. Thank you for your hard work.”

  “You’re welcome. That’s my number one goal on the job; to save lives.” My lips tipped up at one end.

  Shit, I didn’t want to stop talking to her. My heart fluttered in my chest. I was star-struck, standing in her presence.

  * * *

  “It has turned out to be a great day.” She slipped her hair behind her ear.

  “We met. Then you and your team saved the people from the burning building.” Gabrielle grinned.

  Clutching my other belongings under my arm, I slipped off my gloves, and retrieved my cell from my inside pocket.

  “Now for your phone number.”

  Gabrielle rattled it off.

  Her neighbors gawked at us, but we ignored them.

  “I wish I could talk to you longer.” I pointed over my shoulder. “I need to get back to work. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Her soft lips parted. I instantly thought how good it would feel to slide my tongue into her mouth.

  “Sounds good. Be safe, Chandler.” She turned on her heels and entered the building.

  The second I laid eyes on Gabrielle, I knew I wanted to spend time with her. Stalking toward my squad, I placed my hat on my head. A part of me was afraid to move forward. My father told me several times I needed to live in the present and not in the past.

  The captain’s eyebrows wrinkled. “Cassady, hey was that the young lady who walks past the station sometimes?”

  “Yes, didn’t know you noticed.”

  “The entire house notices, Cassady,” he chuckled, and stepped away.

  ∞

  I twirled the beer bottle in my hand, tipping on two legs in the wooden chair.

  “You’re in a good mood,” Smooch smirked.

  “Once I am off work, I’ll call Gabrielle.” I chugged my beer.

  Cap smiled from ear-to-ear across the table.

  “What?” I widened my hands.

  He shook his head. “Nothing, just happy to see you take an interest in a woman you actually want to spend time with.”

  “I wasn’t aware that everyone watched my interaction with Gabrielle.”

  “I won the pot. I had a feeling you two would hit it off. All the staring back and forth all the time. The rest of the firehouse had little faith in you,” JT snickered.

  “Thanks everyone. I love how you all believed in me.”

  “Cassady, come on. Don’t pretend you associate with random women. You broke that pretty red headed woman’s heart.”

  “That was different. I was dared to ask her out. I didn’t want to. I’ve always wanted to date Gabrielle.”

  The waitress returned, placing fresh beers on the table.

  Cap tipped his beer bottle toward me. “Go on.” He ran his hand along his black-bearded face.

  “I just have that feeling she’s the woman I am meant to be with.”

  “Awe, that’s so sweet.” Lieutenant Mick Johnson joined us. “Not all men need to have several women at their disposal. Some of us would be happy with one woman.” His gray eyes glinted.

  Smooch gripped his shoulder. “Lieutenant, I’ll continue to move in on all the women you aren’t interested in.”

  Hardy laughter fell around the table.

  Simpson’s lips tightened. “Seriously, Cassady. Be sure to make a place for Gabrielle in your life. I know this isn’t easy for you. All you care about is the job.”

  I chugged my beer. “I will.”

  “What’s going on over here?” Breanna plopped in the empty chair beside me.

  Low growls rolled around the table.

  “Why the sour faces? Is this an all boys discussion?”

  “Watkins, you may not want to discuss Cassady’s love life with another woman,” Cap stared, cracking a snarky grin.

  Her fist slammed into my shoulder. “You are dating again?”

  “Breanna, yes.” I glanced into her brown eyes.

  She slipped her hand over her long, jet-black ponytail.

  Breanna was attractive. I just wasn’t attracted to her. Everyone around the fire house told me she had a crush on me since the day I arrived.

  Dating before Gabrielle rarely crossed my mind. I found a variety of women attractive. Skin color wasn’t a factor. The red headed woman, Kera, was white and Breanna and Gabrielle were black. I rarely dated in my life. Gabrielle was who I’d been attracted to the most in years. I was drawn to her curves. Those fucking sexy, plump lips and beautiful brown eyes. So many nights I laid awake after a nightmare and day dreamed about her being my woman. For the first time in a long time, I’d care for someone else other than those I rescued.

  “Wait, is it the woman who walks past the firehouse?” She pointed at me.

  “Yeah.” My smile rose and fell.

  Her eyes dimmed. “Oh, best of luck to you.” She hopped out of her seat.

  “Breanna.” I darted after her.

  She turned to me in the middle of the small bar. “Why her? You don’t even know if you’d have anything in common.” Her arms crossed her chest.

  “You’re right. But I look forward to getting to know her.”

  “Whenever you assist me on a Paramedics call, we work well together. And you always joke around. So, I felt we had more in common.”

  “You’re a beautiful woman, Breanna.” I gripped my brow. “You’re just not the woman for me.”

  * * *

  Her bottom lip trembled and her eyes glassed over.

  I gingerly grabbed her arms and stared into her big brown eyes. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

  “Chandler, I need to leave. I’ll see you at work.”

  She stormed out of the bar.

  2

  Gabrielle

  Lately, I’ve focused on my passion. Baking. The corporate rat race was getting old. Living out my dream as a successful baker was what I desired. Sometimes I felt defeated, but I kept pushing. My thoughts consumed me until I reached the firehouse, I walked past the building often, leaving the Marta station. It was a scorcher today. I peered at him as he hosed down the firetruck. I wondered what he looked like shirtless with sweat glistening down his sun kissed skin.

  Blink, Gabrielle.

  The back of his hand slid across his forehead, wiping away a layer of sweat. His eyes met mine from the roof of the truck. He smiled wider this time. Before I knew it, he was walking toward me. My heart beat so fast, I wanted to grip my chest to keep it locked inside.

  “I’ve seen you walk by sometimes. I felt it was time I introduced myself. Chandler Cassady.” He extended his hand.

  “Gabrielle Marcus.”

  His huge calloused hand swallowed mine. I didn’t want him to turn me loose. I meant turn my hand loose. I laughed inside. My nerves were getting the best of me.

  “Your beauty is breathtaking.”

  I blushed. “Thank you.” God was he serious? The tall, muscled man carved from stone towered over me. His eyes were a beautiful light blue with gray specks. I could get lost in them forever. Chandler’s brows weren’t bushy, but thick. His nose wasn’t exactly slender, yet perfect for his face. His angular jawline was something of perfection. When we kissed, that would be the first part of his body I would touch besides his pink, pouty lips.

  “Are you single?”

  “Yes, and you?”

  “Hopefully not much longer.” He winked.

  I cocked my head to the side, smiling from ear-to-ear. My body vibrated. I wished there was another excuse for us to touch each other.

  “May I have your phone number?”

  “Yes.”

  He retrieved his cell from his pocket. The siren sounded inside the firehouse.

  “Shit, I have to go.”

  “See you tomorrow.” I waved.

  “You bet your pretty ass I will.”

  I couldn’t stop smiling. I hoped our first date would be full of laughter.

  There was another route I could’ve walked, but it would’ve added fifteen-minutes to my trip. My dream c
ommercial space was also on this route. A large space wasn’t needed. I’d rather have space big enough to appear crowded all the time.

  I’ve filled a few baking orders lately. Mainly for friends and family. The more orders I could fill, the closer I’d come to leasing the gorgeous space on Peachtree.

  * * *

  Dark clouds of smoke rose toward the sky from the luxury high rise across the street from my tiny apartment building. I fell in line with onlookers pouring out of our building, gawking at the high-rise tower engulfed in orange flames.

  Sirens roared as first responders halted across the street.

  The firefighters jumped out of the truck. Chandler’s beautiful side profile came into view. I slipped my hand across the back of my neck and shifted my weight between my legs. I wondered what his muscles felt like under his uniform. The second he disappeared inside the building my heart raced. Watching him run into a burning building scared the shit out of me.

  We’ve just officially met and now watching Chandler in action terrified me. Could I fall in love with a man who works a dangerous job? Push past your commitment phobia. He’s the only guy you’ve been interested in as of late.

  I fidgeted a thousand times, peering across the street wondering if and when he’d walk out of the building. Tenants staggered out of the building and two firefighters followed. One firefighter was carrying a woman. He peeled off his mask and hat and my heart beat pounded my chest. It was Chandler, and he was ok. I exhaled and our eyes locked. He watched for cars as he crossed the street. Next thing I knew, my neighbors were cheering for him.

  “Are you ok?”

  “Now that I’ve seen your beautiful face twice in one day, absolutely.”

  His blue eyes sparkled. Fuck he was absolutely gorgeous in his firefighter gear.

  I felt my cheeks heat up.

  I loved his name. Chandler Cassady. His voice was like velvet. I could listen to him talk all day.

  “We were so worried about all the people making it out of the building safely. Thank you for your hard work.”