Emerging Temptation: A BWWM Romance Limited Edition Collection

by Peyton Banks

  “You’re welcome. That’s my number one goal on the job; to save lives.”

  “It has turned out to be a great day.” I nervously slipped my hair behind my ear.

  “We met. Then you and your team saved the people from the burning building.” My face hurt from smiling so hard.

  Chandler managed to retrieve his cell while juggling all of his gear.

  “Now for your phone number.”

  I spelled out my name and told him my phone number.

  Chandler smiled wide.

  My neighbors stared at us, whispering.

  It felt good to give him my number sooner than Monday. I couldn’t wait to talk to him. My baking order was aggressive for this evening. I hoped he’d call while I was taking a break.

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

  “Sounds good. Be safe, Chandler.” I scurried into my building.

  My weekend was consumed with filling cake orders.

  Friday night, I passed out on the sofa and missed Chandler’s call. He left a voicemail.

  “Hey, Gabrielle. It’s Chandler. I hate I didn’t get a chance to talk to you tonight. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Sleep tight.”

  I texted Chandler Saturday afternoon.

  Me- Hey, I hate I missed your call too. This weekend is crazy. I have several cakes to bake. My sister normally helps me, but she had a crafting catastrophe of her own. Lol

  Anyway, I hope you are having a good weekend. Next week, my orders are spaced out. I hope to talk to you Monday if that’s ok.

  He responded an hour later, but I didn’t see his text until after six in the evening.

  Chandler- I wish I would have known you needed help, I could’ve assisted you. Get some rest. Talk to you Monday.

  * * *

  Sunday night, I gathered all the ingredients needed to bake a red velvet cake, and two German chocolate cakes. I was meticulous about how long my cakes cooled before icing them. The square kitchen table was my work space. The tiny space was a challenge, but I made do with what I had.

  At two thirty in the morning, I fell against my queen sized-bed, yawning.

  The thunder and lightning jolted me out of my sleep at five thirty. After my exhilarating steam shower, I boxed up the cakes, then dressed for work. I ordered a car service to drive me to work. Couldn’t risk damaging Justine and Kathy’s cakes. They were good friends of mine since I began working for the company three years ago. I was an intern first, then I was hired full time. My job paid a decent wage. I lived comfortably. Mainly, because I didn’t have a car. Also, because I didn’t know how to drive. Dad offered to teach me. I told him that wasn’t necessary. My father lived in Raleigh, NC. No way I’d fly there to learn how to drive. It was all an excuse. I didn’t want to learn how to drive. I was afraid I’d be killed on the road by another driver the moment I learned because of something I did wrong. Maybe I drove the wrong way down a street or made a left turn when traffic wasn’t clear. It was another stupid phobia of mine. One I hoped to get over. Luckily, my shift ended before it was dark in the evening. In the winter, I changed my hours. I’d arrive by car service at seven in the morning and end my shift at four in the afternoon. I’d take the Metro. Going out at night with friends wasn’t a problem. We often met for dinner or at the club in downtown Atlanta not far from home. I ordered a car service whenever I’d gone out. No offense to my friends, I didn’t ride with them either. I liked to leave when I was ready. And definitely didn’t enjoy depending on others.

  I teetered out of the car, holding the oversized pink cake boxes tight.

  Joel darted out of the door toward me, carrying an umbrella. “Gabrielle, I’ll take those boxes for you.”

  I grabbed the umbrella, held it over our heads as we ran toward the building. “Thanks, Joel.”

  A minute later, I shook the access water off the umbrella in the corner of the lobby near the elevators.

  “How did you know I’d need help?”

  Joel’s pale cheeks turned dark red. It was cute. He tapped the up button. “I was walking to my desk and overheard Justine say she was on her way down to help you with the cakes. I told her I would help.” His brown eyes smiled behind his dark frame glasses.

  His glasses made him look smart not dorky.

  “That was sweet.”

  Joel swept his fingers through his damp, red spiky hair.

  We strolled out of the elevator. “Did you have any help baking last night?”

  “No. It was a busy weekend. My sister was supposed to assist, but something came up.”

  He glanced down at me. “You should’ve called. I’d be happy to help.”

  Joel gave me his phone number months ago.

  We worked on the same floor. He worked in accounting down the hall. Joel had asked me out for months.

  So did another guy in my office, Patrick. He was attractive too. Deep chocolate skin, about six one in height, and a shortcut black afro. Joel stood about five-ten. They both bid for my affection, but only one man held my attention. Chandler.

  Chandler pulled me to him with just a quick gaze. I couldn’t wait to talk to him tonight. I often wondered what our conversations would be like. Would we find the same movies funny?

  My ex-boyfriend from college was a play it safe option like Joel. Alvin loved to spend time with me as long as it didn’t involve baking. I ended our relationship. He never had to bake with me, but he needed to respect my decision to become a baker. Joel understood my passion. I liked that he cared. Patrick and I never talked about my love of baking. He dated quite a few ladies in the office. I felt I was just next on his radar.

  “Did you hear me, Gabrielle?”

  I popped back to reality. “Yes, I’m sorry. My thoughts are a little all over the place this morning.” The truth was, I couldn’t get my mind off of the man I wanted. All roads led back to Chandler. The way he stood over my five-five frame in his firefighter uniform. My core heated just thinking about our interaction Friday. Mr. Save lives sparked my interest more than any other man. Which made him dangerous. Shit that reminds me, I better check my emails to see if I received any new orders from my website.

  “Joel, I’m not interested in dating right now,” I lied.

  He nodded.

  “Can you place the top two boxes on Justine’s desk?”

  “Sure.”

  Justine jogged toward us. “Good morning, Gabby.”

  She pulled me into her embrace. “How are you doing, chica?”

  “Tired, but well.”

  She stepped back and her tan cheeks rose. “My little baker needs help.”

  Joel quirked a brow. “I tried offering my assistance, but she wouldn’t take it.”

  We laughed.

  “As long as I pace my orders, I will be fine.” I ran my hand along my arm.

  Justine’s brown hair was pulled up into a short ponytail. “If you say so,” she said, with a slight Spanish accent.

  “I’ll talk to you at lunch. We need to give Kathy her cake.”

  “All right, see you then.” She sat behind the computer at her desk.

  Joel walked a few cubicles down.

  “Kathy, your cake is here,” I sang.

  She hopped up from her chair, squeezing me tight. We were about the same height. Joel placed the cake on her desk.

  “I can’t wait to surprise the kids with this delicious cake.”

  “What about Michael?”

  “Girl, my husband is serious about the diet he’s on this time. He will not touch the cake. I told him I’d work out with him, so I am only allowed a sliver of this goodness. If I open that box right now, I might eat the entire red velvet cake.”

  I laughed. “Girl, I hope the kids enjoy the cake. I need to high-tail it to my desk. Talk to you later.”

  She waved. Joel fell instep beside me. “Gabrielle, I am not in a rush. Allow me a chance to take you out to lunch sometime.�
�

  I halted at my cubicle. “We’ll see. Thanks again for assisting me this morning.”

  Joel smoothed his hand over his blue plaid shirt. “Anytime.” He darted off.

  3

  Gabrielle

  Sitting in my chair, I powered on my computer to start my mundane routine. Payroll and timekeeping was pretty easy. My thoughts continued to sway to the sexy firefighter, who stood before me Friday evening smelling of smoke. I wondered what he smelled like when he was off duty. Those blue eyes haunted me. The kind you stare into until you doze off into a deep slumber. I knew he could keep me safe in those big strong arms.

  Tap, tap.

  “Gabby.”

  I gripped my chest as I whipped my head around.

  “Didn’t mean to startle you. Where were you?”

  “Um, nowhere.” My brow wrinkled.

  “Lies. Come on. We can discuss this nothing over lunch,” Justine urged.

  I didn’t realize my morning flew by.

  Kathy, Justine, and I sat at our usual four top table in the center of the spacious lunchroom.

  I raked my fork over my salad, not eating a bite.

  Kathy nudged Justine’s arm. “What’s up with her?”

  “Really?” I dropped my fork. “I’m right here.” I glanced across the table between them.

  Justine dipped her spoon into her soup. “Well, stop keeping us in suspense. Spill.”

  Justine was thirty-four. She and her husband had one four-year-old child. Her husband was a construction worker.

  Kathy was twenty-nine. She had two kids; a boy and a girl, ages five and eight. Her husband Michael was a police officer. He was only thirty-six and had a heart attack a few months back. Michael had been on a health kick since his second chance at life. She had high blood pressure and felt she was a little overweight. So, she joined her husband on his health kick.

  Our lunch was always interesting. All the stories she told us kept us laughing or in shock. Kathy wore her dark hair in braids often or natural. She loved low maintenance hairstyles. I was the only one of our little crew who was single without children.

  “Remember the firefighter I told you guys about?”

  They nodded.

  “He spoke to me Friday evening in front of the firehouse.” I smirked.

  Their mouths dropped open.

  “Yeah, I saw him again. The apartment across from mine caught on fire. This time, I watched him rescue a woman from the burning building. Afterwards, we talked for a little while. He asked for my number. He called me later, but I was asleep. Anyway, I am supposed to talk to him on the phone tonight.” I leaned my elbow against the table, resting my palm against my forehead.

  “Guys, he was even more handsome up close.” Heat surged through my body. My legs clamped together just talking about him.

  Kathy’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to hear about your first date?”

  “I’m trying to remain positive.”

  Justine stretched her hand out. “And that’s all you’ll get from us, positive vibes. We want you to find happiness.”

  “We can tell Chandler’s really the guy you are interested in, because you shoot Joel and Patrick down all the time. Chandler comes along and you consider dating him.”

  “It’s different with Chandler.” I pulled my lower lip into my mouth. “I’ve been attracted to him for months. The magnetic pull between us yesterday was scary. I don’t know if he felt it. The feeling was overpowering.”

  I don’t want to think about him breaking my heart.

  Justine placed her hand over mine. “You have to give a guy a chance or you’ll never experience love.”

  I pulled back and gripped the sweating glass. I chugged the ice-cold water. “You’re right.”

  “I work with two men who like me. I believe Joel would do anything for me. But I don’t get butterflies when we are next to each other. Patrick is handsome too, but again, my palms don’t sweat. My heart doesn’t skip a beat. All those emotions struck my body Friday evening. Every day I approach that firehouse I tell myself to calm down. Don’t get worked up when I see him. Don’t smile uncontrollably for the next two miles during the walk to my apartment.

  My brows rose. “Oh, we established we don’t have a significant other in our lives.”

  Kathy ran around the table and embraced me. “I see good things to come. Keep us posted.”

  “Thank you.” I held Justine’s hand and leaned into Kathy. “I love you, guys.”

  “We love you too, Mommie.”

  ∞

  I trekked down the wet streets Monday evening, clutching my umbrella over my head. My wrist throbbed from the rain pounding on my umbrella. I knew I wouldn’t see him this evening because it was raining. My heart still thudded against my rib cage. The firehouse came into view. Tunnel vision, Gabby. Don’t peek at the firehouse. I sprinted down the sidewalk.

  “Gabrielle.”

  His deep voice penetrated my soul. My heart stopped as did my feet.

  He ran toward me. “Why did you walk home today?”

  Concern loomed his blue eyes and his brows rustled together.

  My lips parted.

  “You can tell me inside.”

  The rain drenched his navy firefighter cap and uniform.

  “I’m almost home.”

  “I don’t care. Come inside.”

  He grabbed my umbrella and ushered me toward the side door. I thought he’d shield himself from the rain, but he didn’t. My heart beat again the moment we were through the door. Chandler sat my umbrella in the corner.

  “You can have a seat in the kitchen. This is the first day of my shift. Four days on, then three days off. Unfortunately, I can’t take you home. I’ll call a car service.”

  I sat in a green leather chair.

  “Chandler, you don’t have to do that,” I protested.

  “It’s no problem. I need to dry off. I’ll be right back.”

  His delightful, crisp woodsy cologne attacked my nose as he darted out of the room. The pull was back. I didn’t want to be out of his presence.

  “Hello, Gabrielle.”

  A handsome man with chocolate features stepped into view.

  “My name is Smooch.” He extended his hand.

  I placed my hand in his. “It’s nice to meet you. How do you know my name?”

  “We asked Chandler about you Friday night at the bar.

  He’s a good guy.”

  “Hey, Smooch. Nope, keep walking. Get your own woman. Gabrielle is off limits.”

  Chandler draped a white towel over my shoulders. “Lift up a bit.”

  I sat forward, and the towel absorbed the moisture on my back. “Thank you.”

  Chandler sat in the chair beside me.

  Smooch laughed. “Nice meeting you, Gabrielle. I hope to see you again.”

  “Hey, what the hell?”

  “Relax, Chandler.” He walked over to the stove.

  “I requested a car service. A driver should be here momentarily. How did you get to work? You didn’t walk past like you normally do.”

  “You watch me?”

  He rubbed his brow. “Yeah, I needed to know you made it down the street to the Marta safely.”

  Goosebumps prickled my skin.

  He sat back, legs spread wide, never taking his eyes off of me. “How did you get to work, Gabrielle?”

  “I ordered a car service. Usually, the rain lets up at some point during the day.”

  “True, but the thunderstorm warning is until six in the morning.”

  “Chandler, I’ll be fine. I’ve taken public transportation for a long time.”

  “Why, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  I sighed. “Because I can’t drive. I’m afraid to learn. My daddy always offers and I always turn him down.”

  “Which means, you wouldn’t let me teach you either.”

  I smiled. “No, I don’t want to learn how to drive.”

  He leaned in tangling our fingers. A surg
e of electricity shot through me.

  “You feel that?”

  “Chandler.” My chest rose and fell.

  “It’s ok. Honestly, I’m afraid of us too.”

  I ripped my fingers from his. “It’s time for me to leave.”

  Like a deer caught in his beautiful blue eyes, I stood, folded the towel, and placed it on the seat.

  I glanced over my shoulder. “Have a safe shift, Smooch.”

  “Thanks, Gabrielle.”

  I darted out of the kitchen. Chandler didn’t say a word, but he was hot on my heels. His strong hands landed on my shoulders halting my steps at the side door.

  “The car service should pull up any second. Can I trust you with a secret?”

  There was no way I could turn and face him. My heart thumped against my rib cage a million miles a minute. I nodded.

  “I’m twenty-four years-old and I’ve never been in a relationship.”

  “Seriously, Chandler?”

  “Seriously, Gabrielle.”

  He turned me to face him. God, he was gorgeous. I felt my will power slip away.

  Chandler leaned into my ear. “I’ve kissed a woman once, because the guys dared me to ask a woman out. Other than that, I’ve never been intimate with a woman.”

  My breathing was rushed. His deep voice lit my pussy on fire. “Why are you telling me this?”

  He stood to his full height and clutched my cheeks. “I can’t stop thinking about you. A nightmare I’ve had since I was seven wakes me up out of my sleep. I think of you and I calm down.”

  My hand fell against his chest and my lips parted. “What nightmare?”

  His soft lips over powered mine, sucking mine into his. I moaned into his mouth. Nothing in the world mattered in that moment, but us. His cell vibrated, and he broke our kiss.

  “The car is here.” He pulled me against his chest. “I’ll walk you out.”

  I wished I could’ve remained locked in his strong clutches.

  “No, if you walk me out, I’ll want to kiss you again and again. Then I’ll never leave,” I admitted.

  “I wish you could stay right here with me all night,” he said.