Let Me Burn (Angel Sands 1)

When it was clear it wasn’t going to shut up, he climbed out of bed, his muscles protesting at the sudden movement. Ember was still asleep, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow. He walked quietly across her bedroom so as not to wake her.

At some point in the night she’d washed and dried his clothes. They were in a folded-up pile on her bedroom chair. He felt his stomach clench again, this time not from hunger, but from the fact she was taking care of him. He hadn’t realized quite how much he’d like it.

Grabbing his undershorts, he pulled them on, then made his way into her kitchen, switching the light on to help in his search for food. As if it could sense the closeness of its prey, his stomach growled again, louder this time, and he had to turn around to check the bedroom door and make sure the noise hadn’t woken Ember up.

“Shut up,” he whispered at his abdomen. “I’m gonna feed you, okay?”

“Is there someone else out there, or are you talking to yourself?” Ember asked, her voice groggy as she walked out of her bedroom.

Okay, so he had woken her up. Lucas immediately felt bad. “I’m just looking for something to eat,” he whispered. “Go back to bed, I’ll join you in a minute.”

“Don’t be silly.” Ember walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. His eyes were immediately drawn to her long, bare legs. She’d put a t-shirt on before she’d come out of the bedroom, but that was all she was wearing.

His t-shirt, to be precise. His eyes scanned their way up her body, and a punch of pride hit him at the sight of her wearing his navy shirt with WCFD emblazoned in yellow across her chest. “That looks good on you,” he said, trying to keep his voice even. It was the understatement of the year.

She smiled, running her hands down the fabric. “It’s soft,” she said, her eyes crinkling up.

“And clean, thanks to you.” He looked down at his own body. “Thanks for washing my clothes.”

“I can make you a sandwich if you’re hungry,” she said, pushing herself off the counter. “Or cook you an omelet, and I have some ground beef in the freezer if you want something more substantial.”

“A sandwich will do. But I can make it.”

“I know you can, but I want to.” She gave him a small smile. “Tomorrow you’ll be back to making your own food, but for tonight, let me take care of you.”

There she was again, spoiling him. He could get used to this. He watched as she deftly buttered the bread and cut some cheese, layering it up with lettuce and tomato. She made enough for both of them, carrying two plates over to the table where she’d suggested Lucas sit down before he fell over.

“There you go,” she said, sliding one of the plates across the table to him. “It’s all yours.”

He picked up the sandwich and bit into it, swallowing the food almost as soon as it was in his mouth. He barely tasted it, he was that hungry. His stomach growled in welcome as the food hit the void.

“God, that’s good.”

“Glad to hear it,” Ember said, having only taken a bite in the time it took him to finish the whole thing. “Here, have my other half, you need it more than I do.” She pushed her plate toward him.

“You sure?” he asked her.

“Have at it. I can make you more if you want.”

By the time he’d finished her half of a sandwich, his stomach was finally silent. The griping had gone, replaced by a welcoming fullness. No doubt when morning finally arrived he’d be hungry again, but right now he was sated. Standing up, he took both their plates and walked over to the dishwasher, opening the door and putting them in the rack.

When he turned back, Ember was looking at him. He felt the impact of her gaze all over his skin. He swallowed, walking toward her, and reached for her hand.

“We should get back to bed,” he said. “You must be tired.”

She stood and let him lead her back to bed. “I think you’ll find that’s my line, I’m not the one who’s been fighting fires for days.” She still managed to yawn though, and he stifled a smile. He lifted the bedcovers up and motioned for her to climb in. Lying down behind her, he curled his body against hers, spooning her back with his front. Now that his hunger had abated, the exhaustion was back, adding weight to his eyelids until they fluttered closed.

Though his mind was still full of questions, they would have to wait until morning. Right now, they both needed to sleep.

29

The next time he woke he had a hunger that only a cooked breakfast would conquer. That’s how they ended up at the diner before six-thirty in the morning, watching as the waitress filled their mugs and scribbled down their orders.

“Do you have to go into the station this morning?” Ember asked, lifting the mug to her lips. He watched as the hot vapor rose up, obscuring her pretty lips.

“No.” He shook his head, then took a sip of his own coffee. It was bitter and black, the way he needed it. “Next shift doesn’t start until tomorrow morning. After that I’ll be back to normal. Twenty-four hours on, forty-eight off.” He gave her a small smile. “Not sure if I’m looking forward to that or not.”

“It’s what you’re used to,” Ember said, running her finger around the ring of her mug. “I’m sure your body will adapt.”