That Hot Night

She shrugged and arched a brow. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Hell yeah I would, but I didn’t tell her that. Instead, I nodded and licked my lips before taking another step closer. “I would. Badly. Tonight?” The invitation could go either way with Janey since I was never really sure how she felt. I mean, I knew she wanted me. I’d have to be blind not to see that much, but the rest of it was anybody’s guess.

Her smile, when it came, was sweet with just a hint of heat behind them. Janey leaned in and whispered, “Your place or mine.”

That was easy. “Mine,” I told her quickly. “Use the spare key under the pot of tulips on the back porch.”

“Tulips?”

“Eddy got them for me.” And someone, probably also Eddy, made sure to water it or whatever to keep it alive so I let the pot stay. “You know, I kind of like the idea of you waiting for me when I get home from fighting fires. Waiting, naked.”

Heat flashed in her eyes and a blush tinted her cheeks before she shook her head and took a step back. “Careful what you wish for, Captain. I might end up robbing the place.”

Her words elicited a laugh that drew stares from several firefighters, journalists and other rubberneckers who’d lined up to witness the shit show live. “If you do, I know where to find you. In fact, I think you should,” I told her and leaned in to nip her ear before I whispered in it. “That way I can chase you. Tie you up. And make you give it all back.” She shivered against me as I knew she would, and with my point made I took a step back just in case those ninja photographers were around again.

“Good to know,” she said, voice thick with desire. “See you later, then.” Janey lifted her equipment bag and turned away, a smile still on her face as she made her way back to the long line of cars parked on the highway at the edge of the property.

“Can’t wait,” I called out to her with a smile on my face.

Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.JaneyAfter stopping at home for a quick shower and a few essentials, I made my way over to Rafe’s place. I found the key quickly and even though it felt weird, it seemed even weirder to sit out on his porch where the whole town could see me. Not that Rafe and I weren’t Tulip’s worst kept secret, because we were. Everyone either knew or thought they knew what was happening between us, which was pretty funny because I didn’t even know what was going on anymore.

Showing up at his place like this and using his key, even though it was Rafe’s idea, felt weird. Awkward. Like I shouldn’t be here and definitely not in only my lingerie. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the kind of girl who waited for a man in his bedroom. I wasn’t the kind of girl who seduced anyone. Ever.

Yet here I was, dressed in a pale blue negligee with matching panties underneath. See through panties which I had to buy while Hope and Mikki gave me knowing looks. Draped over Rafe’s king sized bed, doing my best to look sexy and seductive while I waited for him to show up. Nervously.

Though this girl wasn’t me, the girl dressed in sexy lingerie for the sole purpose of having sex, the longer I sat the waiting the more I thought maybe she should be me. Maybe the girl next door role is why my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be, personally or professionally. Maybe it was time for a change.

All thoughts of who I was and who I wanted to be, fled the moment I heard Rafe’s key in the front door downstairs. My body stiffened in anticipation as rolled onto my back and closed my eyes, listening as he kicked off one heavy duty work boot and then the other. The keys went flying in the air with a jingle before crash landing on the little ceramic plate right beside the front door. His footsteps were on the move, coming closer as they climb the steps one by one, his slow likely exhausted pace gave me pause.

Was this a good idea?

I was at the fire for at least a couple hours, watching and documenting the expressions each firefighter wore. I saw their sweat slicked faces, the exhaustion on their faces and fatigue around their mouths when the helmets came off. Maybe Rafe just wanted comfort tonight, not seduction. That thought sent a knot of worry snaking into my gut and I scrambled off the bed to stand, hoping to at least grab a t-shirt before he made his way to the master bedroom.