Firefighter's Virgin

“That was some welcome home,” Phil said, panting heavily.

“I was inspired.”

“By me?”

“By your declaration this morning,” I admitted.

“Even though I told you over text?” he asked teasingly.

“I’ve decided to forgive you for that,” I said.

“Why, thank you, ma’am,” he replied. “Now I feel like I need to do something for you.”

“You already have,” I said, giving him a little wink. “Although… you could try saying it to me again, now that we’re face to face.”

Phil smiled and leaned in to kiss me tenderly. When he broke apart, his beautiful eyes were only inches from mine. “I love you, Megan.”

I felt a thrill of happiness rush through me. “I love you, too.”

We made love and then sat together in his bed, entangled in the sheets and in each other and we discussed movies and movie stars and the world it had opened up to each of us. I had learned to dream by watching films and apparently, so had Phil; we had just come at it in different ways.

It was after our third heated love-making session that I remembered the strange text my brother had sent me as I had been leaving work.

“By the way, how’d it go with my brother this morning?” I asked.

“Oh.”

I raised my eyebrows and looked up at Phil. “That wasn’t the response I was expecting.”

He sighed and straightened up a little. “I tried to talk to him,” he said. “But…”

“But?” I pressed.

“I think he was just looking for a fight.”

“He does that with me, too,” I admitted. “So, did you give him the fight he was looking for?”

He bit his lip.

“Oh, Phil!” I said.

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” I sighed. “It’s Brent… Something’s been going on with him lately. And, I don’t think it’s good.”

“I’ve noticed that, too,” Phil nodded. “Do you think…”

“What?” I asked.

“Do you think he’s in some sort of trouble?” he asked. “Serious trouble?”

“And, it’s so bad that he’s lashing out at his sister and his friend?” I asked. “I don’t think so. Brent is an idiot, but he’s harmless. He’s just in one of his moods.”

“It’s a mood that’s lasted a very long time,” Phil said.

“He’s probably short on pot.” I shrugged.

“I’ve been thinking about that, too.” Phil nodded. “And I know he’s still in touch with Harvey.”