"Um, what?" I said, trying to pretend that I'd been concentrating on finding a parking spot rather than on fantasizing about what it would feel like to have her squirming like that on top of me.
"Dog? What kind?" she repeated as I pulled into a spot and parked the truck.
"She's a yellow Lab. I got her from the pound," I said as I looked across the street and said, "We're here!"
"Oh good, I'm starving!" Alex said as she hopped out of the truck and waited for me.
The bar was mostly empty, save for a few of the regulars, so we found a table at the front and quickly placed our order. I grabbed the beers from the bar and got a knowing wink from Billy the bartender before returning to the table.
Alex was a lively conversationalist, and after she grilled me about how I found Tesla, we quickly fell into a discussion of career choices and the ups and downs of public service. In addition to being pretty, she had a good head on her shoulders, and I immediately felt comfortable with her. But not comfortable enough to reveal the secrets I'd learned to hold close to my chest. I'd have to wait and see if this turned into anything before deciding whether to let Alex in to that part of my life.
"...So, I told the guy that while I wasn't sure where he came from, where I came from hands were meant to be kept to oneself." She laughed before popping the last bite of her burger into her mouth.
"It sounds like you've got a good sense of humor." I laughed. "That's going to be a really good asset as you move into nursing."
"I know." She nodded. "My mother was a nurse and she always said that if she ever lost her sense of humor, she'd know it was time to get out of the field."
"She sounds like wise woman," I said. "Does she live in Chicago, too?"
"Um, no," Alex said, looking down at the table and for the first time becoming quiet. In a low voice, she said, "She passed away a few years ago."
"I'm so sorry," I said, reaching out to touch her hand. Alex pulled back before looking up and nodding.
"Thanks. Me, too," she said, letting me know that the topic wasn't open for discussion. I understood wanting to keep things compartmentalized and respected it, so I changed the subject and started talking about the firehouse. After a few minutes of my monologue, Alex relaxed and began asking questions about how everything worked.
"Do you want a tour of the station?" I asked.
"Oh gosh, I'd love that!" she said. "But can you do that when you're on duty?"
"I'm not on duty now," I said. "And we're right next door, so now's as good a time as any."
I paid the bill over her protests that we should split it, telling her that next time she could pick up the check, but that I was raised to be a gentleman, and since I'd asked her out it was my treat. She laughed and said she appreciated the logic of my answer, and promised that she'd treat me next time. I liked the sound of that -- next time.
We walked next door and found that the crew was just sitting down to dinner after a routine call to a medical emergency. I waved to the guys and told them that I was just taking a new nursing student on a tour so she could see how we operated, and after a few teasing comments, proceeded to do just that.
"Do you guys really slide down a pole from the top floor or is that just a Hollywood thing?" she asked as I showed her the bunkroom upstairs.
"No, we really do slide down if we're up here sleeping." I laughed. "Want to try it?"
"Can I?" she asked, looking up at me with her eyes shining again. I found myself unable to look away as I nodded. I stepped closer to her, holding my breath and knowing that there was nothing in the world I wanted more right at that moment than to kiss her.
Alex held my gaze as I lifted my hand up and softly cupped her cheek before bending down and lightly brushing my lips across hers. I heard a soft hum escape her lips as she pressed back against mine and kissed me harder. She rested her hands on my chest as I pulled her closer and continued kissing her. I could feel the blood rushing away from my brain as my pants became tighter. My thoughts raced as I felt her tongue gently flicking my bottom lip before she gently bit it.
I wanted her. I wanted her there and then, and just as I was about to make a choice that would not have been a good one, the station alarm sounded and the familiar voice said, "Engine One, Truck One, Ambulance Fifty-Five, car fire at the intersection of LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive. Two people trapped."
"Alex, I'm sorry," I said as I stepped back and searched her face for signs of disappointment. "I think we need to go."
"Yes." She nodded slowly. "I need to get home and study for the exam I have later this week."
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, fine," she said, not giving anything away before she put on a bright smile and said, "Let's go, shall we?"
I led her out of the station, and we stood and watched as the trucks took off toward the call.
"It's pretty impressive," she said as she climbed into the truck and fastened her seatbelt.
"Yeah, I've been on the job for ten years, and I still feel that same overwhelming pride every time I climb up on the truck to go to a call," I said. "Most of the guys do, and the ones who don't are the ones who know it's time to get out."