Torch (Wildwood 3)

And he considered her nothing but a joke.

“CAN I ASK you a personal question?” Tate tried his best to keep his tone nonchalant as he sat across from his friend and fellow employee West Gallagher. He didn’t want to raise suspicion. He was back at work at the fire station, and it was a quiet afternoon. The engines were sitting in the garage, washed and polished, downright sparkling with cleanliness. The grounds were clean, as was the kitchen, and his crew was having siesta time. A nap was always necessary when they spent most of the previous night out on a medical aid call.

A single-vehicle accident had happened on the twisty highway that led into town. People drove too fast around those curves, especially out-of-towners. The car had rolled and slid down the embankment. They’d worked on the accident all night long.

Didn’t matter how tired Tate was. He couldn’t fall asleep. So he’d been scanning through his phone in the common area when West strolled in and sat on the couch across from him. A necessary distraction, considering Tate had too much on his mind. Well, someone in particular on his mind.

West’s expression immediately turned wary. “Depends on what you’re asking.”

Hmm. How could he approach this topic when it was about West’s little sister? The sister Tate currently couldn’t stop thinking about? Ever since he’d left her at her cottage a few nights ago, she was all he thought about. How sweet and warm she’d felt in his arms. They way she’d murmured his name in his car while she was asleep. How angry she’d become when he sang that stupid lullaby.

How sexy she was when she was angry . . .

“It’s no big deal.” Tate shrugged. Smiled. Chuckled. “It’s about Wren . . . ”

West still glared at him. “Anything about my sister and you, forget it. You don’t have my permission.”

Tate’s mouth popped open. What, like he needed his permission to mess around with Wren? Not that he’d ever tell West he wanted to “mess around” with his sister. “It’s nothing like that.”

“Come on. It’s everything like that. You’ve got a thing for Wren, and she has a thing for you. The two of you have been circling each other like pissed-off cats ever since I rolled into town. God knows how long it’s been going on before I got here.” West leaned forward, intimidating as hell, but Tate refused to budge. He kept completely still. “I know what kind of guy you are.”

Tate’s brows rose. “Excuse me?”

“You’re just like I was. And don’t bother denying it either. You strut around town in your uniform trying to impress the ladies, and I’ll give it to you. It works.” West’s mouth thinned. “Doesn’t seem to work on my sister though.”

“Maybe I don’t want it to work on your sister.” He did not strut around town showing off. Well, not really.

“Please.” West laughed. “You’re definitely interested in Wren. But no way am I letting you near my baby sister. You’re not worthy.”

“What the fuck? How am I not worthy?” He really didn’t want to have this conversation with West, but he’d brought it on himself, so he had no one else to blame. “Never mind. Don’t tell me.”

“Please. Allow me the honor of telling you.” West leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “You’re a player. I used to be one too. I know exactly what you do and what you’re looking for. Commitment scares the shit out of you, and I get it. Trust me. But I’m not about to let you fuck around and fuck over my sister. That’s the last thing I want for Wren.” He at least had the decency to look uncomfortable.

“I don’t want to hurt her,” Tate mumbled, not willing to reveal much of anything else. Hell, he shouldn’t have even said that. Hearing West’s words, seeing the glower on his face, was the deterrent he needed. The reminder that even contemplating messing around with Wren was a big mistake.

Huge.

“If you mean that, then you’ll leave her alone and let this be.” West peered at him, his expression like stone. “I’m sure half the fun is the challenge.”

“Kind of like Harper was a challenge for you?” Tate threw back at him.

Another big mistake. A muscle ticked in West’s jaw. He looked pissed. Probably didn’t like the fact that Tate mentioned his girl. And how rocky their relationship started.

“Don’t bring Harper into this. You don’t know her. You don’t know what we have.” West pointed a finger at him. “When it comes to my sister, you keep your hands off her. Understand?”

Tate nodded and leapt to his feet. He opened up an entire can of worms with this conversation. Now he was agreeing to whatever West demanded just to get him to shut up. “Understood.”

Without another word he left the room and headed outside, taking a big, gulping breath of fresh air. Fucking Weston Gallagher was a little punk. Like he could tell him what to do. West could kiss his ass. If he wanted to see Wren, talk to her, hell, fuck her, he would.

And he wouldn’t regret it. Neither would she. He’d make sure she was satisfied. He’d leave her with a smile.

That’s what he was best at—leaving. He had that down pat.

Chapter Four

“WE’VE GOT A lead and we’re fairly certain we know who’s setting the fires,” Josh Bailey said as he settled into the chair opposite Tate’s desk.

Not a place Tate spent much time at, but since he’d been promoted to captain, he had to play at “man of authority” every once in a while. This afternoon was one of those times.