Chapter 7

Axel Hazard

It wasn’t what I expected at all. It was a hundred times better, which meant this wasn’t going to be a one-night thing. Nope. Trecia will be lucky if I let her leave before Monday morning.

Seriously.

I swear, whatever was keeping me from taking her fully before had stopped. There was no barrier on my side or hers. She came when I said, she did what I asked and even explored more than I had before in the bedroom. No holds bar with no limits.

I fucking loved it.

Yeah, she wasn’t leaving because I wasn’t letting her.

This plan worked all the way up until dinner when she realized I was making reservations for us to have dinner, and she had no clean clothes or underwear. We had shower sex, kitchen sex and even stairway sex when she tried to go upstairs. It was like I couldn’t help myself and my woman was ready every time.

It was too early to call her mine, but I was working on it; that was for sure. It seemed inevitable as if it were the next step.

“Hazard, I got to go home,” she pleaded, while I pressed her into the wall inside my foyer.

“Stay, we’ll get dinner delivered.” I was not asking.

“Hazard,” she said in a stern voice. “I know I let you get your way most of the time, but this has been fun. I got to go home though.”

This was not sitting right with me.

At all.

“Why?” I asked.

“Really? I need clean clothes for starters,” Trecia answered. “And, I need to water my plants and shit.”

“Fine,” I answered.

“Fine?” she asked with a slight hesitation. “Just fine?”

“Yeah,” I let her go. “I’ll drop you off. Give me a moment.”

As I ran upstairs, I heard her call back, “Why do I feel like there’s a catch.”

I didn’t answer her until I came back down with my duffle bag full of shit.

“Cause I’m staying with you,” I shared.

“Oh, boy.” She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

“You said that a little too easy,” I found myself saying when she gave in so quickly.

All the woman did was laugh, and that did bode well because this was the same one that grabbed me by the balls.

We arrived at her two-bedroom apartment in the Bedford-Stuyvesant, also known as Bed Stuy, area of Brooklyn. It was a nice place but clearly gentrified with all the happening shops only walking distance away. Trecia made a comment about this not being the same place she grew up and on some level, I understood that, since even the Bronx had changed a lot. Which is why I bought a place and moved right outside of my old stomping grounds. After Pops passed away, everything was different.

It was a cozy place that looked just like her. Soft tone colors everywhere. African art on the wall and even a portrait of herself, probably when she was in college or something. It was cute, and it was all her.

“You have a nice place,” I mention as I watch her water the plants, which I doubted she had at first.

“Thanks,” she smiled at me. “Still can’t believe you came.”

“You didn’t want me to?” I asked.

“No, I just… I don’t know.” She turned to face me. “I’m not sure how to do this. You know, this. I’m not sure what the protocol is after you sleep with someone. I thought you leave.”

She laughed, but it wasn’t due to something being funny but nerves, I bet.

I moved into her space, even though she claimed she disliked it and cupped her face before saying, “You’re not leaving.”

“Hazard!” she breathed. “You’re making me crazy.”

“Good. We’re going out, so are you going to freshen up now or want to eat in?” I asked.

Trecia didn’t even hesitate. “Now.”

We went out to the hibachi restaurant since she had never been. The woman’s eyes lit up like a kid when they performed the tricks with the food. She even caught the shrimp in her mouth when the cook went around the table. Once we were nice and stuffed, we came back to her apartment where she turned on the game and went to unload our leftovers in the refrigerator.

“You enjoy yourself?” I asked as I started watching the half-time show.

“Oh my God, yes. That was so much fun. Is it like that everywhere?” she called back from the kitchen.

“Yeah, all the ones I’ve been to over the years,” I answered.

“Yeah, I don’t really eat Chinese or Japanese food, but that was a nice treat.” She came back into her living room. “Thanks for taking me.”

“Of course.” I nodded. “Tomorrow, we can go to Staten Island. There’s a place I want to show you.”

The highlights from today’s game scrolled across the screen but when I didn’t hear Trecia’s voice anymore, I turned to see her staring at me as she stood next to the couch.

“What?” I asked.

Her eyes were low, but the hunger was there still. She moved in front of me, slid to her knees, and began to unbuckle my pants, so she could pull them and my underwear down.

Fuck. This woman...

Her hands grabbed onto my cock and with each touch of her soft skin and I was ready to cum right there on her cushioned couch. Trecia moved her head toward my pulsing member and whispered, “I’m a little sore, but this, I’ve been dying to taste.”

“Holy shit.” I exhaled and opened my legs more so she could get comfortable.

Those lips touched the head in a light kiss, then her hot tongue, rubbed up and down the shaft, like it was her favorite taffy. It wasn’t until my cock was in her mouth that I grabbed her hair and begin to push into her wet mouth.

Goddamn.

Each stroke, suction and view of those lips engulfed around my large cock and all I wanted was her to swallow every drop of my cum. I hit the back of her throat, only to hear a slight gag. Bending down I whispered, “Relax your throat, sweetheart. I’m clean. Swallow for me.”

Her eyes had tears sliding out of them from the act, but she looked marvelous. With a nod of her head, she took me deeper and the lightning that coursed down my spine, had me gripping her tighter and then I erupted with a roar.

“Fuuuccckkk,” I exhaled.

Trecia’s mouth was full of my cock and she swallowed every bit of my release. Nothing dribbled out, there was no slobber and she cleaned my shaft before it popped out of her mouth.

Swear on everything, I was going to marry this lady.

“Next time, Trec.” I kissed the side of her mouth. “Make a big fucking mess.”

My woman smiled, and I knew. Just knew, there would be a next time. This did not end this weekend.

****

The following Monday, Trecia had to work, but I was still off. She was not comfortable with anyone knowing she and I had started a thing as she put it. One thing I did make sure was clear between the two of us, we started something, and it did not end last weekend. She had five more weeks before her assignment with Station 71 was over but the woman was a damn miracle worker. Not only was she steadily working with Toad and I, but helping people with their marriages, kids, divorces, coming out of the closet and the integration of a female fire fighter that wanted to transfer to our house.

Oddly enough, as progressive as I thought my men could be, that notion of a female firefighter threw some men for a loop. Lionel, who was the cook, even weighed in one day and received a few head nods.

“All I’m saying is that as good as she might look; her ass can’t carry me out of a burning building,” Lionel said with his chest poked out as if he knew what he said was the God’s honest truth.

After the grunts of agreement went around, it was Toad of all people that said, “I can’t even carry your big ass out of a burning building.”

All by myself, I burst out laughing and threw one of my tennis balls at Toad.

“Toss that at his head for talking all that shit,” I told the probie.

He reluctantly laughed and threw the ball at Lionel and so did I.

“I’m surprised at y’all,” I said and stood up. “The woman wants to be a firefighter and save lives, who the fuck are we to say she can’t? Shit, everyone one of us has had or still has someone telling us what we shouldn’t or can’t do. I’m surprised. Disappointed and surprised. Give her a fucking chance. She may outrun all of y’all asses and guess what Lionel. There are more jobs in this house than carrying people from burning buildings. We’re a goddamn team and we fucking work together. So, she may not be able to do it by herself, but that’s what we’re here for. I don’t want to hear that shit no more. Swear to God, don’t wanna hear it. She’s lazy or don’t want to do shit, that’s one thing. But just because she’s a woman. They’re in armed forces, the police, SWAT, and every aspect of life. We are better than that.”

I dropped the basket of tennis balls on the ground and turned around to see the Chief standing there with a small smile on his face. I nodded at him and left to get a sandwich from the corner store. Rex caught up with me while I was ordering and said, “Make that two.”

He had a silly smirk on his face, which made me scowl at him before saying, “What?”

“Nothing, man. Just nothing.” He looked as if he would burst with laughter at that point.

“Would you just say whatever fuckery you’re going to spit,” I snapped before turning on my heels to get a liter of water from the refrigerator.

Rex followed suit and said, “Just, you know. Happy for you. I mean, what’s it been, almost four weeks, with you and the mediator sneaking around and shit. Like nobody sees y’all eye-fucking each other every chance you get? But hey, whatever floats your boat, but in this case. Because your boat is being floated, then we reap the benefits. How’s yoga coming along?”

At that time, I wish I had my tennis balls because I would have dumped them all over his head.

“Shut the fuck up,” I hissed and rolled my eyes.

“What?” He shrugged like he had no idea of the dig he was throwing my way. “She’s good for you. But seriously though, what you said back there about the female firefighter. That’s the type of leader we need. That’s why the Chief got a mediator, who’s doing more for you than us, but fuck, we’ll take it.”

As much as I wanted to downplay the moment, I knew that is what Rex meant those weeks ago when Trecia started with the mediations. I knew the magnitude, and it felt good to hear.

“Thanks man,” I said with a nod. “Appreciate it.”

“Yeah, well.” He shrugged and that would be the end of that sentimental moment. “Speaking of, where’s Trecia? I thought she was with us for six weeks. It’s only the end of four. Plus, my wife and I wanted to cook her dinner for helping us solve the case of private versus public. Won’t you come too? LaToya would be ecstatic. She always tells me she ain’t seen you in a while.”

I used to think Rex invited me over to his house for sympathy but his wife and kids, totally welcomed me into their family. His daughter calls me Uncle Haz and they seemed to enjoy my company.

Over the past four weeks, every moment I wasn’t at the station, I’d been with Trecia. I told her we started something, but now, I think it’s running us. We’ve been all over the city, from movies to Broadway, to more hibachi places and mystery dinners. It was so natural and seamless, it almost scared me. Her as well. We hadn’t had the conversation about what would happen after the six weeks, or where we were headed. But I did know, I wanted to take her away on a nice drive, next weekend, to my cabin in Lake Placid. We could figure out our next move.

“She had a doctor’s appointment,” I told Rex. “She’s on the late shift today.”

“Nice,” he said with a smile. “Happy for you, man.”

“Foods up,” the deli guy called.

By the time we got back to the station, and ate our food, the siren rang. It was the one, we dreaded to hear because it was a call for the fire engine, the ladder truck and rescue squad.

“High-rise building fire on the eighteenth floor and has spread to the fifteenth. People are trapped between the three. Evacuation is still in progress.” Rex was giving us the rundown from his phone as we headed to load our gear and equipment and get there. “ETA is six minutes.”

“Alright, let’s go do what we do.” I yelled to my truck crew.

Rex nodded to say a few lines of prayer and for some reason, so did I. Situations like these were never good and anyone could be a casualty. I hadn’t heard from Trecia and her appointment was over at twelve o’clock. There was a nagging feeling in my gut, so I quickly called, but it went straight to voicemail.

I called three more times and then I heard Rex call, “Man what’s up?”

“Can’t reach her,” I replied without elaborating in front of mixed company.

“Was she supposed to check in?” He asked.

“Naw, but I got this feeling. Like something is not right.” I dialed her again. “Can’t explain it, man.”

Rex nodded his head and said, “No need. I got a wife and kid. My instincts about them are usually right on target. Let’s see. She went to the doctor. You know where or which one? We can call and find out if she made it or not.”

I tried to think back to the night before when we were in her bed talking about the plans for today. She was on the birth control shot and her three months were coming to an end. Therefore, she could go to any doctor in her network, because hers was located in Brooklyn. I told her to go to a local one near the station, since she was coming straight to work afterward. I didn’t know which doctor she picked, though.

“Fuck, I don’t know,” I murmured.

“Okay, Man.” Rex extended his hand in the air, with his palm down. “Let’s focus on this, and then we can figure this out. Okay?”

My eyes hit him, but it was not okay. For once in my life my job was not an automatic. It didn’t come first. It wasn’t a choice. I wanted her; to be with her and no one else. Finally, something mattered more than my job or calling. Obligation was one thing, but having some kept getting on my nerves.

Rex must have seen the panic in my eyes, because he leaned forward and said, “We’ll find her. It’s okay. Let save these lives first. I’ll go on the hunt with you. Right after this, okay?”

I nodded my head at him and said, “Okay. First thing first.”

When we arrived on the scene, flames were blasting from windows on the upper floors. Black smoke filled the air, clouding our vision where it spread. The ladder truck was set in place.

Truck 98, between our equipment and the high rise of the building, we would need to take the stairs.

“What businesses are on these floors?” Rex asked, since I was still reeling but also assessing what approach we should use to tame this beast. Fire has no conscious, and it caused destruction in its wake, leaving little trails of remorse. That beast took my father, and it was one demon I didn’t play with. I didn’t fuck around and get lazy about the devastation it could cause. I was its victim. My father played with it; he was cavalier about its effect and it took him out because of it. The chief thought I was giving it more power than it had, but it didn’t take the only man that raised him away. My quest to be a fire fighter, was not to tame it, since I respected it, but to save others’ lives from its rippling and deadly effect.

“A fertility clinic, doctor’s office and dentist office.” A man standing in a white shirt who was probably a manager of the building said.

“Okay,” Rex replied. “Do you know if everyone got out?”

He shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Rex replied. “Thank you.”

After everyone had their gear ready, Rex looked to me and said, “alright, we’re good to go.”

Snapping back into action, I saw Toad standing near the truck, pulling out the hose. He had helped us load the gear as well and was ready needed every man.

“Toad, suit up. You’re in,” I called out.

The man almost tripped trying to get ready.

“You sure about this?” Rex whispered.

“No, but we need the body and he’s got to have the experience.” I nodded toward the building. “We got to stop this shit.”

I gave my orders, and we hit the stairs, one floor at a time. Some were behind huffing and puffing, probably the fans of Lionel’s home cooking. Once we made it to the thirteenth floor I knew this would be more than our usual fire. The place had already swelled, flames above us, creeping up the side of the walls. Papers on the walls fell to the carpet, containing the sparks to individual spots, allowing us to move freely by squashing the small fires out with our extinguishers. We split into teams and broke down the space after looking at the floor map. I kept Toad with me, so I could watch him. At first, he was moving rapidly, but after tapping him on the left shoulder, I gave the universal signal to calm down with my palm facing the floor and moved it in a downward motion. In fuel gear, it was hard to hear, so we had a set of signals and signs we used when in the midst of a situation.

I stopped mid-stride as I passed one of the burning papers falling on the floor and saw the familiar logo. It struck me as odd because I remembered the logo and that nagging feeling in my chest churned again. The same one that I felt about Trecia earlier.
Motherfucker.

Trecia.

This was the place she came to.

It had to be.

She showed me that logo on her phone because she thought the Brooklyn symbol was better than the BX in bold Arial lettering, for the Bronx location. She said, ‘the BK was more prominent, and it was probably a different graphic designer. Trecia had blamed the observation on her marketing background when I called her a sexy nerd.

This was definitely the logo. That meant she had been here. I called Rex to look for the people in that clinic. Hoping she got out was one thing, ensuring she got out was altogether something different. Toad had been observing me the entire time and I knew freaking out would not be in my best interest.

We kept walking and the blaze raged in front of us, growing hotter as the wind fueled the belly of the beast.

“What’s the status on that ladder?” I patched through.

The transcription was spotty, but I heard, ‘stat.’

Within a minute, there was a gush of wind from the sprays of harsh water that spread toward the flames.
“Fall back,” I yelled. “Fall back.”
Flames were pushed toward us by the water, causing it to roar against us. When I started to turn, I saw a figure standing near the wall of burning posters.
Toad.
I waved him on and I yelled into my mask, “Fall back.”
He remained standing, staring at the incoming fire as it rose around the walls and ceiling. The other men had turned to retreat but he and I remained. Grabbing him by the suit arms, I shook him violently.
“Get it together, Toad.” I was yelling through my face mask. “You won’t die here. Not on my watch.”
His eyes were on me but the swelling of the fire on the building had him captured.
“Toad!” I yelled. “Oscar!”
One more jerk to him had his eyes trained on me.
“Hey,” I yelled. “Look at me. You can do this. I’m right here.”
His eyes moved to the flame.
“I’m right here. Won’t let nothing happen to you.” I kept yelling. “Now, let’s go.”
He nodded as if he understood and I led him out with my arm wrapped around his bicep.
We continued our search to the next two floors, arms locked, and found nobody from our vantage point.
Everyone had been evacuated from the building. This confirmed by the Maintenance Supervisor who had their entire building trained on safety protocols every quarter without fail. People even called him a Nazi about his persistence, but I could have given him a kiss. Well, maybe an award, which I suggested to the Chief that we do. There were no casualties. The fire was out after a few hours. Everyone was accounted for, but I still had not heard from Trecia.
I took off my gear and reached for my phone. No calls or text from Trecia. Maybe she was at the station or she had another issue. I headed back to the station with the EMT’s, only to find her sitting in there with the new lady firefighter, Synergy. Her shift didn’t officially start until tomorrow, but she came in to meet everyone.
My scowl was not intended for her, but the sexy ass lady who left my bed that morning and hadn’t said a damn thing since—the scowl was for her.

“Where the fuck have you been you?” I snapped in front of everyone that was present.
Trecia’s head snapped back as if I’d struck her. I knew at that moment, I had royally fucked up.