Chapter Five
Eric
“Did you lose another bet?” Angela’s smiling face asked.
I’d just stepped into the spin class with a few others who were now positioning themselves on their bikes. I made a beeline for Angela as she prepped the music on her phone for class.
“I don’t consider it a loss since I got a chance to see you again.” I grinned at the bashful face she made.
“I’m starting to think you have a crush on me.” She placed her hand on her hip.
“More than a crush, Angel.”
Her eyelids fluttered and the partial smile she wore expanded. I had to clamp my hands into fists to keep from grabbing her face and tasting those lips again.
“I signed up at the gym here,” I told her. It was the first thing I did when I got off my shift that morning. I’ve been working crazy hours since our date the previous week, and save for a few phone calls, we haven’t gone out again. I made time to see her today.
“That’s great! You’re in for a treat today. I just made a new playlist last night. This one’s even more intense and high energy.”
“Oh yeah? I’m looking forward to it.” I admired the view as she walked over to her bike and climbed on. She wore a pair of grey biker shorts, sports bra, and a black tank top with the words “Shut Up and Train” written on the front of it. My eyes panned down her smooth, shapely legs. I grinned when an image of those legs wrapped around my waist came to mind.
“All right! Let’s warm up those legs. You should be pedaling. Make sure your feet are secured onto the pedals. No accidents today!” her voice boomed into the microphone, interrupting my thoughts.
I did as told and began pedaling, but my mind was on memorizing every inch of her exposed pecan-colored skin. I already knew how soft her skin was, and now my body was screaming at me to feel it again, this time totally skin-to-skin. Patience, I told myself.
By the time we were on our first round of standing up on the bikes, her skin held a light sheen of moisture. I ran my tongue along my bottom lip, imagining it was her soft skin. I followed along with the instructions she threw out, standing and sitting when told, pedaling faster and harder when encouraged. And increasing the resistance when ordered to do so. Angela was a tough instructor. The workout was grueling, just the way I liked it. But the best part of the workout was when Angela stood up on her bike and leaned over, giving us a peek of her cleavage. I didn’t even care if I was being blatant. My need and desire for her were growing by the minute.
“How was it this time around?” she asked, dabbing the sweat from her neck and chest with a towel.
Lucky towel.
“Better than the first time.”
“Yeah, it takes a couple tries to get used to the hard seats,” she commented, still a little breathless.
“What’re you doing now?”
She poked out her lip, eyes rolling upward as she pondered my question. “Nothing until later when I have to go to the bar to do some paperwork and open up.”
“So you have time to grab a cup of coffee? My treat.”
“How’s a girl to refuse an offer like that?” she teased.
“I’ll wait while you grab your stuff.”
She dashed off toward the women’s locker room to grab her duffle bag. Five minutes later she was back, hair fluffed a little, and a new coat of lip gloss adorned her pretty, full lips. I had to shake the thoughts of what those lips would feel like underneath me, pressed to mine as I thrust in and―
“Thanks for waiting,” she stated, interrupting my little fantasy.
Down boy, I mentally chastised myself.
“No problem.” Placing my hand on the small of her back, I guided her toward the double doors. We walked next door to the Mom and Pop coffee shop. It was late morning, so the shop only had a few patrons milling around.
“What’re you drinking?”
“Small iced vanilla latte,” she answered.
I chuckled at her drink order. “One small iced latte and small regular brew for me,” I ordered from the barista.
“Would you liked that iced as well?”
“Oh no, his kind doesn’t do iced drinks, sweetie,” Angela interjected.
“My kind?” I looked down at her.
“Firefighters. You all wouldn’t be caught dead drinking iced coffee.”
“You got me there.”
“I grew up around firemen. I know how you all are.”
I smirked, recalling she’d said her father was a firefighter, just like Sean, her brother.
“Oh yeah? How are we?” I asked as we retrieved our drinks from the other end of the counter and walked over to an empty table by the window.
“A bunch of tough guys. Who make crude jokes and constantly take the piss out of one another, but you’ve all got one another’s backs when it counts.”
I stared at her over the lid of my coffee cup as I took a sip. “Pretty accurate assessment.”
“And you’re all notorious playboys.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Think so?”
“You said it yourself. Said you all needed an outlet and that outlet was women.”
I stopped just before we sat at one of the tables. I read the question in her eyes. The one she obviously didn’t want to ask.
“You think I’m using you as an outlet?”
“You tell me,” she retorted.
“I have plenty of other numbers in my phone I can call if I just wanted an outlet. None of them would I go to a spin class for or invite out to coffee afterwards. Okay?”
She paused, assessing me until she finally nodded. I pulled out the chair for her to sit.
“How come they call you Harvard?” she suddenly asked.
“Take a guess.”
She poked out her lower lip and squinted, as she peered at me across the table.
I sat back and let her run through the possibilities in her mind.
“No way!” Her mouth shot wide open, excitement etched on her face. “You went to Harvard?”
I dipped my head.
“Graduated?”
“Yup.”
“What’d you study?”
“Finance and sociology.” I leaned in across the table. “And if you tell anyone that second part, I’ll deny it with my life.” Most of the guys knew where I went to school and that I studied finance. They didn’t know I double majored in sociology as well.
“They won’t hear it from me.” She pantomimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key. I laughed at how goddamn cute she appeared doing it. Moments later, a pensive look covered her face. I could see the wheels of her mind moving. She had such expressive eyes. They practically screamed her feelings before her mouth did.
“You want to know how someone with a finance degree from Harvard became a firefighter.”
She blew out a deep breath. “Yes. I mean, no offense, it’s just not the first thing you think of when you hear the word firefighter. I’d expect someone with your educational background to be working in the financial district. Not that firefighters aren’t smart. Hell, my father was a firefighter, and my brother is one, and they’re two men I admire most, so I’m not―” She broke off when I grabbed her hand across the table.
“No offense taken, Angel.” I brought her hand to my lips, unable to keep my hands or lips off her for too long.
“To answer your question, I did work in finance for a few years after graduating, kind of like you. However, I realized wearing a monkey suit and saving a billion dollar company pennies on the dollar every day wasn’t my life’s calling.” I went on to explain to her the day I decided to apply to the fire department.
“I went for a run in the park and was stopped by fire sirens whizzing by. I followed and then watched as the men pulled a young child out of a burning home. That day I remembered my desire to be a firefighter as a kid. I was right in the middle of my applications for my MBA, but couldn’t figure out what was stopping me from finishing them. That day I realized why. Crunching numbers wasn’t my calling. A few months later, I was training at the academy. Toughest shit I ever did, but well worth it.”
“Were your parents surprised?”
I snorted. “More like disappointed as all hell. They still haven’t completely forgiven me, honestly. If it were up to them, I’d ditch the fire protective gear for a tailored suit.”
“I imagine they’re worried more about your safety.”
“I suppose.” I shrugged.
“You don’t think so?”
“I do. I’m just more worried about enjoying my life. Sitting behind a desk eight to ten hours a day isn’t for me.”
“I guess we both have career changes in common, huh?”
“What do you enjoy so much about bartending?”
Those tawny eyes lit up. “What’s not to love? I get to meet all types of people. Hear about their days, their careers. Some come there in an awful mood after a bad day at work, and I get to figure out how to cheer them up. I know some people think a bartender’s only goal is to get you liquored up so you’ll tip well or keep buying, but I enjoy getting to talk to complete strangers about their lives.”
She continued talking about the bar and the different people she came across in her time as bartender turned owner. I was caught up in the sound of her voice, fueled by the passion she held for what she did. I watched her lips move as she talked, remembering how soft they felt against my own.
“You know you can tell me to shut up, right?” I heard.
I paused. “The only time you need to shut up is when my mouth is on yours. Got it?”
Another head dip. Fucking adorable.
“But I’m dominating the conversation.”
“And I enjoy listening.”
“Are you sure? Because―”
I reached across the table for her hand. “I’m not someone who says one thing but means another.”
“Okay.”
“Now, finish telling me the story about the guy who quit his job.”
A satisfied smile spread over her face. “You were listening.”
She continued talking about a patron who came into the bar after quitting his job, and I kept listening. We sat in the coffee shop for more than an hour, but it felt like only five minutes. By the time we stood up to leave, my body had begun to remind me that I haven’t gotten more than two hours of sleep during my overnight shift. I planned on heading home and sleeping for the next six to eight hours before I was scheduled to be back at the firehouse that night.
“I’m parked up here.” Angela pointed as we walked out the door.
“I’ll walk you.” I stepped around her so I was on the outside of the sidewalk, closest to the street, while she was on the inside.
“Thanks for the latte.”
“Thanks for the spin class,” I joked.
The sound of her laugh had that funny feeling in my chest going off again. Once we reached her car, I watched her tongue dart out to moisten her lips, and that was it. I moved in closer. My arm reached out, pulling her into me, and I dipped my head, capturing her mouth. The sweet taste of the latte combined with her own sweetness caused a primal surge to rush through my body. Our tongues clashed and the thought of having gone this long in life without this feeling formed a knot of regret in my belly. Life won’t be the same after her. I pulled away from her kiss-swollen lips with that thought on my mind.
Leaning down, I brushed my lips against hers. Still keeping my hands around her face, I pressed my forehead to hers.
“You’re in trouble,” I growled. Hell, we both were in trouble.
“We all could use a little trouble.” Her voice was breathless.
I stole another quick kiss before releasing her and stepping back. “You probably should go now before I do to you everything my body is telling me to.” I smirked at the way her facial expression grew stunned. But in her smoldering eyes, I saw her desire grow. A reflection I’m sure mirrored my own.
“Get in.” I gestured to her car behind her.
Bowing her head, she turned to get in.
“Hold on. What are your plans for this Sunday?” I would tell her to break them if she did have something planned.
“Nothing. Well, I was going to do some baking and take it to my neighbor’s for her weekly bridge meeting. I’m off on Sundays.”
“I get off around five on Sunday. There’s a jazz festival in the park this weekend. You said you enjoy live jazz music.”
My heart sped up when she smiled. “You really do listen when I ramble.”
“Every word.”
Her lashes fluttered as she blinked. “That sounds fun, but I’d like to make dinner if you don’t mind?”
I stepped closer. “You sure? I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no trouble. I love cooking. Is there anything you don’t eat? Allergies or just don’t like?”
I shook my head. “If you make it, I’m eating it.”
“Okay.”
Damn. That smile. I cupped her face, stealing another quick kiss just because I could.
“Six o’clock?”
“Dinner will be ready at six. Don’t worry about bringing anything.”
“See you then.” Backing away, I watched as she got in her car and pulled off, waving.
I suddenly recognized what the feeling in my chest was. It was the same feeling I got whenever the alarm sounded in the fire station. The same feeling that got every cell in my body jumping and ready for action. Except, around her it was actually more intense.
****
I parked in the garage of my building. I was lucky to live in a place that offered parking, instead of having to park out on the street. My legs felt too heavy to take the stairs to my third-floor condo like I normally did. Instead, I opted for the elevator. Leaning back against the wood paneling of the elevator, I closed my eyes, remembering the feel and taste of Angela’s mouth. Suddenly, Sunday felt like it was much too far away. The dinging of the elevator as it landed on my floor, forced my eyelids open. I stepped off and made a left, moving toward my door when I saw a familiar face.
“Eric. What a surprise to see you here.”
I sighing heavily as I lifted my head. “Brandi, I live here.”
She giggled and covered her mouth in a way that was meant to be appealing, but it just annoyed me. “I know that, silly. I just meant that it's been a while since we ran into one another.” Moving her petite frame closer, she began running her pointer finger up and down my abdomen.
I grabbed her wrist, not tightly, but enough to halt her movement. She peered up at me, surprise etched on her pretty face. Releasing her hand, I took a step backward.
“Work keeps me busy.” That was the truth, but I certainly could make time when I wanted, and for Brandi, I hadn’t wanted to. She moved into the building a year ago, and a few months later we started a short fling. It wasn’t anything serious. I got bored soon after, which led to more infrequent hookups.
“Well, I’m sure they allow you some time off at the fire station.” Her lips formed into a pout, brunette hair falling over her shoulders.
“Some,” I commented. “Listen, Brandi, I’m tired. I had a long shift. I’ll see you around.” And with that, I sidestepped her and moved toward my door―no promises to call or try to see her at some other time. As far as I was concerned, it was a done deal.
When I shut my door behind me, relief flooded my body. I bought this place after graduating college while starting my first job. I was making six-figures back then and believed my salary would only grow as I moved up the corporate ladder. My condo wasn’t large by any stretch, and I lucked out purchasing it while the surrounding neighborhood was still relatively inexpensive. In the decade since then, gentrification had made prices soar, and affording this neighborhood on my firefighter’s salary alone would’ve been a stretch. Luckily, I was always good with money, having put down a large enough down payment, my mortgage wasn’t too bad and could easily be managed on my current salary. I saved a good amount of my previous salary and made some good investments.
Toeing off the sneakers I wore to the spin class, I dropped my duffle bag containing my work uniform by the door. My condo had an open floor plan and hardwood floors which was what drew me to it in the first place. I decorated it in mostly a mix of greys and black. I padded over to my kitchen area, pulling my fridge open for a bottle of water, before heading down the hall to my bedroom. I was so tempted to stretch out on my king-sized bed, but remembering I came from a workout prevented me. Grabbing a fresh pair of boxer briefs and my towel, I made my way across the hall to the bathroom where I showered and did a quick shave of the new stubble that was coming in. Tapping my face with some aftershave, I was ready for bed. I glanced at my clock and had about six hours before I needed to be back at the station. I climbed into bed, the last thing I remembered thinking about was the kiss I shared with my very own angel.