This night can’t drag on any longer. I’m tired of greeting every random person that I see. Being here is more than enough, but having to listen to their complaints about the fire department is more than I can handle. Most of the places that they’re complaining about have nothing to do with me. I’m just a sergeant, so I can’t do anything about having fancier ambulances.

“We’ll get right on that, Ma’am,” I repeat for the umpteenth time tonight. I excuse myself as she opens her mouth. I need a drink. Anything to drown out the mundanity of it all.

Charity events are a requirement for upper brass in the Fire Department. It’s to drum up support for what we do. And for the most part, I can get under that. Unlucky for me, I’m required to attend every upcoming charity event since the newest sergeant. And I don’t get any overtime for this, which is the biggest bummer.

I don’t even know why I took the sergeant test. More responsibility and barely anymore pay than Blake.

I smile to myself. Bossing Blake around is a perk in its own right. Fucking around with him and knowing he can’t talk back is something that I relish. I don’t do it all the time, but enough where I can get on his nerves.

I don’t want to mess up what we have. We’ve been through thick and thin since we were kids, living on the same shitty block in the same run down building. The place we live now is miles and miles better than what we had as kids. Most people don’t see it that way, but Blake and I count our blessings.

Living in a shit-hole like that made me appreciate everything in life. The only good thing that came out of that place was getting to be part of the Blaze Brigade. A program to help young, troubled, inner city youth by showing them careers to aspire to. That just happens to be the event that I’m here for tonight. So, it isn’t all bad.

People nod in my direction as I make my way to the bar. I’m dressed to the nines. I hold next to my waist my white fireman hat. A navy blue suit hugs my six foot four body. Never in my life have I worn such expensive clothes — also paid by the city. The uniform is enough to turn the heads of even the pompous rich girls that walk around. I enjoy the double take, but I don’t indulge. I’m on duty tonight.

Being a firefighter is the best decision I’ve made in my life. I like the respect and honor that comes with the job. Blake likes the attention he gets from women. His reasons for doing it aren’t as noble, but I can’t blame him. Being a fireman has helped me as well, although I doubt that I need it.

I walk up to the bar. “Whiskey, no ice.” The bartender smiles and nods.

Open bar. Another perk to add to the list. I’m not supposed to be drinking, since I’m representing Station 69, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a drink here or there. The department is loose on the rules, if I don’t go out of my way to be a complete idiot.  

I take a sip as Mayor Frank Collins takes the stage. For as long as I can remember, he’s been the mayor of this city. He’s up for reelection in a couple weeks.

He thanks everyone for coming. All the rich snobs in the room hang onto every word that falls from his lips. Clapping every time he finishes a sentence.  Not like I expect anything less. Most of the people here are his supporters, aside from a few media outlets.  

I hadn’t made up my mind about him yet. As a representative of the Fire Department, I wasn’t allowed to give my opinion — out loud, at least. Most of the public seems to adore him. They can’t wait to reelect him.

I’m not convinced. Not when he talks about cutting our pensions. That’s not something I want fucked around with. That could mess my family up, whenever I decide to have one.

I set the empty glass down and tip the bartender. The first tip of the night for him. All these rich people and none of them want to part with their money.

My eyes skim the stage, taking in every one of the entourage. I almost miss her, until I do a double take. A sensation courses through me, something I haven’t felt before.

There’s only one thought in my mind.

Absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

Tight black dress that hugs her body. Hair set in a tight bun. Red lipstick that makes her lips shimmer under the lights behind her. She’s easy to miss. They’ve placed her at the back of the stage, behind everyone else. I can’t understand why. She’s clearly the most beautiful girl up there. Would make for some great photo shoots.

My cock presses hard against my dress pants. I move my white hat over the bump. I’ve never felt this instant attraction toward anyone before.

I watch her nod to the Mayor’s words. She laughs at the right cues. Claps along with the rest of the crowd. But she doesn’t seem like she’s there. Merely mimicking those around her.

Wait a minute! I’ve seen her before. I rack my brain for a moment until it dawns on me.

She’s Mayor Collins’ daughter.

What was her name?

Ruby? Rachael? I’m positive it starts with an R.

No, it’s Rose Collins. Her name lingers in my mind for a moment. It’s perfect.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the crumpled pamphlet from my pocket. Her name’s at the bottom of it. She’s in charge of ‘the Blaze Brigade’. Mustering up donations for inner city kids. That’s something that I can stand behind, since I was one of them back in the day. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, but not without the help of other people.

I take another look at her. And think about how I wouldn’t mind standing behind her. A shiver rolls through my body as I take her in. There’s a deep, animalistic urge that makes me want to rush the stage and take her right here and now. I fight it. I wouldn’t make it two steps onto the stage without bodyguards taking me down. But who knows, I might be able to fight a couple of them for a chance at Rose Collins.

Everyone around me stands up and claps. I join them as the Mayor waves and sits back down. Rose makes her way toward the microphone, clapping along with everyone, and waits.

“Thank you, Mayor Collins.” She throws a picture-perfect smile in his direction before facing the flash of cameras. “Don’t forget that all the donations tonight go toward the Blaze Brigade.” The crowd claps once more, although not as strong as for her father, and Rose nods before walking off stage.

I get up from my chair and make my way toward her. Something pulls me in her direction. I can’t explain it. I’ve never felt myself drawn to any other woman before. Not like this.

I’m a couple feet from her when she gets bombarded by photographers. I stand off to the side and watch her smile, the tightness in my pants growing. I need this girl. I need to introduce myself to her before I regret it.  

She waves them off after a couple minutes and walks down a dimly lit hall. A light green sign for the restroom hangs at the entrance. I curse under my breath for not getting her attention. I make my way to the bar and the bartender has my drink ready.

People come up to talk to me and I nod to their words. I thank them for their donations and remain courteous. I don’t give a shit about any of them anymore. My eyes never waver from that entrance. My heart beats faster and faster with each minute.

What if she left? I doubt that I’ll ever be this close to her in my life.  

Ten minutes pass and she still hasn’t come back. Something is wrong. A feeling in my gut tells me to go check.

I excuse myself and walk toward the hallway. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but there’s light coming from an open door at the end. I can hear hurried talking and then a scream.

I rush to the end of the hallway and burst through the door.

Rose is sitting there, clutching her dress against her body. I catch a glimpse of her bare body, but I lock eyes with her. In my peripheral vision, a man with a camera in his chubby hand stares at me and breaks into a run through the door at the opposite end.  

“He took a picture of me naked,” she yells. There are tears falling down her cheeks and my chest hurts for her. I need to make this right.

I nod and run after the man. He takes a sharp charge at the middle of the hall and pumps his arms. We lock eyes for a second and he lets out a little squeal. He’s not getting away from me, that much is certain.

“Stop!” I scream as I round the corner. He turns his head and runs toward an open window. He struggles to get his chubby body over the window sill, giving me the chance to catch up to him. I grab him by the back of his collar and pull him down. His camera clatters to the floor.

“D- don’t h-hurt me,” he stutters. The smell of urines fills the air. He’s actually pissed himself. I shake my head in disgust.  

I kneel next to him and rip the lanyard from his neck. “Richard Lawler from TMV,” I read out loud.

I’ve heard of them. It’s that scummy site that gets views through exposing lewd pictures of famous people. A 24/7 gossip channel. I’m sure a naked picture of Rose Collins, the Mayor’s daughter would be worth a lot.

Anger surges through me. I grab for the camera and smash it against the wall. “Here you go.” I hand him the broken pieces and take the memory card out. “Are there any other copies?”

He shakes his head.

“Are you sure?”

His head bobs up and down like a bobble head.

“Good. Now get the hell out of here before you really piss me off.”

He nods and lifts himself, almost slipping on his own piss. Pieces of his camera clatter to the floor as he hurries down the hallway.

I make my way back to the room, finding Rose fully dressed and talking to someone. A tall girl with brown eyes and black hair. They get quiet when I enter the room.

“Are you the asshole who took the photo?” The woman walks toward me and juts her finger into my chest. “‘Cause if you are then I’m going to have to kick your ass.” She’s a firecracker, this one. She pushes her finger harder into me to emphasis the point.

I ignore her and walk up to Rose. She’s even more beautiful up close. Her eyelashes are clumped together, yet she’s the cutest girl I’ve ever seen. The animalistic hunger roars inside of me and my cock begs for me to take her right here.

She looks up at me with her chestnut colored eyes. “Here.” I hold out the memory card and place it into her palm. There’s a jolt that runs up my hand and I shiver for a second. “He shouldn’t be giving you anymore problems.” I take another look at her and turn to walk away.

“Wait,” she says, turning the chip in her hand. “Why did you do this for me?” She gets up and walks toward me, tucking a strand of hair out of her eyes. She opens her mouth a little, red lips parting and making my body shiver.

How could someone so beautiful exist? Girls like her are only real in fairy tales.

Yet, here she stands in front of me. And all I wanted to do is take her right then and there, knowing nothing else about her. I take a breath and calmed myself before answering.

“It was just the right thing to do.” I take a step toward her and feel the warmth of her breath. I want to reach out and feel her touch once more, but I stop myself. This isn’t the time. “I don’t like pretty girls crying,” I mutter.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I cringe. That must be the corniest thing I’ve ever said before in my life. Behind me, the woman laughs.

Rose turns to her and throws a nasty look in her direction. She shuts up, holding a hand to her mouth to cover the smile.

Rose smiles at me, making my cock quiver. Fuck, this girl can’t be more perfect. She’s like a drug addiction. One hit and she leaves you wanting more and more, until your whole life depends on her.

“Thank you.” Her eyes fall down my body and stop at my name tag. “Sergeant Johnson.” She bites down on her lip as her eyes wander a little lower.

“The name’s Max. Only my bosses call me Sergeant Johnson.” I meet her smile and turn to walk out of the room. I’m almost tempted to look back at her, but I don’t.

Always need to leave them wanting more.