TWO
Blaise
She didn’t have a place to go.
Shit.
I’d seen a lot in my twenty years fighting fires but never a situation like this. Everyone had family that came rushing to their side. Usually, there were too many damn people gathered on the lawn and mingling at the street, watching and praying and getting in the way.
Of everyone in that crowd, no one had run up and screamed to find their friend, their daughter, their anything.
No one would have missed this girl had she disappeared tonight.
I’d seen it happen far too often, a life snuffed out.
I pushed a hand through my hair, cradling the cat in my arm as my heart thundered with one word.
Help. Help. Help.
Her.
I couldn’t just leave her, couldn't just walk away tonight knowing she had nowhere to sleep and probably not a dime to spare on a hotel room for one night, much less very many. And I had more than enough rooms at my place.
There was no way in hell this was the professional thing, but I was a saver. When I saw something broken and needing tending, I liked to take care of it. That’s what had driven me to put on the turnout gear to begin with, and hell if I would stop now. Save this girl’s life and then send her on her merry, destitute way.
“You’re all set, dear. Don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room if you feel any signs of smoke inhalation. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, that sort of thing. But I think you'll be fine, you were on the second floor, right?”
“Yes.” She nodded, head hanging low.
“Fire started on the third from the looks of it.” The paramedic’s eyes swung to the third-floor window that still billowed dark smoke.
“You got someone to stay with?” The woman turned back to my girl.
My girl.
What the hell was I thinking?
I didn’t give a fuck, that’s what I was thinking.
She needed to be someone’s girl, and I was happy to volunteer.
Her mouth popped open to reply before I interjected, “I’ve got her.”
My girl’s eyes turned up, riveted on mine. I snuck her cat back into her arms then pulled her to her feet, one protective arm at her back.
“You sure? I can call a few shelters, see if they have a bed?” the paramedic offered, as horrifying as it sounded. No fucking way would I have my girl sleeping in a room with a dozen strangers.
“No thanks. I’ve got it.” I pulled my girl away, cuddling her close under my arm. “You doin’ okay?”
She nodded, and I could see the rapid pulse of her heartbeat thrumming wildly at her throat. It took everything in me to resist the urge to lick it with my tongue.
“Good.” I glanced at my crew, floating in and out of the building, hose strung through the front door and up the stairs. This fire was under control. There was no more need for me here.
Being chief gave you some kind of pull, and for the first time in the history of my career, I was going to use it.
For her.
“Taylor!” I called over my deputy chief. “I’m going to get her a warm bed, change of clothes. You take the lead from here. I’ll take the work truck back to my place, bring it back in the morning.”
“’Kay, boss.” Taylor nodded then turned, heading back to the water pump control on the side of the truck.
“Let’s get you home.” I curled her under my shoulder, tossing my helmet in the back of the firehouse pickup and opening the passenger door. I pressed a hand at her waist, eyes focused on her and only her.
“Home?” She peered up at me as she slid into the seat.
“My place. Only place I can think of where I’ll know you’re safe and taken care of.”
“Your place?” Her cat growled with irritation, and she shifted him in the crook of her elbow. “I don’t even know your name!”
“Name’s Blaise Michaels, Chief of the Raven County Fire Department.”
“Chief?” Her lips parted sweetly. Damn, I wanted to cover them with my lips. I sure as hell hoped she was feeling this thing beating between us too. It sure felt like she did the way her pretty eyes widened every time I so much as smiled at her.
“Chief, sweetheart. But I prefer Blaise.” I rested a thumb on her chin.
She paused, eyes riveted on mine and making my dick pound with waves of need. “I’m Brianna. Brianna Foster.”
“Pleasure to save your life tonight, Brianna Foster.” I couldn’t help the grin tipping my lips. She was all sugary sweet and soft, desperate for my hands on her skin. I wanted to make her dirty, mold her to my body, to my life. I wanted to make her mine.
“Thank you—” her eyes flashed up to mine “—Chief Michaels.”
A chuckle burst from my throat. “You say everything with that twinkle in your eye?”
“So what if I do?” There it was again. That twinkle. The twinkle that was knocking me off my goddamn boots.
“Then I’m in for a helluva ride with you, Brianna.”
And she was one ride I couldn’t wait to take.
As soon as we were home, I tucked her into the spare bedroom. I wanted to steer her right into my king-sized bed, but I didn’t want to push her a step too far…not yet anyway. So I settled on the guest bedroom right next to mine. If a fucking mouse tiptoed through there, I’d hear it. It'd have to be enough…for now.
I woke early the following morning, leaving her a quick note inside her door before running up to the firehouse to drop off the heavy-duty pickup and exchanging it for my own. I made it quick, stopping only for coffee and pastries on the way back home, before stepping into my remote cabin, silence greeting me.
I set the coffee and donuts on the kitchen table, about to climb the stairs to check on my girl, when she padded out onto the landing. Looking down at me from the loft was an angel sent directly from heaven.
A slab of concrete hit me in the stomach and nearly scooped the air from my lungs.
“Mornin’.” I finally spoke.
She nodded. She took the top stair slowly, that damn ornery cat perched in one elbow. “Good morning.”
“Picked up some breakfast. Also set some clothes out for you. We will go into town and buy you whatever necessities you need later.”
“Buy me?” She stopped as she reached one of the lower stairs, her height now even with mine. She was such a fucking vision first thing in the morning, her face clean and hair a wild mess, it was like a fist of desire nailed me in the gut.
“Buy you, yes.” I stepped closer, desperate to claim some of the distance between us. “I told that nice paramedic I was going to take care of you, and I meant it.” I cupped her cheek in my palm, leaning another inch closer and whispering. “I’m a man who stands by my word, Brianna.”
I felt the shiver erupt through her.
A matching one vibrated through my dick and itched at me to pull her closer. Kiss her. Fuck her with my tongue and my fingers and my heart.
Goddamn, I was already a man obsessed.