Men of Station 23 [Uniform Fetish 1] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) (4 page)

“That’s sweet of you guys to do that. I’d love to see the children’s faces when they see a real-life firefighter. You look quite impressive when you’re in your full uniform.”

“Don’t tell me you have a weakness for a man in uniform.” He chuckled. “If that’s the case you won’t last a day around here.”

“I think just about every woman gets a little thrill from it.”

“Just a little?”

When she looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes, the urge to kiss her was strong. His jaw tightened so much his teeth ached. Controlling himself around the woman he’d fantasized about for months wasn’t so easy. He vividly recalled her strolls by the weight room. She’d come when he was pumped up on adrenaline, sweaty, and half naked. Her innocent glances, lush curves, and sweet shyness drew him in. Of course her annoying friend would often block her from view, bouncing around and gawking without shame. Darius only had eyes for the woman he now knew as Tammy.

“Just a little,” she confirmed, her eyes set in challenge.

“You one of them?”

She shrugged. He pulled out a chair for her at their large, rectangular table. “You’re cruel, Tammy.
Tammy...
What’s your real name?”

“That is my real name. It’s says Tamara on my birth certificate but I’ve never used it.” She ran a finger along the inside seam at the neckline of her shirt as if it choked her. There was a virtual wall around her, and he imagined men didn’t get past it easily. Had she been hurt in the past? Did she have a boyfriend eagerly waiting for her two weeks to be up? He supposed it wasn’t his concern at all, but part of him wanted to know more about their guest.

“I like it. Can I call you Tamara?”

“It’s up to you.”

He’d rather get a reaction from her that wasn’t blasé, even if she told him to fuck off for suggesting it or admit she loved to hear her given name on his lips. It was only her first day at the station, so he had time to work on her.

“Hungry?”

She shook her head. Getting to know this girl was like pulling teeth. Why would the paper send a shy, guarded woman to conduct such an in-depth interview?

Darius twisted a chair around and sat backwards on one, facing her. “You know, you really ought to open up a bit more. How will we get to know each other if you keep quiet?”

“I can ask you some of my interview questions,” she offered.

It wasn’t what he had in mind, but better than nothing. Anything would be a start. “Shoot away.”

“Is this where you eat all your meals?”

He glanced around the industrial kitchen. It certainly wasn’t like the room in his family home. His mother kept their country kitchen warm and inviting with little roosters on the curtains and tea towels, and fresh herbs drying from the rafters. In the station kitchen it was all stainless steel with a cold, institutional feel.

“This is it. We’re forced to cook for ourselves when we’re on duty, but when we’re home we usually get takeout. Rookies learn early on that sneaking away for a meal at a restaurant almost guarantees your pager will go off.”

“It must be a difficult way to live. Do you mind if I take a look around?” She tucked her hair behind her ears, accentuating her slender neck and heart-shaped face. The longer he was with her, the more attracted he seemed to grow.

“Go ahead. We’re at your command while you’re here.” She stood up and wandered into the centre of the large room, her heels echoing on the ceramic. “The boss man gave us strict orders to satisfy all your needs.”

She turned her head a little too fast to play innocent. “That’s...very kind of him.” Tamara strolled away again. She dared to open the double refrigerator, peering inside. “You guys should really eat better. Taxpayers will want to know you’re taking care of yourselves.”

He closed the refrigerator with a palm high above her head. She gasped when it slammed shut, leaving him standing in the door’s place. He’d moved quietly when she bent over to look at the glass shelves. “If you’re offering, we can bring you along on one of our grocery runs. Although we only manage to get through the lineup without being called away three times out of ten, I have a feeling you’re our good-luck charm.”

She swallowed hard. Tamara could play disinterested and professional, but her body told another story. Darius and the crew were trained on deciphering the nuances of human nature. It aided them when dealing with victims, criminals, and witnesses. Right now she was uncomfortable—her pupils dilated, her pulse racing, and breathing heavy. She was either afraid, angry, or aroused. He had a strong inclination it was the latter, which would make for a very interesting two weeks.

Tammy was awoken by a piercing sound loud enough to jar her from her dreams in an instant. She flailed on her bed, becoming entangled in her sheets. The room was dark but a red wash of light continually swept under her door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat on the bed trying to get her bearings.

She glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table. 3:14 a.m. Her door burst open and a whirl of motion enveloped her bed, a blur of shadowy figures.

“Come on, darlin’. You wanted adventure.” Despite how terrified she was, the deep voice carried a controlled exhilaration. Several hands were on her, tugging her blankets away and hoisting her up to her feet. She was still half-asleep and confused.

“What’s happening?” she managed to ask.

“We’ve got an emergency call. You have one minute to get yourself decent, Tammy.” Conall’s blond hair was highlighted by the light from the hallway. He assisted her in dressing, slipping her arms into a warm sweater. “You said you wanted to ride along.”

Her brain slowly assimilated the situation. Someone called 911 and these men were ready to help, day or night. She couldn’t understand how they could be so alert after being awakened in the middle of the night. “A fire?”

Conall laughed. “That’s usually what they call us for.” She was only half-decent, her hair in disarray, as they escorted her out of the room. The bright light in the hall blinded her. She clutched one of the men as they ushered her forward. They were talking amongst themselves, but she was too dazed to focus on what they were saying.

“Hold on and don’t let go.”

It was that blasted metal pole. Was she expected to slide down that thing after just being jolted awake? The alarm still sounded inside the station, grating on her nerves. “I can’t.”

When she saw Darius beside her, his authoritative air gave her the courage to take the plunge. His dark hair was damp, pushed off his handsome face. She took a deep breath and reached for the pole. As she slid down it was as if she was ten years old again on the playground. When her feet hit the floor below, the reality of the situation became clear when she saw the fire truck idling, all the lights on as it waited for its crew. Someone’s life could be at stake. Tammy wouldn’t be the reason why they were late on the scene, the one to delay the firefighters for those few precious minutes that could make a world of difference. If anyone knew the value of a minute, it was her.

She forced herself to buck up and focus, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and twirling her hair into a makeshift bun.

“Get her in the back,” said Darius as he disappeared into the driver’s seat. Someone silenced the alarm in the station as they all boarded the backseat of the big, red truck. The men had donned their heavy, yellow overcoats and protective helmets. She was squeezed on the small bench as the door closed and the siren began to sound.

“You all right?” Conall asked, resting his hand on her knee.

“I’m okay.” The truth was she’d never felt safer, surrounded by these larger-than-life men. Once that alarm sounded they leapt into motion, no fear or hesitation, only the drive to do their job. They’d be able to handle any emergency, so she was in good hands. The past two years had been one nightmare after the other thanks to her ex. If she’d had men like these on her side, she would have been able to breathe, to find some semblance of peace.

The truck pulled out into the desolate streets. A light rain fell from the darkened sky, city lights a blur of color through the windows as they raced by. The siren was a morbid reminder of the fragility of human life. She hoped the call was a false alarm or had a good outcome if it wasn’t. Nobody should have to lose a loved one due to fire.

The garbled static from the front of the truck alerted the men they were near their target. They turned into a narrow alleyway where the streetlights were minimal. She was surprised the truck fit in the confined space.

“Lock and load,” said Jake. He grabbed some sort of tool from the wall above him as the truck slowed to a stop. She could smell the burning wood before she saw the flames and plume of black smoke coming from a run-down garage.

Jake was the first out the side doors, Aaron right behind him. “I’ve got to hook up the water supply. Just sit tight, okay?” He winked at her before jumping down to the ground below. She leaned out the door to watch but stayed put, not wanting to get in the way. Within minutes she could hear the loud banging of wood splintering. Conall passed carrying a fire hose taut with pressure. The action was just out of sight, close enough that she could feel the heat of the fire as it lit up the night.

As she waited in suspended animation, she finally heard Darius’s voice on the speaker as he called back to the reporting center. Apparently, no one was injured. It was just a garage fire, and he asked for the chief inspector to come by to investigate the cause.

By the time the guys were back in the truck the area was bustling with activity. Police had the area taped off and official-looking men were conversing on the sidelines.

“You take notes?” asked Jake, sidling in beside her. He smelled like he’d just been by a campfire.

“No, not really. What happened?”

“Probably kids. They don’t realize the damage a single match can cause.” The truck dipped and jostled her as it made its way out of the alley onto the main road.

“But everything’s okay?”

Jake lifted off his helmet, setting it on his lap. “This time. This area of the city is old and in desperate need of an overhaul. These laneways are a fire hazard, especially the way they’re used for dumping.”

Once they pulled the truck back into Station 23, Tammy’s previously adrenaline-riddled body was now on a low. She wanted to crash on her bed and get a few hours of sleep. The men shrugged off their heavy coats and began the long process of settling in, phone calls, and paperwork. Tammy slipped away while they were occupied.

She trudged up the stairs, tugging off her cardigan. This was only her first night at the station, and it had already drained her physically and emotionally. She never anticipated so many old memories coming back to haunt her. Now she just needed to get through another thirteen nights.

* * * *

Aaron was beat. The late-night calls were always the worst, but it seemed most alarms were after dark. Arsonists needed the cover of darkness to perform their wicked deeds, and the accidental fires often happened when cautious eyes were sound asleep.

After dealing with the chief on the phone, he called it a night and headed back to the bedroom. He left the lights off, not wanting to rouse his senses right before sleep. He kicked off his heavy, fire-retardant pants and pulled off his shirt. Conall must have beaten him to bed, too tired to find his own bunk.

“Hey, get to your own bed,” he said, pulling back his comforter. Instead of finding Conall, it was Tammy. He was taken aback, not expecting to find a woman in his bed. They’d set Tammy up in the small spare room down the hall, out of sight, out of mind.

She barely moved, already asleep. But she finally twisted in his direction, peeking open her tired eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t want to be alone tonight,” she whispered.

He sat on the edge of the bed. Aaron was used to dealing with girls and women. He had three sisters back home on the farm. It had been years since he’d gone back home to the family ranch. It was just too much for him to face with his momma not there anymore.

“You afraid?” he asked.

“I guess I’m not used to all this. It’s a bit disconcerting.”

“You’re welcome to bunk with me.” Then he teased, “You’re lucky you chose my bunk over Jake’s.”

He was only wearing his boxer briefs but slipped under the covers beside Tammy anyway. She may be a beauty, but he was too exhausted to care tonight. If she needed comfort, he’d provide it. As he pulled the covers back over both their bodies, she melted against him and let out a barely audible sigh. It felt good having her snuggled up against him, her body soft and warm.

Aaron had promised himself never to become attached to a woman, but being beside Tammy now tempted him to throw away all his personal rules. The ones he created for self-preservation. If he didn’t fall in love, he couldn’t experience loss and heartbreak. He’d heard the old adage of “It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all,” but he knew firsthand that was a bunch of bullshit. Losing a loved one was incomparable. Something he didn’t want to experience again.

“What made you follow this career?” she asked, her breath hot against his shoulder.

“I guess we all have our reasons. I’m from the prairie country myself. Farming was all I knew before coming to the city to pursue this line of work.” He didn’t give her the answer she hoped for, but Aaron wasn’t ready to open himself up to a virtual stranger. “What about you? Why be an editor?”

“I don’t know. Seemed like a good choice at the time.”

“Not now?”

She scoffed, molding her petite body against his side. “It’s not exactly the passionate career I dreamed of as a little girl.”

“And what did little Tammy dream of?”

He felt her shrug. “Something rewarding like journalism. I thought my position would be a stepping stone, but it’s taken all my adult life to get this chance.”

“You mean us? Interviewing us is your big break?”

“It is. I hope I don’t mess up...” Her voice trailed off. Her breathing became slow and steady, her body pliant. Aaron could get used to having her share his bed. He’d also welcome her when they weren’t both exhausted. She was tempting to look at and the type of woman a man would be proud to bring home to his family. But he didn’t dare put his heart on the table. It was best to keep it guarded where it couldn’t be broken.