Sweet Sizzle: A Red Hot Valentine Story (8 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Hey, Jackson, when’s that pretty little lady of yours going to bring more cookies? We’re feeling deprived over here.”

A volley of concurring opinions buzzed from the other guys in the wake of Nev’s shouted demand.

Ben grunted, his concentration centered on the stacked barbell hoisted above him. His chest and arm muscles straining under 375 pounds of iron, he finished out the rep and let the weights clank back into the rack. Wiping the sweat from his brow with his forearm, he scooted up on the bench and accepted his water bottle from Michael. From the corner of his eye, he detected the eager scrutiny of his crew’s gazes burning into him from the opposite end of the station’s gym. His life was in fucking shambles, and all the greedy sons of bitches cared about was their stomachs. “So go out and buy some damn Oreos.”

“Shit, man. That’s not the same,” Dallas crabbed. “Not cool hoarding all the homemade goods for yourself.”

Irritable and his heart bruised, Ben abandoned the bench and stalked in the direction of the shower room, deliberately ignoring the inquisitive looks of the men camped at the card table. He swung the door hard enough it banged on the wall. That tiny release of aggression not doing much to free his tension, he kicked off his sneakers and stripped out of his sweats. He dialed the faucet in the end stall and dunked his head beneath the icy spray, the shock to his system no less harsh than the one he’d been enduring for the last several hours.

He shouldn’t have walked out on Rory. All that achieved was him feeling like shit, and no doubt helped to substantiate Hailey’s claim of him ultimately hurting Rory again. Groaning, he planted both fists on the tiles, the punishing needle pricks of water a welcome diversion from the chaos in his head.

The shower room door swung open again, this time less forcefully, and Michael strode inside, concern etching his features. “Bro, what’s going on with you? Not your style to throw around a temper tantrum like that.”

Ben slicked his hands through his hair and stared at the water eddying over the floor drain. “I fucked up. Again.”

“You mean with Rory?”

Nodding wearily, Ben rehashed the morning’s crappy chain of events. Michael offered him a sympathetic look. “That sucks. Do you think giving her some time will make her come around?”

“I want to believe so, but I’ve got to stop fooling myself. She’s had ten years to build up the wall protecting her heart. I could spend twice as long as that chipping away at the cracks, trying to find a way in.”

“Is she worth it?”

Ben frowned. “That’s a dumbass question. Of course she is.”

“Then find that way, amigo.”

A glimmer of hope warmed Ben’s chest. Michael was right. He couldn’t give up on Rory. One way or another, he’d earn her trust again and show her that they
did
have a future together. His spirits infinitely higher than they’d been a minute ago, Ben flicked off the faucets. Michael tossed him a towel just as the alarm bell blared and central dispatch crackled over the intercom, summoning Unit 10 to their engine.

Definitely not saved by the bell.
Performing a record fast pat down with the towel, he rushed from the stall.

“Be safe out there, bro.”

Awarding Michael an affirmative nod, Ben sprinted past him, booking for the gear room. He had a potential forever with Rory brightening his horizon. No more fuckups were getting in his way of that goal.

Sirens screaming,
old Smokey roared onto the scene at Fifth and Union. A crowd of spectators had gathered outside the two-story Tudor. Ben shook his head. Blazes always drew the pyro gawkers out of the woodwork. Never mind that their damn lives were in danger. Leaving the crowd control in the capable hands of the attending officer on site, Ben jumped from the rig and assessed the situation. Nev joined him. “Dallas is getting the supply line connected as we speak.”

“Occupant status?”

“Neighbor reported to dispatch that the place is supposed to be vacant.”

“Supposed to be?”

“Swears she spotted some homeless squatters the other day.”

Fuck.
“What kind of shape are we in with our access points?”

“Basement and first floor blacked out with smoke. Third level likely out of the question till we get some ventilation on that roof.”

Ben eyed the heavy smoke billowing from the eaves. Preventing a possible flashover was definitely their number one priority—both in terms of safety for his crew and the people who might possibly be trapped inside. “Get that hoseline ready to go.” Ben grabbed his Halligan bar and a six-foot hook from the equipment box before freeing the extension ladder from its straps. Hefting it up onto one shoulder, he dashed to the side of the smoldering structure, scanning the roofline for signs of weakness. Locating a section that looked promising, he braced the ladder and telescoped it in place. He tossed the hook down for the time being, and after securing the axe in his SCBA belt, he made his way up the metal rungs and double-checked the stability of the shingled timber before venturing onto the roof. Once he’d cleared the dormer, he inspected for existing heat vents. Spotting none, he radioed Nev and gave the go ahead for a chainsaw to be sent up, along with a roof ladder.

On the lookout for signs of potentially hazardous hot spots, Ben took a cautious step forward. That’s when he felt the telltale give of a roof going dangerously soft. Wisely deciding there was no damn way he was risking those conditions without the additional gear and backup manpower, he edged backwards, retracing his path. A waft of intense heat shimmied up his legs, a terrifying warning that came two seconds too late as Ben’s boots punched through the shingles, and he fell straight down into the smoky furnace-like blast beneath him.

CHAPTER NINE

“Why are you letting him do this to you?
Again?
”

Rory snapped out of her mopey daze and blinked at Hailey. “What are you talking about?”

“Ben. You’re debating taking him back. Admit it.”

She flushed. “Why are you jumping to that conclusion?”

“Oh, I dunno. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’ve been staring into space for the last five minutes while mutilating that cake with frosting.”

Rory glanced down at the birthday cake she’d been decorating, and grimaced. Her teeth hurt just looking at that much buttercream. She carefully set aside the icing bag before she could do any further damage. Against her will, the memory of the devotion in Ben’s eyes when he told her he loved her drifted across her conscious. The ache that’d been present in her chest all morning returned with a vengeance. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she lifted her gaze to Hailey. “What if I’m making a mistake?”

“By not trusting him?” Hailey shook her head. “A leopard doesn’t change their spots.”

“But what if he has? People do change, Hail.”

“It’s easy for you to wonder that now, while he’s doing his best to win you over. But what happens a month from now, when you’re shopping for His-N-Hers towels, and Ben’s looking for an exit plan?” Hailey’s features softened. “I’m not saying this to be a mean, cranky old bitch, though I know it sounds like it. I just don’t want to see you get hurt by him again.”

“I know.”

Trisha chose that moment to peek her head inside the kitchen. “You guys have got to see the totes McHottie across the street. Oh. My. God.” She fanned her face frantically.

Hailey frowned. “What the hell is a totes McHottie?”

Rory’s thoughts returned to Ben, and she sighed. “I believe it’s another term for a walking lady boner.”

“No shit.” Hailey dropped her pastry crimper and made a beeline for the door. Rory stayed behind in the kitchen. As far as she was concerned, the only totes McHottie she wanted to see was Ben.

That realization stalled her short. Oh Lord. It was true. After all this time, she still loved him. Despite all her hard effort not to.

But was that really what she was supposed to do? Lock her heart away from him forever and be miserable? Wasn’t her fear of being abandoned driving off any chances of happiness too?

Confused and frustrated all over again, she dropped her face in her hands. The door chime peeled, breaking her from her gloomy musings. Judging from the overly exuberant greetings coming from Trisha and Hailey, Rory guestimated that the new arrival must be the McHottie. Rolling her eyes, she dug in the drawer, searching for a spatula to clean up the cake. Her hand froze in mid-motion when she heard her name being called. Curious as to why the lightly accented male voice sounded vaguely familiar, she pushed away from the counter and went to investigate. She jerked to a halt in the entryway, blinking at the sight of Michael checking Hailey out. He snapped out of his fascination with Hailey’s bountiful bosom when Rory cleared her throat. His smile dazzling against his gorgeous bronzed skin, he tossed her a wave. “Just the woman I was looking for.”

Oh yeah? Didn’t seem like that a second ago.
Biting back a smile, she joined Hailey and Trisha by the register. “Why are you here, Michael?” Her heart in her throat, she waited for him to tell her that Ben had sent him. Either to beg her to come back to him, or that he never wanted to see her again.

“The guys are getting antsy for more cookies.”

She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. “Oh. So they’re making you do the dirty work, huh?”

“I am the alien sex probe.”

A choked cough sprang from Hailey. Rory patted her best friend on the back. “It’s a long story.”

“One I clearly need to hear,” Hailey countered.

Michael’s expression turned sheepish. “I have a confession to make. I’m not just here for the cookies.”

Rory’s pulse sped up a notch. “You’re not?”

He shook his head. “Ben is a really great guy. And you seem like a nice lady. Two people in love like you both obviously are, well, seems to me like the logical choice is for you to be together.”

Hailey shot up a hand. “Whoa, let’s back this up here. Who exactly are you?”

“He works with Ben,” Rory explained. “They’re friends.”

“Aw, crap.” Hailey glared at Michael. “I knew you were too damn good to be true, Mr. Sexy Bedroom Eyes.”

Michael’s smile almost took up his entire face. “You think I’m sexy?”

Hailey squinted. “Yes, but I’m way over you now, so don’t go getting any ideas.”

Rory sucked in a breath and expelled it slowly, steeling herself. “Is Ben behind you telling me all of this?”

“Not directly. But we had a heart-to-heart earlier, and it inspired me to stick my nose in.”

“Yeah,
very
annoying trait that is too,” Hailey interjected.

“Almost as aggravating as being a hypocrite.” Rory gave a pointed cough that resulted in Hailey finding a sudden interest in buffing a nonexistent smudge from the counter.

“He’s crazy about you.” Absolute conviction rang in Michael’s voice. “He’s the kind of guy who will fight to the death for you. Amigos like that don’t come along every day.”

Rory blinked back tears. Michael was right. She had to trust in Ben, and in their love for each other. Her heart knew that, even when her head had resisted it all this time.

A loud crackling noise emitted from the walkie-talkie holstered on Michael’s belt. He offered the three of them a chagrined look. “Sorry, didn’t realize I had it up all the way.” Voices broke through the static, and he started to lower the volume, only to freeze suddenly, his thumb hovering on the control. “Mierda!”

Rory’s Spanish was shoddy at best, but she knew enough to intuit Michael’s response as not being good. “What is it?”

“There’s been an accident. We have a man down.”

A horrible foreboding washed over Rory. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth. A name stood out amongst the clipped stream of chatter, and her stomach pitched. “They mentioned Ben!”

Michael listened to his radio another few seconds before cursing—this time in English. He glanced at Rory. “They’re taking him to Beaumont now.”

“
Oh my God.
” Certain she was on the verge of puking, she swallowed rapidly. Once she felt assured her measly breakfast wasn’t about to make a reappearance, she rushed into the kitchen and snatched her purse. Jamming the strap over her shoulder, she barreled for the exit. She made it outside to the sidewalk before Michael grabbed her by the arm. Panic making her crazy, she struggled to break his grip. “I have to go to him,” she sobbed.

“I know. But you can’t drive in this state. I’ll take you.” He led the way to a souped-up muscle car and assisted her into the passenger seat. Hands shaking, she fumbled with the safety belt, finally getting it into place as Michael slid behind the wheel.

The half hour drive to the hospital was the longest of her life. The second Michael braked in front of the main Emergency entrance she jumped out of the vehicle and dashed into the building. The waiting area was jam-packed with people, including several firefighters still in their uniforms. Recognizing Nev and Dallas despite the soot covering their faces, she hurried to their sides. She opened her mouth, trying to get the question out, but her constricted throat held the words hostage.

Nev rubbed her shoulders. “Deep breaths. They took him in a while ago.”

Her voice finally found purchase again. “Is he—?” 

“Pissed as hell about falling through a roof? Judging from the level of his cursing, I’d say fuck yes.”

If Ben was swearing, that meant he was alive. The rush of relief nearly knocked her to her knees. That sensation was immediately followed by a fierce shudder racking her body.

“Ah hell, I think she’s going through shock.” Dallas’s voice sounded tinny, like it was coming to her through a long tunnel. Supportive arms encircled her before sweeping her onto a nearby sofa she swore had been occupied a second ago. Too exhausted to figure out that mystery further, she peered up at her rescuer. “Ben?” Her blurry vision cleared, revealing Michael hovering over her, his gaze worried.

“I’ll go check on him now.” Michael waved Dallas over. “Make sure she doesn’t move. I’ll talk with the nurse about having her looked at too.”

“I don’t need to be looked at. I want Ben.”

Ignoring her protests, Michael strode off down the hall. Dallas grabbed a chair and plunked his ass in front of her. She glared at him weakly. “What are you, my warden?”

“Yeah, so don’t make me get out my cuffs.”

Nev sidled up next to Dallas. “What’s this about cuffs, you pervert?”

“Your mama didn’t seem to mind me using them last night.”

She wished she had the energy to roll her eyes. Instead she listened to their good-natured and rather raunchy ribbing of each other for endless moments until a commotion down the hall drew everyone’s attention.

“I told you, I’m motherfucking
fine
. Now where’s Rory?”

The sound of Ben’s desperate shout jerked her head up. She leapt off the sofa, almost knocking Dallas over in the process. “Ben!”

Grunting, Dallas righted his chair. “Way to make a fella feel like chopped liver.”

Tuning out his grumbling, she pushed past the small crowd of firefighters blocking the hallway, a happy sob escaping when she spotted Ben limping toward her. Unlike the rest of his crew, he wasn’t wearing his gear and instead sported a hospital gown. Scrapes covered his arms and legs, and a nasty gash decorated his left shoulder. But at least he was alive. A fresh flood of tears water logging her eyes, she ran toward him. He caught her, hugging her tight. His fingers shaky, he buried his face in her hair. “Michael told me you almost passed out. Jesus, don’t scare me like that, Ro.”

She gave a blubbery laugh. “You fall through a roof, and
I’m
the one scaring the crap out of you?”

“Heard about that, I take?”

“Yes. And never do that again, okay?”

“Trust me, got no plans of a three-peat.”

She jerked her head back. “
Three
-peat? You mean this isn’t the first time this has happened?” Oh God, she was going to need that sofa again, real soon.

“If I tell you yes, will that lessen the odds of you agreeing to marry me?”

Swallowing hard, she stared at him. “Did you just propose?”

“You’d think I woulda did a better job of it too, seeing how
that
was a two-peat.” His soft, devoted gaze reeling her in, he brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “I know you want time to figure things out, baby. But the truth is I love you. So much so, I would marry you right here and now if I could. But I’m willing to wait until the weekend, if that’s what you want.”

She rolled her lips together to keep from laughing. Unable to completely hold it in, she chuckled. “Three whole days, huh? Your patience is commendable.”

“I can’t help it, Ro. I don’t want to go one more night not having you tucked safe in my arms.”

Her eyes teared up again. “I don’t either.”

A ragged breath escaped him. “Did you just say yes?”

“I believe so.”

Splaying his hand on the back of her head, he hauled her in for a fiercely tender kiss. When he pulled back, his own eyes held a suspicious mist. “I love you, Rory.”

Stroking his jaw, she returned the words that’d been locked in her heart for the last ten years. “I love you too, Ben.”