Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Like a permanent shift didn’t just crack through my core like an earthquake.
“You seem to be fine, June,” he says, steadying his voice. “If you start coughing more later, or you feel lightheaded, I want you to get checked. Don’t brush it off.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“I’m serious,” he says, those blue eyes locked on mine, making me feel lightheaded right now. “You can call me if you like. I’ll take care of you.”
I gulp. Audibly. “Okay,” I quickly say, feeling my cheeks heat up.
“Can I get you a room in a hotel?” he asks with concern on his face. “I don’t want you sleeping outside in a tent. Or, if you like, I have room in my—”
The door gets yanked open and it’s so jarring and unexpected, cutting through all this tension that we both jump apart and gasp.
“How is she looking?” the fire chief, the older silver fox one, asks.
“She seems fine,” Ethan says, the softness in his voice gone. That tender gentle voice he saved for me is over.
I feel regret and loss as he turns from me and starts putting the equipment away as the fire chief climbs into the truck, ruining the moment.
“Do you have a place to stay tonight?” he asks.
“I was going to sleep in my tent outside,” I tell him, wishing I could hear the end of what Ethan was about to offer.
Or, if you like, I have room in my—
Was he really about to invite me to stay at his place?
“Why don’t you stay in town for the night?” the chief says. “You have insurance, right?”
I nod.
“I can call them for you,” he says in a hard tone. “They’ll pay for a hotel. You need a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. Your place will still be here tomorrow.”
I glance over at Ethan and he nods.
“Okay,” I say. “Thank you.”
“I can drive you if you’re feeling a little shaky,” he says.
“I think I’m okay.”
“I’ll follow you just in case,” the chief says with a nod. “Ethan, I’ll take care of her from here. You can bring the truck back with Doug.”
Ethan nods to his fire chief and then turns to me with a longing look.
I slip out of the seat and head outside into the cool air. I turn back and take one last look at the gorgeous fireman I’ve been crushing on for weeks. It was a fake crush before. Some unknown man on a silly calendar. But now… Now, the crush is real.
And it’s burning red hot.
CHAPTER FIVE
June
The hotel was a good idea.
I wake up refreshed and stretching out in this big warm bed.
My mind immediately jumps back to that moment in the back of the fire truck with Ethan’s strong hands gripping mine, his beautiful possessive eyes watching me like I was already his, my heart racing, my body submitting, my mind knowing there was no recovering from this.
I feel a tingling between my legs and I can’t help but touch myself until I relieve it. I cum harder than I’ve came before, turning on the bed and screaming into the pillow so no other guests can hear how desperate I am for that gorgeous fireman.
I head right into the shower, groaning when I see myself. I was horrified at how I looked last night. When I got into the room, my mood was soaring even though half my studio and home had burnt down. But all of those positive feelings came crashing down when I stepped into the bathroom and saw my horrendous reflection.
I was a mess. My hair was chaotic and full of white powder. There was soot, clay, and paint smeared all over my clothes. And my skin was a grimy, sweaty, blackened disaster.
I can’t believe I was gazing at that perfect, flawless face the whole time, and he was looking back at that. God. No wonder he didn’t kiss me. I looked like a swamp monster.
I get myself ready, have a nice breakfast downstairs, and then try to prepare myself as I return home to see the damage in the daylight. I know it’s going to be hard. I’ve been so focused on Mr. April that I haven’t really been thinking of the mess waiting for me.
That stupid kiln. I want to drive it to a volcano and drop it inside.
“Here we go,” I whisper as I drive by the fire station. I slow to a crawl as I pass by it, my head craned all the way as I try to catch a glimpse of Mr. April. I see two guys inside, but neither of them are Ethan. I’m not sure how the scheduling works. Would he still be working if he was on duty last night?
The car behind me honks in frustration. One of the firemen turns and looks my way, so I whip my head back and speed off, feeling like a moron.