I shook my head. “If you make it, I’m eating it.”
“Okay.”
Damn.That smile. I cupped her face, stealing another quick kiss just because I could.
“Six o’clock?”
“Dinner will be ready at six. Don’t worry about bringing anything.”
“See you then.” Backing away, I watched as she got in her car and pulled off, waving.
I suddenly recognized what the feeling in my chest was. It was the same feeling I got whenever the alarm sounded in the fire station. The same feeling that got every cell in my body jumping and ready for action. Except, around her it was actually more intense.
****
I parked in the garage of my building. I was lucky to live in a place that offered parking, instead of having to park out on the street. My legs felt too heavy to take the stairs to my third-floor condo like I normally did. Instead, I opted for the elevator. Leaning back against the wood paneling of the elevator, I closed my eyes, remembering the feel and taste of Angela’s mouth. Suddenly, Sunday felt like it was much too far away. The dinging of the elevator as it landed on my floor, forced my eyelids open. I stepped off and made a left, moving toward my door when I saw a familiar face.
“Eric. What a surprise to see you here.”
I sighing heavily as I lifted my head. “Brandi, I live here.”
She giggled and covered her mouth in a way that was meant to be appealing, but it just annoyed me. “I know that, silly. I just meant that it's been a while since we ran into one another.” Moving her petite frame closer, she began running her pointer finger up and down my abdomen.
I grabbed her wrist, not tightly, but enough to halt her movement. She peered up at me, surprise etched on her pretty face. Releasing her hand, I took a step backward.
“Work keeps me busy.” That was the truth, but I certainly could make time when I wanted, and for Brandi, I hadn’t wanted to. She moved into the building a year ago, and a few months later we started a short fling. It wasn’t anything serious. I got bored soon after, which led to more infrequent hookups.
“Well, I’m sure they allow you some time off at the fire station.” Her lips formed into a pout, brunette hair falling over her shoulders.
“Some,” I commented. “Listen, Brandi, I’m tired. I had a long shift. I’ll see you around.” And with that, I sidestepped her and moved toward my door?no promises to call or try to see her at some other time. As far as I was concerned, it was a done deal.
When I shut my door behind me, relief flooded my body. I bought this place after graduating college while starting my first job. I was making six-figures back then and believed my salary would only grow as I moved up the corporate ladder. My condo wasn’t large by any stretch, and I lucked out purchasing it while the surrounding neighborhood was still relatively inexpensive. In the decade since then, gentrification had made prices soar, and affording this neighborhood on my firefighter’s salary alone would’ve been a stretch. Luckily, I was always good with money, having put down a large enough down payment, my mortgage wasn’t too bad and could easily be managed on my current salary. I saved a good amount of my previous salary and made some good investments.
Toeing off the sneakers I wore to the spin class, I dropped my duffle bag containing my work uniform by the door. My condo had an open floor plan and hardwood floors which was what drew me to it in the first place. I decorated it in mostly a mix of greys and black. I padded over to my kitchen area, pulling my fridge open for a bottle of water, before heading down the hall to my bedroom. I was so tempted to stretch out on my king-sized bed, but remembering I came from a workout prevented me. Grabbing a fresh pair of boxer briefs and my towel, I made my way across the hall to the bathroom where I showered and did a quick shave of the new stubble that was coming in. Tapping my face with some aftershave, I was ready for bed. I glanced at my clock and had about six hours before I needed to be back at the station. I climbed into bed, the last thing I remembered thinking about was the kiss I shared with my very own angel.
Chapter Six
Angela
“Don’t you have a hot date tonight?” Stephanie asked me just as I was finishing the count of the bottles of Jack Daniels.
Turning my head, I peered at her over my shoulder from my squatting position. “Yes, I do, but I needed to come in and take count.”
“I could’ve done that. You should be home prepping for all that hotness!”
I stood, placing my hand on my hip. “Get your mind out of the gutter. We’re having dinner, and he’s taking me to a jazz festival.” I told Stephanie about my date with Eric after she hounded me for details when she saw him pick me up for our date the previous week. It felt good to gush to someone else about the new interest in my life. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach every time I thought or spoke about him.
“The only place he’d be taking me is to pound town!”
I gasped. “You have such a filthy mind!”
“I know, right?” she laughed.
“Yeah, well keep those filthy thoughts off of Eric and on someone else,” I warned.
“Protective already, huh?”
I buried my face in my hands. She was right, I was experiencing a twinge of jealousy at the thought of another woman thinking of him the wayIwas thinking of him.
