I headed toward my bathroom and reapplied the light pink lip color I donned earlier, fluffed my hair out, and spritzed myself with some of my floral spray. When I re-emerged, the table was cleared, and Eric stood by the entrance way.
“Thank you for clearing the table.”
“You cooked. Only right I should help clean up. Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
He led me out the door, pausing for me to lock up behind us. When I turned, I noticed him staring at my legs. A shiver ran through me. I really shouldn’t have been so caught up in this man. It was very early on. I’ve never had this type of draw to someone this soon. I bet he was used to women throwing themselves at him.I mean, just look at him!Six-feet-two inches of hard, solid muscles, covered by beautiful smooth, tanned skin with a face to match.
“You okay?” he asked, getting in the car just as I sighed.
“Of course.” I kept my gaze directed at my hands in my lap.
He paused, leaving his key in the ignition but not starting it. Strong fingers gripped my chin, turning my head to look him in the eye. There was silence for few moments as he just stared into my eyes.
“You’re uncomfortable about what happened,” he stated.
“Not uncomfortable. If anything, a little too comfortable. If you weren’t the one to stop us, I’m pretty sure we would’ve… you know.” I felt so foolish admitting that out loud.
“That’s a bad thing?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I don’t know. Just…what does that say about me?” I hated to sound like a prude, but I’ve never been intimate with someone I wasn’t already in a committed relationship with.
“It says you’ve got good taste.”
I laughed, despite not wanting to.
He placed one arm on the steering wheel and rested the other against the headrest of my seat, leaning in close to me. He was so near, I could feel the body heat emanating from him. That same feeling I had in my dining room began to emerge again.
His voice was low but laced with steel when he said, “I won’t take you until you’re ready. I could tell you were having doubts. And doubts lead to regrets, and when I finally do take you for the first time, there won’t be with any regrets. Because once I make you mine, there won’t be any take backs.”He waited for me to accept what he was saying.
I nodded, and he pressed a kissed to my forehead before starting the car.
It took a while before my erratic heartbeat calmed down. I shifted the car’s vent toward me to get the direct blow of cold air. This man couldn’t be a firefighter?he’s way too good at stoking the flames.
****
Eric
When I do take you…
My own words echoed in my mind over and over again. Even though every word I said was true, I cursed myself for sounding like a goddamned lame ass. It’s been a couple of years since I was in a serious relationship. I was enjoying the single life and didn’t think I was ready to settle down just yet. But a couple of dates with Angela and I was ready to say fuck the single life. That’s why I completely put a halt to our previous night’s kiss before it went too far. I could sense her hesitation. I even felt the exact moment she decided to say “fuck it” and was all in. I knew then it was my responsibility to put a stop to things. I was more than ready and willing to pick her up and pin her again the nearest wall, or countertop, or bed, whichever was closest and most convenient. But, I also knew that she’d have regrets afterward, and that’s something I wouldn’t let her take on.
“Harvard, I called you last night. Wanted to see if you were in the mood to meet me atCharlie’s,” Corey began, interrupting my thoughts as I walked into the kitchen. I saw his missed call and knew that’s probably what he wanted.
“I was out last night.” Grabbing a plate from the cupboard, I went about fixing a plate of the eggs, bacon, and toast that had been prepared, not realizing how quiet it’d gotten behind me. When I turned around, I saw Don, Carter, and Corey staring at me.
“What?” I asked as if I didn’t know. Sitting down, I ignored their snickers and began eating my breakfast.
“Don’t fuckingwhatus,” Don quipped.
“What Don here is trying to say is, what’s her name? What does she look like? Do we know her?” Carter laughed.
“You bastards are worse than middle school girls.” I pointed my fork at the three of them. A chorus of laughter sounded off between them as they pulled out chairs.
“Come on, Harvard. If you don’t spill something new, Donnie here’s going to go crazy. Probably lighting someone or something else on fire,” Corey laughed. “We’re bored as fuck without any fires. It’s been a slow week.”
That was true. It was a slow week. We got a few calls, mostly for small fires and a couple of car accidents, but for men like us, those types of days dragged on. We all wanted to be where the action was, or we got antsy.
