He bites into it as if it’s his job to taste test. “It’s good,” he says, crumbs spilling from his mouth.
I step closer to him, needing some kind of warmth or reassurance, but he moves away.
The space between us feels colder than the December wind outside.
“Chiefy?” My voice breaks, tears swell in my eyes, blurring my vision.
The guys chuckle around me, but Flint clears his throat and says, “It’s Chief.”
Message received loud and clear.
I narrow my eyes, determined not to spill any tears over him. “You didn’t seem to mind me calling you that last night.”
Hollywood chokes on his cookie. Bear snorts so hard he nearly sprays his drink across the table.
Flint’s stare could melt steel. “Sera.” His voice drops an octave.
I widen my eyes innocently. “What? I’m just being respectful of your title.”
Flint rakes a hand through his hair. “Office. Now.”
I tilt my head, biting back a grin. “Or what, Chiefy? You gonna toss me over your shoulder like you did at the bar?”
“Don’t try me, Sera.” Flint growls like a mountain lion.
The entire firehouse chuckles. Hollywood’s wheezing laughter fills the room. “Uh-oh. Someone’s in trouble.”
Bear leans back in his chair. “Try not to set the sprinklers off back there, Chiefy.”
“Do I need to be on standby with the fire extinguisher?” Drake says.
Flint glowers back at his crew. “I swear you lot have a death wish.”
Phoenix holds up his hands. “Says the man who ran into a burning building.”
I follow Flint into his office, head held high even though my heart’s hammering. My cheeks burn, and I can feel his frustration radiating off him like heat from a bonfire.
The door slams shut behind me. The sound of muffled banter trails off.
I cross my arms and perch my bottom on his desk. “You could’ve just told me you didn’t want me here before you humiliated me.”
His brow furrows. “I humiliated you?”
“You said I wasn’t your girl. I get it. You’re just like your son. I’m good enough for some fun, but you don’t want to be seen with me in public.” My voice wobbles at the truth. I’ve never been enough for anyone. And while I don’t miss his son, the truth still hurts that I’m not enough.
Flint exhales hard, scrubbing a hand down his jaw. “Damn it, Sera. I don’t want the crew running their mouths off. That’s all.”
I stare at him, my anger faltering. “So you admit youareembarrassed by me. I’m just your dirty little secret?”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Then what is it?” My voice cracks. “Because one minute you’re kissing me like I’m the air you need to breathe, and the next you’re acting like I’m an annoyance.”
He steps forward, his voice low. “You don’t get it.”
“Oh, I think I do.” I fold my arms, my pulse hammering. “You regret it. You regret me.”
He places both hands on the desk either side of my hips, caging me in. “Don’t you dare,” he growls. “Don’t you dare think for one damn second I regret you.”
