Sandy winks at me.
Perez gives her a small wave. He’s been part of 53 for almost six years now. And he’s like the brother I never had. Or the one I lost seven years ago.
I can hear Owens railing one of her crew by Ladder 43 over a routine maintenance issue.Into them, Heids.
Phillips raises her hand.
“Yes, probie.”
She stands a little taller. “Any advice for the year ahead, ma’am?”
No matter how many times I’ve been asked that one question in the past seven years, the answer always gets stuck in my throat. But I manage, “Trust your gut and your team, which as you now just learned are your family, and always follow orders.”
She nods and sends her gaze down the lineup as if checking out her new family. Her green eyes come back to me as she says, “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Jobs are on the common room board. Dismissed.”
My crew falls out, chatting as Perez drills Phillips on her demographics. Sandy heads for the common room. I guess he’s about to make a start on his legendary initiation chili.
I make a mental note to stick to the rice and salads.
Before I join the crew, I have one pitstop to make.
The captain’s office.
The door is wide open. Always.
I lean on the doorframe and knock.
Miles looks up, his reading glasses on his face. And damn, my man is fine as?—
“Can I help you, Lieutenant?”
I clear my throat and push off the doorjamb. “Yes sir.”
He raises a brow.
“You know, if you come into my office with that sassy mouth of yours, it’s not going to end well, Tennison.”
I chuckle and cross the threshold and shut the door.
“Is that so, Captain Hammond?”
He rounds his desk and closes the distance between us. “Absolutely.”
“No, seriously, do you think I only come in here for?—”
He claims my face with his hands a second before his mouth crashes down on mine.
Thank god the door is closed.
My fingers curl around the opening of his navy uniform shirt. This man is my world. Well, him and this job I will never get enough of.
He groans into my mouth, and I am so tempted to take this further, but I won’t. I need to be present for my crew.
Every moment counts in a job like this.
Miles presses into me, his hard length against my stomach.
