“So . . .” Roman drawls.
“So?” I glance over at him as I drive us back to the station.
“What’s with you and that construction dude?”
I laugh. “Nothing. I got his number. I’m looking to do a couple of things to the house.” The minute the lie comes out of my mouth, it’s followed by guilt. So much fucking guilt, it’s hard to focus on the road. “That’s what we were discussing.”
“He brought you dinner.” I shrug. “That is more than, ‘I want to fix your house.’”
“Nah.” I try to get him to stop talking.
“Collins,” his tone is somber now, “when are you going to see what we see?” I snort. “I’m serious. If I didn’t think of you as a sister, I would totally try to get with you.”
“Eww.” I groan and fake vomit.
“Exactly,” he retorts as I pull into the station. Theo is standing out front, talking to Officer Burke.
“Looks like he came back to see you,” Roman teases.
I just shake my head, park the rig, and get out. Should I go to him or just head inside? Before I can decide, he makes his way straight toward me.
“I’m going to go,” Roman announces. “I’ll come get you if there’s anything.”
“Nothing is happening,” I whisper-hiss at him.
“Uh-huh. He looks like he’s about to either tear my head off”—he motions with his head toward Theo—“or take you away from here like King Kong and keep you on top of the Empire State Building.” I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to stay around to find out.” He heads toward the crew mess.
My eyes find Theo’s, and his face fills with a smile. “Hey,” he says, “I was hoping to catch you. I had to drop something off for Burke, and he was with Hudson.”
“So you didn’t come here to see me?” I ask him, unsure why I feel a slight twinge at that question.
“Well,” he puts his hands in his pockets. I wonder if we were at my house, and it was just us, if his hands would itch to touch mine. “I came here after work, during your shift, when I should be sleeping.”
“Don’t make me feel guilty.” I push his shoulder, and his hand comes up to hold it to his chest. “Theo.” He lets my hand go.
“OK, I’m stopping, but only because you’re at work, and I want to make sure everyone respects you.”
“Really?” I fold my arms over my chest. If anyone passed by, there is no way they would think we were together, not with my stance.
“Oh yeah.” He smirks. “Otherwise, I would have kissed you when I saw you.” My lips tingle thinking about it. The scruff of his beard looks shorter than it did yesterday, and I wonder if he trimmed it. “And then, I would have kissed you again.”
I’m trying not to laugh when my radio goes off. “I have to go, duty calls.”
“See you tonight. I’m coming with a surprise.”
“I think you’ve given me enough surprises,” I tell him as I make it to the rig at the same time as Roman, who is shoving a piece of pizza in his mouth.
“I’ll drive.” He hands me a piece. “You eat.”
“You’re the best.” I run back around to the other side, already stuffing my face.
The calls are nonstop for the rest of the night. When I finally drive home, my eyes are burning and my neck aches. Theo’s truck is parked in the driveway as I get out, and he’s standing there.
“Hi,” he says softly, his hands coming up to hold my face. He bends his head and kisses me. My eyes flutter closed when his tongue touches mine, even though I want them to stay open. I melt into him and the kiss, my hands going to his sides as his mouth gets hungrier and hungrier. “Okay, let’s get you fed and in the shower.”
“Okay.” That’s the only thing I’m able to say. I’m trying to settle down, having been caught off guard by the way my heart just soared nearly out of my fucking chest. He kisses my head, one hand still cupping my cheek gently. He slips his other hand into mine and makes his way to the steps where two bags sit. “Don’t tell me you bought me more food.”
“Sort of.” He grabs the bags while I unlock the door. He walks toward the kitchen as I turn and lock the door, making a decision I hope I’m not going to regret.
