Burning Desire by Marie Harte

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tex looked from Chief Gilchrist to Bree and back, wondering what he’d missed in the scant seconds he’d been looking for his shirt. Fortunately, it didn’t smell too bad. A little like alcohol, but probably better to be fully dressed than shirtless with the chief’s daughter.

Well, so much for keeping secrets.

He sat next to Bree across from her dad at her dining table, in full view of the sunny backyard, the promise of yet another warm June day. The chief sat hunched over a cup of steaming coffee he must have purchased from the café down the street. He munched on a croissant and stared from his daughter to Tex, his glower darkening.

Bree smiled as if nothing was amiss and encouraged Tex to have one of the delicious-looking pastries the chief had brought. For his daughter.

“Nah, I’m good.” He hadn’t touched the store-bought cup either, accepting the mug Bree had made for him.

No one spoke until the chief said, “We’re all going to pretend this isn’t happening? Is that it?” He looked pissed.

“This?” Bree asked, frowning. “What exactly is the problem with this?” Before the chief could answer, she added, “And why the heck did you use your key, Dad? You scared the life out of me.”

Chief Gilchrist turned red. “Sorry. I texted and called, but you didn’t answer. I thought I’d pop over for some dad/daughter time. We haven’t shared breakfast in way too long.”

“I can leave…” Tex started to offer before both Bree and her father shook their heads.

“No, you stay,” Bree said.

“Oh, please, stay.” The chief smiled through his teeth. “You’re already here, aren’t you?”

Already fucked your career, you mean.Tex stifled a loud sigh. “You know what, I think I will have a pastry.” He chose an apple tart and sunk his teeth into it. Time to see just how ugly the chief would get about Tex dating his grown daughter.

“I’m having a cherry one,” Bree said. She chewed and stared at her father.

They all sat chewing and stewing in silence. Tex saw the humor in it and did his best not to laugh.

The chief didn’t look amused. “What’s so funny?” Gilchrist snapped. “That you’re corrupting my daughter?”

“Oh my God. Corrupting?” Bree clapped a hand over her eyes.

Tex coughed to cover the laughter that escaped. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just… We’re all sitting here in silence, chewing, while you’re glaring me to the depths of hell. And it’s so surreal. Chief, look, when I was at dinner with your family, we—”

“Were you taking advantage of Bree back then? Lying to me in my own home?”

Tex swore he could see steam coming out of the guy’s ears.

“Dad, enough.”

All eyes turned to Bree. Hmm. Tex hadn’t been treated to that particular voice before, though they’d had their share of petty arguments. Hell, he liked tussling with Bree, both in and out of bed. But he wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that tone.

“Bree,” the chief started.

“No, Dad. This is beyond ridiculous. I’m twenty-seven years old. Who I sleep with or date or do anything else with is not your business.”

Tex frowned. Sleeping with or dating he understood. What did “anything else with” mean, exactly?

Her father frowned as well. “I don’t ask much from you. Just this one thing. I’d like you to steer clear of firefighters. It keeps personal and professional lives from crossing and creating this kind of dynamic.”

“Your personal and professional lives, you mean. When Tex was helping me around the city, he did everything by the book. No flirting. No goofing around. He did his job. Period.”

The chief seemed to ease back a little. He shot a look at Tex. “That right?”

“Yes, sir. I’m proud to wear the uniform. I was on duty and did what I was told to do. Bree got her pictures because I showed her different parts of the city and our station houses. She saw two fires. You were there for the one.”

The chief nodded.

“I have nothing to apologize for then, or now.”

The man’s eyes narrowed.

“Dad, he’s right. I’m sorry if you feel that my dating Tex violates some weird work code, but the plain truth is that it doesn’t. Tex hasn’t been working with me for a while now. This relationship is ours. We’re dating.”

Tex reached for her hand on the table and held it. He glanced at her with a smile. “Exclusively.”

“Yep. Exclusively.” Bree gripped his hand. Hard.

Her father looked at them, then at Tex. Tex couldn’t read the man’s expression. “I told you not to get involved. You did. I told you, Bree, to stay away from a life you think you know, but you don’t.”

“Dad?”

The chief stood. “Well, you’ve both made your decision. I hope you can live with the consequences.”

That didn’t sound threatening. Not at all.

“Dad, you can’t legally force Tex out of a job for dating me.”

“That’s illegal, sir,” Tex agreed. “I do my job well. And I love it.”

“But do you love her more?” the chief asked, turned, and left.

They sat, shell-shocked, still holding hands. Tex would have loved to answer the chief, but he didn’t know, exactly, what to say. Did he love Bree? No doubt. Enough to give up his job for her? To give up the thing that made him happy, that felt like a part of his makeup? Being a firefighter wasn’t just a job to Tex. It was his life.

But why the heck should he have to choose between the two?

“He is acting so weird,” Bree said, her voice a little shaky.

Tex turned his chair and leaned close to kiss her. “You okay?”

“I don’t know. I’m so sorry. He has no right to threaten your job.”

“Shh. Honey, it’s not your fault. Your dad ain’t acting sensible about this. But you know what? I’m glad it’s out now. No more hiding.”

“No.” She gave him a tremulous smile. “So at least there’s that.” She sighed. “You let me know if he does or says anything to you at work. He can’t interfere with your job.”

“I know.”

“Not if what he’s mad about has nothing to do with work. I mean, obviously if you mess up at work, he could…”

“Yeah, it’s sticky. But we’ll handle it.” Should he confess how he felt now? Yet it felt wrong, somehow. “Bree, I care for you. I want us to work. But I don’t want to come between you and your dad.”

She blinked. “You want to break up?”

“What?” He leaned back and stared. “Hell, no. Why would you ask that?”

“Oh, good.” She let out a little sigh of relief. “I feel bad about this. You and I did nothing wrong. We shouldn’t be punished because my dad has a stick up his ass.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. And yes, I know, I can talk to my union rep if I have any problems.”

“I was just going to say that.” She smiled.

“I know. So, is today ruined, or can we still enjoy it?”

She huffed. “He definitely changed the vibe, that’s for sure.”

“And I was so hoping to ride that last orgasm for a while. Dang.” Tex pretended to mope then snagged another Danish from the plate in front of them. “Would be sad to let these go to waste.”

“That’s true.” Bree grabbed a donut. “I’m stress eating now. I should probably stop.” She licked the frosting off her finger, and he couldn’t look away.

“I like stress eating.” Tex took one of her fingers, dug through the frosting, then brought it to his mouth. Watching her while he sucked her finger clean, he saw the arousal she couldn’t hide. And smiled. “Maybe the two of us should get this stress out of our systems. You know, stuff our faces full so we’re relaxed for a while.”

Bree’s wide grin encouraged more sucking. “Are you trying to get back in my shower?”

“Huh?”

“Every time we have sex, you need to get clean.”

He chuckled. “No, no. I just find the hot water over my body rids my hangover faster. No idea why, it just does.”

“Good to know.”

“Now can we have some kinky donut sex, or are you going to harangue me about your water bill?”

“Hmm. I wonder if there’s a way you can pay it off.”

“Well, you know, I have been known to play in the tub with half-naked women. So, tell me, the first time you rode this fine body, was it because you’d deliberately flooded your bathroom or what?”

She gaped. “Seriously? Water damage just to ride the Tex love train?”

“That’s a no then?”

“You’re an idiot.”

Who loves you.“So, what does that make you?”

“A woman who should know better but doesn’t care.”

“Just my type.”

She smacked him. They laughed and play-fought back to the bedroom, where problems didn’t exist, and tomorrow could wait to rear its ugly head.

***

Sunday at work went off without a hitch. They had a few calls but nothing major. The guys seemed on edge, Tex having told them about his situation with Bree. Though the chief knew, Tex was still keeping his dating life private. The guys agreed that to be a smart move.

But before Tex left the next morning to start his ninety-six hours off, the lieutenant snapped from inside his office, “McGovern, a word. Now.”

Shit.

Wash and Hernandez had been hanging out in the commons with Mack and Reggie.

“What’s up with Tex?” Hernandez asked. “Ed sounds pissed.”

Reggie groaned. “Nothing good, apparently.”

Tex looked at his friends, sighed, and took the beating sure to be coming his way. It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

***

A week later, Tex sat with the guys at Seward Park, staring at the water and feeling glum. Well, Gilchrist had said there would be consequences. But ripping Tex not only from his crew but from Station 44? Tex hadn’t seen that one coming. Not at all.

“This is bullshit,” Brad said. “He can’t do this.”

“He can.” Mack sighed. “He hasn’t done anything disciplinary, Brad. It’s a personnel shift. He’s the battalion chief. He has that power.”

“How are the guys at your new station?” Reggie asked.

“Okay, I guess.” Tex shrugged. “Pretty understanding, actually. The lieutenant in charge isn’t as together as Ed or Sue, but he’s okay. I do my job, take all the shit work like I’m some newbie, and don’t complain. But man, Gilchrist made it clear as day that anyone so much as looks at his daughters in any way, they’re gonna get what I’m getting.”

It hurt. Tex missed his friends. They were his family, damn it. Gilchrist had no right fucking with that. “How’s the new guy?”

Mack snorted. “The son of somebody with money and power in the city is playing at being a firefighter, you ask me. That bullshit about pairing us with the FNG because we’re a stellar crew who can teach him something is crap. I mean, sure, it’s true. We’re awesome. But this guy… He’s a real prize. Thinks he can do no wrong, and he’s barely out of diapers.”

“Hernandez and his team can’t stand the guy.” Reggie snorted. “I can see why. Within two seconds of joining our team, he started mouthing off like he had a right. And he was wrong about procedure, which Wash had been trying to show him. Guy’s barely been with us for two days and acting like he’s one of us. He’s not.”

“You can’t blame him for that.” Tex felt tired. “For being an arrogant ass, sure. But not for being new.”

“No, we blame you,” Reggie growled.

That hurt.

“Reggie.” Mack shook his head.

Brad frowned. “Come on, Reg. Tex doesn’t want this.”

Tex scowled. “You think I like working with guys who know I’m the station fuckup? Who enjoy disc golf and art flicks in their spare time rather than having a beer and playing ball?”

“Oh, that’s harsh.” Brad cringed.

Reggie leaned back and shrugged. “Well, you wanted the girl.”

“Reg, stop.” Brad frowned at him.

“Gilchrist is fucking with you,” Mack said to Tex, cutting in. “Trying to see if you’re serious about his daughter.”

“Who knows?” Tex wished he did. “He hasn’t done anything wrong, exactly. I do the same job. Same pay. Just in another part of the city.”

“Station 44 isn’t the same,” Brad said. “Everyone feels it. Ed’s been bitching at all of us.”

“Especially our crew,” Reggie said, glaring at Tex. “Why, man? I get that you like her. But we’re your brothers. Would you rather be with her than with us?”

Tex blinked. He hadn’t realized how hard this would be for all of them. “Of course not. I love you guys. I’ll get back eventually.” Somehow. “I think Mack might be right.”

“I’m always right.”

Tex had to hand it to the guy. Even this disaster hadn’t killed Mack’s sense of humor, which Tex appreciated. He winked at Mack. “Of course you are. My point is, I think Gilchrist is trying to make me to back off with Bree.”

“You think?” Reggie shook his head. “What he did isn’t right. But it does make you think. Is leaving us worth it?”

“I love her, Reg,” Tex admitted aloud for the first time.

The guys quieted and stared at him.

“You do know what that word means, right?” Mack asked.

“Shut up, Mack.” Brad scowled, but Tex saw him work to hold back the grin that threatened. “Such an asshole. Look, Tex, I’m glad you finally found someone. I think what Gilchrist is doing is shitty, but you have to do what’s right for you.” Brad stood and crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a fucking superhero as he claimed, “We’re not going anywhere. And your spot, not that dickhead Gornutt’s, is waiting.”

“We call him Goat Nut. He hates it,” Mack confided.

“Goat Nut,” Brad corrected, “is just filler. Keep it together, and before you know it, you’ll be back with us. But in the meantime, when our schedules mesh, we keep doing what we’re doing. Working out together, hanging out together, remaining a unit, in or out of the firehouse.”

“Roger that.” Mack grinned. “Get it? Roger that?”

Tex grinned despite his heartache. “Can I hit him? I’ve been missing that a lot.”

Reggie finally smiled. “Please do. Then we can get back to this run. I think I’m getting faster, Tex. In fact, I’m pretty sure I can beat you now.”

“It’s on, Navy. Let’s race.” And hope I don’t pull so far away, I can’t ever come back.

***

Ed O’Brien glared at a man he’d been friends with for years. “This is bullshit, and you know it.”

John Gilchrist sighed and rubbed his eyes. His daughter had been on his ass the past week, claiming he needed to get over this overprotective instinct. His wife had called him a few choice names and was only grudgingly speaking to him. The station staff had been tiptoeing around him, all except for his assistant, who didn’t care what the hell he did so long as he kept to his schedule.

“You have a point to make?” He liked Ed. A lot. They were old friends, but they also had a particular role to play in the hierarchy of the fire department. Took a lot of balls for Ed to stand up for McGovern.

“This is horseshit. Come on, John. Tex is one of my best. He’s fun, makes the department look good, and makes C shift as good as it is. Those two crews are strong and making my job easier. Then you grab Tex and stick me with Gornutt? They hate him.”

Hell, John hated him. But the governor’s friend’s kid needed a place to show his stuff, and he’d passed all the tests and gotten into the department on his own merit. Gornutt had earned a right to be in the department. Maybe not at the new station, however.

“They call him Goat Nut,” Ed said as John had taken a sip of coffee.

After choking and nearly spitting up over himself, he glared at Ed as he finally swallowed. “Stressing the new guy is not going to help.”

“Neither is taking one of my top firefighters because he’s dating your daughter.”

“He needs to learn flexibility. Responsibility. How to handle tough situations and push through.”

“He does that every day. And he’s been dealing with you without breaking down.”

“For a week. Give it a little time, and we’ll see how things roll. So Goat Nut, ah, I mean, Gornutt, what’s his status?”

Ed sighed and reported his findings. He gave John a rundown of some issues to look into, including lowered morale, then left with a disgusted look on his face.

John watched him go, wondering if he was making such a bad choice after all.

But no, he knew what living with a firefighter had done to his first wife. Recalled all the pain, the tears, and the heartache she’d had to deal with. He didn’t have much of her left, only the memories he carried. The guilt.

And a daughter he loved more than life itself. In time, she’d understand why he’d done what he’d done. And if Tex McGovern was the man his daughter insisted he was, then he’d make his choice and choose a life with Bree over his job.

Sometimes you had to hurt the ones you loved to help them.