Burning Desire by Marie Harte

Chapter Three

Tuesday night, Tex sat with the guys at Reggie’s obsessively neat house for a late-night barbecue. Tex would have managed the grilling, but Mack had volunteered, leaving Tex to enjoy a beer with Brad and Reggie. Talk, of course, centered around his upcoming volunteer work for a certain photographer.

“I hope you know you’re putting the rest of us in a bad spot.” Brad grabbed a handful of chips. “They’re sending over someone from Madison Park to cover for you. And I have to partner with him since Reggie won Mack on the coin toss.”

“Not sure that’s a win,” Reggie muttered. “He talks. A lot.”

Brad grinned.

Tex frowned. “Reggie, you and Mack normally pair together. Why did you let Brad sucker you into a coin toss?”

“It just seemed fairer to let fate pick the loser.” Reggie shrugged. “Besides, ever since Brad started dating Avery, he’s all emotional all the time. He was whining about something or other, then he started crying. I couldn’t take it. Frankly, Brad, it was embarrassing.”

Tex nodded. “Oh, right. When he was bawlin’ his eyes out Sunday night. Damn, son. It was a Chicago Fire rerun, and they did save the day.”

Reggie laughed. “They always do—no matter how dramatic it is.”

Brad growled, “I cried on Sunday because some asshole shoved a handful of jalapeños into my turkey sub without me knowing.” Brad gave Tex the eye. “I about had a heart attack.”

“Whoa, now. It wasn’t me. I’d have used habaneros, maybe ghost peppers. Jalapeños? Please. Besides, we all know you can’t handle hot stuff. You can barely handle Avery.”

“Truth.” Reggie held up a hand, and Tex slapped it.

“It was Wash,” Reggie said. “And probably Mack. I swear, our little Air Force is getting way too chummy with the rest of C shift.”

“No kidding.” Tex shook his head. “Mack and Wash have been working on pranking the lieutenant.”

The crew at the station lived to tease each other. It had started innocently enough with one of the firefighters’ kids leaving a doll behind after visiting. A Ken doll, which did actually look like Brad, started doing odd things to Barbies and other monstrous action figures found in the station in odd places. Then the station’s other lieutenant, Sue Arthur, who resembled Dora the Explorer, started finding Dora stickers on her notebooks and the cute little doll sitting at her desk. Everyone at the station thought it hilarious, Tex included.

“They’re pranking Ed?” Brad laughed. “Oh, that’s why they were messing around with an old A-Team action figure. Ed does kind of remind you of Hannibal. If Hannibal were twenty pounds lighter, with less gray, and a few inches taller.”

Tex frowned. “Hannibal?”

Brad sighed. “He’s a character from an old eighties show my mom used to like. Never mind.”

Reggie grinned. “It was a great show. Wait. You know, I think they did a skit on Family Guy about that.”

Tex stopped Reggie before he got on one of his pop culture kicks. “No one cares, Reggie.”

“Ass.”

Tex ignored him. “Anyhow, ever since Ken left Barbie for Pup Patrol—on your behalf,” Tex said to Brad, “everyone’s talking about how funny it would be to get Ed. He’s the only guy left no one’s ever fucked with.”

“Yeah, the LT should know better than to think he’s immune.” Reggie snorted. “Ed needs to realize he’s fair game.”

Tex liked seeing his buddy in a better mood. His breakup with Amy months ago had left a sore spot Reggie liked to pretend didn’t exist, but he hadn’t been himself for too long.

“Just don’t involve me in it,” Tex told them. “I’m on thin ice bein’ with Bree and all. Ed warned me not to screw things up.”

“You mean, not to screw Bree,” Reggie clarified.

“Well, yeah.” Tex finished his beer and got up to get more from Reggie’s fridge. He returned with seconds for the guys as well. “Bree gave me the speech, like I thought she might.”

He’d already told them how his meeting with Chief Gilchrist had gone. “She’s pretty serious about me not doing anything to mess with her project. Not that I would.” He’d been thinking about nothing but Bree and her ideas since yesterday afternoon’s meeting. “But I’m telling you both. That woman is mine.”

Mack had returned at that moment, and the whole crew stared at Tex as if he’d grown a third eye.

Mack frowned. “Wait. Say that again?”

“My future girlfriend wants nothing to do with me. I have to trick her into trying me on for size. And with her daddy against her dating a fireman, it’s not going to be easy.”

Mack frowned. “Did you hit your head or something?”

“Are you drunk?” Brad asked.

“He has to be.” Reggie nodded. “Because trying to seduce a woman who continually tells you no sounds a lot like stalking. Or assault. Hmm, and what’s another buzz word, Brad?”

“Career suicide?” Mack offered.

“That’s two words,” Tex muttered.

“Oh, wait, I know a few.” Brad smiled, though there was nothing funny about what he was saying. “Hashtag MeToo. Criminal offense. Jail time. Getting fired.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Tex put his beer down and waved a finger at them. “I’m not gonna stalk her or hurt her. Jesus. Relax, you guys. I’m talking about showing her how great I am then stepping back. That way she makes all the moves. See, I’m going to let her fall in love with me. Because a gentleman always lets a lady set the pace.”

“Oh, that’s what he meant.” Reggie scoffed. “You are so going to get yourself in trouble from this. Tex, man, we can only cover for you so long before Ed and the captain—and the freakin’ battalion chief—fire your ass.”

“For what?”

“Being stupid,” Mack and Brad said together.

Tex frowned. “I’d never hurt a woman.”

“We know that.” Brad sighed. “But Tex, you don’t seem to be thinking straight about Bree. You haven’t been for months.”

“I’m crushin’ on her. I admit it.”

Reggie scowled. “You barely know her. Trust me. Love doesn’t guarantee a happily ever after.”

Mack nodded. “He’s right.”

“But if I don’t try, I can’t…” Tex couldn’t explain it to them. Heck, he could barely explain it to himself. He felt things for Bree that made no sense. And he needed to know if he was experiencing infatuation, lust, or something else. Something he thought he might really feel for the woman. And that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with affection and respect, which usually took a lot longer for him to feel.

And he’d know, having dated. A lot.

“Okay, okay.” Reggie surprised him by standing and supporting him. “We’re behind you, man. But you have to be smart. Go slow. Do your charm thing that doesn’t seem like it’s intentional.”

“And use the hat.” Mack nodded to Tex’s Stetson sitting on the couch. “Ladies dig the hat.”

Brad seemed to reluctantly agree. “Yeah, even Avery likes it. But like Reggie said, be smart. Do all the dancing you want but let her make the first move.”

“Fellas, I know no means no,” Tex teased. They didn’t smile back. “I swear. I’m smarter than I look.”

“And thank God for that,” Mack said. “Anyway, I came in to let you know dinner’s almost ready.” He grabbed a platter from the kitchen and went out back again.

Reggie headed toward the dining table. “Look, Tex. If you like the girl, I’m with you. But I’m also worried, because you normally have more sense than to fuck with your future.”

“What Reggie said.” Brad stood and met with the rest of them around a large dining table, where Mack set a platter of ribs and burgers, joining plates of burger fixings, buns, and some potato and macaroni salads.

As the four of them sat and ate, the familiar camaraderie settled, giving Tex what he’d missed when he’d left home and again what he’d lost in leaving the Marine Corps. He loved all his families: the one he’d been born into, the one he’d served his country with, and the one now seated around Reggie’s table.

Though their caution about Bree grated, he knew they cared, which made for frank talk. They shared what they needed to in a safe space, something Tex never took for granted. Maybe because he’d known too many guys who’d had nobody, and he understood the gift of brotherhood he had with these men.

“Reggie, what’s up with you? The truth,” he said, knowing Reggie needed to do something about his attitude before it ate him up inside. “I’ve been honest about Bree. I’m love-bit, and I’m stupid. I know. But I won’t make the same mistake twice. Then we have Brad, who finally did right by Avery. He’s in a good place.” Tex glanced at Mack and grinned. “And our car-lovin’ brother is content with his Chevelle. That leaves you and your pissy attitude.”

Reggie glared, but when Tex didn’t break his stare, the big guy groaned. “You guys need to give me some space, okay?”

Brad snorted. “Um, no. We did that for months. Tell us what’s up. You need a date? Avery knows people.”

“I have a few friends who have friends,” Tex said, though he’d been planning to steer clear of his exes on account of his plan to woo Bree. But for his buddy, he’d revisit the past.

“And I know women too.” Mack scowled when the guys just looked at him. “I do.”

“I don’t need a hookup, thanks,” Reggie growled. “Amy fucked with my head, okay? Is that what you want to hear?”

Tex huffed. “Man, we already knew that. But that was a while ago. What are you thinkin’ now, hoss?”

“God, not more cowboy talk,” Mack complained. “But yeah, what Tex said. Come on, Reggie. You’re no fun anymore. Always mad at everything. And let’s all be honest here. The breakup wasn’t your fault. You were great with Amy from the beginning. You even loved her kid.”

“Rachel.” Reggie swallowed.

“Yeah,” Brad said, his voice soft. “We know Amy messed you up by leaving. But brother, it’s her loss. You still have us.”

“And your dad and sisters,” Tex added. “You never did tell us what they had to say about Amy leaving.” At Reggie’s look, Tex stared. “You didn’t tell them?”

“No. I just said we were done.” Reggie squirmed, which was funny, seeing a guy that big and intimidating threatened by his much smaller sisters. “Lisa and Nadia would kill her. And then Rachel would be without a dad and a mom.”

“No shit. Your sisters scare me,” Mack said and made the sign of the cross. “But tell them I said hi and how much I admire them, just in case ‘hi’ offends them.”

Which had everyone laughing. Reggie’s sisters were gorgeous, funny, and mean to anyone who messed with their younger brother.

Tex smiled. “Look, you need to realize you’ll find your own Miss Right someday. If Brad can do it, surely the rest of us can.”

“Real funny, Tex.” Brad didn’t look pleased.

“But it’s true. You just have to get outta that hero mindset and let some fine woman be there for you,” Tex told Reggie, which all of them knew but Reggie never wanted to hear. “Amy always needed rescuing. Well, she rescued herself out of a fine man. Now she’s done and gone.” And good riddance. The woman had used Reggie for way too long. “Little Rachel was lucky to have known you. Now, since Avery and Bree are clearly taken, you need to find yourself some other woman. And that means getting out there again.”

“Please, no more.” Reggie seemed to sink into himself. “My father is dating again, and he’s been giving me dating advice.” He looked sick. “If it’s all the same to you guys, let’s talk about something else. I promise, I’ll get back to scoping out women.”

“By the end of the month, or I’ll have Avery trying to hook you up live on the internet,” Brad said.

Tex laughed. “That’s the way. Get Reggie on the show to adopt some Pets Fur Life critters. And speaking of which, the calendar was a success, so I hear.”

Brad nodded. “I talked to Avery’s roommate, who’s been taking on more responsibility with the charity. Oscar too,” Brad said proudly. His brother had been dating said roommate and getting his life on a good track.

Tex liked the guy, which reminded him to give Oscar a call back. He’d left a message yesterday, but Tex hadn’t yet listened to it. “I’ll give him a call.”

“Why do you talk to Oscar more than I do?”

Because I miss my own brothers, and Oscar reminds me of Wyatt.“Jealous, Ken?” The Barbie/Ken shot was always good for a zing, especially because Brad got that lemon face when anyone used it…like now. Tex grinned. “Don’t be. I like to keep track of the animals, is all. Unless you’d rather I talked to Avery more about it. I mean, with her and the adoption show and all. She seems to have a thing for buff guys. Sadly, she settled for you. Imagine what the hottest guy in Station 44 could do for her?” He flexed.

Brad’s face turned red, which had the rest of them snickering. “Fuck you. Leave my woman alone. Talk to Oscar all you want.” His expression turned sly. “Or, you know, we could have you and Bree guest star on Avery’s show. I’ll bet Avery would love to interview Bree about how she knows you and what she really thinks of you, Tex.”

“Ah, no.” He could just see their show getting too much attention…from her father, his captain, and Ed, not to mention everyone at the station. “I’m good. Say, who wants more ribs?”

The others laughed, and talk turned to D shift and who they expected to take Sue’s spot when she took her yearly two-week vacation.

But Tex couldn’t stop thinking about how to behave the next morning and if he should be cool or turn up the heat with Bree. Hmm. Decisions, decisions…

***

Tuesday evening, Bree half-heartedly enjoyed a box of caramel corn on Carrie’s couch while her best friend stared a hole through her forehead.

Bree squirmed. “Stop. You’re making me self-conscious.”

Carrie raised a brow, the same one that, when used in the courtroom, often had witnesses spilling the truth to cut through Carrie’s awful silences and uncomfortable stares.

“Oh? Do you feel terrible for being a glutton and hogging all the caramel corn yourself? Or because you know that consuming that much sugar means the fat goes right to your thighs?” Carrie smiled, but the barb still stung.

Bree tossed a handful of her treat at Carrie, who watched the caramel corn fall to the ultraclean carpet of her living room floor and scowled. “I’m not cleaning that up.”

Bree slouched on the couch, maneuvering to lie faceup while hanging her head upside down over the cushions. Carrie looked less scary from a different perspective. “Relax, neatnik. I’ll pick it up in a minute.”

“I’m still waiting to hear why you didn’t tell your father about that asshole with the nice pecs.” Carrie’s description of Tex.

Bree sighed.

“You’re so pathetic.”

“I know.” Bree groaned.

Carrie’s dark eyes should have been warm, the brown having a deeper richness than her cropped, platinum-blond hair. But the woman had taken the nickname “Ice Queen” to heart. Six-two, white, and rail-thin, Carrie still looked like the runway model she’d once been with an angular face full of contrasts—an irregular beauty that had sold a lot of copy and clothes from all the top designers. For a while, she and Bree had modeled together, touring Italy and Paris before finishing with a stint in southern Germany Bree still thought of with fondness.

But Carrie had bailed from a life of fake perfection at the same time Bree had. For different reasons, but the result had been the same. Carrie had left the looks business for good and focused on her law career instead.

“Do you ever regret that you never went pro?” Bree asked out of the blue, switching topics to Carrie’s other career.

Without missing a beat, Carrie answered, “Nope. By now I’d have knee and ankle injuries, and I’d be constantly worried about being kicked off the team.” Carrie had played four years of varsity basketball for the Oregon Beavers. But instead of continuing into the WNBA, she’d been discovered by a modeling scout and entered the tricky world of high fashion. “Besides, after my scholarship, the modeling paid for my law school. Cha-ching.”

“Paid for my cameras and business start-up too. Another cha in your ching.”

Carrie raised a glass of apple juice and clinked glasses with Bree’s, which remained on the coffee table while Bree hung partly upside down.

Carrie shot her a look. “So, what’s your damage tonight, woman? I thought you said the horny cowboy looked too good to be true and you were glad to be done with him. Now you’re telling me you two will be working together for the next two weeks while you shadow the fire department. Why?”

“I wish I knew.” Bree slowly sat back up, letting the blood rush from her head and enjoying the dizzy feeling. “Dad liked him, but when he mentioned maybe assigning someone else, I couldn’t go through with it. First of all, that would be letting my personal life interfere with my professional one. I mean, Tex’s lieutenant gave him the okay. He might be a dick, but he seems good at his job.”

“Okay, that’s first of all.” Carrie nodded. “What’s second?”

“Second, there’s no way I can let my dad know I even thought about dating a fireman.”

“So, you’re twenty-seven and still being bossed around by your daddy.” After a pause, Carrie added, “Having met John Gilchrist, I concede your point. What else?”

“My third and final issue…I still get nervous when he’s around.”

“Your dad? I know. We just confirmed that you’re a twenty-seven-year-old tween.”

“No, doofus. Tex.” Thoughts of him stirred an odd sensation in her belly, a flurry of excitement she had a hard time ignoring. “He’s freaking hot, and he keeps acting like he’s totally into me. It’s messing with my head.”

“You—”

“I know I should kick him firmly to the curb,” Bree interrupted. “I meant to. I did twice before. Then he makes these excuses, and I find myself wanting to believe him.”

“Hell, I’m just glad I don’t have to go up against that charmer in court.” Carrie shot her a disgusted look. “I should pity you.”

“Shut up.”

“But instead, I’m deeply ashamed. Your honor, I call to the stand…”

“No. Please, not the fake court proceedings.”

“…Ms. Bree Needs a Man to Be Complete.”

“Ambulance chaser.”

Carrie chuckled. “So sad.”

Bree frowned. Even she knew that corporate litigation was worlds away from tort litigation. “I tried. Lame lawyer. Crooked counselor. Ha!”

Carried rolled her eyes.

“Ack. I know. They’re pathetic. Just pick an insult.”

“You’re out of order.” Carrie’s dark eyes sparkled. “Now, Ms. Needs a Man, please tell the court why you can’t say no to the long, tall Texan.”

“I need to get laid.”

“Granted. And?”

“And I need to have better standards because I only deserve someone who will treat me right.” Bree both loathed and loved these conversations with Carrie. They reminded her of all she’d overcome up to this point in her life. And all she still had to work on. “Why can’t I be more like you?”

“The judge would normally overrule this as outside the scope of the question, but I’ll allow it.” Carrie gave her a smug smile. “Go on. Tell the court why I’m so worthy of emulation.”

“You and your million-dollar words,” Bree muttered. She cleared her throat, took a sip of juice, and just said it. “You go your own way and fuck everyone else. They tell you you’ve gained a few too many pounds for a photoshoot? You tell the photographer to kiss your ass. The agent isn’t pleased with your attitude? He can go fuck himself. Your boss tries to sexually harass you? You laugh in his face and tell him he’s the reason you’re a lesbian.”

“He’s not, but the insult was too good to pass up. What else?” Carrie waved at her to continue.

“Isn’t that enough?”

“No. I also don’t cleave to put-downs from a jealous stepsister. I’m okay admitting I go to therapy because it’s not a big deal. It’s called being normal.” She pointedly looked at Bree’s blushing cheeks. “And I’m happily hopping beds at the moment because I can’t decide if Cheryl or Mattie fits me best, and until I’m ready to commit, I need to be free to choose. And they both know about it because I’m not a dog.”

“A bitch is a female dog, and you claim to like being a b-word.”

“I am a bitch, and I wear the moniker with pride. But I’m not a liar or a cheat. I don’t have ex-girlfriends throwing water on me in a restaurant. When I say I’ll be there for a date, I’m there, or I communicate if I’ll be late.”

“All good points.”

“I know.” Carrie flicked invisible lint off her suit jacket, because yes, Carrie liked to relax while still styling. The weirdo.

“I wish I could be so confident.”

“Hey, it’s taken a lot of years and a lot of wading through other people’s bullshit to get this fierce. But at least your parents aren’t homophobes. So, I’ve got that not going for me.”

They clinked glasses again and finished off their juices. “Am I winning or losing this court case, your honor? I can’t remember.”

“Well, you’re a loser because you threw perfectly good caramel corn all over my carpet.”

“Nag, nag.” Bree picked up the pieces and tossed them in the kitchen trash before joining Carrie once more. “I know I should talk to a therapist about this new inability to steer clear of problem men.” At least she’d been doing better to put her animosity toward Melissa on the backburner.

“It’s only one problem man, though, isn’t it? You haven’t been dating in a while.”

“True. I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t had the time.” Which should have rung true for the too-attractive fireman. There was just something about Tex McGovern. She wished she could easily forget him. Unfortunately, the memory of him had stuck with her for months. “Like a bad case of the plague,” she muttered.

“When you start talking to yourself, I get really worried.” Carrie laughed at the finger Bree gave her. “Easy, girl. You know this will work out okay. Just do your job, keep your legs closed, and remember that ‘sex’ is a three-letter word.”

“So what?”

“So, ‘love’ is a four-letter word. And that’s what you really want, isn’t it?”

“I hate to tell you this, but ‘fuck’ is a four-letter word too. And it’s the word my brain seems stuck on whenever I look into Tex’s lying eyes.” Eyes that happened to be silver, enticing, and confusing—that about summed up Tex McGovern in a nutshell.

“For God’s sake.” Carrie huffed. “Your problem is you’re pent up. Go have a nice night with one of the guys in your little black book.”

“Um, it’s pink. I tossed the black book a few months ago.”

Carrie sneered. “Pink. Ugh. Why not add more stereotypes to your life? You’re a girl who loves pink. And what, are you a dumb blond too? A daddy’s girl?”

“Hey. I like pink. I’m not stupid—”

“Debatable.”

“—but I do love my dad.”

Carrie paused. “Well, actually I do too. Pink is fun, and your dad’s amazing. But we don’t want to satisfy anyone’s expectations. We mean to break them. No, even better, exceed them.”

“Um, er, right.” Even for Carrie, her zeal tonight seemed a bit much.

Carrie must have realized it. “Sorry, I’m so buzzy. I won our case today for my client. She kept the majority of the company…worth twenty-five million! Her scum-sucking partner was nearly crying when we were done. My bosses are super happy with me.” Carrie beamed. “So, I’m a little man-hating and anti-bad-relationships tonight. I know, I don’t do divorce work, but corporate work can feel like a divorce when the company breaks up. And my client’s partner was a huge dick.”

“Geez, Carrie. Why didn’t you lead with your win when I walked in the door?” Bree gave her best friend a huge hug before settling back on the couch. “Instead, you let me go on and on about my pathetic problems. I’m so happy for you!”

“Me too.” Carrie smiled, and that genuine joy melted her icy demeanor, leaving her the warm, loving woman Bree had clicked with upon first meeting. Though very different, the two of them were soul sisters. That Melissa hated Carrie only made it more obvious what a gem Bree had found in her best friend.

She firmed her resolve. “I’ll deal with Tex. He’s nothing more than a blip on my professional radar.”

“Good for you. And hey, if it gets too bad, just sleep with him and get him out of your system. Then work the hell out of your new grant project.”

“I can do that. Not the sex part, but the picture taking.”

“Uh-huh.” Carrie gave her the eye. “Just remember that any man who looks like Tex and has that many exes isn’t the safest guy to sleep with, if you get my meaning.”

“Not going there.”

“Right. I’ll tuck a few condoms in your bag just in case.”

“Do it and die.”

Carrie stood and looked down at her.

“Well, you’ll metaphorically die from all my loathing and disdain.” Bree paused, then muttered, “Not like I could reach that scrawny neck to strangle you.”

“It’s good to have dreams, little girl.”

“You know only three inches separate us, right?”

Carrie’s grin looked more menacing than happy. “Whatever. Now quit it with all the chitchat and let me tell you about this hot waitress I was talking to during my lunch break.”

“What about Cheryl and Mattie?”

“Hey, I have a lot of love to give. Don’t rain on my million-dollar parade.”

“And you call Tex a stud? You could give him lessons in breaking hearts.”

“Aw, you say the sweetest things.”