Burning Desire by Marie Harte
Chapter Four
Wednesday morning, Bree watched Tex stroll into Sofa’s Bakery at nine on the dot, swaggering like he owned the place. After having wrangled with one of the owners, a kind though sarcastic friend Bree had known since her modeling days, she now sat with a vanilla latte she hadn’t asked for as well as a tray full of goodies. Apparently, a plain coffee and breakfast cookie were “way too pedestrian” for a woman like her. Who knew?
“He makes one wrong move toward you and I’ll end him,” Elliot, her overzealous friend, had threatened before seating her near the front counter, where he’d be able to overhear everything.
But as Tex ambled—there was no other word for his lazy but controlled stride—toward her table, Elliot muttered, “Holy croissant, but that man is buttery goodness all rolled up into hot crossed buns…of steel. Would you look at those thighs.” He winked at her, intentionally overdoing it to make her laugh.
She had to bite her lip not to, though she mentally agreed. She shot the busybody a dark look to let him know what she thought of his comments.
“Sorry, sorry.” Elliot left her to help his sister fix a few drinks and serve new customers.
Wearing a working uniform of dark-blue Nomex pants, a button-up Seattle FD shirt, and dark-black boots, Tex looked like a walking advertisement to protect and serve. Or, you know, strip down on a stage.
She itched to take a few photos of him and forced herself to relax.
He nodded at her. “Mornin’, Bree.”
“And that accent,” she heard clearly from Elliot’s direction. “Cream my bagel and butter my toast.”
Bree coughed to cover her laughter.
“Ease up, Elliot.” His sister sighed. “It’s going to be a long-ass morning.”
“Good morning,” Bree said to Tex, hoping he hadn’t heard or understood Elliot talking about him. The man didn’t need another fan in his corner. “Have a seat.”
He sat, said nothing more, and waited.
She waited in silence with him.
After a minute, he smiled. Which caused her to smile then try to hide it with a frown.
His smile grew wider.
Elliot brought a coffee for Tex. “Welcome to Sofa’s. Any friend of Bree’s is a friend of mine.”
Where the hell had the threats and taking her side gone? The way of a pretty face, that’s where. She shot Elliot another dirty look. He winked and left, whistling.
She glared after him. “I’m not leaving you a tip.”
He snorted and turned around to wave at Tex. “Enjoy the food, and don’t let Miss Bossy keep you away when you become addicted to me.”
Trust Elliot to add his own flavor to her morning.
Tex blinked. “Addicted to him?”
“To his food. He takes his catering and baking seriously.” She bit into an apricot tart and cursed Elliot for being so good at his job.
When she’d finished the treat, she noted Tex staring at her. “What?”
“I’ve never seen anyone eat so fast in my life. And I live and work with people constantly on the go.”
She ignored the heat in her cheeks. “I like sweets.”
He sipped his coffee and polished off his croissant, a blondie, and two pastries before he said, “You broke the silence first, so I win.”
“Real mature, Roger.”
He flushed. “I hate that name.”
“It doesn’t quite fit, does it?” She laughed. “Fine, you win.” Pause. “Roger.”
“Call me Tex, or I’ll make the next two weeks miserable.”
It took her a moment to process the threat, because it had been delivered so politely in that deep voice. Man, he might be able to hold his own in an argument with Carrie. “Don’t get your panties in a knot…Tex.” She loved that she’d gotten under his skin. His warm, manly, rough-where-it-counted skin.
She blew out a breath, calming her unwelcome arousal. Real professional, Bree.
Tex cocked his head, appearing concerned. “You all right?”
Now feeling like an idiot, she cleared her throat and nodded. “Peachy. Okay. Do-over. Tex, for the next two weeks, you’re my shadow while we move through the city and Seattle’s Fire Department. I’m open to what you have to show me. And I’d appreciate it if you treated this seriously.”
“Trust me. I know this is a big deal. With my LT, captain, and the battalion chief watching where this goes, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
She didn’t trust that smile. It looked sincere and innocent, but she’d swear something darker lurked behind Tex’s silver-eyed promise.
“Okay then. This should go well.”
“I hope so.” He waited for her to finish a croissant, because what the hell, she needed a boost in fortitude, then left a large tip in the jar on the counter before walking her to her car. “Follow me to the station, and we’ll take the ‘company car.’” He used air quotes. “I’m authorized to use a battalion vehicle for your project.”
“Okay.”
He looked her over, grunted, then left for his truck.
“Huh. What did that mean?” She followed after him, focusing on what kind of shots she wanted to get, pictures of the hardworking firefighters of Seattle doing a sometimes thankless job. Of them interacting with the community, surely. And with any luck—and she felt terrible hoping for it—some really big fire (where no one got hurt) that she could capture on film.
She arrived at Seattle’s newest fire station and parked near Tex’s truck. Station 44, part of her father’s battalion, sat between the Beacon Hill, NewHolly, and South Beacon Hill areas, providing greater assistance to Fifth Battalion’s responsibilities.
The outside looked typical: a large, two-story, brick building situated on a busy road. The attached bay, otherwise known as a garage, housed the engine and medical vehicles. The building itself provided a large area for the thirty-six firefighters and administrators who worked there—not all at the same time, obviously.
“You ready to go inside and look around?” Tex asked, now wearing a Station 44 ballcap.
“What is it with you and hats?” she asked, gripping her camera bag. “You going bald or something?” Not that a lack of hair would harm his good looks.
He held a hand over his heart. “Words can wound, Ms. Gilchrist. Bald? Please. We McGoverns never go bald. Gray, sure. But that’s on account of the women in our lives.”
“I dare you to say that to your mother.” She squelched a tingle of excitement when he put a hand on the small of her back to guide her inside the open bay housing the engine truck, E44. Several men were cleaning Aid 44, one of the medical trucks beside it, and stopped to stare.
“I’m not as stupid as I must look,” Tex said with a grin. “No way in hell I mess with my momma. She’s got a mean right.”
“No, he really is as dumb as he looks.” Mack came forward, all smiles. “I just want to apologize in advance.”
She took a cautious step back and bumped into Tex. Mack, with that large grin and bright eyes, was a hunk of man candy for sure. And an all-around nice guy she’d enjoyed during the calendar shoot a month ago. “Apologize for what?”
“That you have that guiding you around.” He nodded at Tex. “They didn’t choose me to show you around, I think because the LT was afraid you’d be too distracted by all this”—he waved a hand at himself—“to get your work done.”
She laughed; she couldn’t help it. “Oh, right. All of you are this bad. I’d forgotten.”
Reggie walked around the medical truck, rubbing his hands with a cloth. “No, that’s just Thing One and Thing Two. The rest of us are normal.”
“Yeah, right,” Mack huffed.
“Nice to see you again, Bree.”
“You too, Reggie.”
Talk about a heartthrob, flashing those pearly whites, a smile in his kind eyes, and those biceps. She had to take a few shots. Quickly digging in her camera bag, she pulled out her Nikon and started taking pictures of Reggie and Mack. A glance down at her view screen showed lighting issues, and she hung the camera around her neck by its strap as she jotted down some notes in a notepad.
“Um, do you need any help?” Tex asked after a moment.
She glanced up to realize a few more firefighters had joined them. “Oh, sorry. It’s going to be like this for the next two weeks. I’ll need to figure out lighting and timing, maybe take some photos from different perspectives, add some filters… Hmm.” She was talking to herself, ignoring Tex, but this time not on purpose, fully immersed in her work.
Enthused all over again about the project, she walked deeper into the bay, looked around, then lay down on her back and looked up through her camera at a world that needed to be captured.
***
Tex watched as Bree lay down on the cement floor and cringed, hoping she didn’t get any stains on her clothes. Then again, her canvas jacket looked as if it had taken a beating or two in its life, the darker brown able to hide a few stains.
Bree looked damn good. Dressed in jeans, knee-high, chocolate-brown boots, and a plain red shirt, she looked both casual and chic lying there. Her hair wasn’t spread around her head though, the way he’d imagined it looking over his pillow when she finally realized the error of her ways and stopped resisting him.
“What the hell is she doing?” Hernandez asked, having joined them to wash the engine.
“She’s looking amazing, that’s what she’s doing,” Mack murmured. “Wow, I had no idea how much I loved blonds.”
“Shut up, Mack.” Tex shouldered his way past the gaping men around him. “Um, Bree, how much longer you think you’ll be down there?”
She seemed lost in her own little world as she snapped picture after picture with that camera that had to cost a fortune. At his voice, she turned to him and kept taking pics.
He didn’t know if he should strike a pose or what, but he didn’t want to look cheesy in front of the guys, so he kept his game face on and waited for her to answer.
When she continued to say nothing, he frowned. “You in there or what?”
“Talk, dark, and annoyed. I love that look. Keep frowning.”
The others guffawed.
He shot them that look before extending a hand to her. “Okay, photo lady. Let’s get you up and inside before you get run over on a call.”
She took his hand, hers so much smaller than his, and accepted help to her feet. “Thanks.” She waved at everyone. Heck, the only people on shift not down here were Brad, the LT, Marcus, and…nope, Beanie just entered the bay.
Bree smiled. “Hi, everyone. I’m—”
Tex interrupted. “Ma’am, this is my job.” Her brows drew close in a scowl, so he hastened to say, “Fellas, this is Bree Gilchrist, the professional photographer assigned to take pictures for the next two weeks. She’s gonna be in and out, so let’s extend her every courtesy.” He focused on Hernandez and Wash. “You get me? Or heads are gonna roll.”
Wash snorted. “Whatevah.” He smiled at Bree, all warm and personal, his northeastern accent thick. “Hey there, Bree. We know you from the photoshoot you did for Pets Fur Life. Remember us?”
Hernandez scooted past Wash and let loose a wide, welcoming grin. The bastard. “Yo, Ms. Gilchrist, nice to see you again.”
Bree smiled back sunnily at everyone, chatting about how much fun she’d had on the calendar shoot, how lovely it was to see them again, and how excited she was to blah, blah, blah.
Tex lost his patience when Brad joined them and had the nerve to start flirting. And he had his own woman to think about!
Cutting through the herd to guide her where she needed to be, Tex gave his old border collie a run for his money by separating Bree from her many admirers. Fuckin’ sheep.
Reggie didn’t smile, but his eyes were laughing as he met Tex’s gaze.
Jackass, Tex mouthed. He cleared his throat and said to Bree, “Well, we’d best see you to the lieutenant so he doesn’t think I’m not doing my job.” He tried his best not to appear annoyed with his friends and the rest of the C shift dicks.
“Oh, sorry. Yes, let’s go see Ed. I mean, Lieutenant O’Brien.”
He knew the LT had a deeper relationship with Chief Gilchrist than mere professionalism. Proven when Bree called him by his first name. Tex and Bree walked to the stairway, and Tex shot the others the finger behind his back as they went, ending with some unfortunate name-calling aimed his way.
Bree paused on the stairs. “Did someone just call you a diesel dick?”
“Nah. That’s just the guys messing with each other. Not me. I get along with everyone.”
She shot him a disbelieving glance but didn’t call him on it. “Yeah, sure. Though I’m not sure what a diesel dick is.”
“Me neither.” They continued up the stairs. “So how do you know my lieutenant?” Ed wasn’t funny about what the guys called him, as long as it was mostly clean. But Tex had always felt weird about calling the guy by his first name. Years in the Marine Corps had made working within a chain of command a natural state of being, and he’d never called a superior officer by his first name.
“Oh, he and Dad have been friends for years. They were in the same squad for a while, I think, though my dad had more time in service. If Ed decides to try for promotion to a battalion chief or higher, I bet he’ll get it.”
“Yeah, but I can’t see Ed wanting all that goes with the position. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.”
She agreed, coming to the top of the stairs. “He’s more of a hands-on guy. My dad is too. It kills him sometimes that he’s not in the thick of things. Running the scheduling and training for the battalion takes all of his time.”
“I’ll bet.” Nah, Tex wouldn’t want that headache either. Though the commensurate salary would be nice. “So, before we get to the lieutenant, this hallway leads to the common area and kitchen. And farther down is the weight room. But if you go this way”—he turned them left instead of right—“you get LT and the admin office. Down the hall that wraps around are the sleeping quarters.”
She nodded. “And you guys have four shifts, eight people per shift, right?”
“Yep. Lieutenant O’Brien leads A and C shift. Our other lieutenant, Sue Arthur, leads B and D. Sue’s great.” And not his commander, thus he had no problem calling her by her first name. “She’s pretty tough.”
“She’d have to be, surrounded by so much testosterone.” Bree snorted and turned to see Ed coming from the kitchen. She brushed by Tex’s shoulder, and a waft of floral shampoo washed over him, stirring a predictable warmth within.
Ed saw Bree, and pleasure lit up his usually hard-nosed expression. “Well, well. Bree Gilchrist. You get prettier every time I see you.”
Tex watched in awe as Ed had Bree blushing and protesting his compliment, her sweet side out in full force. Ed kissed her cheek and led her into his office, completely ignoring Tex standing right behind her.
He sighed and followed them inside.
“Shut the door, would you?”
After shutting the door, Tex sat next to Bree, across from Ed.
“This is a real pleasure. We’re excited to have you featuring the department for your project. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, water? I just made a fresh pot of coffee, if you want the good stuff.”
Tex grimaced. Who the hell had let the LT near the coffee machine?
Bree settled her camera bag gently on the floor beside her. “Well, I had coffee earlier, but I could go for another.”
Ed snapped his fingers and pointed at Tex. “Grab her a cup, would you?”
Bree gave him her prettiest fake smile. “With cream and sugar please.”
I got something sweet I’d love to give you,sprang immediately to mind, his thoughts around Bree never far from sex. But a glance at Ed’s narrowing gaze had him biting back anything but a polite, “Sure thing, Bree.”
Fetch this. Do that. He could tell it would be best for him if they did a lot of their picture taking on the go, away from the station house. “You sure you want our coffee? It’s pretty strong.”
She raised a brow, her attitude condescending. God, she made him hot. “Thanks so much, cowboy, but I can handle manly coffee. Who the heck do you think made the stuff while I was growing up? My dad.”
“Suit yourself.” He left and returned to find them discussing the station and its inner workings.
He handed Bree her drink and sat down to watch. She didn’t disappoint, her eyes wide and watering as she forced down a large gulp.
“Good stuff, eh?”
She cautiously glanced at Ed and worked up a smile. “Oh, great.”
Ed nodded. “Told you I know a good cuppa joe.”
“Huh. Seems to me her eyes are watering.” Tex fought back a grin.
“Right.” Bree coughed. “Okay, so, Ed, you were telling me about C shift and why you think they’re the worst of the bunch.”
Tex frowned. “Come on, LT. You don’t mean that.”
Ed chuckled. “Well, I guess I don’t. Maybe. What with Brad getting us all that publicity with Searching the Needle Weekly, the calendar with supposedly ‘hot’ firefighters, and now you helping Bree out, C shift does seem to be the most popular group at the station.”
Bree eased her camera out and took a few shots of Ed, who flushed.
“Don’t take pictures of me. No one wants to see that.”
Tex nodded. “Yeah, no one wants to see that.”
“Shut it, McGovern.”
Bree couldn’t hide her grin as she stood and moved around the office, taking photos of Ed…and Tex. “Don’t mind the camera. I’m taking a ton of photos today. Probably ninety percent of which I won’t keep.”
That relaxed Ed. “Good. Although the boss would love to see me in a picture not holding a beer.”
“By ‘boss,’ he doesn’t mean the captain,” Tex explained. “He means the woman he married.”
Ed winked at Bree. Ed’s wife had Ed by the ’nads. A funny woman, but damn, Tex understood why the lieutenant had to bring the heat at work. He needed to be in charge somewhere in his life.
“What do you guys think I should concentrate on with my photos?” Snap. Bree took another photo of Tex, and this time he smiled at the camera.
Ed shrugged. “You’re the artist. You tell us.”
“People,” Tex said.
She turned to him and lowered her camera. “Which people? C Shift?”
He shook his head. “Our job is helping people, being a part of the community. Hell, tying the community together. Sure, take shots of Mack doing CPR or Nat hosing down a fire. But get the old lady who needs her cat out of a tree—and yeah, that actually happens. Or the kid crying because he broke his arm and didn’t catch the ball. Get the public in your shots, because without them, there’s no us.”
Ed stared at him.
“What?”
“I can’t believe all that came out of your mouth.”
That Bree looked just as amazed annoyed him. “I keep telling everyone I’m not just a pretty face,” he grumbled.
Bree blinked. “Huh.”
“What now?” he snapped.
Ed’s gaze narrowed.
“You might actually be smarter than Mack and Brad said you were.”
Tex sat up straighter and cocked back the brim of his ballcap. “Just when did they tell you I had rocks for brains? I’m a dang genius.”
“So succinct,” Ed muttered. “Wait, don’t answer him, Bree. This sounds like a lengthy conversation if it involves Tex’s brain capacity.”
Tex held back a snarl. Barely.
Ed smirked at him. “I actually need to get back to work. I just wanted to welcome you to Station 44 and let you know that we’re here to help. Anything you need, anything at all”—he paused to eyeball Tex—“and we’ll get it for you.”
“Even one of your burly guys’ phone numbers?” Bree wiggled her brows.
“Who?” Tex asked.
Ed’s expression grew dark. Really dark.
Bree had the temerity to laugh. “God, I’m kidding. If you only knew how many times my father has drilled into my head to keep away from flirty firemen.” She chuckled. “Sorry. That wasn’t professional at all. But Dad did tell me he’d give me twenty bucks if I could shake the unshakeable Ed O’Brien.”
Tex felt weak from relief and refused to consider why. “Good one. I’ll be your witness. The LT can’t seem to close his mouth.”
Ed’s jaw snapped shut. He pointed an accusing finger at Bree. “Just you watch your step, missy, or I’ll tell Charlie you’re misbehaving.”
“Charlie?” Tex looked from Ed to Bree. Shoot. Was Bree dating some civilian?
“Her stepmom.” Ed looked smug. “She’s as protective as John.” Ed chuckled. “I aim to follow the Gilchrist way as my kids get older. No dating and nothing but straight As and schoolwork to keep them happy and healthy.”
“Poor kids,” Tex drawled.
“And you, keep your distance. Already Ed Jr. is begging for his own Stetson and going around the house saying howdy and calling me ‘hoss’.” Ed rolled his eyes.
Tex laughed. “That’s what you get when you bring your kids around on field trips. We educate ’em somethin’ good. Wait till he tells you what I told him about girls and cooties.”
Ed tried to stifle a grin, but Tex saw it.
Bree shook her head. “And we’re done here.” She was laughing as she stowed her gear. “Thanks for lending me one of yours, Ed. I’ll make sure I don’t get him in any trouble.”
“See that you don’t.” He harrumphed. They all stood, but before Tex could follow Bree out the door, Ed snagged his arm. “And you don’t get her in any trouble. Clear?”
“As mud. Ow. Easy, LT. I got you. Damn.”
For an older guy, Ed still packed a punch. Tex rubbed his arm, tipped his hat at his boss, then scooted after the fast-moving blond.