Page 22 of Arsonist’s Match (Blaze and Badge #1)

S nuffles raced to the door to meet Flash when she and the crew returned from putting out the park fire. Dry, hot weather had sparked little fires all week—this one likely from a tossed cigarette or sunlight through broken glass. No one was hurt, which was the main thing.

“Were you good while I was gone?” Flash scooped the diminutive pup up in her arms, ruffling her head and ears while the dog’s flicking tongue stretched toward her face enthusiastically. She frequently brought her dog to the firehouse, and the crew had adopted her as their “dalmatian.”

“Lieutenant Edwards,” Jake called. “I need to see you for a minute.”

Flash relaxed once he had left the room and set Snuffles on the floor. She couldn’t believe how he’d suggested that the captain ban dogs from the firehouse. Thankfully, he’d been overruled.

“It needs to rain,” Waylon commented as he trailed in behind her. Snuffles bounded over to sniff his shoes and pant legs. “Want to know where I’ve been?” He lifted the fluff ball with one broad hand, holding her securely to his chest. “Your mama and I put out a park fire. Do I smell like the park?”

She wiggled happily and licked his fingers.

Flores popped a Coke and flipped on the TV. “Oh, good!” he exclaimed. “ Murder She Wrote is on.”

“What?” Woods screwed up his face in utter confusion. “That old lady show?”

“I like it,” Bobbie declared defensively. “She solves murders with her brain, and she reminds me of my mom.”

“Come o n, Waylon,” Flash said, elbowing him in the ribs. “I’ll pop the popcorn, and you grab me a cold Mt. Dew.”

Within minutes, Flash and her crew were relaxing on the couch and lounge chairs, munching and quenching their thirsts to the cozy mystery program, void of foul language or disturbing images. Snuffles had curled into a ball in her lap, her keen brown eyes alert to every movement and sound.

“You should have minded your own business, Mrs. Fletcher,” snarled the bad guy on the TV as he pulled a revolver from his pocket.

Suddenly, Snuffles perked up, her ears cocked and her attention trained on the door leading deeper into the firehouse.

She abruptly leaped from Flash’s lap and zoomed out of the room, her tail wagging like a flag at the racetrack.

“Arf, arf!” sounded her shrill, happy bark.

“What’s that about?” Waylon asked, turning a puzzled expression to Flash.

Passing him her popcorn bowl and soda can, Flash bounded up to ensure Snuffles wasn’t bothering Lieutenant Tightass. If her dog got kicked out for poor behavior—no, she couldn’t think about it.

As she rounded the doorframe into the hallway, Flash almost ran smack into a stunning woman holding the joyful, licking ball of fluff in her arms. “Athena!” Flash glowed with unexpected delight to see her girlfriend …

here, in the firehouse … heading down the hall with the brass trailing behind. “What’s going on?”

“I was in for a meeting,” Athena stated officially. Then her voice softened, and a sparkle lit her hazel eyes. “It looks like Snuffles tracked me down for kisses.”

“Ah, so you two know each other,” Fire Marshal Zapata observed aloud. Captain Jake focused intently on a random spot on the wall as he breezed past them without a word.

Yeah, he knows, Flash thought to herself.

“Yes, we do,” Athena confirmed, although she offered no explanation as to how well.

Flash glanced at the young woman in a fire inspector’s uniform, walking alongside him. “Bonnie!” she cried out, now more surprised than before.

“Flash! ” the woman responded, rushing forward to greet her with a brief hug. Her freckled face beaming with fondness, she added, “I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Hey, you’re the one who switched departments,” Flash rejoined with a laugh.

Athena stiffened, one brow arching in suspicion. Catching the subtle change, Flash retreated to arm’s length. “Hey, are you here about the Synergy Warehouse fire? Captain O’Riley said you stamped it as arson.”

“Well,” she fudged as nerves crept into her manner. “I can’t really discuss it, but Agent Bouvier will fill you in if she wants to. I rode over with Zapata, so I’ve got to run, but we should catch up soon. It’s great seeing you, Flash.”

“Good to see you too, Bonnie.” Flash sent her off with a friendly wave and returned her attention to Athena.

“You two seem cozy.” She stroked Snuffles absentmindedly while aiming her human lie-detector focus on Flash.

It tickled Flash that Athena might be jealous, although there was no reason for her to be, and she did her best to contain a laugh.

Extending a hand to join in petting the not-quite-a-puppy anymore, she offered, “There aren’t that many women firefighters in the HFD, so we kind of all know each other.

Bonnie served on a ladder truck with me when I was a probationary candidate, before I found my home here.

She was a couple of years ahead in graduating from the academy, and I learned stuff from her.

Bonnie’s sharp and has good instincts about arson, so, when a slot opened up, she applied. I hear she’s good at it.”

“I formed the impression that she knows what she’s talking about,” Athena responded, pressing the curve of her lips into a straight line.

“I need to head out too, but I’m glad I ran into you.

Getting in some pet therapy is just what the doctor ordered after that meeting.

” She rolled her eyes, deposited Snuffles in Flash’s arms, and murmured, “I’ll fill you in later. ”

“Do I get to see you tomorrow?” Flash asked.

The creative side of her brain had been spinning with ideas for their next date, searching for something less conventional—and less expensive—with which to impress and entertain Athena.

Surely she could come up with something besides watching TV that she could af ford.

Although she had tucked away some money from the extra shifts, Flash was saving that to take Athena on a trip somewhere …

if there was anywhere she hadn’t already been.

Why is it so hard for me to get past this money obstacle?

In a low, husky voice, pitched where nobody else could hear, Athena replied, “I certainly hope so. Call me?”

A satisfied grin lit Flash’s face. “Deal!”

The next day

After returning from her shift, Flash spent most of the day puzzling, planning, and plotting what amazing, surprising, innovative, inexpensive date she could devise.

While going for a run, showering, munching on a sandwich, and playing with Snuffles, the wheels of her brain ticked away, crossing off idea after idea.

She would enjoy indoor rock climbing or a romp around a Ninja gym but worried it might be too physically demanding for Athena.

Thinking of her girlfriend’s strong suits, Flash researched all the escape room adventures in town, only to nix the prospect for being too close to what she did at work every day.

It was too hot for a picnic in the park or bicycle riding; did Athena even have a bike?

Bowling and laser tag were activities she and her crewmates engaged in for fun, except Athena … bowling?

“What do classy women in their forties like to do for fun?”

Snuffles eyed her curiously, flung herself off the couch, grabbed a bunny by the ear, and shook it so vigorously, Flash thought the stuffing might start flying out any second. It made her laugh. “No, pups, I don’t think that’s it!” Then inspiration struck. “Or, maybe you’re on to something.”

Flash was looking for a fun getaway from all the troubles, and what better way to do that than to revisit their childhoods?

Arcades were popular in the ‘90s when Athena was a teenager. Flash remembered having a great time spending Daddy’s quarters at arcades at the mall as a kid while her mother shopped for hours on end. I wonder if they’re still around .

Running a n online search, Flash struck gold.

“Look, Snuffles,” she enthused. “This one has pinball, old games like Donkey Kong and Mario Brothers, shooting games, race car driving, and table games like foosball and air hockey. And look.” The dog sat attentively, her big chocolate eyes following Flash’s finger to the screen.

“They’re all free play, just a fifteen-dollar pass each for all the games we want for as long as we want, and they even serve some classic fast-food selections.

Do you think Athena would like to go back in time and be a kid again? ”

Snuffles tilted her head toward Flash and licked a pink tongue over her black and white muzzle. “I’m sorry, but it says no pets. You’ll have to stay here, but this is exciting, don’t you think?”

The dog lay her head on her paws with an expression that screamed disappointment.

“It’s OK. I’ll leave the animal channel on for you, and you can use your piddle pad.

I’ll even put a treat in the dispenser to come out at nine o’clock for you, all right?

” Flash rubbed her hand over Snuffles’ head and kissed it.

“It’s just for one night. At least you didn’t get kicked out of the firehouse; that would have been dreadful. ”

Skipping about like a kid headed to a candy store, Flash pulled out clothes and called Athena. “No emergencies? You don’t have to rush off to save the world from looming disaster tonight?”

“I suppose the world can wait,” came a cheeky response. “What exactly do you have in mind?”

“I’m packing you in the TARDIS and taking you back in time,” she proclaimed. “Dress casual and wear sensible shoes.”

“All my shoes are sensible,” Athena remarked.

“Well, shoes that are sensible for riding on the back of my motorcycle,” Flash clarified. She grinned when she found an old tie-dye rainbow T-shirt.

“And when must I be ready for this kidnapping to occur? I’m still at work.”

“One hour.”

“An hour?” Athena responded in disbelief.

Flash laughed. “I love you!” she sang in giddy delight and hung up the phone.

From the moment they walked through the door, Flash knew she’d hit the nail on the head.

Athena’s eyes lit up as her mouth fell open.

The arcade buzzed with music, dings, and flashing lights.

She grabbed Flash’s hand, her head slowly rotating to face her.

“I hear the Pacman theme,” she emitted in wonder.

“I used to love coming to the arcade with friends from school when I was a kid, teenager, even. It must have been twenty years—gosh, maybe closer to thirty—since I’ve been in one. I didn’t even know they still existed.”

Flash bounded beside Athena, squeezing her hand with an ear-to-ear grin of satisfaction on her face. “Tonight, you get to be a kid again. No crimes to solve, no responsibility, just unabashed fun. You get to eat a cheeseburger, chili fries, or chicken nuggets guilt-free for one night.”

“I can’t even tell you the memories this brings back,” Athena continued to marvel.

“And look—most of the people are adults, some older than me. You really did find a time machine. Was I ever that young, playing games like these? Oh!” She stopped, a hint of alarm in her expression. “Do you have enough quarters?”

Flash wanted to kiss her—right then and there.

This smoking hot, incredibly brilliant woman had transformed into a little girl right before her eyes, and Flash loved her more than ever.

It was so precious and unexpected. She smiled adoringly at Athena.

“We don’t need quarters. I’ll handle the cover charge, and we get to play all the games for as long as we want.

Although they close at midnight, so there’s that.

But, by midnight, I expect to be engaged in a much more adult game, if you get my drift. ”

“Sweetie, you never cease to amaze me.”

A ball of pure sunshine spun in Flash’s core at the look of delight she’d put on Athena’s face.

She wanted nothing more than to repeat it every day from now until whenever.

Maybe it didn’t even have to end. If she played her cards right, Flash might convince Athena to stick with her for the long haul.

After hours at the arcade, reminiscing as they played their favorite games, taking turns winning Street Fighter and Defenders, and indulging in the food offerings, Flash couldn’t wait to get back to Athena’s place and run her tingling hands and buzzing fingers all over her.

Everything had hit the right chord, and Flash’s wh ole body hummed with anticipation.

From the flirtatious glances Athena continued to throw her way, she suspected the feeling was mutual.

If she hadn’t cared for propriety, Flash would have had her tongue down Athena’s throat before they got inside the door; she managed to restrain herself. Once inside, however …

Athena kicked the door shut and melted into Flash’s arms, heart still racing—maybe from the ride, maybe from anticipation.

The arousing sensations of the kiss, the tantalizing touch of fingers on flesh, mingled with Athena’s beguiling aroma to spur Flash into a steamy fever. Unfortunately, nature was calling.

Flash eased away. “May I use your bathroom?”

Athena smiled. “Hurry, because I need in there next. I’ll pour us some wine, and we can pick up where we left off.”

“Purrrfect.” Flash brushed her lips, sending a fresh wave of desire rushing through her. She hurried back and settled on the couch, taking a sip of wine while she waited for Athena. Oddly, her thoughts drifted back to yesterday, when Athena visited the firehouse.

Athena radiated strength and passion when she returned, her hair down and brushed to a gloss, her pullover blouse revealing part of one shoulder. Did she take her bra off in there? What does she have on under those capris? Panties, a thong … nothing?

But could Flash stay on task? No. She had to ask. “Did Edwards get in trouble? Yesterday, after the meeting, he left without a word to anyone, so …”