Page 7 of Her Paramedic (Men in Uniforms #3)

T alia pulled up to Slate’s house and parked on the street.

Since she would spend several hours in town, it made more sense for them to take one vehicle to whatever he had planned and leave hers parked.

She grabbed her purse and coat, shrugging the latter on as she went up the walkway to the front door.

She only had to wait a few seconds before it was opened.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he greeted, stepping aside to let her out of the December weather.

“Hey, Slate.”

He gave her a soft kiss. “Did you find it okay?”

“Yeah, I did.”

He gestured towards the living room. “Give me a few minutes, and we can head out.”

“Take your time,” she responded, sitting on the couch.

When she was left alone, she took in the living room. It was modernly decorated but cozy, done in charcoal and mild blues.

True to his word, he was back a few minutes later, and Talia took in what he wore for the first time: a pair of black jeans and a camel-colored cable-knit sweater.

She’d thought it before, and she was sure it wouldn’t be the last time, but it should have been criminal for him to be that fine and to look so attractive in everything she’d seen him in.

He led the way to his car and opened the passenger door for her.

“I thought we’d start with lunch,” he stated, backing out of the driveway.

“That works for me,” Talia responded. It was almost twelve-thirty, she’d gotten there early, and she hadn’t eaten breakfast.

She took in the city sites as they headed to what she assumed was downtown. She’d lived in Colorado Springs her entire life and only traveled to Pueblo twice. Each time for a hair show, and hadn’t stayed to take in too much of the city.

Downtown was bustling, but she hadn’t expected it not to be. There were restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and shops. A few places were closed; from the names, she would guess they were lounges and bars.

Slate pulled into a parking lot after paying the fee and receiving his ticket.

When they got out, he came around to her side, slipped his hand under the back of her coat, and settled it on the small of her back.

The simple touch felt heavier than it was, and she would swear she could feel the warmth of his palm through her shirt.

“There’s this little restaurant two blocks from here that I think you’ll like.”

He steered her in the right direction, and she pressed close to him as they passed others on the sidewalk to allow them to pass, his hand slipping to her waist.

A few minutes later, Slate opened the door to the restaurant and allowed her to enter first. It was warm and homey, and the atmosphere was intimate.

There were a dozen tables, with two chairs each.

The hostess led them to a table, and Slate pulled her chair out for her. Talia hung her coat on the back of it.

“You were right,” she started when they were alone. “This place is cozy.”

“I like to come here after a night shift occasionally. They’re only open for breakfast and lunch. The menu isn’t very extensive, but the food is delicious.”

Talia smiled at him, deciding to forgo looking at the menu. “Then I’ll let you order for me.”

“There is something I think you’d enjoy. Any allergies?”

“Kiwi.”

Talia couldn’t help but smile at him again.

It wasn’t often that someone she was dating asked her that.

They usually found out because she supplied the information when they were going out for drinks, which was where she ran into it.

Or, on the rare occasion, she’d gone to the grocery store with someone in past relationships.

“Kiwi isn’t a rare allergy, but I think you’re the first person I’ve met with it.”

“I was lucky,” Talia responded. “It isn’t used daily or in an abundance of things like peanuts.”

“Do you have an EpiPen?” Talia nodded. “Where is it?” When she furrowed her brow, he elaborated. “By some freak chance, you have a reaction; I’d like to get to it easily.”

“It’s in a bright yellow holder in my purse.

I have Epi vials, but there’s a pen too.

” She’d chosen that color, so it would be easy for her, her family, or her friends to find it if she needed it.

She also carried both because the vials were less expensive.

Her parents, sister, and most of their friends were comfortable giving her injections.

She carried the pen for those who weren’t to be on the safe side.

Their server arrived to take their drink order, and Slate ordered for them. She was unsure what he’d chosen since he gave them the restaurant’s dish names.

“I don’t think I told you how beautiful you look.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me for the truth,” he replied.

They conversed until their food came; she saw he’d ordered her a blackened shrimp bowl. If it tasted as delicious as it looked and smelled, her taste buds would be in for a treat. Upon the first bite, Talia couldn’t restrain the small moan of appreciation that left her.

“This is delicious,” she stated, eyes meeting his, and she damn near gasped at the look in them. Those green eyes had darkened, and it was easy to read them. “Slate?”

“If that’s the noise you make for good food, I can only imagine what sweet little noises you make in other situations.”

Talia wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say, but it hadn’t been that, in public, with people within hearing distance.

Yet, she shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything about him screamed confidence, and she could get behind a man who said what was on his mind.

She got the feeling that was him all the time, and she would never have to guess what he was thinking.

She cleared her throat as she changed the subject.

“What made you settle down here? I’m assuming you didn’t grow up in the area.”

“When I was discharged, Ace was looking for partners for the security firm. It was tiny at the time, him and two other guys, but he was looking to expand. He approached our friend group to see if we wanted to partner with him. I asked if he’d accept a silent partner, and when he said yes, Killian and I agreed.

We split the expansion costs with him, which was more like a start-up.

I decided it would be a good passive income while I went through the paramedic course.

The firm is based in Denver, and I wanted to be close in case he needed anything, but not in a big city, and there were openings in Pueblo. ”

“What made you choose Denver for your firm’s location?”

“It’s where Ace grew up. After his final deployment, he transitioned to reservist, and he moved back to start the firm.” He paused momentarily. “Did you grow up in Colorado Springs?”

“I did, and believe it or not, even though it’s not that far of a drive, I’ve only been here twice for hair shows.”

Slate raised a brow at her. “You didn’t take in the city?” Talia shook her head. “Then I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned for the day.”

When they finished lunch, they headed to their next destination.

? ─ · ─ · ─ · ─ · ─ · ─ · ─ ?

S late watched Talia as she looked at the birds.

Their second stop was the zoo, and they’d been there for almost an hour, looking at the different animals and feeding the elephants.

He didn’t want them to stay out there too long because, while they were having warmer weather than the past few days, it was still cold.

The birds were their last stop, and then they would head to their next destination.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she looked over her shoulder at him. Slate knew he technically might not have been moving at her definition of slow, but he was trying because she asked him to. That was why he’d only kissed her when she arrived.

“Let’s take a picture with the birds, then I have somewhere else I want to take you.”

Slate handed her his phone to let her take it and then led her to the exit.

“Will you send that picture to me when you get a chance?” she asked.

He picked up his phone from the cupholder he’d put it in and handed it to her. “Go ahead, gorgeous.” There was nothing to hide. She was the only person he was pursuing, and he preferred to earn her trust rather than expect her to give it unquestioningly.

When they pulled into the small shopping center’s parking lot, he found a spot and led her to the correct storefront.

“Ooh, we’re doing a paint and sip,” she stated.

“Yes, but with a twist. Since Christmas is next week, we’ll be making ornaments.”

Slate checked them in, and they ordered a drink before being shown to a craft table. The supplies were already on the table, and he looked them over. From what he could tell, they would make at least two ornaments.

“Speaking of the holidays, do you have big plans?” Talia asked.

“I’m going to see my parents for Christmas and going to Maximus’ party for the new year. What about you?”

“I’m spending Christmas with our friend group. Since my parents visited for Thanksgiving, they won’t return until late spring after classes are out.”

Their conversation was paused as the instructor introduced themselves and went through the spiel of what they’d be making. They showed them the ending designs and placed them on a table for reference before giving them the first few steps.

“Your parents live in Australia, correct?” He resumed their conversation as they began their ornaments.

“Yes, in Brisbane. Courtney teaches at one of the universities. Where are your parents settled?”

“They retired to sunny Florida.”

There was a lull in conversation as they received their next instructions. With them, the ornaments were halfway done, and Slate figured most of their time would be spent decorating them.

“So, no plans for New Year’s, then?”

Talia shook her head. “Not currently.”

“Come to Maximus’ party with me.”

“Mm, I wouldn’t want to crash the festivities.”

He raised a brow at her. “You wouldn’t be crashing. You’d be coming as my plus one. We’d head out the morning of the thirty-first and return on the first.”

“If we show up together, they’ll think we’re dating,” she teased.

We are. “You could tell them we’re friends.”

“Do you kiss all your friends?”

She was still teasing him, and Slate couldn’t help himself as he softly kissed her lips. “Just you,” he spoke against them.

She hummed. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

They went back to making their ornaments and engaged in a different conversation.

Their last stop was the Riverwalk. Slate thought it would be the perfect place to end their time together. There were shops, bars, and restaurants. The boating section was closed, but it wouldn’t be the only time he brought her.

“What’s the plan?” she asked as she looked around.

“A short walk, taking in the art, and dinner. We can stop in a few shops afterward.” In one of her texts, she stated she might want to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

“Sounds perfect.”

The sun had already set, and despite the weather and the bustle of the Riverwalk, the soft illumination gave it a warm feel.

They viewed the artwork, taking in the statues, stone benches, and murals.

They took pictures at the fountain and the historic flood wall.

He let her choose which restaurant they went to for dinner, and after asking him if he had a shellfish allergy, she chose Blue Ocean Sushi Bar.

After dinner, they stopped in a few stores, and she found two Christmas presents before they returned to his house.

It was going on ten, and he knew she needed to head home.

He’d toyed with the idea of her staying with him for the night so she wouldn’t have to drive back so late, but he knew she would turn him down.

He also didn’t want her to think he was pushing her boundaries by doing so.

When they arrived at his house, he put her shopping bags in the backseat of her car.

“I had fun,” she stated, standing at the opening of the car door.

“So did I. I’m hoping you’ll let me take you out again soon.”

“Let me know when you’re free,” she responded with a smile.

“Will do, gorgeous.” Slate leaned in, stopping himself short, and kissed her temple. “Let me know when you make it home. Goodnight, Talia.”

“Goodnight, Slate.”

He watched her drive away and turn off his block before entering the house. He chose a show to watch until Talia told him she’d arrived home safely.