Page 37 of Hollis (The Moore Men #2)

Twenty-Three

Ford

I lift my gaze to the clock on the wall, heaving a sigh. It’s barely noon. Focusing back on the paperwork laid out in front of me, I get through most of it until a knock at the door pulls my attention. Chandler waves as our eyes meet, and I gesture for her to come in.

“Hey, Cap,” she murmurs as she steps into my office. “Sorry if I’m interrupting anything.”

“You’re not, don’t worry. Have a seat. What can I do ya for?”

It’s impossible to miss how nervous she looks, chewing on the inside of her cheek, her knee bouncing a mile a minute, and it almost looks like she’s about to cry. “First, I want to say how much I love my job, and how much I love you, and our entire crew.”

“Are you quitting?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

“No!” Chandler waves her hands in front of her. “God, no. It’s not...” She gets quiet for a moment, twisting her hands together in her lap before she announces, “I’m pregnant. ”

My eyes widen, brows hiking clear up to my hairline. “Chandler, that’s wonderful news! Congratulations!”

“Britt and I have been trying for a while now,” she explains.

“I didn’t want to say anything about it, and make y’all feel like I needed special treatment, like I couldn’t take all the same calls as everyone else, but now that I’m actually pregnant, I think I gotta tell you. ” She breathes out a laugh.

“I’m glad you did.” My eyes soften as I hold her gaze. “This is wonderful news, and I’m sorry if you felt like you couldn’t talk to us about it.”

Her shoulder lifts in a lazy shrug, and she averts her gaze. “I know how hard it can be havin’ to pick up someone else’s slack when they’re out of work,” she says, looking unsure. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Chandler, this job asks a lot of us. It takes time, dedication, sweat, and sometimes blood, but it shouldn’t cost you your whole life.

You’re allowed to want more than a locker and a turnout coat.

You and Britt have wanted to start a family for as long as I’ve known you, and I want you to have that.

I’d never ask anyone to put their dreams on hold for this job, because in the end, the best team is one where we support each other beyond the fireground. ”

Shoulders relaxing, Chandler blows out a sigh, a smile curling up her face. “Thank you, Cap. I really appreciate you sayin’ that.”

“I know whenever you feel comfortable tellin’ the rest of the team, they’re goin’ to say the same thing to you,” I say with a smile, happy for her. “We’re a family.”

Movement at the door catches my attention a moment before the knock comes.

Glancing up at the same time Chandler looks over her shoulder, my heart palpitates when I lay my eyes on Hollis.

Wearing his signature smirk, he waves before pointing to the door, silently asking if it’s okay to come in.

I don’t know what he’s doing here; we haven’t spoken much today since it’s been such a crazy day.

He slept over again last night, something we’ve sort of made a habit of doing since the night of my divorce a few weeks ago, but his mornings are even earlier than mine, so he was already gone by the time I woke up.

Clenching my jaw, I roll my lips together before shaking my head.

I hold up a finger, indicating to give me a minute, and he nods before walking off.

“Hollis finally comin’ to join the force?” Chandler teases as she sits forward again.

“When pigs fly,” I say with a deep chuckle. “Probably just here for Remi.”

She nods, a glint of…something in her eye. “Right. Must be why he’s knockin’ on your door, then.”

Chandler holds my gaze as we sit in a silent stare off for a few moments. The longer it goes on, the faster my heart beats. There’s something about the way she’s watching me, and what she said that has me pausing.

“I’d imagine he’s just wantin’ to know where Remi is, or if I know when he’ll be back,” I finally offer. My throat’s dry all of the sudden. To be fair, it’s a valid suggestion. Remi left about fifteen minutes ago to pick up some groceries for the station. Hollis very well could be here to see Remi.

Her lip twitches as she sits forward. “Captain, respectfully, you can cut the crap.”

My eyebrows shoot up my forehead. “Excuse me?”

“You and Hollis are clearly a thing.”

My breath catches. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Chandler.” Sweat breaks out over the back of my neck, the temperature in the room too hot for comfort.

Chandler breathes out a small chuckle, rolling her eyes. “ Okay, look… I wasn’t goin’ to say anythin’ because I figured you would when you were ready, but come on.” Giving me a look that makes me want to squirm in my seat, she says, “My tent was right next to yours when we went campin’.”

Oh no…

My face heats, and I don’t have to look to know it’s quickly becoming a deep shade of red. Chandler doesn’t need to say anything more; the insinuation is loud and clear.

She heard us.

Chandler heard Hollis and I…in my tent…fooling around.

Jesus Christ, this is bad.

“Chandler, I—” Clearing my throat, I’m at a loss for words. What do I even say? I can’t lie. Fuck.

“I thought it was maybe just a one-time thing, and I can’t say that I blame you,” she says with a chuckle.

“I’m gay as hell, and even I see the appeal in Hollis.

But that was months ago, and now, seein’ him show up here for you, when he’s never stopped by the office any time he’s come to visit Remi, I’m thinkin’ it’s a lot more than a one-time thing. ”

Huffing a breath, I scrub my hand along my jaw, my heart thrashing against my ribs. “Chandler, I’m sorry for whatever you heard that night. That was completely inappropriate and severely unprofessional.”

“Stop.” Chandler holds up a hand. “Those campin’ trips are never meant to be professional, and don’t worry about it.

Was I a little shocked to hear that comin’ from your tent, out of all of them?

Yes.” She chuckles. “But it’s about damn time you do somethin’ for you that makes you happy.

” Then, with a shrug, she adds, “Besides, Britt and I found it quite entertainin’. ”

“Oh, Jesus Christ,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. I’ve never wanted to crawl out of my skin more than I do now.

“What I don’t understand is why you two are keepin’ it a secret? Why not just come out with it?”

My jaw is tight, every muscle is my body tensed, as I look at my firefighter across the desk. As I think over her question. It’s a simple one, really, so answering it should be easy. But it’s not.

“It’s…complicated,” I say.

The truth is, I don’t know why we’re still keeping it a secret. I don’t think either of us thought it would last this long—I know I didn’t—but it kind of seems like neither of us really wants it to stop either.

Or maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part.

“It’s probably not as complicated as you’re makin’ it, Cap.

” Before Chandler can say anything else, a call comes through for a motor vehicle accident.

She’s out of her seat, running for the door in the blink of an eye.

“He’s all yours,” she shouts over her shoulder as she sets off toward the engine.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who she’s talking to.

My stomach twists as Hollis saunters into my office, closing the door behind him. A smirk curled on his lips, and a well-worn cowboy hat on his head, he’s a sight for sore eyes.

“Howdy, Cap,” he drawls as he sits, not in the chair, but on the corner of the desk right in front of me. “Miss me?”

Yes. “What are you doin’ here, Hollis?”

He shrugs. “Was workin’ and figured I really could use a little midday break, if ya know what I mean.” And as if that weren’t clear enough, he waggles his brows.

“Yes, Hollis, I know what you mean,” I deadpan. “But that is not happenin’.”

Wrinkling his nose and furrowing his brows, he says, “Why not? Nobody’s here. ”

“They’ll be back.”

“Yeah, but not for a while. They just left.” Rubbing his leg against the side of mine, he says, “Come on, Cap… Looks like you could use a little stress relievin’.”

My body heats, but I school my features, not letting Hollis see how much I like that idea. How much I really could use that. “Not at the station.”

“Well, where’s the fun in that?” He pokes his lip out into a pout.

“I have work to do,” I mutter. “And I’m sure you’re needed back on the ranch too.”

Hollis hooks his foot around my ankle, spinning me in the chair until I’m fully facing him.

Leaning forward, he removes his hat, setting it on the desk before placing his hands flat on the tops of my thighs, bringing his face close to mine.

His dark eyes drop down to my mouth before coming back up.

“Please, daddy?” Rubbing his hand closer to my groin, he says, “We can be quick.”

My cock throbs against my leg, and a groan rumbles from my chest. Hollis knows exactly what he’s doing.

He knows the second he calls me daddy, I’m doing whatever the hell he wants.

It’s like I have no control around him, and I hate it just as much as I love it.

The corner of his lip tics up, proving my theory, and the next thing I know, his mouth is on mine.

His tongue slips inside, and then he nips at my bottom lip, sending a shot of potent arousal down to my dick.

Despite knowing we shouldn’t, I kiss him back with just as much fervor, and he swallows my moans as he palms my erection.

The touch is electric.

And I want more.

“In the room,” I murmur against his lips. “We’re not doin’ this in the office.”

Hollis pulls back, his lips slick with our shared spit. Chuckling, he stands and adjusts himself. “That’s more like it.”