Page 3 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)
CHAPTER TWO
Grayson
My hand slides down over my face as I round my truck. This woman drives me crazy. It’s the good kind of crazy, but it’s also the kind that makes you want to rip your own eyeballs out of their sockets.
Climbing behind the wheel, I glance around the cab of the truck. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be riding with me tonight, but I don’t know why I’m worried. I always keep my truck clean.
I guess it’s a habit I’ve picked up after keeping the firetruck squeaky clean for so many years. Now, as the fire captain, I have to keep the whole firehouse in prime condition.
Who am I kidding, though? I’ve always been like this. A bit of a control freak , like Sienna told me in an airport bar a few years ago.
I find myself waiting for one of her sassy comments, I’ve become accustomed to over the past few years. Her feistiness toward me has become the default since that day in her grandma’s yard when we both discovered who we actually slept with in Nashville.
The same day when I found a tiny glimmer of hope in discovering the woman I hadn’t been able to get out of my head. Only to have it snuffed out when she dismissed the entire situation and stomped away.
Now I’ve grown accustomed to her barbed commentary anytime we’re around one another. It’s turning into a sort of game between us.
Even my sister’s presence since she moved back to Aspen Springs a few months ago has done little to dissipate the tension between me and Sienna. Which is why her silence right now is freaking me out.
“Are you okay over there?” I ask, side-eyeing her as I start to drive up the street.
“No, I’m not fine. I’m stuck in a confined space with you, which is far from ideal. I’ll find a way to manage, though.”
I want to say something about how she didn’t mind being in confined spaces with me that night. Elevator. Hotel room.
I know that wouldn’t get me anywhere good, so I keep my mouth shut. Instead, I say, “There’s the little badger hidden within you.”
“Badger? Are you serious right now?”
“If the shoe fits,” I say with a shrug.
Her fists clench on her lap over the green fabric. I wish she didn’t look so fucking sexy when she’s all riled up like this.
She would be a lot easier to resist if she wasn’t. Instead, it gives me the urge to antagonize her for no good reason.
“I’m not a badger.” The tone of her voice makes it sound like she would be stamping her foot if she was standing.
“I didn’t say you were a badger, love.” Shit, I haven’t called her that since that night. Her eyes widen as she clearly realizes it too. “I said there was a badger hidden inside of you.”
“Well, apparently you’re the only one who gets to see it because you drive me insane.”
“Mmhmm,” I murmur quietly.
“I’m not actually insane.” This time, she does actually stomp her heeled foot.
Turning into the parking lot, I bite my lip to keep my smirk hidden.
“Why couldn’t you pick a better animal than a badger?”
“Badgers are fiercely independent, savage, and a little unhinged.” Putting the car in park, I shift my body toward her and give her a look that dares her to argue with me.
I drag in a breath, debating if I want to continue with the rest of the analogy floating around in my head.
“They’re also strong, protective, and bold.”
She gives me the same look she did when she climbed into the truck, like she isn’t quite sure what to make of my words.
Prying open her door, I find her in the same position she was a moment ago, her eyes still focused on something far off in the distance. I gently place my hand over hers that’s splayed over her thigh.
Her fingers twitch under mine as her head turns toward me.
“Ready?”
She doesn’t answer but lets me help her from her seat. I’m shocked when she doesn’t immediately wrench her hand from mine. In fact, her delicate fingers twine through mine the whole way across the parking lot.
I don’t understand this woman, but fuck if I can’t get enough of her.
It isn’t until we reach the doors that she releases me. The bubble that we had been hovering in for the last few minutes pops, and with one last look over her shoulder, she takes off into the room filled with people.
I stand there longer than necessary, trying to process the confused look she gave me.