Page 4 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)

CHAPTER THREE

Warren

I clutch my lukewarm beer in my hand as I lean against the wall near the bar.

I really hate coming to these types of events. Not that I don’t want to support the cause, I just hate being around a bunch of people who do nothing but engage in small talk all evening.

Dressing up in a suit is also far down the list of things I would like to do in my free time. I would much rather be cuddled up with my three-year-old son, Jackson, watching Cars for the millionth time.

But here I am, stuck in this damn monkey suit doing my duty as local firefighter.

I would give just about anything to be working tonight. Those lucky bastards on duty are the only ones on the whole roster of firefighters in town who got a reprieve from the evening’s festivities.

My attention is drawn to the far side of the ballroom where a certain fiery redhead walks into the room.

Sienna always steals my focus, but tonight she’s something else. Her petite curves are hugged to perfection in a deep green gown that makes my mouth water.

She is easily the most beautiful woman in Aspen Springs, not that she has any clue. Glancing around the room, I’m clearly not the only person noticing her entrance.

I try my best to suppress the urge to growl at all the other men who dare to glance her way. Not for the first time, I have to remind myself that she is not mine. Nor will she ever be.

Being a single dad doesn’t really lend itself to fostering new relationships. Yes, I have a crush on her. And that’s where it must remain because my life is complicated—way more complicated than she deserves.

She pauses, glancing over her shoulder at Grayson, who is a few steps behind her. They share a heavy look that I can’t decipher from this far away.

The reason behind their tension is unclear, but the same palpable chemistry has been present since I moved here a few years ago. I really think she wants him to believe she hates him, but she clearly doesn’t.

When she faces forward and struts across the room, a myriad of emotions play across her features. She’s clearly trying to hide what she’s really feeling, but I swear I see a glimmer of longing peeking through her mask.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it’s a text from the babysitter who’s with Jackson right now.

Just wanted to let you know, he’s asleep. He was an angel all night.

I smile, typing out my reply. I’m not surprised. I lucked out in the kid department. Jackson is very quiet, but he’s my kid, so it tracks. I rarely need to discipline him at all.

I’m glad he was good for you. I’ll be home in a few hours, as soon as it’s acceptable for me to leave.

Sighing, I jam my phone back in my pocket. I cringe, taking a sip of my now-flat beer. I toss it into a trash can and move to lean against the bar until the bartender can make her way over to me.

Fiery red locks brush against my arm. If the hair color wasn’t enough to give her away, her presence alone would have done it.

It’s Sienna.

Peeking to the side, I see her green eyes gazing up at me.

“Hi, Warren,” she says, giving me a warm smile. “You look nice tonight.”

I hope my beard disguises the warmth spreading up my neck and over my cheeks. “Thank you.”

Even in her heels, she’s still almost a foot shorter than me. Fuck, she’s stunning.

The green of her dress makes her eyes pop against the red hair that I very much want to rake my fingers through.

“You look gorgeous,” I say, unable to take my eyes off her. Even when the bartender makes her way over, I don’t divert my eyes. “An IPA and a white wine please,” I tell her.

Sienna moves to tuck her hair behind her ear, realizing it’s already pinned back with a jeweled clip. “How did you know that’s what I wanted?”

I shrug, not wanting to sound like a total creeper. “It’s what you were buying at the liquor store that one night I ran into you there.”

I’m not going to add that I remember her drinking it last year at this event.

“Oh, okay.” Her smile returns.

“Is that what you were going to order?”

“It was.”

Normally, when I talk this much with someone, I start to feel drained. With her, it just feels natural, not like it’s exhausting me.

“Where’s your little guy tonight?” she asks.

Why does her asking about him make my heart flutter?

“He’s at home with a babysitter.”

“You look like you wish you were home right now, too.”

Not at this exact moment, no. “That obvious?” I ask.

The bartender slides our drinks in front of us, and I gesture for her to put both on my tab.

Sienna shakes her head. “Not unless you’re paying attention.”

Is she flirting with me? Shit. I’m out of practice.

“It just doesn’t seem like your thing,” she says, taking a small sip of her wine.

Seeing the people gathered behind us waiting to get up to the bar, I grab her free hand and lead her over to one of the high-top tables where we can set our drinks. Her skin feels delicate and soft against my skin, callused from years of fighting fires and working with my hands.

As soon as we are away from the bar, I move to release her hand. She squeezes my fingers for another long beat before she lets go.

What the hell is wrong with me? I must be in third grade again because a girl holding my hand should not make me feel this way. I really need to get laid.

“It isn’t my thing,” I say, waving my hand over the room of mingling people all in fancy clothes.

She leans against the table. “What is your thing, then?” she asks with a sparkle in her eyes.

You. No. What was I just thinking about, not wanting to drag her into the mess that is my life?

I can’t resist the flirty edge to her question, though. The corner of my lip curls up.

My silence must be too much for her because she proceeds to answer for me. She ticks the items off on her fingers as she goes.

“Being a good dad. Saving people’s lives. Being too tall and muscular for your own good.”

Now I’m full-on smiling.

Her eyes widen, taking in my expression. It probably isn’t something she’s seen before. Jackson tends to be the only one that drags that kind of happiness out of me.

“I was going to say hanging out with Jackson, watching hockey, a good steak, jeans,” I say, looking down at the dress pants that I can’t wait to peel off when I get home.

She bites her lip as she nods.

“You?”

“What’s my thing?” she asks, furrowing her brows.

I nod, taking a sip of my beer.

“What do you think?” she asks, tilting her head to the side. Her hair falls over her shoulder.

“Animals.” She gives me a look like, “duh, try harder.”

“Colorful clothes.” She always wears bright pops of color in her outfits. This one earns me a small smile.

I decide to make a few small guesses with the last one. “A bottle of cheap wine and sweats on your couch.”

She quirks a brow like maybe she’s impressed. “I guess you know me better than I thought, Mr. Ryder.”

If only I could get better acquainted with her… every part of her. Damnit. I’m usually more in control of my thoughts than I am tonight.

“Oh god. What is she doing?” she says, staring across the room to where her grandma looks like she’s climbing up onto a chair. “I need to go stop her before she breaks a hip.”

I huff out a laugh, nodding. Louise would absolutely be one to climb onto a chair to dance the night away and wind up breaking something.

Sienna rests her hand on my forearm. “Thanks for the drink.”

I nod once. My eyes close for a beat.

She turns, quickly walking away.

And I try really, really hard to keep my eyes from staring at her perfect ass as it sways from side to side. I really do try.