Page 41 of Playing With Fire

Her eyes flare and her lips part on a gasp.

“I know this is crazy, but I’ve been drawn to you ever since the day you brought me those flowers,” she says.

“It’s not crazy,” I reassure her. “That’s how attraction works. It’s either there or it isn’t.”

“But it wasn’t just that I thought you were incredibly sexy, which Ido, by the way. It’s…I don’t know…your energy, your smile, the way you carry yourself. You’re so comfortable in your own skin. I wanted to know more about you and I couldn’t explain why.”

“I understand.” I brush her hair back from her face. “I’ve never brought flowers to a customer before you. I just knew I had to do something to make you smile. You reminded me of something precious dipped in silver and I immediately hated your husband for not caring for you like he should, allowing the tarnish to diminish your shine. How’s that for crazy?” I ask, feeling my brows pinch, unsure why I’m telling her all this.

As if the universe is telling us our time is up, the baby monitor connected to her phone chimes. I recognize the sound because Monica has the same one.

Monica.I haven’t told her about the connection to Gregor yet. I’m not sure if it’ll make Monica moreforwhatever is happening here oragainstit.

“Serafina’s up,” Shannonannounces.

I nod.

Shannon wraps her arms around my waist and buries her face in my chest once more. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I’m a terrible person for doing it. Even still, please tell me I can see you again? Gregor’s out of town until tomorrow night.”

Hugging her back, I blow out a breath as the truth spills from my mouth.

“I couldn’t stay away even if I wanted to. Take my number. I promise not to text you, but if you need me, at least you can reach out.”

She enters my number in her phone and immediately sends me a text. “I want you to be able to reach me too.”

I nod. “I’ll swing by tomorrow,” I tell her, although, I’m already thinking about sooner options.

With one hand on her back and the other on the back of her head, I pull her to me, rougher with this kiss than I was earlier. This kiss is possessive, the kind that claims, and she pushes into me, trying to get closer still. When Serafina’s coos and gurgles start to come through her phone, we break apart, panting.

“That was the best lunch break of my life,” I tell her with a smile and another quick kiss on her soft lips.

As I turn to go, the old saying blasts through my mind uninvited:If you play with fire long enough, you’re going to get burned.

As a firefighter, I’ve stood in the mouth of raging infernos, been so hot I couldn’t draw breath, and have nearly felt like my skin was going to melt off beneath my protective layers.

Even still, none have burned as hot as this one.

Chapter 17

Shannon

I’ve never missed having a girlfriend in my life quite like I do right now. There are just some things you need to process out loud, and the fact that I just rode another man’s lap to orgasm is one of them.

I grab Serafina out of her crib, prepare her snack, and finally settle on calling my mom. I don’t expect her to be supportive of my actions, but she’s always in my corner. If someone can help me through this, it’s her.

“Shannon, hi, sweetie!”

“Hey, Mom. Do you have a minute?”

I hear shuffling in the background and the release and groan of a recliner.

“Of course, is everything okay?”

“Um, well, not really.”

“Is Serafina okay?” my mom asks. I feel bad for making her panic.

“Yes, she’s fine. We’re all fine…physically.”