Burnin' Love [Men for Hire: Firemen 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (6 page)

She’s a client.

He had to remember that. And yet he sensed that she could be so much more.

But it didn’t matter. Mixing business with pleasure was a bad idea. He’d learned that the hard way when he’d fallen for Amber, a fellow firefighter. He’d thought he’d loved her. At least until he found her in the arms of another man. He’d stormed away, only to return later and end up in an all-out shouting match with her. Amber had left, leaving him hurt and angry.

He’d resolved then that he’d never get involved with another woman that had anything to do with either the station or the Firemen for Hire team. Hours later, the rest of his world had crumbled in on him when Amber had had fallen in the line of duty. Losing her twice in the same day had steeled his heart against taking any more chances with love.

He forced his mind back on business. “Where is she?”

Daisy blinked. “So much for small talk and getting to know each other.” Her gaze darted to Troy and Wade. “Or should I say getting to know each other again? Anyway, Melissa was very tired and wanted to take a long, hot bubble bath. I think she’s already out like a light in the guest bedroom.”

She arched an eyebrow when Wade let out a whistle. “Down, boy. She’s got enough problems in her life without you adding to the mix.”

“Hey, I wasn’t…I didn’t…okay, so maybe I did, but just for a second,” admitted Wade. “You mention a woman in a bubble bath and a man’s mind is going to go there. Of course, if you’d like to stir up some bubbles, then I’m more than willing to start the bath water.”

“Ignore him, Daisy. He’s an animal.”

“Um, okay. I’ll take a pass on the bubbles. For now anyway.”

Paul would’ve sworn that her cheeks turned a little pink. “We need to get down to business.”

“I don’t know about any of you, but I’m starved. We can talk while we eat.” Troy started pulling out pizza boxes and paper plates, along with napkins.

“Like I said, Melissa and I already ate a bit, but I’m happy to try a piece or two.” She set the wine bottles out then took the water bottle and put it inside the refrigerator. “I’ll save this for Melissa, if that’s okay.”

“Fine with me. I’m not drinking water when I can have wine instead,” quipped Troy.

Paul watched and grew uneasy. Although they hadn’t seen each other in years, the three of them blended together, joking and laughing as though they’d been fast friends back then and still were. He couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.

Once again, he warned himself to keep his mind on business. He pulled out a chair, grabbed a couple of pieces of pizza and gave everyone the “steely eye”—as his last girlfriend had called it—and waited for them to take a seat. “Tell us everything you know.”

Daisy accepted the glass of wine that Troy poured her, then focused her dark eyes on Paul. The feisty glint he saw there had him wishing he could challenge her to a wrestling match. A match that would end up with them in her bed. He took the glass of wine Troy offered him and dragged in a long, slow swig.

“From what Melissa’s told me, she was in a relationship with a woman named Charlie.” She gave him a rueful smile. “Yeah, that’s right. Charlie, the abusive boyfriend, is actually an abusive, or at least an aggressive female. I don’t know if she’s physically hurt her, but she’s damn well trying to bully her. Still, I really thought Charlie was a man. It just shows you what can happen when you assume shit.”

He almost smiled at the curse word. Some people might think it wasn’t ladylike, but he thought it was sexy as hell. “Go on.”

As they had on their previous mission, Troy and Wade sat back and let him take the lead. They might ask a question or two, but they primarily kept quiet and took mental notes. He’d found out before that they’d sometimes remember a piece of information that he’d glossed over since he was busy thinking ahead to the next question.

“Anyway, after a while, Melissa got to know Charlie’s brother, John. And well, you can guess what happened after that.”

“You’re kidding.” Wade wasn’t the only one surprised. “So Melissa swings both ways, huh? Not that there’s anything wrong with it, of course. Actually, it’s kind of hot.”

Wade went into protective mode when the rest of them glared at him. “Okay, okay. I’ll shut up.”

“She got it on with her lover’s brother. Not cool, but not the most earthshaking news, either. What else?” Troy’s eyebrows lifted up but he took another swig instead of following up with his question.

“I’m not sure this is my place to say anything, but I think you need to know. Melissa’s pregnant and Charlie’s brother, John, is the father.”

Things had just gone from bad to worse. “Is she sure?”

“That she’s pregnant? I’d say so. That it’s John’s? I’m so not asking that question. It doesn’t matter anyway. John believes it’s his baby so it’s his baby. As you can imagine, when Charlie found out, all hell broke loose.” Daisy took a bite of her pizza then let out a sigh. “Damn, but this is good stuff.”

“So is it Charlie or John or the both of them that we need to worry about?” Worry wasn’t the right word. He didn’t worry that he could keep Melissa safe.

“I’m not sure. Charlie for sure, but John could be pulling at her other side at the same time.” Daisy spoke as she ate, but with her palm covering her mouth.

“Seems simple enough to me. We keep Melissa under wraps and safe until the situation calms down. Then we get her moved in with family or, if needed, to another town or state.”

Daisy was already shaking her head before Paul had time to finish what he was saying. “I don’t know if she’s going to go for that. First of all, her family disowned her when she got involved with Charlie. Second, all she’s said is that she wants to have time to think. She hasn’t said anything about getting away.”

“But it may come to that. Domestic problems often turn into something real bad, real fast. I haven’t run across it personally, but I’m willing to bet that Charlie being a woman won’t make a lot of difference. Men are generally more aggressive, but I wouldn’t want to take that risk from what you’ve told me about her.”

“Oh, I know how domestic squabbles can escalate into horrific violence. I’ve seen enough of it working with Gabriel and his teams.” She chuckled. “Well, not actually working like they do, but I lend a hand, a free room, that kind of thing every so often. Speaking of which, where do you think you’re going to take her?”

He frowned, knowing that the gesture only added to his usually stern expression. “I don’t plan on taking her anywhere.”

She coughed, almost choking on her last sip of wine. “What are you talking about? That’s what Gabriel’s team would do. They’d have a safe house or they’d take her to the ranch.”

“We don’t have a ranch and we sure as hell can’t let her stay at the firehouse.” He checked with Troy and Wade and saw that they were on the same page as he was. “This is the best place for her.”

“Oh, no. Uh-uh. I’m supposed to be taking much needed time off. I didn’t plan on having a roommate, much less one that’s in trouble.”

“And yet you took her in and brought her back here. Face it, Daisy, you’re in this, hook, line and sinker. You might as well get used to swallowing the bait.”

She had her own version of steely eye and gave it to him. “That’s a clever way of putting it, but it doesn’t mean it’s what’s going to happen.”

“Why not? You don’t seem the type to kick a woman in need to the curb.”

“I’m not.”

She twisted her mouth to the side in thought and he had an overwhelming urge to find out how her mouth would feel on his cock. “Then why are you hesitating?”

“What I haven’t told you is that we already had a run-in with Charlie. Literally. We were just coming out of a diner and there she was. Trust me when I say she’s not the nicest lady I’ve ever met.”

“Did you introduce yourself?” asked Troy.

“No. I don’t think so. And I sure as hell didn’t tell her where I’m staying.”

“Then it should be okay.” Paul didn’t want to move Melissa. He didn’t think it was in her best interest or in his, either. Not if he wanted to see Daisy again. Despite his resolve to keep his business and personal lives apart, he couldn’t help but want that.

“You’re sure you didn’t give her any hint, any bit of info that might help her track you and Melissa down?”

Shut up, Troy. We need to keep her involved.

He was being selfish, but it wasn’t like anything would happen to Daisy. He’d make sure of it. Besides, staying with Daisy was in Melissa’s best interests.

“She did take a call from John on the way home.”

Things were getting more complicated and he didn’t like it. “Did she say anything about you or where you were going?”

Daisy gave it some thought. “Nope. Not a word.”

“Then like I said, I think we’re good not relocating her to a different location. You just stick with her and lay low until we say what to do next. Understood?” He could tell by the way her eyes flashed and how she clenched her teeth that she didn’t like taking orders. But she didn’t have much of a choice.

“Fine. For now.”

Wade gulped down the rest of his drink. “Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s concentrate on catching up on old times. Tell us what you’ve been up to, Daisy. Did you ever get married? Have a kid? Have sex with old classmates?”

Wade’s joke broke the tension in the air, making Troy and Daisy laugh. Paul remained stoic, his attention centered on the intriguing woman sitting across from him. No one could ever call her “normal” or “average” or any of those mundane words. No, Daisy was a different kind of woman. Different and mesmerizing.

* * * *

Daisy still had a difficult time believing that the two brothers were the same guys she’d known in school. It was more than the obvious physical improvements. They had a self-assurance that she’d never seen, but it wasn’t a cockiness that some men had after changing from zeroes into a real, live heroes. Instead, they were just as friendly as she remembered them and it was obvious that they didn’t think of themselves as studs. They were down-to-earth good guys who had grown up to put their lives on the line for those who needed help. Even if they weren’t hotter than an Oklahoma sun on a summer day, they would’ve been attractive for their personalities alone.

Then there was Paul. She didn’t think he was that much older than the Chambliss brothers, but he acted like he was. Whether he’d taken on the role or it had been thrust on him, he was the obvious leader of their small team. Still, she sometimes caught an expression that made her think he’d just as soon have abdicated that authority position if given the chance.

Some men were born leaders and Paul Winchester was one of them.

They were three men who not only stirred her yearning, but made her feel safe all at the same time. She could easily imagine curling up in first one man’s lap, then the other’s, and finally the third’s. Being a strong independent woman, she’d never found any man who could make her feel like turning all her problems over to him. Now she wondered if she’d found three.

She thanked Troy when he refilled her glass, then took a long drink. Instead of steadying her jittery nerves, it only made her hornier than she’d already been. It had been a long time since she’d felt this turned on.

So did she do something about it? Or wait until when, hell,
if
, they decided to make a move?

Three men. Holy hell.

“Daisy, do you have any kind of protection?”

She blinked. Had Wade read her thoughts? “Uh, no.” It wasn’t as though she slept around a lot. In fact, she’d be thrilled if things hadn’t closed up shop down there. A dark, dusty room filled with cobwebs came to mind as she imagined her pussy.

“Is there anything you could use? Maybe a big butcher knife?”

She gaped at Troy. He wanted to use a knife? Down
there
? “Of course not.”

The three of them gave her strange looks. Paul leaned forward, pressing closer. She could feel the heat from his body. Granted, it had been a long while since she’d found a man attractive and interesting enough to want him to make a move, but she didn’t doubt that he was attracted to her.

“What about that baseball bat you used to wield like a sword?” Wade took a big drink. “I don’t suppose you still have that thing?”

She jerked her gaze away from Paul and back to Troy. “My bat? Oh!”

She felt like an idiot. They weren’t talking about sexual protection. Thank God she hadn’t said anything to give away what she’d really been thinking. “Actually, now that you mention it, I did bring it along.”

“What’s the thing about a bat?” Paul had managed to down an entire piece of pizza in the short time that she’d been confused.

“Daisy used to play softball in school and she was one hell of a hitter. On and off the field,” joked Wade. Trust me. You should’ve seen the way she slung it around. No one, but no one could stand up to her.”

“And I’ve still got a pretty hard swing, if I do say so myself.”

“Good. Then keep it handy just in case. One of us will be standing guard outside so all you have to do is yell if you need anything.”

“Why not just stay the night?” The invitation was out before she’d realized what she was saying. Yet no way was she taking it back. “I mean, there’s another guest bedroom with two twin beds in it. One of you can stand guard while the other two sleep.”

It sounded perfectly sensible to her. But then again, if it got them to stay, then almost anything she’d say would make sense to her.

“Sounds good to me.”

Troy was quick to jump in after Wade. “Me, too.”

“There’s no need for all three of us to stay.”

Damn it, Paul.

“But I guess it wouldn’t hurt. It’ll save us travel time in the morning.”

Now that’s what I like to hear.

She studied him and he caught her doing it. The wall that he seemed to have built around him came up, harder than ever.

He’d been hurt. His stoic exterior couldn’t hide that fact.

The recognition that he was vulnerable made her smile. She loved a challenge and Paul was definitely a challenge. She’d break down that wall one way or another. She jerked her mind back to the conversation.