The Firefighter and the Girl From the Coffee Shop Read online

"Oh really, I was wondering why your mood was so good tonight."

  "So why haven't you made a move for the coffee house girl."

  "Well, we never talk about it, but I heard she was involved with someone already. Strange, she never mentions him, but that doesn't mean it's not true."

  "Did you ask her?"

  "Nah, hinted about the fireman's ball though."

  "No bites."

  Evan shook his head. "Not even a nibble." Evan thought back to the previous night he'd hinted towards asking her to the ball and she didn't even appear to be interested in going with him. He then brought about a situation where all she had to do was meet him halfway. She just needed to move a fraction of an inch towards him and it would have enough motivation he needed to make the move he'd been aching to make from the first day they'd met.

  Instead, she ran off as fast as she could to serve the asshole in the cab. That should have told him everything he needed to know, but the problem was that he felt the connection between them. Maybe he was crazy, maybe it was all in his head. He’d just moved to Portland a month ago and hadn't been on a date in a number of months. Perhaps he was starting to get rusty and was reading the signals wrong. Maybe he was mistaking her kindness for something more than just friendship, when friendship was all it really was?

  "Do you think maybe your past couple of relationships may be keeping you from pursuing this one?"

  Evan frowned and snorted at Ralph. "What? When the fuck did you become Dr. Phil?"

  “Well the truth hurts brother”

  Evan ran the scenario quickly through his mind. His two previous relationships had ended in almost the same way. The women had gotten annoyed with his long work hours and so they decided to take on extracurricular activities - with other men. The second one even had the nerve to take her other boyfriend to their house and fuck him in his bed! Yes, Ralph could probably be right; maybe he was being slightly standoffish with Alyssa. But it was with good reasoning, after what had happened between him and these two women, he would be damned if he let another woman hurt or betray him. It almost seemed like he was on a roll with these failed relationships. A roll he wasn't overly eager to continue.

  But Alyssa was different. His gut told him she was and he was inclined to believe it. But still... Yeah, maybe the Cuban Dr Fucking Phil standing beside him had a point.

  He didn't have much time to ponder it further because the alarm inside the firehouse sounded and there was a flurry of shouts and activity inside. Without hesitation both men rushed into the station and began to get ready. Within a couple of minutes the fire truck was in motion and all men - Evan included, were on their way to put out a fire in an apartment building several blocks away.

  ****

  Alyssa awoke to an ear piercing buzzing and smoke filling her lungs. She coughed violently as she opened her eyes and sat up. The room had gotten incredibly hot and a thick cloud of smoke lined the air.

  Oh-my-God. Fire! Alyssa stumbled from the bed, again being overtaken by another violent bout of coughing, causing her to drop to her knees on the floor. Need to get out! Looking down at herself wearing an extremely sheer pink lacy teddy she very briefly considered changing her clothing, but screams coming from the floor below her prompted her to start moving, crawling towards the bedroom door as quickly as she could managed, reasoning that she'd rather be seen partially naked by the neighbours than dead.

  As she quickly made her way out of the bedroom and into the living room she gasped, seeing that the bathroom attached to the living room was already up in flames. "Oh God, oh God." She said in a panicked voice, rubbing her fingers viciously against her smoke burnt eyes. She stumbled to her feet frantic to get out and was hit with another fit of coughing that brought her back down to her knees. The stiffening in her lungs got more intense causing her to grip hard onto her chest, as she tried desperately to breathe through the heavy mass of smoke. It was so hot that her sweat was causing the thin material of her teddy to cling to her ivory skin.

  Her eyes perused her space trying to find an opening to make her escape. She had the worst feeling ever, would this be her end. Her thoughts were stopped short with the sudden sound of banging at her door. Then a male voice called out to her, but her throat was now so sore she could barely speak. Her coughing felt like razor blades were ripping her throat apart from the inside out and she was beginning to feel dizzy and extremely faint. She noticed her purse and snatched it from the side table as she once more stumbled to her feet.

  A whooshing sound came from her bathroom and she yelped as the fire overtook the bathroom completely and began to creep into the kitchen. Alyssa stumbled another few feet and collapsed just as her front door came crashing in and a couple of firemen came rushing in.

  "Oh Jesus! It’s Alyssa!" she heard a familiar voice say just as the light-headed feeling took over once more and she found herself giving into the darkness as she clung to the strap of her brown leather handbag...

  ****

  She wasn't sure how long she was out, but when she came around she was on a gurney in the back of an ambulance. "Where, what?" She tried to sit up, but her head felt as though it had been hit with a sledgehammer and her throat burned with such intensity that she could not even speak a word.

  A large, strong hand took hers bringing her attention to the person to the left of her. A smile touched her lips as she noticed Evan sitting next to her. He was suited up, soot smeared across his face and clothing and looking sexier than she'd ever seen him.

  "Y-you s-saved." she managed to get out, then coughed and groaned lying back onto the gurney and closing her eyes.

  He gave her hand a slight squeeze. "You're going to be okay, you just need to rest a little while, and here..."

  She slowly opened her eyes to see him passing her a glass of water.

  "Come on. Take a drink."

  He helped her into a sitting position, keeping a hand between her shoulder blades to keep her steady as he brought the glass to her lips. Covering his hands with hers, she drank a couple of swallows and pulled away as another fit of coughing overtook her.

  "Thank you," she managed to squeak out as she looked over at him, just in time to see where his eyes had been. Frowning, she looked down and realized that combination of sweat with the already sheer material had made it virtually transparent; her large beige nipples were tight and completely visible through the teddy. She grabbed the end of the blanket covering her and pulled it up to her chin.

  "I ummm." Despite the soot covering a good portion of his face, she was amused to see him flush, from being caught sneaking a peek.

  Taking the water from him once more she took another couple of sips and was relieved to find the soreness was lessoning - slightly. "Was anyone hurt?"

  Evan shook his head, "Nah, we got everyone out in time and I think you're going to be fine. Is there someplace I can take you? Family member," he paused, "boyfriend?"

  Alyssa shook her head to both suggestions, and thought she saw a look of flicker in his green eyes. "My family is from Bangor and right now isn't the best time anyhow my aunt passed away. Today was the funeral."

  Evan frowned, as he leaned forward bracing his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers. "So no boyfriend?"

  A soft smile touched her lips as she shook her head. "None." She shrugged, "I just got paid and have a few dollars in the bank... Rent is due tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be paying it so I can just go to a hotel until I figure something better out."

  He caught her eyes with him, concern flashing in them. "What about friends."

  Again she shook her head, her amble unrestrained breasts swaying slightly with the movement, which caught his eyes briefly before he pulled them back up to meet hers again. "No one I'd ask. You've been pretty much my closest friend since I moved here. Remember, I'm also new to the area, got here just a month or so before you did."

  Evan remained silent for a moment, and then smiled over at her. "Then stay with me. I have a three bedroom house and live al
one so there is lots of room for you." He looked down at her soiled teddy. "And I might even be willing to lend you some clothing. It'll be big on you, but it'll do until we can get you to a store tomorrow. Hell, we both have the next couple of days off so we can take a day for it."

  She was about to protest and tell him she didn't want to intrude or impose, but then it occurred to her that if ever there was a chance to be with him, this was it. They could get to know each other on a day-to-day basis and perhaps break through the invisible barrier that seemed to be keeping them from moving the relationship from friendship to something more.

  She returned his smile. "Well if I wouldn't be a bother..."

  "You wouldn't."

  "So there's no girlfriend to get angry." Please say no, please say no. She was ninety-nine percent sure he didn't, but just wanted to make sure she was clear - just in case.

  He laughed, his eyes lit up with the smile that followed. "Nah, no worries on that."

  She thrust out her hand to him. "Then you have yourself a roomie."

  Laughing a little harder, his eyes shining even more with amusement he accepted her hand, giving it a firm shake. "Roomie it is."

  ****

  With the fire resistant blanket wrapped tightly around her, Alyssa followed Evan into the quaint two-story house he owned on the outskirts of the city. Her first impression was how neat and tidy it was, everything in its place and not a speck of dust or clutter to be found. Evan was certainly a man of simplicity and organization, something she hadn't quite realized until that moment.

  "The bedrooms are upstairs. Come on up and I'll get you some clothes."

  Removing the blue slippers given to her by the fire department she left them at the door and padded barefoot up the stairs after him to the second floor. He stopped at the first door and waved her in.

  "Boxers and a t-shirt okay?" he asked as he brushed past her, making his way to the large oak dresser across the room.

  "That would be great, thank you." Alyssa surveyed the room. As with the rest of the house it was simple, yet cosy. The room and decor were all of an eye catching burgundy colour. The bedroom set was made of varnished oak, with the massive bed taking up a good chunk of the room. "Everything is so... orderly."

  Evan turned to face her closing the dresser drawer with his hip, a pair of plain boxers and white t-shirt in his hand. He gave a light chuckle and his eyes swept the room. "Yeah, both of my parents are in the army. Both officers. I lived in a house where tidiness and order were the gospel," he shrugged as he strode over to her and started to pass her the clothing and then stopped. "You know what? How about you grab a shower. You can use the one here and I'll run downstairs and use the main one."

  Hmmmm, a shower. With the craziness of the night, it hadn't even occurred to her that she must look and smell nasty. Taking a strand of hair she brought it to her nose and cringed at the burnt smell. Yes, a shower was definitely in order.

  She smiled warmly, heat rising to her cheeks thinking of how horrid her appearance must be at that moment.

  He tossed the clothing to the bed, "When you're done and changed I'll give you an official tour." Without waiting for a reply he brushed past her, and left the room closing the door behind him.

  Dropping the blanket, she shed her soot covered teddy and panties as she made her way to the bathroom off the master bedroom. Snatching the filthy clothing from the floor she considered saving them and having them washed, but upon taking a hard look at the blackened material she decided against it and tossed them into the waste basket next to the flush.

  As with the rest of the house, Alyssa found the bathroom to be bright and sparkling clean, however, she couldn't help but snicker when she noticed the shower curtain that was pastel blue in colour, featuring a cartoon duck wearing a purple raincoat, boots and holding an umbrella.

  Pulling the curtain aside she turned on the shower and stepped into the tub. Alyssa sighed as she let the soft stream of warm water beat against her back. She immediately began to relax, as the beads of water caressed her skin. Looking down at her feet she was shocked to see the water was near black from the soot and smoke.

  "No wonder he suggested the shower. I'm a damned mess," she grumbled grabbing a facecloth, squeezing a dab of shower gel onto it and beginning to scrub down her body, removing the black to reveal ivory skin underneath. Her hair was a little harder to get clean; it took several shampoos before she noticed the water running clear down her body.

  She could have stayed in the shower for hours, but the sound of Evan moving around below her made her realize he was already done and would be back up to check on her soon. Rinsing the last of the conditioner from her hair, she turned off the tap, grabbed a towel and stepped out of the shower wrapping the blue towel around her body, and then wrapping a second towel around her long, dark locks.

  Quickly, she made her way out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. She grabbed the t-shirt he had given her and slipped it over her head and then stepped into the boxers. Fisting the front of the shirt she closed her eyes, brought it to her nose and inhaled. Damn it smelt good, like him, a mixture of musk and spice. Just the smell of him on the clothing caused a stirring with her.

  She was adjusting the drawstring to the boxers when her eye caught sight of the dress uniform hanging from a hook over his closet door. She immediately went over to the impressive looking uniform and was inspecting it, when a knock came at the door and Evan cautiously opened it a crack. "You dressed?"

  "Sorry. Yes." She glanced at him over her shoulder and then back to the uniform. "You decided to go to the ball after all?" She heard him walk up behind her and felt the warmth of breath against her neck, which sent a pleasurable shiver through her.

  "I'm still thinking on it. As it is right now I'm without a date and not keen on attending it alone."

  She spun around and took a moment to admire his naked broad, beautifully toned chest. The lines from his six-pack abdominals and the way his plaid flannel bottoms sat low on his hips, caused her eyes to dip lower than they should have to the large bulge beneath is bottoms. Her entire body seemed to ignite and she began to feel an uncomfortable wetness between her legs.

  "Haven't you asked anyone?" She reluctantly pulled her eyes up from admiring his stunning body and gave him a sly smile, catching her lower lip between her teeth and nibbling nervously. "I'm sure there's a line of women waiting for you to make a move." She was hoping to sound as nonchalant as possible, but feared that she did a terrible job at it.

  He took a step closer, closing the distance between them and leaving just a little over an inch between their bodies. "Well, I had someone specific in mind to take with me, but I've been getting the feeling that they aren't all that interested."

  Evan's green eyes seemed to burrow into her, fuelling her yearning for him. She wished she could get over her insecurities and just take a chance. He wasn't attached; she knew one hundred percent now. He wanted her, it was becoming painfully apparent. Why couldn't she just take the step and bridge the small gap left between them?

  "Well maybe you need to be a little more aggressive about getting what you want?" She swept her tongue along her lower lip, leaving it shining, begging for him to kiss her. His eyes dropped to her mouth, following her tongue as he looked down at them hungrily. Gathering up her courage she continued, "Maybe she's had some bad experiences in the past and perhaps she's a little timid about assuming anything. Maybe she needs you to be more direct."

  His eyes rose back up to meet hers once more. "I would hope that this person would have been able to see how crazy I am for her. If I hadn't been told she was dating someone then perhaps I would have been."

  Been told I was dating someone? By who? The question had just entered her mind when the answer came directly after it. Samantha! She pressed down the anger welling up within her. She'd have a chat with Samantha when she went back to work. At the moment she had more important things to contend with and that being Evan as he closed the remaining distance bet
ween them, his lips lightly grazing hers.

  "Evan," she managed to whisper as his lips came crashing down onto hers and his still wet rock hard body pressed against her, pushing her back against the closet door with a little more force than intended.

  ****

  There were a hundred different thoughts and emotions rushing through Evan as he lowered his lips to Alyssa's and finally took the one thing that he'd been wanting for nearly a month. His first thought was how wonderful she smelt and how damned sexy she looked in his t-shirt and boxers which were a couple of sizes too big on her.

  And that moan... She moaned softly against his lips as he claimed them. The sound was so soft and sensual that it sent his cock into a frenzy as it rose rapidly under the thin fabric of his pants. He braced a palm flat on the wall beside her head and the other one snaked it way to the back of her head and threaded itself into her hair, pulling her lips up tighter to his.

  He was attempting to keep as much separation between their bodies as possible, so he could keep himself under control, but Alyssa slipped her hands around his waist and pulled him in, closer than he had ever been to her. His stiff cock pressed against her stomach and he groaned. He'd wanted her for so fucking long; he had fantasized - hell, jacked off - to thoughts of what it would be like to taste and feel her soft body against his. And now he knew, and it was everything he imagined it to be.

  She parted her lips for him, allowing his tongue entry into her sweet mouth. He eagerly accepted the invitation his tongue finding and caressing hers. She pulled him tighter, her hips pressing against him, taunting his cock, and turning his body into a tight bundle of nerves. His fists clenched in her hair and against the wall as he tore his lips from hers, and began to nibble his way along her jaw.

  At that moment he'd have given just about anything to tear his clothing from her body and ram his dick hard into her. Her sweet little pussy would take him in eagerly, clinging to his cock and enticing him to remain there embedded in her moist heated core. He shuttered at the thought.