Feel the Heat
Author
Arri Stone
Reads
256K
Chapters
29
Danni is ready for a fresh start—no drama, no distractions, just peace. But then Hayden walks in, all broad shoulders, easy smiles, and a firefighter’s swagger that could melt steel. By day he saves lives, by night he’s a drummer with rhythm that sets every pulse racing. Sparks fly fast, and soon their chemistry burns hotter than they can handle. But when old flames and jealous hearts come crashing back, the heat between them turns dangerous. Can desire turn into something deeper before everything goes up in smoke?
Chapter 1 - Hunky Firefighters
Danni
The ground shakes as two fire engines come roaring up the road towards us, their engines revving and their horns blaring.
I am just leaving work. I watch it intently, following its path to find out where it is heading.
“Hey you see that? They are heading up towards our end.” Alison grabs my arm. She has not long finished her work, which is conveniently next to mine.
Alison is my best friend, and we both live together.
“Let’s go.”
We pile into my car and make our way back home. Once we arrive, we find out there is a fire at the local cafe, which is down the street from us.
A crowd of people, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern, watches as the events unfold.
The fire engines are blocking the road, so I have to park my car two streets away. We walked the rest of the way, but still could not get to our house.
The air is thick with plumes of gray smoke, and the sharp, acrid smell of burning stings my nostrils.
“Do you think we can walk around to get home?” We stand at the side, watching as they put the fire out. I’m glad my house is further up the street.
Alison loops her arm with mine and suggests asking one firefighter as soon as they are free.
We stand, checking some of the guys out. Who doesn’t like a sexy firefighter? Now, a man in uniform, I can do.
My mind wanders with thoughts. A fireman’s lift? His hands on my ass, maybe pinning me up against a wall to protect me. Gosh, I feel my cheeks heat.
Alison is just as bad, and when she flags down one of the guys, he comes over. “Excuse me. Are we able to get past? It’s just that we live in the house just down there.”
This bulky, tall firefighter blows out a breath. “Let me check if they have the fire under control first.” The guy walks off to speak with one of the other guys. You can see them talking. Then they both look over at Alison and me.
“Wow, he’s hot.” Alison fans her face.
“Yeah, I can’t deny that.” I laugh, then blush, because the guy is fucking hot. “There is no way he is single, and if he is, then I’m sure he has a long line of women waiting to bed him.”
Alison shakes her head. “That bastard ex fucked with your mind. Not every guy is out to use you. You should totally flirt with him when he comes back.” She encourages me.
“Why aren’t you going to flirt with him?”
“Oh, I’ve got my eye on buttcake over there.” She licks her lips.
“Which one is buttcake?” I laugh at the nickname.
“You know I like older guys, but see that one over there? He has my pussy dripping for him.” She points over to where there are a couple of guys, but one noticeably older.
“Fuck Alison, don’t point.” I grab her hand and pull it down.
We stand there checking out the selection of tasty-looking firefighters. Now why have I never thought about dating a hunky firefighter?
Hayden
The call came in; a cafe fire. The team scrambles, and we fire up the road in two engines. At least this one isn’t too far away.
Once we arrive, we block the street to stop any vehicles coming up and possibly hindering us from getting the fire under control. They are lucky the fire didn’t have time to spread to the houses lining the street next to it.
Rocky comes over to see how we are doing. He swivels his head toward the line of bystanders, a sly grin spreading across his face.
“There are a couple of hotties trying to get through,” he says. “They live in one of the houses down the street.” Then he slaps me on my back. “You should go over and speak with them.”
I shake my head. “Look, I’m not interested, okay.” He is constantly trying to set me up with someone.
“Come on, it’s been what, a year now? Your ex was a fucking whore; she cheated on you. It doesn’t mean everyone is like that.” He gives me a serious look.
I heave out a sigh. “I just don’t know if I’m ready.” It is an excuse, I know. She broke my heart, and the fact that she still comes in when I’m playing in my band annoys the fuck out of me.
“If you don’t, I will. Look, they’re checking us out.” He smirks.
I laugh. “Everyone checks us out when we come onto the scene.” We got selected as one of the hottest firefighter teams in the state.
Rocky sighs. “Right. Shall I tell them it’s safe to pass then?”
“The fire is out now; only smoke is still affecting things. They should be safe to pass on the far side there.” I glance over at the two women he is on about.
“Your loss, mate. One of them is really cute. And I mean really, really cute.” He gives my back another slap and then walks off.
He turns around and heads back towards the two women. It’s hard to tell what they look like from this distance. My ex’s actions still hurt, so I’m not ready for another relationship.
Rocky engages in a conversation with the girls. One looks more forward than the other. She’s clearly flirting with him. But then, most girls do. He’s very laid-back and approachable, which makes him a great person to be around.
The girls walk behind the fire engines. As they emerge from the side, I can’t help but focus on one in particular now that she is closer. She has a cute button nose and a sweet, innocent look about her. There was a certain truth in Rocky’s words.
She catches my eye and flashes a quick, playful grin, blushing in the process, before turning back to her friend to continue their animated conversation.
The way she smiled, it was like the sun had just broken through the clouds. I feel a brief twitch of my cock in my pants. Damn, I haven’t had that kind of feeling since... Well, it seems like forever, at least.
My ex, who used to make my heart skip a beat, couldn’t even come close to the way this is making me feel. I’m watching them walk away towards a house.
Just as she went inside, I caught her looking up in my direction, her eyes meeting mine for a brief second. Her face is breathtakingly beautiful, and the curve of her lips forms a dazzling smile before she vanishes into the house.
“What the hell happened there?” I mutter to myself. Is Rocky correct in telling me to let go of the anxieties associated with my past relationship? I want to believe in love again; maybe giving someone new a chance will help me find it.
When we finally clear up and get ready to leave and head back to the station, I glance up towards the row of houses where I saw the sexy blonde go into.
Maybe Rocky is right. I should give someone new a chance. But I’ve possibly screwed my chances up now. How will I ever find her again? It’s not like I can turn up and knock on her door.
We arrive back at the station and sort out the firetruck before heading to finish up the shift when Rocky lets it slip that he told the girls that I play in a band.
“You did what!”
Rocky slaps me on my back. “You were never going to pluck up the courage to speak to her, so I gave you a helping hand.” He winks.
“I can’t believe you did that.” I laugh.
I leave and head home for the night. I have an early shift tomorrow.
Friday gives us a peaceful morning for a change. My thoughts keep drifting back to the woman from yesterday. For some reason, I can’t get her out of my mind. So by the time I finish my shift, a ball of excitement and nerves fills me.
For the first time in a year, I have a reason to want to go out and play.
But the question is—will she turn up tonight?
