He’s talking to Anna, but I know his words are for me.

  “You’re good for her. She very rarely lets loose these days.” There’s a pause. “Don’t hurt her,” Anna warns him. I want to high-five my best friend for looking out for me, even though she thinks the two of us belong together.

  “Never.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head, which is currently buried against his chest. “I’ve waited too long for this.”

  “Well, I’m going to go meet Mara and Lacey for lunch. I was going to see if she wanted to come with me.”

  “I’ve got her. I’ll make sure she eats when she wakes up.”

  “Good. Okay, well, I’ll be gone a few hours. You two behave,” she says with a laugh. I can just imagine her winking at him. Traitor!

  “She’s gone,” he says softly, as soon as I hear the door shut.

  “How did you—?”

  “Last night, you’re chatty when you’re drunk, baby,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You mentioned your dad missing stuff, and I get it. I do, but Kinsley, this isn’t going away. I can’t just stop wanting you. I’m not capable, so don’t make me even try.”

  “I don’t want that life,” I tell him honestly. Not only did my father miss big events, I was always worrying about him when he was at work. “My dad, he was never there, and even if he was, he got called away. It’s not what I want for me or my future children.”

  “Kids, huh? How many do you want?” he asks casually, as if this is something he discusses every day.

  “That’s not the point. Did you hear anything else I just said?”

  “Of course I did. I just chose to touch on the important topics first. I love kids.” He winks, and I resist the urge to groan. “As far as the rest of it, I get it. I really do. But you can’t live your life in a constant state of what if. I’m a firefighter, Kinsley. That’s who I am. That’s what I’ve always wanted to be. I can’t change that. I also can’t change how much I think about you.” He leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth, and my traitorous heartrate spikes. “How much I crave being close to you.” He kisses my cheek. “How much I want you in my bed every fucking night, screaming out my name. I can’t change any of it, and I don’t want to.”

  Crazy thing is, I don’t want him to change any of it. I want him to be himself. I also want nothing more than to be in his bed every night. I just can’t seem to get past the fear and the worry. “I know it’s irrational, but he missed so much. I always felt like I was second to his career.”

  “I’m sorry you felt that way, baby.” His eyes stay on mine as he continues, “Let me ask you something, did he tell you how much he loved you? Was he there every time he could be? Did he ever try to make it up to you?”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t the same. Of course, I know he loves me. I’ve never felt as though he didn’t. I just… wanted him to be there.”

  He’s quiet for a few minutes; I assume letting my words sink in. “Baby, what we do, it’s in our blood. I can’t explain it, but it is. Just because I’ve chosen a career that can be dangerous at times, doesn’t mean I’m not worthy of a family, or you. Please don’t fight me on this. I want you,” he says, kissing me slowly.

  “Brantley,” I murmur against his lips, but he shuts me up by deepening the kiss. It works. I quickly lose my train of thought.

  “Now, what are we doing the rest of the day?” he asks.

  “Uh, I’m just going to lounge around. Take a nap, maybe. I need to sleep off the rest of this damn hangover.”

  “Nap it is.” He taps my hip, and I take that as my cue to get up. My heart sinks that he’s leaving, but this is for the best. I can’t let today happen again. It was a moment of hangover weakness. I’ll be stronger to resist him next time. I’m about to start the awkward goodbye when he stands from the couch, but he surprises me by taking my hand and leading me to my room, closing and locking the door behind us. I stand still as I watch him strip out of his shorts and pull his T-shirt over his head. “Brant,” I choke out. “What are you doing?”

  He turns to look at me over his shoulder. “I thought we were napping?”

  “We?”

  “We, you and me, in this bed, taking a nap.” He grins.

  “Why are you getting undressed?”

  He turns to face me, and in one long stride, we’re standing toe to toe. “I don’t like sleeping confined in clothes, and I want as much of your skin touching mine as possible. I’ve wanted that, wanted you for so long, Kins. You’re going to have to pick up the pace to catch up with me.”

  “Doubtful,” I say under my breath, but from the gorgeous smile lighting up his face, I know he heard me.

  “Let’s get you changed.” He makes quick work of unsnapping my shorts and gliding them over my hips. They fall to the floor. “Raise your arms,” he says huskily. I don’t fight him. Instead, I raise my arms over my head and let him remove my tank top. Braless, I stand before him in nothing but a pair of dark red silk panties. “Fuck,” he says, raking his eyes over every inch of me.

  “We forgot my bra,” I say dumbly.

  “Don’t move.” Leaning in, he kisses my bare shoulder before walking around me and opening my bedroom door. Naked and self-conscious as I wait for him, I climb into bed and pull the covers up over me just as he’s walking back into my room, bra in hand.

  Holding it up so I can see, he tosses it on the floor, locks the door, and joins me in bed. “Come here,” he instructs, climbing under the covers. He holds his arms open for me, and I go to him. My resolve is shit. I can’t keep fighting him, not when there is nowhere else I’d rather be. He sighs when I snuggle up to him and rest my head on his chest. Then wrapping his arms around me, he kisses the top of my head.

  He doesn’t say another word, and neither do I. Instead, I let the feel of his skin against mine, the warmth of his embrace, and the steady beat of his heart lull me to sleep.

  Walking into the station at six in the morning on Sunday is a hell of a lot harder than it’s ever been before. It’s not the early hour that’s getting to me; it’s the soft sleeping woman I had to leave snuggled up in her bed. Kinsley looked so fucking beautiful this morning. I almost said fuck it and called in. If it weren’t for my team, I would have.

  After napping yesterday, we ordered pizza for dinner. When Anna got home, the three of us watched a movie. I can’t say what it was, or what it was even about. I was too wrapped up in my girl, while she was wrapped up in my arms. When the movie was over, I couldn’t bear leaving her, so I stood from the couch and led us to her room. We stripped down again and climbed into bed. I held her all night, well, until about an hour ago when I had to sneak out. I had to run to my place to shower before my shift. I’m on for the next twelve hours.

  “What’s got you so chipper this morning?” Mason asks.

  “Living the dream,” I tell him.

  “Uh-huh, what gives?” he asks.

  “Gentleman,” Captain says in greeting.

  “What are you doing here today, Cap?” Mason asks.

  “Janice and Kinsley are shopping today, so it’s either work through my honey-do list or come here and try to get caught up on paperwork. I’m an overachiever, and am going to attempt both. I’ll be here for a few hours, then head home and hopefully have the squeaky front screen door oiled and the shutter that blew off in last week’s storm back up before she makes it home. Then I’ll head over to Kinsley’s and fix their leaky kitchen faucet.”

  “Already done,” I tell him.

  He looks at me surprised. “I fixed it yesterday when I was there.”

  “My daughter finally slowing down so you can catch her?” he asks amused. He told me I would have a fight on my hands.

  I chuckle. “I’d like to think so. We spent the day together yesterday.” I don’t tell them that I spent the night with her wrapped in my arms or that leaving her just about killed me. I keep that to myself.

  “That explains the cheesy grin,” Mason says with a knowing smile.

  “Told you, man. I’m living the dream.”

  “You be good to her,” Captain says. It’s stern, but he’s smiling.

  “No other way to be.” If he knew how my chest ached just at the thought of leaving her sleeping in her bed this morning, he wouldn’t issue the warning. He would just know. She’s in good hands. I hated to wake her, but no way could I leave without telling her goodbye. It would be torture on a normal day, but my job comes with a level of danger, one that she grew up with. The same danger and unpredictability, that’s kept her from me the last several months. I’ll never leave her without telling her goodbye or letting her know what she means to me.

  “Kins, wake up, baby, I have to go.” I brush the hair away from her face.

  “What time is it?” she asks.

  “Five, I work today,” I remind her.

  “You have to go?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I’m on for twelve today.”

  Her eyes flutter open. I can’t make out their color from just the small glow of the sun starting to rise, but I don’t need to. I have them memorized. “You’ll be safe?” she whispers.

  I want to crawl back into bed and soothe her fears, but I can’t. “Yeah, baby. I have too much to live for.”

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Brantley.”

  “We’re doing it together. I can’t promise I’ll never be in danger, never get hurt, that comes with the job. What I can promise is that you’ll always know what you mean to me and that I’ll always fight my way through whatever comes my way to come home to you.”

  “What do I mean to you?” her sleepy voice asks.

  “You’re my heart, baby.” Leaning down, I kiss her softly on the lips.

  “Please be safe, Brant.”

  “Always. Go back to sleep. Text me when you get up. If I don’t answer, we’re out on a run, but I will as soon as I can.”

  “Okay,” she whispers, closing her eyes.

  I give her one more kiss on her forehead. “I’ll miss you,” I say, before standing and leaving her room.

  “Earth to Brant,” Mason says, waving his hands in front of my face.

  “Sorry, what were you saying?”

  He looks over at Josh, a fellow crew member. “We’ve lost him. Next thing we know he’s passing up beers at the Tavern to hang curtains.” They both laugh, and I join them, but we all know he’s right. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Kinsley’s name on the screen.

  Kinsley: I can’t get back to sleep.

  Me: I’m sorry I woke you, but I had to say goodbye before I left.

  Kinsley: I’m glad you did.

  Kinsley: My bed feels empty without you.

  Fuck. I contemplate calling Shane and asking him to cover me, but I know he’s on tomorrow for twelve.

  Me: My arms feel empty without you.

  It’s fucking cheesy as hell, and if the guys were to read my texts, I would never hear the end of it, but fuck if I care. I’m fighting a battle, the biggest of my life. I need her to give into this. I need her to give us a chance.

  Kinsley: You’re hard to resist when you say things like that.

  Me: Good.

  Kinsley: Please be safe today.

  Me: Always, baby. Dinner tonight?

  Kinsley: I’m sure you’ll be exhausted. We don’t have to.

  Me: Never too tired for you, Kins. I get out of here at six. I’ll run home and shower and be at your place at seven?

  Kinsley: See you then.

  Me: Have fun shopping with your mom. Oh, and I told your dad I fixed the sink.

  Kinsley: Thanks for that by the way. So Dad knows you stayed here?

  Me: No, but he knows I want you. I’ve never hidden that.

  Kinsley: I know. He’s even gone as far as telling me how great of a guy you are.

  Me: See.

  Kinsley: Bye, Brant.

  Me: See you soon, baby.

  “That her?” Mason asks.

  “Yeah,” I say, locking the screen on my phone and shoving it into my pocket. Before he can give me shit, the tone drops. We listen as the report of a three-car accident out on the edge of town is relayed. Jumping into action, we pull on our gear and are in the truck en route in minutes. I send up a silent prayer that everyone involved is safe.

  Anna and I spent the majority of the day out shopping with Mom. Most of that time was her telling me how excited she was that I was finally giving Brantley a chance. Anna, of course, was in agreement. She even told Mom what he told her yesterday—how sweet he was telling her he would change my mind. They went on and on about how great he is, but I have to admit it was nice. He’s a great guy, and I’ve always known that. I just hate his job.

  “I’m thinking ravioli for dinner,” Anna says.

  “Gah! Don’t tease me. You know I love your ravioli.”

  “I know.” She grins. “I’ll see your ravioli and raise you homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert.”

  “Deal.” That’s how we spend the rest of our afternoon, baking, laughing, and eating. I’m lucky Anna had a two-bedroom place when I moved home from college. No way would I want to be living with my parents, and I love days like these. I missed her when I was away. Don’t get me wrong, I missed Mara and Lacey too, but Anna and I have been friends since kindergarten. Mara and Lacey didn’t fall into the mix until middle school. They were both new the beginning of seventh grade where the four of us became quick friends.

  At exactly six o’clock, my cell rings. Brantley’s name flashes and I try like hell to fight my grin, but fail miserably. “Hey.”

  “It’s good to hear your voice,” he says softly.

  “Bad day?” I ask, already knowing the answer. I can hear it in the tone of his voice.

  “Yeah,” he admits.

  “We can cancel. It’s not a big deal.” That’s a lie. I want to see him. I spent all day hearing Mom and Anna sing his praises, and thinking about the memory of yesterday and last night. It’s taken forever for seven to get here.

  “No, we can’t. I was hoping we could change plans though. How about you come over to my place?” he asks.

  “Sure. I can do that.”

  “Now? Can you come now? I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Yeah, I just need to change.”

  “What are you wearing?” he asks.

  “Tank and shorts.”

  “Don’t change. We’ll go somewhere casual.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

  “Drive safe, Kinsley.” His voice is stern.

  “I will.”

  “What’s up?” Anna asks.

  “That was Brant. He had a rough day, sounds down. He asked me to meet him at his place instead of him coming to get me here.”

  “I’m sure he’s seen some pretty horrible things in his line of work.”

  “Yeah. I can remember Dad coming home and disappearing into my parents’ room for hours.”

  “Why don’t you take him leftovers? You guys can just stay in. I made way too much anyway.”

  I offer her a grateful smile. “That’s a great idea. Thank you.” I jump off the couch and head to the kitchen, Anna on my heels. “I’ll take him some cookies too.” I grab the sandwich bags from the pantry and add a few cookies.

  “This enough?” Anna asks, holding up a large plastic container of ravioli.

  “More than enough,” I laugh.

  “I thought you might want to eat again too, so I wanted there to be enough,” she explains.

  “Did you save some for you?”

  “Yep, and that finishes up the pan, so we’re not eating leftovers for days. Thankfully.”

  Anna’s not a big fan of leftovers, but she hates waste. “Thank you, I guess I’ll head over there.”

  “I’m proud of you, Kinsley. He’s a great guy, and I know you fear the unknown and the missed family time, but what he does, what they all do, including your dad… it’s a big deal.”

  I nod. “I know that, but in my head and my heart, I’m still that little ten-year-old girl who cried herself to sleep because her daddy was called away to a big bad fire.”

  “I get it. I do. Go. Don’t keep the man waiting. I won’t wait up.” She winks.

  “I have to work tomorrow,” I remind her.

  She shrugs. “Pack some clothes. Leave them in your car, just in case.”

  “That’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?”

  “This is Brantley Price we’re talking about. The same guy who insisted he spend yesterday with you and didn’t bother asking how you felt about him staying last night, simply led you both to your room and closed the door. I’d say you’re safe to presume he wants you there.”

  “You’re also presuming I want to be there.”

  She throws her head back in laughter. “I know you’ve fought him on it, but I’m your best friend, Kinsley. I know you want to stay with him. Now go pack a bag.”

  She’s right. Now that I’ve let myself give an inch, I want to take a mile. I want nothing more than to stay with him tonight, especially since he’s had such a rough day. I want to be there for him. I pack a bag for work tomorrow. Gathering my toiletries and shoes, I toss them in a small bag and scoop up the garment bag I laid out on the bed.

  Anna claps from her seat on the couch. “My little girl is all grown up,” she teases.

  “Shut it.” I smile at her. “I’m not even sure he’s going to want me to stay, but you’re right, being prepared is best.”

  “I’ll carry the food out for you.” She jumps off the couch and heads to the kitchen, grabbing the reusable shopping bag containing our dinner. “I added some breadsticks too.”

  “Thanks, Anna.”

  “You’re welcome. Go soothe your man.”