Face the Flames Read online

  A knock at the door caught their attention, a timely interruption that no doubt prevented what could have been a heated argument. His mother turned to greet the visitor and Clay looked over to see a head of burnished red hair pop around the corner.

  “Hey, Clay, I thought I’d—” Melissa stopped short and flashed a contrite smile. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had more company. I’ll come back later.”

  Charlene’s face brightened and morphed into an expression Clay knew all too well. Uh-oh.

  “Nonsense! I’m not company, I’m Clay’s mother. Come on in! I’m sure he’d rather have a pretty visitor at his side than his old lady here harassing him about being more careful.”

  Appearing a bit hesitant, Melissa stepped inside. “Well, if you’re sure . . .”

  “Definitely.” As Melissa came to stand on the other side of the bed, his mom showed no signs of leaving. Instead, she eyed the newcomer curiously. “I’m Charlene Montana.”

  “Melissa Ryan,” she said, returning the other woman’s scrutiny in a polite, friendly way.

  “So, how do you know my son?”

  Always to the point, his mom. Clay sighed. Both women ignored him.

  “We met on an armed robbery call yesterday. I’m the detective the department sent to investigate the case. Clay’s my star witness.”

  “What?” His mother’s eyes grew wide, and her voice rose as she snapped her sharp gaze to her son. “You were in the middle of an armed robbery this week and you didn’t think to tell me?”

  So not what he wanted his mother to learn about, today of all days.

  “That’s not exactly how it happened,” he replied, trying to soothe her ruffled feathers. “I was out for a walk and I heard some popping sounds, then I saw a man run from inside the store at the gas station downtown. I wasn’t actually inside when it went down.”

  “Thank goodness.” Charlene’s hand came to rest over her heart as if to hold it inside her chest. “Was anyone hurt?”

  Melissa picked up the story. “A young clerk was shot in the shoulder, but he’s going to be fine. The boy is a senior at the high school and is the adopted son of a detective I work with.”

  Sympathy etched his mother’s features. “I can imagine how frantic your friend must’ve been, and how relieved he is now that the boy is going to be okay,” she said with feeling. “I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of that type of phone call.”

  “Shane, my detective friend, and his family are beyond grateful that Drew is healing. And I caught the suspect, so he’s up on attempted murder charges as well as the robbery. He’s going away for quite a while.”

  “Good. I hope they throw away the key,” his mother said with a satisfied nod.

  “I’m sure they will, since it’s far from his first offense.”

  His mom cocked her head and said thoughtfully, “That explains how you met, but not why you’re here now. Have you two become friends? Or something more, since you’re making hospital visits to your witness—”

  “Mom,” Clay interrupted, mortified. “Melissa and I are getting to know each other. We just met.”

  “Melissa? Not Detective Ryan? Hmm.”

  There was a sparkle in her gaze and a smirk on her face that said she knew what was going on. Really, it wasn’t too hard to figure out, and she was obviously delighted by the prospect that her love ’em and leave ’em son had an interest in someone.

  Covering his embarrassment, he looked at Melissa and was glad she seemed to be completely unaffected by Charlene’s prodding.

  “Well, I have to go,” his mother said, standing. “I just remembered I have a piano lesson to teach in an hour and I have a stop to make before I head home.”

  “Don’t go on my account,” Melissa began.

  She smiled. “I’m not, no worries.” She smiled and turned to Clay, and bent to give him a kiss. “Take care of yourself, son. If they let you go tonight, promise me you’ll let someone watch over you.”

  “I promise,” he murmured. “They won’t release me unless I do, anyways.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Charlene said warmly to the detective.

  “You, too.”

  Then she took her leave faster than Clay had ever seen her do, especially since he’d been hurt. He shook his head and made sure she had time to move well out of earshot before he spoke.

  “Sorry about Mom. She’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to my life and everyone in it. Sometimes I think she lives vicariously through me.”

  “Hey, it’s not a problem.” Melissa gave him a warm smile as she sat beside him. “Don’t all parents do that?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Never had the urge to find out what parents go through.”

  “You don’t want kids?”

  He shrugged, then winced at the ache the movement caused. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’d like to think I’d be a much better father than mine ever was.”

  “I’m sure you would be, with an awesome mom like yours as a role model.”

  “Thanks. Though I’d have a lot to live up to where she’s concerned.”

  “You really love your mom. I can hear it in your voice, and see it in your face. Even if she annoys you.” Her grin was infectious.

  “Picked up on that, did you? I sure hope she didn’t.”

  “I’m sure she did. Moms have superpowers. Besides, they annoy us on purpose like it’s their supreme goal in life.”

  He laughed at that. “True.” After pausing a beat, he said, “I’m glad you came back. And not just because I think you’re beautiful.”

  She flushed at that and glanced away, but he saw the pleasure on her face.

  “Thank you. And why’s that?” she asked, looking back at him.

  “I enjoy your company,” he said truthfully. “I like being around you . . . and I feel drawn to you.”

  “I feel the same way.” Her voice was quiet, lips curved upward. “So, what do we do about this?”

  “Let me take you to dinner? Not tonight, obviously. But soon, like this weekend?”

  “I’d love that.”

  She beamed at him, and his heart stuttered. God, he wanted her. “Anywhere in particular you love? Or don’t love?”

  “I’m not that picky. Anything pretty much, except Indian. I’m not a fan of curry.”

  “Done. I’ll call you in the next day or two.”

  “Sounds good. In the meantime, we need to get you sprung from this place.”

  He grimaced. “The doctor may keep me, especially since I don’t want to bother anyone to watch me overnight.”

  “Even if that someone is me?”

  Whoa. He blinked at her, not sure how he felt about being her responsibility. Being under her care. All night. Well, one part of me knows exactly how it feels about the idea.

  “I couldn’t ask that of you.”

  “You’re not asking. I’m volunteering.” She snorted. “Like it would be a real hardship to watch over a sexy fireman all night. Besides, it’s either me or your mother.”

  “Well, when you put it that way.” They shared a smirk, and he wondered just how much sleeping would be involved. Surely his body wasn’t in that much pain from his fall.

  Slow down, horn dog. That kind of thinking is why you’re still alone. Think with your big head for a change.

  “Good. Let me go find the doc and see if we can get you out of here anytime soon.”

  With a wink, she disappeared and he settled back to wait. He was wading into unfamiliar territory. Maybe he was getting in over his head by testing out having a real relationship when he had no clue what he was doing.

  But it didn’t feel that way. This felt good, and right. So what if she wasn’t a supermodel? She was beautiful to him and possessed a down-to-earth quality he’d never come across before in anyone he’d been wit
h. She was tough. Smart. She made him hard as a rock every time he saw her.

  Shit, I have it bad.

  Heaving an exasperated sigh, he willed his erection to subside before Melissa came back with the doc. Yeah, that was a humiliation he could do without.

  With this woman, he was determined to be a gentleman. This could be a really, really long night.

  • • •

  Melissa found the tall, older doctor who’d treated Clay upon his arrival and persuaded him to come take another look at his patient and consider releasing him. It hadn’t been too difficult, since the ER had gotten busy and Clay was taking up a bed they could use. They either needed to admit him or let him go.

  If the doc realized Melissa was more than just a cop to the injured firefighter, he didn’t let on. She figured he must know, though, because she was certainly acting more like a worried girlfriend than a professional.

  Girlfriend. That had a nice ring to it, especially where one sex-o-licious man was concerned. She told herself not to count her chickens, but there was no mistaking they shared a connection. One with real potential.

  She trailed the doc into Clay’s room and watched as the man checked her fireman’s vitals and reflexes.

  “On a scale of one to ten, how’s the pain?” the doctor asked.

  “About a six.”

  The older man arched a brow. “You either have a high pain tolerance or you’re downplaying how much you hurt.”

  “Um, maybe it’s more like an eight. But I’m fine, really.”

  The doctor hummed and used a light to check Clay’s pupils. “Reactive, which is good. But you’re still concussed, and I want you off your feet and resting for a day or so. You’re going to be more sore tomorrow than you are today, and that will slow you down a bit.”

  “Great,” Clay muttered.

  “Don’t complain. You’ve apparently got nine lives, so someone up there must be looking out for you even if you’ve used two of them already.”

  “Sorry, Doc. I’m just tired of being laid up.”

  “I understand, believe me. I had a motorcycle wreck about fifteen years ago, almost got myself killed. I know all about long recoveries and the frustrations that come with them.”

  “Jesus, I’m sorry to hear that. But I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Me, too.” He patted Clay gently on the shoulder. “Tell you what. I’ll release you as long as someone can keep an eye on you tonight.”

  Clay’s relief and happiness were palpable as he smiled at the doc. “Thanks! I’ll be good, I promise. And my friend here is taking care of me.”

  The doc’s eyes twinkled as he glanced between them. “Well, I’d feel better already if I were you.”

  “Trust me, I do.”

  Melissa blushed as the doc went on.

  “Any nausea, dizziness, confusion, or any combination of those, I want to see you back here immediately.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Fine. I’ll have a nurse draw up your papers, then you’re free to go.” He held out a hand and Clay shook it. “Take care, and I hope the next time we meet, it isn’t here.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  The doctor took his leave, and in less than half an hour, Clay was released and being wheeled out the door. Melissa had to admit he was a good sport about the treatment, but then, he was probably used to it given his trials of the past year.

  “Wait here, I’ll get my car.”

  She laughed at his groan regarding her vehicle. She figured he was developing a real dislike for her little car, a suspicion that was proven correct as the nurse stuffed him into the front passenger’s seat.

  “Damn. If I spend much more time with you, I swear to God I’ll buy you a bigger ride. I wouldn’t let you refuse, either, because it would totally be a selfish gift.”

  “Who says I’d refuse? While you’re splurging, make it an SUV the size of a small yacht with bigger balls than yours.”

  Clay barked a surprised laugh and then winced in pain. Humor shone in his blue eyes as he glanced at her. “I can’t believe the things you say sometimes.”

  “Too much?”

  “Nope. You’re just yourself, and I really like that about you.”

  “Good. Because I couldn’t change if I wanted to. I’m a cop and I work with a bunch of men. A woman learns to roll with their humor and all that testosterone or she gets run over. Simple truth.”

  “You’re right,” he said. “We have a woman on our team—Eve Tanner. Firefighting is a predominantly male job because most women simply aren’t strong enough to pass the physical agility portion of the test. That’s not being sexist, it’s just a fact.”

  Melissa nodded as she pulled out onto the street. “Believe me, I know. And that’s how it should be when it comes to placing a person’s safety in the hands of a first responder.” She was passionate about that subject.

  “Yeah, some people cry and get all precious about making the tests easier for women. Let those people get trapped in a burning building and then get stuck with the firefighter who was admitted to the department based on their sex but can’t carry them down a ladder before they burn to death, and they’ll stop their squawking soon enough.” He snorted before he continued.

  “Anyway, I’ll admit I’ve never given much thought to how hard it must’ve been for Eve to fit in with us. She’s strong and savvy, yet she has to prove herself every day in a way the rest of us don’t. It’s hardly fair.”

  A tendril of jealousy slithered through Melissa, which came as a surprise. She wasn’t the jealous type. The way she saw it, any man you had to worry about wasn’t worth the effort. What she was feeling for Clay was different, though. His good heart shone through every little thing he did. She sensed he wasn’t a man to stray once he’d made his choice. No, the niggle of the green monster was a pure base reaction, and she hated not being able to completely suppress it as the question popped out of her mouth.

  “So, is Eve married?” That wasn’t obvious or anything.

  The man’s sexy lips curved upward. “Very. She’s married to my former captain, who was promoted to battalion chief last year. They’re so in love I could go into a sugar coma every time I’m in the same room with them both. Of course, that’s true about all the guys on my team and their main squeezes.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “Main squeezes?”

  “Whatever. They’ve gone from a group of independent, beer-drinking, womanizing he-men to a bunch of lovesick fools gushing about china patterns, babies, and new furniture.” He shuddered. “No, thanks.”

  And yet, here you are with me, knowing I don’t do one-night stands. Interesting.

  She kept her smile to herself as she drove them to his house. If he wanted to cling to the last of his fading bachelorhood like it was a life preserver, fine. She’d let him, and wait him out. Then he wouldn’t know what hit him.

  At his house, she pulled into the drive and parked, then walked around to the passenger’s side to help him out. He was having none of it, though, and waved her off when he stood and she tried to steady him.

  “Stubborn,” she said, rolling her eyes. “If you fall on your butt, don’t blame me.”

  “I won’t. I’ve already done that, thank you very much. No repeats.”

  She did, however, carry the turnout pants he’d been wearing over his work trousers. True to his word, he stayed on his feet all the way to the front door. Fumbling with his keys, he let them inside and exhaled a breath of relief.

  “Well, that was fun.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” She studied his tired face. “Are you hungry? We could go see what I can throw together. You need to have something before you take any more pain meds.”

  He nodded. “I could eat. There’s plenty of stuff to throw together. I can help—”

  “Not a chanc
e. I want you to grab a shower if you can manage it, then come on out and I’ll have something ready.”

  He appeared hesitant at first, but relented. “Okay. I can negotiate the shower by myself. I really appreciate this. I mean, you don’t even know me that well.” Moving closer, he reached out and touched her face.

  Her skin warmed where his fingers brushed her cheek, and she smiled. “It’s not a problem. With any luck, I’ll get to know you a lot better.”

  “Oh, I don’t think we’ll need any luck.”

  Closing the space between them, he took her mouth. His lips were as perfect as she remembered, full, soft, with just the right amount of firmness. She cupped his jaw as he delved his tongue between her lips, and she loved the feel of his day-old scruff. The strength of his body pressing into her. His manly scent, some woodsy aftershave paired with good, clean sweat.

  The man fired all her blood cells, made her purr like nobody else ever had. The few men she’d dated, even the couple she’d gotten serious with, had never made her putty in their hands. She wanted Clay to do whatever he desired, longed to give up control. She’d waited forever, it seemed, to find a man she could trust with her body and heart, and something told her this man could be the one.

  When he finally broke the kiss, the evidence of his arousal was pressed hard against her through his pants. He was breathing like he’d run a race, pupils dilated, naked lust on his face.

  “I’d better get that shower,” he said quietly. “A cold one.”

  She stepped out of his space and stammered, “I-I’ll see to the food.”

  Flashing a grin, he turned and made his way carefully toward a hallway off the living room where she assumed the bedrooms were. Heaving a breath to calm her raging libido, she walked into the kitchen and started rummaging around for something to make for dinner.

  A package of fresh, uncooked chicken tenders sat on the shelf in the fridge. Taking them out, she placed them on the counter, then went in search of inspiration in the pantry for how to fix them. Bread crumbs and garlic—perfect.

  Soon, she had the chicken coated and pan-frying in olive oil, and the delicious aroma started to fill the kitchen. Next, she got out a package of wild rice and set it aside to cook when the chicken was close to being done.