Braving the Heat Read online

  She stepped into a floral-scented camper. Pale pink tulips, vibrant blue irises and bright sunflowers filled a big vase in the center of the table. The card was a simple congratulations written by Stephen personally, if the grease smudge in the corner was any indication.

  He surprised her further when she walked outside to see him pull up in the convertible roadster. Combined with the sweet gesture of the flowers, she wasn’t sure how much affection she should read into that decision. Refusing to put it off any longer, she wrapped her arms around him, making the hug as platonic as possible.

  “Thank you.” She stepped back, suddenly unsure what to do next.

  “Guess the flowers were the right touch,” he said.

  “Yes, thank you for those, too.”

  His warm gaze swept over her. “You look great.”

  She’d chosen the dress and sandals she’d worn to her first Sunday dinner at his parents’ place. He’d opted for dark jeans, a red polo shirt and deck shoes. “You, too. Red is your color.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I’ll make a note.”

  She laughed, feeling balanced by the quip. He had a way of steadying her that she would miss once she was back in her apartment. Stubbornly resisting the subtle melancholy that tried to creep into the moment, she moved toward the car and the party that awaited them.

  * * *

  Stephen thought he’d seen every facet of Kenzie in the highs and lows of today alone. She’d worn her class A uniform this morning with stern pride and professional resolve. Seeing her in the cutoff shorts and graphic T with those work boots put a pulse of need into his bloodstream like it did every other day. It didn’t seem to matter that her mood had been razor-wire sharp instead of her standard happy one. She’d positively glowed when she was back in her station gear and he’d found that sexy as hell, too.

  Not as sexy as the dress, he thought when her arm brushed his as she sipped her champagne. The way that hem flirted with her long legs made his palms itch to touch and slide and tease her until she was as needy as he felt. He took a long drink of ice-cold water and tried to convince himself to let her catch a ride back to the garage with someone else.

  Grant had spared no expense on the celebration; champagne flowed as toasts were raised to Kenzie. Everyone she worked with at the club came up to congratulate her on the dismissal of the civil suit, praising her fortitude. Mitch and plenty of other firefighters had been invited, as well, and all of them told Kenzie how happy they were to have her back.

  He should go, Stephen mused. Parties weren’t his thing. He didn’t move, however, wanting to soak up every last ounce of her happiness. Was that even fair of him, to bank a little of her joy so he would have some later? He toyed with the car key in his pocket. Mitch and Julia should drive her back. If only the idea of letting Kenzie out of his sight didn’t make him want to growl.

  “You’re scowling,” she murmured, leaning close.

  She made him smile and laugh, two things he’d thought were gone from his life forever. Her hair, woven into a single braid again, carried the scent of flowers. Flowers he’d given her. A sudden rush of possessiveness startled him. He fought an inner battle for perspective and lost.

  “How long is your hair?” He touched the end of the braid where it rested between her shoulder blades.

  She trembled under his touch. “Pardon me?”

  He met her gaze and those lovely blue eyes burned hot with a desire and heat that mirrored his. “You heard me.”

  The tip of her tongue moistened her lips and he almost kissed her there in front of everyone. “I’m not sure.”

  He stared at her, waiting.

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. “You’d have to take it down to know for sure,” she said.

  “Is that an invitation?”

  “It is.” A slow smile lifted her lips. “Do you plan to accept it?”

  He couldn’t get her out of the club fast enough. It only complicated matters that he was trying not to reveal his desperate intentions to anyone present. Without traffic, he might have broken land speed records on the way back to the garage.

  At last they were safe behind the shelter of his security system. He parked the convertible in front of the trailer and pulled her close, indulging the urgent need to kiss her, reveling in the champagne-spiked heat of her lush mouth.

  He broke the kiss only long enough to hurry her into the trailer. She laughed, the sound fizzing through his system as he turned her into his arms and picked up where they’d left off in the car.

  She was so responsive, matching his ardor and pressing into his touch, his body, drawing out passionate needs he’d never thought he’d experience again. He tugged at the elastic holding her braid and eased her hair loose inch by inch, until it fell in waves around her face, spilling over her shoulders and down over her breasts.

  He nuzzled into the pale, silky warmth of her glorious hair, scattering kisses up and down her throat. She’d left off the brace tonight, and when her hands slipped under his shirt to caress his chest and abs, he was lost.

  He picked her up and carried her back to the bed. Peeling away her clothing and his, he marveled with every discovery of what made her sigh and gasp and cling. She gave and gave, bringing his body to life with every kiss and touch, every sweet moan and plea for more.

  At last he sank deep into the embrace of her body and they were joined intimately. He looked down into her face and her smile held a tenderness he’d never seen. Yet another facet of this incomparable woman.

  Something shifted deep in his chest at the gift so freely given, a sweet loosening that flowed through every fiber of his body. Her hands ran up and down his arms, her fingertips flexing into his back as he moved within her and found the sensual rhythm that carried them both to a shattering climax. When he collapsed beside her, pleasantly exhausted, she curled into him without a word, her hand resting gently over his thundering heart.

  A few hours later, Stephen disentangled himself from Kenzie’s long limbs and scooted out of the bed, immediately regretting leaving her warm, supple body. Her long, silky hair fanned out across the pillows and her eyelashes were dark crescents against her cheeks. Asleep she looked as happy and content as she did awake, as if any minute a figment of her dreams would crack a joke and make her laugh. He would never figure out how she managed it.

  God, she was beautiful, inside and out.

  He gathered his clothing, pausing just long enough to make sure she slept on. Tiptoeing to the front of the trailer, he tugged on his jeans, tossed his shirt over his shoulder and picked up his shoes. Sneaking away like this was cowardly, but he convinced himself she wouldn’t want him underfoot while she readied for her first morning back on shift.

  Stretched out on the couch in the office, he decided there would be plenty of time to talk about what last night meant—if it could mean anything—once she came home from the firehouse.

  Home. The word tripped him up. Although she was staying in his place this wasn’t home for her. It couldn’t be. That loose and free sensation in his chest felt wobbly and lost now that he was alone. Clearly, he didn’t have the mettle to leave himself open to the inevitable heartache of really sharing his life once more. She deserved a man who could do that.

  Her career was fraught with danger. Though he knew the risks were carefully managed through training and teamwork, she voluntarily put herself in harm’s way to save others.

  Afraid of being broken beyond repair, he wasn’t the kind of man she needed at all. Stephen was more than a little shocked by the sting of that realization.

  Chapter 9

  Kenzie was on such a high being back at the firehouse that she didn’t have time to dwell on the awkwardness of sleeping with Stephen last night. She’d told herself repeatedly it was good that he hadn’t been there this morning. Trying to come up with breakfast and conversation would’ve been so much wor
se. This way last night could stay in its own miraculous little time capsule. Two people capitalizing on a special moment to enjoy a physical outlet for stress.

  And what an outlet, she thought, remembering his hands in her hair, on her skin. Mind on the job, she coached herself. Though she didn’t wish anyone harm, she hoped for a busy shift. It would help her get back into the routine.

  Lieutenant Daniel Jennings waited for her to finish pouring her coffee. “Glad to have you back, Hughes.”

  “Thanks. It feels good to be home.” She sipped the dark brew. “Is everything set for the wedding?”

  His smile oozed happiness. “I’ll say yes, but only because my bride-to-be isn’t here to disagree.”

  She caught up with the rest of the men and women on her shift, pleased no one seemed inclined to discuss Murtagh or why he’d dropped the suit. She suspected they’d heard about his perjury through the grapevine, anyway. Time flew by between answering calls and handling the maintenance details that kept the personnel, equipment and firehouse in peak condition.

  Throughout the afternoon she saw the occasional media van roll by, but didn’t think anything of it. Since Murtagh’s fifteen minutes of fame had expired when the judge tossed out his case, Paul had warned her the media might come looking for a comment from her. She had no intention of providing any sound bites. Even though today was a joyful one, she would continue to direct reporters to her lawyer. She intended to keep all the legal nonsense firmly behind her.

  With energy to burn, Kenzie kept so busy that she didn’t realize she was at the center of another firestorm until Chief Anderson called her into his office after their latest emergency response.

  “What’s up?” she asked. There was nothing as awesome as being back at the firehouse with a crew that felt like family. Here, everyone had her back and she had theirs. She didn’t have to convince anyone of her ability to act or make the right decisions. Everyone here knew Murtagh had gone out of his way trying to make her look bad. Feeling alone against the world’s judgment had been the worst part of being on administrative leave.

  “Have a seat,” Anderson said, his face serious. “We’ve been dealing with circling media sharks all day.”

  “Is Murtagh doing interviews again?” She wouldn’t put it past him to keep right on complaining about her, despite the dismissal of his civil suit. Surely she was entitled to more than a twenty-four-hour break from his antics.

  “Not exactly.” The chief handed her a folder. “This seems to be new trouble and it’s too early to tell if Murtagh is connected.” He cleared his throat. “These hit the noon news cycle, with more details promised at the evening hours.”

  “What kind of details?” She opened the folder and gasped. Nude pictures of her in the firehouse showers, her body barely concealed by billowing steam, were accompanied by the vulgar insinuations that her primary role at the PFD was to satisfy her male colleagues.

  For a moment the horrible violation stole her breath. This couldn’t be happening. Had someone really put cameras in the bathrooms? Gross. She wanted to shred the pictures and then go hide under a blanket or turnout gear. As long as there were layers and layers between her skin and the rest of the world.

  Then she looked closer. That wasn’t her body in the pictures, just a woman with blond, braided hair posing in a steamy shower. The tilework in the background wasn’t the same as the firehouse. “These are faked.”

  “I know.” Chief Anderson cleared his throat. “Still damned awkward to have this conversation. I’ve sent that information up the line. The media isn’t going to know the difference, might not even care as long as they’re getting a story. Reporters and photographers from all sorts of outlets are likely to hound you for a comment or reaction.

  “Better keep going,” he said, his voice grim.

  “Pardon me?”

  “The file,” he said. “Keep going, so you have an idea what to expect.”

  There were several pages of screen shots where the faked nude images had been tagged with her name and plastered all over social media. The comments were riddled with lewd suggestions.

  Outraged, she forced herself to continue. There were more screen captures of Kenzie out with friends at a bridal shower, a bachelor party for Daniel Jennings, and other recent social events with girlfriends or off-shift gatherings with her crew. The captions were crass, implying she was forever in pursuit of a good time or a convenient man.

  “Several of these were pulled from my social media accounts.”

  “Yes,” Chief Anderson replied.

  She paused at a great shot of her and the chief at one of the PFD family picnics last summer. “I love this picture.”

  “Me, too,” he said.

  Now that moment was tainted by whoever was trying to drum up a scandal.

  Seeing a picture of her interacting with Jason at the Escape Club, she groaned. “Murtagh must be behind this,” she said, handing the folder back. “That photo was from the night he attacked me at the club. He’s certainly painting me in the worst light possible.”

  “On my word that this is another attack against you, the department has launched an investigation. They’ve warned me it could take some time to sort out the source.”

  “The PFD can clear up the most offensive part of this by simply posting pictures proving that isn’t one of our bathrooms.”

  “That still leaves people to jump to the conclusion that you posed for the pictures elsewhere.”

  She hadn’t thought of that. “It isn’t me.” How could she prove the woman blurred by the steam wasn’t her?

  The chief stacked his palms over the folder. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but the department is recommending administrative leave.”

  “No.” She surged to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. “I didn’t do any of this. It’s outright slander.” This was becoming the worst summer of her life. “I’m a victim!” She snapped her mouth shut, the words leaving a bitter aftertaste on her tongue.

  “I understand you’re caught in the middle. The department is following a set protocol. It’s a publicity nightmare.”

  “No kidding?” She turned in a tight circle, trying to keep her temper in check. “Chief, please. I just got back on the job.” She struggled to breathe through the sudden panic clawing at her chest. “The civil suit was dropped because Murtagh got caught up in his lies. You and I and the rest of the PFD knew I wasn’t at fault to start with.”

  “This is different. To the department, this looks like conduct unbecoming,” he said. “Right now we don’t know who set this in motion, only that your name is on the pictures. The fact is, there are enough legitimate postings misrepresented to give credit to the faked photos.”

  Her stomach pitched. “That’s absurd.”

  “Call your lawyer, and the union rep, too.”

  Just when she’d thought the days of saving for legal fees were over. “It isn’t me!” She reached for the folder and shuffled until she found one of the pictures that had been pulled from her social media accounts. “Your wife was there, along with other wives and kids, too. There isn’t a man in these pictures I’ve ever been with romantically.”

  “I’ve told them all of that. I’ll make your side of this crystal clear in my written report, as well. We still need to work within the established system.”

  She bit back an oath as red hazed her vision. “This is the worst form of bullying. The PFD should want to avoid the appearance of giving in to this kind of stunt.”

  “Public relations are a serious matter, Kenzie. Going through the steps doesn’t feel fair to you, but it’s necessary for the greater good of the department.”

  “Right.” She closed her eyes, counted to ten, but still couldn’t calm down. “I do what’s necessary while this miserable bully gets to do whatever he damn well pleases to trash my name and reputation? If you suspend m
e again you play right into his agenda.”

  “Lower your voice,” Chief Anderson snapped. “I understand your point of view. I know your integrity and work ethic. You’re a valued member of this house.”

  “Not for long, at this rate.” She folded her arms over her chest. What would she do if this ended her career? Last week Stephen had joked about hiring her full-time at the garage, though he really didn’t want anyone else around. She loved it there. Part of the reason the situation worked was because they both accepted that her invasion of his sanctuary was temporary.

  “I’m doing all I can to prevent that,” Anderson said. He sighed heavily. “Let me make a call. While I do that, go speak with your lawyer.”

  “And my union rep,” she said. “Yes, sir.” Dismissed, she went to her bunk and called Paul. That conversation didn’t go much better than her conversation with Chief Anderson. Who knew how hard it was to prove the source of cyberbullying and fake pictures? Oh yeah, everyone.

  They might never prove Murtagh was behind this slanderous attack on her entire life. She had to hope they could track down the original source of the nude photos and prove it wasn’t her.

  Kenzie was sitting on her bunk, wondering what to do next, half wishing for the distraction of another emergency call, when her cell phone hummed in her hand. When the display showed Galway Automotive, she tapped the icon to answer. “Hi.”

  “Any idea why news vans are circling my place like sharks?” Stephen asked without preamble.

  “Yes,” she replied, utterly dejected. She could hear his favorite heavy metal group on the stereo in the background. “I know I shouldn’t ask you for any more favors. If you could pack up my stuff in the camper, that would be a big help. I’ll text you an address to drop it off.”

  “What?” The background music died. “What are you talking about?”

  “Moving out.” It had been fun while it lasted and last night had been amazing, but Stephen had no patience for this kind of chaos. She didn’t have any illusions that sex meant relationship in his mind. When he did make that decision, he deserved a woman who wouldn’t bring media vans along for the ride. “I’m giving you some much-deserved peace.”