April Embers_A Second Chance Single Daddy Firefighter Romance Read online

  But I decided to make her wait until I was out of the shower and dressed. When I saw the reply, I wanted to take another shower. A cold one. Baby doll was good at playing the game. She sent back a picture of herself. I could tell she was in her flower shop because behind her was the familiar wall of peonies, but she was in a thin tank top with skinny straps. I hoped it wasn’t what she was wearing with the shop open because I could see everything clearly. She might as well have been naked. The rosy pink of her nipples poked through. Fuck me.

  I hope that isn’t what you’re wearing at work…

  No. She replied with another picture of herself in a tunic with a zipper down the front, hence why she needed the tank I guess.

  Good. Wouldn’t want anyone seeing that.

  Why? You aren’t the boss of me.

  No, I’m not. But you seem to be the boss of my cock ‘cause it doesn’t listen to me anymore.

  She sent me back at least ten smiley faces. Though it wasn’t funny to either of us.

  What are you doing? I asked her.

  Organizing the shop and I just finished a design for Gabriella.

  I had an idea then. That wedding was the only reason for me to even see her.

  So, we should meet and discuss it then. Tomorrow morning?

  I almost held my breath. I wanted to see her so badly that I had to physically leave my phone in my den as I went to the kitchen to grab a beer. When I got back I checked her response.

  I’ll speak with Gabriella about it.

  What the fuck?

  She was so much better at this than I was. My cock ached for her.

  Well I guess it made sense, it was her wedding. But I wasn’t too beat up because I knew Gabriella didn’t have a schedule that would allow her to go to noon meetings with her florist, even if it was for her wedding. Levi was pulling all the weight of his case now. So, I waited patiently. When my phone rang, I jumped slightly, thinking it was Emilia.

  “Hi, Natalie.” I gruffed. Just my sister, calling at the worst time as usual.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “Checking NASDAQ and day trading.” It was around three so the numbers were good, I could up my profits today. I had to be careful with day trading, I didn’t want to make more than a few grand with penny stocks.

  “Of course. Do you want to meet me for dinner?” I wanted to say no. But there was a longing in her voice. Kit must be gone again.

  “Kit’s gone again?” I asked her. I felt her scowl.

  “Kevin…and yes he is. He left yesterday.” Her voice echoed, she must have been in her office.

  “Sorry. Yeah, we can have dinner. What time?”

  “I’ll be there in a few hours. I have some clients left.”

  “Okay, see you.”

  I felt bad for her, honestly. I know she loved the guy, but he was never around. Hell, Emilia was just down the street and it killed me not being able to see her. Speaking of, I still hadn’t heard back from her. She had to be done with work by now, so I dialed her.

  “Hello?” Damn, she had the sexiest voice.

  “Emilia, you’ve been ignoring me.” I smirked.

  “Ignoring you?” I heard the smile in her voice.

  “Yes. What did Gabriella say?” She sighed.

  “Um, she said she was going to ask you to go for her.” She murmured, and I smiled like it was Christmas.

  “Uh huh, and what do you want to ask me?” I pressed. She huffed, like she didn’t want to see me.

  “When are you free tomorrow?”

  “Anytime. How does one work for you?”

  “That’s…fine.” She was still so unsure.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Watching television.”

  I got up from my chair, walking into my living room.

  “You aren’t going to ask me what I’m doing?” I pressed.

  “Tristan, I told you…”

  “I know. But you confuse me—you send me racy pics but you won’t have a simple phone conversation with me? That isn’t fair.”

  I was mostly playing, but a little serious. It felt like she hadn’t made up her mind about it fully, and I didn’t want to be played with. I had enough of that…

  “I know. I’m sorry. I know I have feelings for you, but I don’t think I can do anything with them yet.”

  “Yet?” I sat on the couch, my hand running through my hair in frustration. “Look, Emilia. I like you too, much as I didn’t want to because…I’ve been played with enough. I know I tease you, but that’s because I like you.”

  “Tristan…I have to go, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  That turned bad pretty fast. I know, I’d been teasing her even though she told me she didn’t want to be with me. But I expected her to resist. She did at first, but then I thought she was giving in. Now she was blowing hot and cold. I couldn’t take that. It confused everyone.

  Bottom line, I still wanted her. My body churned for her. But I realized I wasn’t ready for this. It was why I’d been staying away from women in the first place, from anything other than getting my dick wet. But Emilia…she did more than that.

  My doorbell ringing stopped me from entertaining that thought.

  It was Natalie. With Thai food. Just what I needed.

  “Hey.” I smiled and accepted the hug she offered. She looked like a fucking banana in her yellow pant suit, but a good banana I guess.

  “I brought your favorites.”

  She led herself to the kitchen, got the plates, and even served me my food. That was why I let her come over.

  “We have to talk about this Kit guy always leaving.” I said halfway through our meal.

  “He isn’t always leaving, he goes on business trips. It’s his job.” Her face tightened, there weren’t many conversations she would want to avoid, but this was one of them.

  “I know but look what it does to you.” I said.

  “It makes you concerned, but I’m fine. I knew what I was getting into.”

  “Yeah I’m concerned that you are all lonely and shit. And bothering me.” That made her laugh, but only a little bit.

  “I’m not lonely. We video chat.” Her shoulders shrugged.

  “That is no way to have a sex life.” We both doubled over in laughter. That kind of stuff wasn’t awkward between us.

  It may not seem like it all the time, but we were really close. I don’t know what I’d do without my sister, I’m just not the company type sometimes.

  “He is usually here a lot more. It’s just that right after we met, his company started this merger, so he has been doing the front work. He only has a few more trips, and they won’t be as long. He’ll be here for Gabriella and Levi’s wedding.” The hope in her voice told me she was trying to convince herself of it.

  “What do you like about Kit anyway?” She rolled her eyes.

  “Kevin…and I don’t just like him.”

  “Whoa, I didn’t know you were in love.” A smile hinted at my face. She blushed and smiled wide.

  “It’s only been a few months, but I just know it.”

  “That’s great. You’ve told him?” She started giggling.

  “Last night over skype.”

  My brows raised. “Sis, that’s so high school.”

  “I know, but I had never told anyone before. I needed the security of the computer screen.”

  I couldn’t stop laughing. My sister literally picked people apart in an hour and she couldn’t tell a guy she was in love with them.

  “I understand. What did he say? He better love you too or I swear I’ll…” she placed her hand on my arm to stop me.

  “No. He does. And he sent me flowers this morning. A big ass bouquet, filled up my whole desk.”

  I kind of liked him now. I wondered if I sent flowers to Emilia…no, I had to try and respect her wishes. Much as I wanted to be with her, I couldn’t right now.

  “You’re thinking of someone.” She said.

  “Oh no,” I groaned. She could read
me so easily. But she wasn’t budging. Her brows drew together as she peered at me. She might as well pull out a pen and pad.

  “Oh yes, what is it? Is it planning the wedding? Is it too hard for you?”

  I shook my head.

  “No, not really. Gabrielle hired someone…it’s the florist.”

  “The florist?”

  I sighed. I guess I would have to start from the beginning.

  “At the charity ball, I met this woman. At the time, I didn’t even know who she was but we had sex. Thought I’d never see her again but when Levi asked me to plan his wedding, it turned out she was the florist he hired. And she did the arrangement at the ball too.”

  “Really? That was the most beautiful arrangement I’ve ever seen. Everyone was talking about it. What else?”

  I couldn’t stop my eyes from rolling.

  “What? Oh um…I saw her last week. We had sex. But she told me she didn’t want to do that, she wants to be professional. Which I respect and understand. But still…I can’t stop thinking about her. Not since that first night.”

  “You like her. A lot.”

  “Yeah, maybe even…I don’t want to do this again. I can’t.”

  “Tristan…”

  “No, I can’t. and I won’t.”

  “Okay, what can you do?”

  I shrugged. And I avoided the conversation because I had no fucking clue.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Tristan

  When Natalie finally left, I was all talked out and maybe even more confused. I knew how I felt about Emilia. I knew what it was. But I couldn’t act on it.

  I wore jeans and a graphic tee shirt from one of my college clubs. I was surprised I still had them. But I didn’t feel like looking my best, or even decent. I knew once I saw her I would go crazy. But I didn’t expect this.

  She was in a bright, pink sundress. She looked like a fucking jolly rancher and I wanted to suck the shit out of every inch of her luscious body. It wasn’t low cut, but her pert little breasts filled out the top, a small swell appearing. She tied up her hair, revealing every sinuous curve of her neck and chest. Her legs were smooth and creamy, complete with a pair of white flats. Why the fuck would she do that?

  “Tristan!” Fuck, had I been staring?

  I met her in her office, a small room in the back of her floral shop. The desk was big and white and took up most of the room, but it was speckled with small vases of flowers and a picture of her with a man with graying hair; he looked like her. Must be her dad.

  “Yeah?”

  She blinked at me like I was dumb. Perhaps I was. She moved around her desk, hips swaying, hair bobbing. She’s like a flower patch of joy, bringing sun into my life for the first time in I don’t know how long. Maybe never.

  “I have a tentative idea—I say tentative because Gabriella said she might change it. And she’ll be here in a few minutes.” I furrowed my brow, I didn’t know she was coming.

  I checked my phone. Turned out I had a few messages. Levi was saying he would be here. I had no clue, I was so distracted. With good reason, anyway.

  “Okay. Levi is coming too.” I could leave. But I didn’t want to.

  “So, how has your day been?” She asked me. A timid smile forming her face.

  “Good. I slept in. As I always do since I don’t have a job.” I smirked. She shifted in her seat. I saw her looking at me, she made it obvious. Not just looking, checking me out. And it affected her. Her cheeks flushed, she rubbed her knees together. She wanted me—well, her body did.

  “I thought you do those day trains.” I chuckled.

  “Trades. But that’s nothing. It just keeps me busy. What about you?”

  “I had a meeting with an investor, to get bigger space.” My first thought was I’ll buy you a bigger space. But I kept it to myself. She liked to do things on her own, that much was obvious. But that did explain why she was dressed so nicely. I couldn’t tell if she wore makeup, because her skin was so clear, but her freckles were very prevalent.

  I wanted to kiss each one, memorize them.

  “That sounds really exciting. I hope it goes well.”

  Why were we ignoring it? This burn between us, we could set all these damn flowers on fire with how much we wanted each other. I wanted to shove every paper off her desk and take her against it. My cock was growing harder by the second, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was thinking about me too, but she hid it. Her body couldn’t though. Was she even wearing a bra? I could see her nipples poking through.

  We were literally saved by the bell of the door opening. That little chime made me happy though, it stopped me from acting out my thoughts.

  “Emilia?” I recognized Levi’s voice.

  I stood just as he entered with Gab. Man, they looked happy. She was in her black scrubs as always, and he was in one of his three thousand-dollar suits. I know because I have the same one.

  “Hey man.” I greeted him, and hugged Gab. I couldn’t get over how happy they looked. He would look at her and smile. Even as we sat down, when they were supposed to be looking at what baby doll showed them, they would exchange this look. I never had that with Vivian.

  I would look at Emilia and she would look away. I should be happy she was avoiding this because I knew I wasn’t ready. But it was like my heart was begging for her to fix it.

  “I think this is beautiful.” Emilia visibly relaxed at Gab’s approval. I noticed she was holding one of her sketch pads over her chest, probably to cover her nipples. I smiled at the thought.

  “Thank you. And this is just for the rehearsal dinner. We can carry it through the wedding or change it completely, it’s up to you.” She smiled kindly. She beamed when she talked about this stuff, she really loved it.

  It was how I was at work. Technology and I had always been friends. I understood, it understood me. I could control it, and I was good at it. If I didn’t program something at least once a day, I got a twitch. Mom said it was how I was, even as a kid. But now I was sitting at home in ratty clothes doing mostly nothing.

  Emilia made me want to change that.

  “We’ll have to think about it.” Gab and Levi looked at each other, but then both glanced at their watches. They really did only have a few minutes to spare.

  “No problem. But I’ll go ahead and put this order in. The dinner is Saturday, right?” They stood up, and I stood too.

  “Yes, oh and you are welcome to come. You can bring someone too.” Levi said to her, glancing at me. Asshole.

  “That’s not necessary,” she countered.

  “I insist, with how short notice this has all been. You deserve a good meal.”

  She nodded and once they said their goodbyes, they left. I texted him for good measure.

  Asshole.

  “They really liked it. But they’ll have a laundry list for me tomorrow.” I said to Emilia.

  She grinned and set her sketch pad back down. I assumed she just wanted me to see them and suffer. My feet moved me before I could step them. I was inches from her, trapping her between the desk and my chest. She looked up at me, eyes wide. God, she was so beautiful it took my breath away.

  “You look beautiful today.” I told her. And I meant it. It wasn’t just some ploy.

  “Thank you.” She blushed.

  There was no way I could stop myself from reaching out and touching the blush of her cheekbones. She inhaled softly but leaned into my touch. Her eyelashes fanned over her cheeks as she did so. I cupped her cheek with my hand and brought her face up to kiss her.

  “Tristan,” she leaned back. But she was still close enough I could feel her breath across my lips. She smelled like berries.

  “Tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

  Her breath quickened, but she didn’t.

  She didn’t tell me to stop so I crushed my lips to hers. It had been too long. I felt her everywhere, in my fingertips and even my spine. Straight through to my cock that was rock hard in seconds. She deepened the kiss, he
r lips parting to make way for my tongue.

  I kept on, kissing her, claiming her mouth until I needed air. I broke away, my lips went to her neck. She arched back as she caught her breath. I set her on the desk and brought my mouth lower; lower until my mouth closed around her nipple through her cotton dress. She strained a whimper as she bucked towards me.

  I trailed my hand up her thigh, slowly until I reached her heated sex. I felt her through her cotton panties, soaking the fabric. I never thought cotton panties were sexy, but she sure does make them that way.

  “Tristan, please. Touch me.”

  I growled. Hearing her beg was like a fucking best-selling song. She took my shirt off and tossed it aside, raking her nails down my front until she undid my jeans. As she did that I granted her wish, pushing her panties aside to rub her slick folds. I avoided her clit, until she whimpered so loud it turned into strangled moans.

  I tugged her dress down around her waist, revealing her pert nipples. Her nipples were hard, pointing towards me. I palmed her breast, working her clit harder, faster, until she was coming in my hand.

  “Tristan…oh yes.” Her moan was breathless. And perfect.

  But I needed to be inside of her. I kept my eyes on her as she took me from my briefs, wrapping her hand around the head of my cock and positioning me at her entrance. I saw the pleasure flow through her eyes as I entered her slowly. Every inch of me was coated by her, she clenched around me, making me groan; making my knees weak.

  “Please fuck me.” She breathed.

  I held her hips and started rocking into her. Going deep every time, until I was going faster, and faster. The desk shaking, the vases rattling. She leaned back, her tits bouncing with every thrust. It was a sight; her leaned back in ecstasy, her pussy pink and throbbing, closing around my cock like a vice. My balls tightened just at the sight of her rubbing her clit, fuck I loved when she did that. I leaned forward, caging her with my forearms on either side of her head as I kissed her. My tongue flying around hers, sucking on her lips until they were swollen.