8. Jace

EIGHT

JACE

It's late but I can't sleep. Ted and Brian are on tonight but they're both crashed out in the bunks upstairs. We were at the annual tree lighting earlier tonight in the Main Square. The entire town was there. Chief Donnelly even came out which surprised me but I was glad he made the effort. Cakeology supplied the hot chocolate and Love Beach Brews supplied some adult fun, as well. Of course, we couldn't partake in that but I did snag a burger or two from Isaac.

I saw Wells there with his daughter Haven. She's a cute kid and asked to come on board the fire truck we had on standby. We let her climb up and as Wells followed behind her, I made sure to give him a little shoulder check. To the average person it would look like we just bumped each other, but he knew what I was getting at. When he shot me a nasty look and opened his mouth to say something, I quickly reminded him that his daughter was having a great time tonight.

That shut him up real fast.

I'll catch shit from Vienna later for it, but I don't care. He knows which side I'm on.

So instead of sleeping, I'm outside the back of the station with one of the rigs, taking extra care of cleaning her up. These trucks are gorgeous, powerful, and expensive , so I respect the power they possess and love to take care of them. If there is ever a free moment while here at the station, you'll find me polishing these babies. I'm hoping it will distract me from the woman who's caught my eye and taken hold of every waking thought I have lately.

Marigold found me at the event tonight and asked if I wanted to go on a double date tomorrow night. When my eyes widened just the slightest she laughed and told me to relax, it'd be fun, just the four of us hanging out at the bar. There's no telling her no, so now I'm nervously awaiting my shift to end so I can get home and rest up for a bit before heading out with the woman who makes me lose all sense.

I hear a car door slam and it pulls me from my cleaning. I step around the front of the truck and see a figure walking towards me. It's dark, I've only got one light on in the bay and it's directed at the truck so as to not disturb the others. But that leaves me blind as to who's walking up on me at this late hour.

But with the motion of hips, I know it can only be one person.

"Hey probie," Poppy calls out in her feminine voice and my body is instantly on fire for her. For the last couple of weeks, her pop-ins at the station and my run-ins with her at the bakery are leaving me very unsteady. I put on my best show to stay calm and in charge of myself but the minute I'm off shift and in my house, I'm in my shower jerking off to the thought of her.

"Poppy. It's late. What are you doing here?" I demand, suddenly nervous that something has happened.

"When Marigold came back to the shop, she told me you were on tonight, so I wanted to make sure you ate." She holds out a small box to me. "It's a red velvet cupcake."

My mouth waters but not for the cupcake. I love the fact that she's checking in on me, and wanting to make sure I'm taken care of. I take the box and open it. "My favorite. Thank you." I dip my finger in the icing and lick it off. Her eyes track my every move.

She circles around me, running her hands across the engine I just buffed before she turns and leans her back against it, her hands behind her, her t-shirt pulling tight across her chest showing off her very nice assets. "How was your night? I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to come see you. The shop was packed with families."

I swallow hard. It's getting harder to keep myself under control every time I'm near her. And the fact we're out here alone, in the dark, is making it worse. "It was good. The town had a fun time. No one got hurt and so far it's a quiet night."

"Mm."

I step closer to her, leaving the cupcake box on the step and lean against the engine next to her. The moon is so bright tonight I can see her perfectly out here. Her red lips and blonde hair are on display and seem to call my name.

"So I heard we have a date tomorrow night." Her eyes dance with laughter. "Are you going to pick me up?"

I huff a laugh. This woman challenges me at every turn and I'm beginning to love every sentence that falls from her lips. "Yes, I was informed of our date. If you'd like me to come pick you up, I will."

She leans in closer. "I'd love to take a ride with you." She begins to hum the chorus to Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy by Big and Rich.

I hold her stare, rubbing the stubble on my chin before actively shoving my hands in my pockets. I can't trust myself not to reach out and touch her right now.

"So, the Christmas dance is soon. Have you been to one before?" she inquires.

"No." I shake my head. "This will be my first time."

She smiles. "First time as a firefighter or first time in general?"

"Both."

"Ah, a virgin," she responds in a flirting manner.

I let out a laugh. "Only as far as dances go."

She turns to me, her shoulder leaning against the rig and I mimic her pose so we're facing one another. Her eyes are sparkling and she's got a devilish grin. "Good to know. Do you have a date?"

My lips roll inward and I glance at the moon then back to her. "No, I don't have a date."

"I dare you to go with me."

I laugh. "You dare me? Why would you have to do that?"

"Because I know you, Jace Sullivan." She steps close to me, her finger trailing the buttons on my shirt. "Order. Precision. And a girl like me might disrupt that. I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your firefighter family."

"You would never be an embarrassment." The words are out of my mouth before I can think. But it's true. She might be wild and do things I wouldn't, but she doesn't embarrass me. Not in the least.

She looks at me with gratitude and it makes me wonder what kind of guys she's dated before. I still haven't gotten the full story about why she's here, no one seems to know. I won't pry, she'll tell me when and if she's ready, but it makes me so mad to think someone didn't do right by her.

"Thank you for that Jace," she whispers.

"How come you call me Jace when it's just us, but Sully when we're at the station?"

She shrugs. "I like having something that's just for you and me."

I smile at her honest answer and I like this side of her. I reach out and brush her hair back off her shoulder, tucking a stray piece behind her ear before letting my fingers feather down the side of her neck. Her eyes watch me with rapt attention. "Would you like to be my date to the dance, Poppy?"

The slow smile that spreads across her lips tells me I've walked right into her trap. And I'm not sorry about it for one minute.

"I'd love to, Jace." She leans in, lightly brushing her lips against mine before laying a kiss on the corner of my mouth. "I'll send you a picture of my dress so you can match your tie."