5. Becky

5

BECKY

B ecky's leg bounced underneath her desk. She was trying to read the papers before her, but her mind kept returning to that pretty doctor. Becky had been driving home from her shift when she passed that lot where Lucinda was stranded. She debated just offering to call her a tow truck, but for some reason, Becky wanted to help her. It might have been the way Lucinda had stomped her legs and screamed at her car. Becky found it amusing to see her so disheveled, and for once, Becky was the put-together one.

She liked that Lucinda let her help, even if Lucinda had thought negatively about her. Becky was utterly shocked when Lucinda even apologized for the way she had stormed into her office. Against her will, she had softened toward her, especially when she learned why Lucinda was trying to make a new life in America—away from her ex-girlfriend.

Becky smiled to herself. So Lucinda was into women. As soon as Lucinda had said that, Becky mentioned her ex-wife, which Lucinda had seemed very interested in.

Her foot tapped against the leg of her chair monotonously. She hadn't forgotten to ask for her jacket back; she just wanted to see Lucinda again. Wanted a casual interaction to get to know her more. God, what was she doing? Was she flirting? Was she attracted to Lucinda?

Becky had spent all morning cleaning her office. She had seen how Lucinda had looked around it, and she was not about to be embarrassed again.

Yeah, she definitely had a crush.

Finding out last night that Lucinda had dated a woman before shot a wave of relief through her. That's why she had mentioned her ex, Alison.

Becky rubbed her temple. Was Lucinda also thinking about her in this way or was it just her imagination? She couldn't tell for sure. All she knew was that she wanted to corner that little doctor and have that pretty pink mouth on hers. She only hoped Lucinda wanted that, too.

Becky needed to walk to get the nervous energy out of her bones. She got up and strode down the hall. She walked aimlessly around the break room, sleeping quarters, and garage, the firefighters' mumblings going in one ear and out the other.

God, she couldn't afford to be this distracted.

"Chief!"

Becky turned to see Captain Carter running up to her.

"So, what's the situation with the new procedures? I want to ensure our team is prepared for the drill next Friday."

Becky opened her mouth to answer, but it was not her voice that spoke.

"The chief and I will discuss this this week, and we will give you the packets to distribute to the others by Monday," Lucinda said.

She was wearing a light blue dress that hugged the shape of her hips perfectly. Becky turned to see her and dragged her eyes away before they lingered too much over her body.

"What she said, Captain," Becky agreed.

"Got it. I'll let everyone else know." Carter turned and left the two women alone .

Lucinda handed Becky her jacket from last night, which now smelled of fresh linen and daisies.

"Did you wash this?"

"Of course I did." Lucinda rolled her eyes. "I wasn't going to return a dirty jacket."

Becky chuckled. "Thank you for dropping it off."

"Thank you for the help yesterday. I was able to get a new tire this morning, so I'm late."

"I hadn't realized we had set up a time."

"We hadn't, but I felt like I was running behind." Lucinda blushed.

"Well, since you're here, do you want the tour?" Becky waved her hand around at the firehouse behind her.

"I don't want to bother you if you're busy."

"Not a bother at all." Becky smirked, walking by the trucks. "This is the garage where all the babies live."

"Babies?" Lucinda asked.

Becky smiled, hitting the side of her favorite truck. "These are the babies, Doctor."

Lucinda chuckled. A soft, delicious sound that Becky wanted to hear over and over again.

"This one is my personal favorite. Don't tell the others." Becky let her fingers skim across the cool metal. "She's older but sturdy with a state-of-the-art pump system."

"I haven't the slightest idea what that means," Lucinda joked.

"Please," Becky interrupted. "Hold all your questions until the end."

Lucinda laughed again. Becky was becoming addicted.

Becky continued across the firehouse, talking about every single detail. Lucinda followed along and asked specific questions if she was confused. Becky liked that she was trying her best to understand.

Then, the alarm blared.

Lucinda jumped at the sudden sound. Immediately, Becky turned off her easy, joking demeanor and turned back into a raging leader. "Keep behind me. People will be down here to head out any moment."

Lucinda shifted behind Becky, whose arms were folded across her chest.

Leilani and Ember burst from inside the firehouse, dressed only in a shirt and pants. Captain Carter followed closely behind .

"Captain, report!" Becky bellowed over the shrill alarm.

"Medical emergency. The ambulance was called, but we're closer. We're only four blocks away. It sounds like a heart attack." Carter swung onto the truck after Leilani, and Ember fired up the engine.

Becky gave the team a thumbs-up before the truck peeled out of the station, its yellow lights bouncing off the glass windows.

"Should I have gone with them?" Lucinda asked uneasily.

Becky turned off the firehouse alarm, covering the station in silence once again. "Why?"

"They said it was a medical emergency. I could have helped," Lucinda said, looking after the truck.

Becky couldn't help the soft smile that grew on her lips. "They are more than capable of handling this. In this country our firefighters have medical training too. Don't worry." Her fingers grazed Lucinda's. "Let me show you the rest of the place."

Becky held the door open to the living quarters.

"Aren't you nervous about your daughter going out there every day?" Lucinda climbed the steps .

Becky pulled her eyes away from the swell of Lucinda's ass in front of her. "Excuse me?"

Lucinda stopped at the top of the stairs and turned around. "This is a dangerous job. It must be hard to send your daughter out to fires, no?"

Becky contemplated her words. "When Ember told me she wanted to be a firefighter, I told her no. I couldn't stand the thought of my baby trapped in a house of flames." Becky rubbed the back of her neck. "But she told me that she really wanted to help people. She wanted to protect the city just like her mom." Becky shrugged. "Who was I to stand in her way?"

"So you're not afraid of her getting hurt?" Lucinda's perfume wrapped around Becky's skin.

"Oh no. I'm fucking terrified every day." Becky laughed half-heartedly. "Ember got injured a while back. Bad." She shuddered at the memory. "I thought...well, we all thought she was a goner. But Josephine—Dr. Mars, saved her."

Lucinda's gray eyes widened. "Dr. Mars operated on her own partner?"

"Yep." Becky popped the 'p.' "No one else was available, and Ember was..."

Becky didn't like to talk about that day. She didn't even discuss it with Ember. But something about Lucinda made Becky want to unveil all her thoughts, wishes, and secrets.

"Anyway, she survived. Obviously."

"And you still let her go out there." A statement, not a question.

"She is a grown woman. And is a lot more sensible these days. Josephine has been a very positive influence on her. She doesn’t have the kamikaze streak she once did.” Becky walked through the living area. Old bags of popcorn and empty soda cans were strewn about. Firefighters were a messy bunch. "I don't think I could stop her if I tried. She's a lot like me in that way."

"How so?" Lucinda leaned against the wall. A few pictures of past firefighting teams swayed gently behind her.

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be a bit..." Becky waved her hand in the air, searching for the word.

"Headstrong? Stubborn?" Lucinda smiled.

"Relax, Lucinda. I thought we were friends now." Becky shifted closer to her and was pleasantly surprised when the doctor didn't pull back.

"Dr. Everett." She blinked at Becky. "We're in the office."

"Technically"—Becky rested a hand on the wall next to Lucinda's face—"we're in the living quarters." She bent her head down and whispered, "Lu-cinda.”

Lucinda broke into a roaring blush as Becky pushed off the wall to continue the tour. God, Becky loved the way she looked when she was flustered.

I wonder what she looks like on her knees?

Lucinda followed Becky along as she showed her the rest of the living area and firehouse. Becky made a mental note to chew out her team for the disgusting way they kept their quarters. The way Lucinda's eyes immediately clocked the mess made Becky want to polish the floor with her toothbrush. This woman had her fucking whipped.

The pair made their way to the break room, where Lucinda made a cup of coffee, which Becky realized wasn't coffee at all.

"That's not coffee. That's sugar with the essence of coffee beans." Lucinda finished pouring an obscene amount of sugar and cream into her coffee, which had turned beige. "I don't like coffee, Chief Thompson, but I need the caffeine."

"Drink a soda then!" Becky teased, pulling her black coffee away from Lucinda's grip. "Or whatever the kids are drinking now." She snapped her fingers, trying to recall the name. "Matcha!"

"It doesn't work as well! Also, matcha tastes like dirt." Lucinda sipped her sugar sludge and giggled. "You don't want me falling asleep while saving lives, do you?"

"I fear you won't be able to treat yourself once all that sugar catches up with you." Becky left the break room and walked into her office. "Jesus, I guess you like frappuccinos, too, huh?"

Lucinda scoffed as she shut the door behind them. "Of course. Who wouldn't want a morning milkshake with extra caramel?"

Becky sat at her desk. "That's disgusting."

"No, it's amazing. You must try—" Lucinda stopped talking as she noticed the spotless office.

"This is my office. Please notice all of my honors." Becky motioned to the plaques and medals behind her.

Lucinda leaned on the edge of Becky's desk, her dress shifting a little higher on her thighs. "Very impressive. I also noticed it looks much different than the other day."

Becky sat back in her chair to better view the doctor. "What do you mean? My office is always this clean. "

Lucinda's eyes sparkled mischievously as she placed her coffee mug down. "I never said anything about cleanliness. Did you tidy up for me, Chief?"

It was Becky's turn to be flustered, but she didn't give in. She stood and leaned over Lucinda. "What if I did, hm? What if I wanted it to look nice for you?"

Lucinda's chest turned bright red. Becky's eyes trailed up the swell of her breasts to her neck and landed on her mouth.

"I guess I would be flattered," Lucinda admitted.

She didn't know what was getting into her. She was in her fucking office with a sexy woman sitting on her desk, and Becky wanted to do some very unprofessional things to her. She couldn't care less if she was in her place of work. Lucinda, in this dress, was driving her crazy. She wanted Lucinda's pillowy lips on hers. She wanted Lucinda's luscious black hair wrapped around her fist. God, she wanted Lucinda.

Becky lowered her mouth to Lucinda's ear. "Only flattered, Lucinda?"

Lucinda shuddered, her hands white knuckling the edge of Becky's desk. "We are most definitely in an office now, Chief Thompson. "

Becky chuckled, her hands grazing up Lucinda's thighs. "Say my name."

Lucinda's legs spread slightly, and Becky shifted between them.

Lucinda cleared her throat. "I'm trying to remain professional, Chief.”

"Mhm. Tell me to stop, then." Becky's hands were under Lucinda's dress now, squeezing the legs she had been dreaming about all day.

Lucinda sighed wistfully.

"What was that, Doctor?" Becky said close to Lucinda's mouth. "I couldn't hear you."

Lucinda pulled Becky forward, crashing her lips into hers. Becky gripped Lucinda as the doctor kissed her ferociously. She let Lucinda taste her mouth, deepening the kiss. Her fingers squeezed painfully into Lucinda's skin. She might have bruised her pretty, pale skin. That made something purr in her chest. Becky pulled her mouth away, causing Lucinda to whimper.

"Say my name, Lucinda," Becky cooed. "I know you want to." Her fingers passed over Lucinda's panties, finding them to be already damp with pleasure.

Lucinda gasped and tried to pull Becky into another kiss. Becky avoided the doctor's mouth but kissed up her neck, her hand slightly rocking against Lucinda's wet panties. Becky wanted to unravel her piece by piece. She wanted Lucinda to feel fucking defenseless and solely rely on Becky to tell her which way was up.

"Becky." Lucinda sighed, her eyes heavy. "Becky, please."

Becky's mouth found Lucinda's through their haze of lust. She tasted like sugar and bitter coffee. Hell, was this what cocaine felt like? Lucinda wrapped her arms around Becky's neck, rocking her pelvis against Becky's hand.

Becky's blood sizzled, and her heartbeat hammered in her chest as she kissed across Lucinda's neckline, the other woman humming against her mouth. Becky wanted to get on her knees and make Lucinda keep saying her name around those sweet sounds. She wanted her begging, pleading -

A knock broke their fervor. "Chief! We're back. I got your report." Carter's voice called.

Shit.

Lucinda just about jumped out of her skin, yanking down her dress so hard Becky was scared she might rip it.

Becky cleared her throat. "One second, Carter. I'm on a call." She pulled her hands from Lucinda and gently tugged her off the desk.

Lucinda hurriedly readjusted the neck of her dress. Becky smoothed Lucinda's hair before motioning for her to sit on the other side of her desk.

When they were both situated, Becky said, "Enter."

Carter strode in with Ember following behind her. "Chief. Oh, Dr. Everett, you're still here."

Lucinda stood quickly. "I was just leaving." She dared not look in Becky's direction. "Chief Thompson, I'll see you Friday." She left without another word, her heels flying across the hardwood floors.

Carter didn't think anything of it. "Civilian, cardiac arrest. He's fine. At the hospital as we speak."

"Thank you, Captain. Dismissed." Becky tapped her fingers against the desk as Carter slipped out.

Becky looked up to see Ember's smug grin as she sidled into the office. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Ember sang. "I just like that new lipstick color you're wearing."

"I'm not—" Becky stopped and wiped her mouth, finding the remnants of Lucinda's pink makeup. "Thank you.”

She could smell the sharp scent of Lucinda’s sex on her hand.

"I didn't know you wore lipstick. What color is that?"

"I don't know. I just picked it up at the drugstore." Becky didn't meet Ember's eyes.

"Uh-huh," Ember said skeptically. "What were you and the doctor talking about?"

"Just discussing the new emergency protocols." Becky shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Make much head way?” Ember grinned.

Becky tried to keep her face stony. "We talked a bit. Should get more work done later this week."

"Sure, sure." Ember nodded, folding her hands behind her back. "I never noticed how much we have in common, Mom."

"Chief."

Her daughter ignored the comment.

"A little bit stubborn, utterly hilarious." Ember side-eyed her mother. "Got a thing for hot femme doctors."

"Out, Ember." Becky rubbed her temples.

"I mean?— "

"Out!" Becky threw a wadded piece of paper at Ember.

She hurried from the room, laughing as she shut the door behind her.

Becky leaned back in her chair, trying not to replay the vision of Lucinda being a flustered mess on her desk. She pulled out her phone and typed out a message.

Becky: U alright?

She raised her right hand to her nose again and sniffed it.

Oh, fuck, yes.

Lucinda didn't text back immediately. Becky tossed her phone on her desk, trying not to obsess about the doctor. As she stared up at the ceiling, regret began to set in. She hoped Lucinda hadn't felt pressured to kiss Becky.

No, she kissed me just as much as I kissed her. And you can’t fake that kind of wetness.

Typically, Becky would have cared for someone after they had been intimate, but she hadn't had that opportunity.

Typically? Becky rolled the word over in her head.

There was no 'typically' for her. Becky hadn't had sex in probably three years. She hadn't really felt the need to. No one brought that side out of her. No one interested her.

Until now.

Her phone pinged.

Lucinda: Yes

Becky's fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure of what to say next.

I'll finish you off next time, if you want a next time.

I want to taste you. All night.

I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name.

My place tonight.

Do you want to grab dinner?

Becky placed her phone face down, not wanting to be tempted to send Lucinda anything else. She had done enough today. The fire chief just hoped Lucinda had enjoyed it as much as she had.