Warnings and Wildfires

  Jesus Christ, I’d like to tackle her from behind.

  Rein it in, cowboy.

  When I actually think about her question, combined with her eagerness to start these lessons, it bothers me. “Aubrey, be straight with me. Is someone hassling you?”

  “What? No,” she answers too quickly for my comfort.

  “Aubrey.” I level a more serious stare at her. “You seemed to be in a hurry for the private lessons. And you’ve got real specific scenarios in mind. What’s wrong?”

  She hesitates and her cheeks turn even redder. “Look at me, I’m short. People think I’m an easy target. Too small to defend myself.”

  “You look fine to me.”

  Unprofessional much? “Sorry, what I meant was, I understand.”

  “How could you understand?” Her gaze roams over me, taking in my arms, and chest, then dropping to my legs. “You’re a big, strong man.”

  I’m not the kind of guy to waste a second puffing up my chest at the observation. “I mean, that’s why many women take self-defense classes.”

  Her pillowy lips push into a pout and it takes a lot of strength to hold back and not kiss her. “I want to be able to make someone regret messing with me.” There’s a touch more conviction in her tone.

  Something’s still not right about her motivation and it occurs to me that I may know her favorite flavor of ice cream and have her employee application practically memorized, but in reality, I know squat about Aubrey and her past.

  It makes me want to protect her. I’m usually all about teaching women to protect themselves and not depend on someone else to keep them safe.

  But Aubrey?

  I want to wrap her up in my arms and murder anyone who looks at her sideways.

  Sully doesn’t hold back and I appreciate that. He doesn’t hurt me, but he doesn’t go easy because I’m so much smaller than him either.

  I do my best to ignore the way his muscles effortlessly bulge with every move. Not even his easy manner hides the raw strength he holds. More than once my eyes linger where they shouldn’t.

  I’m flushed and sweaty when a buzzer goes off near the front counter.

  “What’s that mean?” I pant out the words.

  He still has his arms around me. His eyes search mine, but neither of us speaks for a second. “Private lesson’s up,” he says without pulling away.

  “Oh.”

  This heavy, heady moment hangs between us. Lips almost touching. Sharing a breath. Our eyes meet. Impulse takes over and I reach up on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his.

  His posture stiffens. Not returning the kiss. Not even moving. His hands drop to his sides, away from my body.

  Oh, shit.

  What am I doing?

  I stumble backward breaking our one-sided kiss. “I’m so sorry.” My voice rises in pitch. “I don’t know why I did that.”

  “Aubrey,” he says, reaching for me.

  No. I can’t take his kindness. Not after doing something so foolish.

  “Give me a minute and I’ll drive you home,” he says, slowly backing away.

  “Th-that’s okay. I can walk.”

  “Aubrey.” He reaches to grab my arm, but I skirt by him, jerking my bag off the floor and running for the exit.

  “Aubrey, wait,” he pleads.

  “I’ll see you Tuesday,” I mumble on my way out. He doesn’t follow.

  On the sidewalk, I sling my backpack over my shoulders and break into a run.

  I can not believe I kissed him!

  And worse, he recoiled as if a spider had crawled up his leg.

  Okay, maybe not that bad.

  But he definitely wasn’t happy to find himself in a lip lock with me.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  All morning long, I watch the door, waiting for Aubrey.

  I spent yesterday punishing my body in the weight room. Trying to work off the need to see her.

  A hundred times I thought about swinging by her apartment. Just to talk.

  Or to kiss her for real.

  Yeah, that sweet, awkward kiss she planted on my lips after our private lesson?

  Can’t get it out of my head.

  My dick’s gotten way too well-acquainted with my hand since that kiss.

  She took me by surprise and I handled it so badly I’m afraid she won’t show up for her first shift.

  Jake wisely decided to spend his afternoon somewhere else.

  To my relief, Aubrey arrives on time. Nervous and awkward at first. Pretending it didn’t happen. But I recognize embarrassment when I see it. She tries to hide it by asking me generic questions about the job. The pink blush staining her cheeks says more than the words coming out of her mouth.

  “Come on, let me give you a full tour.”

  “Is this okay?” she asks, pointing to her outfit.

  Because I’m a jerk, I’ve kind of been avoiding looking directly at Aubrey. Once I do I won’t be able to drag my gaze away from her.

  Her request forces me to take her in. All of her. The tight black leggings with blue and green stripes running down the sides. They happen to match the colors of my sign out front. So does the snug blue polo shirt she picked out.

  “It’s perfect. If I ever design a uniform for the place, that would be it.”

  A relieved smile spreads across her face. “Good.”

  She has her long, dark hair pulled into an elaborate braid but a few pieces have sprung loose and before I realize what I’m doing, I brush them off her cheek.

  “I wanted my hair out of the way,” she says, tucking the strands behind her ear.

  “You look pretty…I mean, professional. Thank you for taking the job seriously.”

  “Of course I take it seriously.”

  “Well, you’d be surprised.”

  “You’ve just hired the wrong people.”

  “Can’t argue with that.”

  There’s a lull in the studio around one o’clock, so that’s usually when I eat lunch. I toss a menu on the desk and ask her to pick what she wants.

  “It’s okay. I brought something.”

  “Save it. I want to buy you lunch on your first day.”

  She’s tense as she scribbles down her order and hands the menu back to me.

  It’s not until we’re sitting behind the desk together about to dig into our sandwiches that she breaks.

  “I’m sorry about the other day, Sully,” she blurts out.

  I sigh and sit back, dropping my sub on the wrapper and wiping my hands off before answering. “I’m not. It was sweet. You just took me by surprise.”

  “I don’t go around kissing everyone I interact with. I want you to know that.”

  “So, I’m special?” I tease.

  She doesn’t even crack a smile. “Yes. I like…I like you a lot. And I haven’t liked anyone in a long time.”

  Jesus, she’s killing me here. “I like you too, Aubrey.”

  “I feel a ‘but’ coming on.”

  “But, you work for me. I don’t want to complicate things.” Could I be a bigger asshole?

  The disappointment in her eyes intensifies my guilt, but Aubrey’s brave. She flashes a quick smile. “Well, I guess that’s that. I’ll follow the rules and keep my lips to myself from now on.”

  I only have one response in mind. Thankfully, I don’t say it.

  Rules are meant to be broken.

  I survived lunch with Sully. I didn’t choke on my sandwich or embarrass myself in any other way.

  Most importantly, I didn’t kiss him again.

  The job isn’t bad. He wasn’t kidding about things picking up in the afternoon. I’m busy greeting customers, answering the phone, and signing people up for classes.

  I expected to feel a little self-conscious among all these fitness-focused people, but the only ones who pay any attention to me are the guys who show up in the afternoon.

  Sadly the only person who interests me is Sully.

  He pretty much defines drop-dead sexy. I’m not the
only one who notices either. His sinful mouth, ripped body, and dark, brooding eyes have every woman who takes a class with him stumbling over their sneakers.

  “You’re doing great, Aubrey,” Sully assures me after closing.

  “Thanks.” I drop into the chair behind the front desk. “I’m exhausted, even though I don’t feel like I did very much.”

  “You did plenty.” He glances at the front door before turning back to me.

  Lost in the intensity of his penetrating gaze, I don’t stand a chance.

  “Everything okay?” he asks, his warm voice full of sincerity. Even if he’s aware of the effect he has on women, he never seems to exploit it.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Do you need a ride?”

  “My sister’s supposed to pick me up on her way home.”

  He glances at the front door again.

  “I can wait outside,” I say, grabbing my stuff from under the counter.

  “No,” he says quickly. He motions for me to follow him. “Let’s set you up with your own locker.”

  I follow him into the locker room and he throws his arms wide, turning in a half-circle. “Your pick.” He hands me a lock and a card with the combination.

  “Thanks. Now I feel official.”

  He reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “You’re very official.”

  The second he touches me, my body trembles. Maybe he notices, I’m not sure, but he hurries out of the locker room.

  Rattled, I stumble to the first locker in front of me and slip the lock in place. I practice opening it a few times to make sure the combination works, then head outside.

  My sister’s near the entrance talking to Sully and smiles as soon as she sees me.

  “Why didn’t you call?” I ask, hurrying over.

  “I finished early.” She glances at Sully. “I wanted to say hello to your new boss and make sure he’s taking good care of you.”

  Even though Celia’s teasing isn’t meant to hurt, it makes me feel about five years old.

  “I’m fine,” I mumble.

  “She’s terrific,” Sully says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m lucky she had time in her schedule.”

  Celia beams and my anxiety spikes. I hold up my bag. “I’m ready to go.”

  “Bro, what are you still doing here?” Jake calls out from the back entrance. “Oh, hey, Aubrey.” His gaze shoots to Celia and lingers. “And hello to you too.”

  He slows down and adopts his usual cocky swagger, and I groan. While I find Jake charming in a harmless-flirty way, my sister has no patience for overconfident player types.

  Jake’s danger radar must be defective because he circles my sister like a shark until Sully gives him a not-so-subtle shove. “You’ll have to excuse my brother, Celia. I dropped him on his head a lot when he was little.” He wraps an arm around Jake’s neck, dragging him closer in what looks like a brotherly embrace until you notice Jake’s eyes bugging out from lack of oxygen. “This is Aubrey’s sister, Celia.” He gives him one final warning squeeze before releasing Jake.

  Jake coughs but shakes off the choke-hug quickly. “Now that your sister works here, you’ll have to stop by for some classes.”

  “Do you teach any?” she asks.

  He hands her his schedule and she folds it up without reading it, stuffing it in her back pocket.

  “Maybe I’ll try your Sunday class, Sully. Aubrey says she gets a lot out of it.”

  “Any time,” Sully says.

  “I don’t teach that one,” Jake says.

  “I know,” Celia answers without looking at him.

  Sully ducks his head and cough-laughs.

  “Good to see you again, Sully,” Celia says, grabbing my arm and tugging me toward the door. “But my feet are killing me.”

  “Night, girls,” Sully calls out. “Thanks, Aubrey.”

  “Nice meeting you, Celia,” Jake says.

  “Did you have to be so rude to my boss’s brother?” I ask once we’re outside.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m sure his ego survived. Besides, Sully seems to know what his brother’s about.” She gives me a more serious look. “Be careful around him.”

  “Jake?” I open my car door and slide in, waiting for her to get in her side. “He’s harmless.”

  “He’s got smooth-guy written all over him. I deal with jackasses like that all day long at the salon.” She shimmies her shoulders. “Ones who ‘accidentally’ shove their face between your boobs when you’re cutting their hair.”

  Now she’s being ridiculous. “You don’t even know him.”

  “Neither do you,” she points out.

  “I love you, but the over-protective big sister thing is super annoying.”

  She rests her hand on my leg. “I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow it, so just deal.”

  “I think I’m in love,” Jake mutters.

  “Shocking,” I grumble, locking up the front door and flipping off the lights.

  “She’s a taller, older version of Aubrey. And that a—”

  “Don’t,” I warn, cutting him off before he starts singing the praises of Celia’s ass.

  “She picking Aubrey up every night?”

  “I don’t know.” I cock my head and study him for a second. “Stay away from her.”

  “Why?”

  “Seriously? Her sister works here now. I don’t need you charming her into bed, then never calling her again.”

  “I gotta be honest, bro—”

  I hold up a hand, cutting him off. “Stay. Away.”

  “All right, all right.” He throws his hands up in surrender. “But if she moves on me, I’m not turning her down.”

  “I won’t hold my breath.”

  Jake’s not insulted. He never is.

  “You coming over for dinner?” I ask.

  “Is Mom cooking?”

  “Yes,” I answer in my don’t-be-a-moron tone.

  He ends up following me home, parking in my driveway and walking over to our mother’s house with me.

  I’m sure Mom had dinner hours ago, but she’s used to us coming and going at all hours.

  “Give me a few minutes,” she says after greeting us at the door. “I had to run to Stewart’s for more milk.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, following her into the kitchen. “I would’ve stopped at the store for you.”

  She clucks her tongue. “I’m not an invalid, Sully.”

  “Never said you were.”

  She waves me away. “Go sit at the table.”

  “Sully’s got a girlfriend,” Jake announces.

  I shoot a glare at his end of the table, but he ignores it.

  “Oops, I mean, he hired a girl to work at Strike Back,” Jake amends.

  Mom raises her eyebrows. “What’s her name?”

  “Aubrey,” I answer before Jake starts up again. “It’s only a few hours a week.”

  “That’s good. You work too much.” It’s a common complaint of my mother’s even though she knows if I don’t keep myself busy, I’ll go nuts.

  My mother turns to Jake. “What about you? Keeping out of trouble?”

  “I haven’t knocked up anyone if that’s what you’re asking,” he mumbles, shoveling a fork full of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

  My mother leans over and whaps him with a dishtowel. “That’s not funny.”

  We talk about other stuff throughout dinner and my mother yawns as we’re clearing off the table.

  “Sorry it’s so late.”

  “It’s fine, Sullivan. I have to be up early tomorrow, so I might head to bed in a few minutes.”

  “Sure. I’ll clean up.” I take her arm, stopping her. “Doctor?”

  She blows out a frustrated breath. “Yes.”

  “One of us should go with you.”

  “It’s just a regular exam,” she says, tapping her cheek right below her good eye. “Same thing I do every month.”

  I let out my own sigh. Years of guilt, I suppo
se. “I still feel better if you don’t go alone.”

  “I’ll go,” Jake says, joining the conversation. “Where am I going?”

  “Dr. Kersaw’s.”

  Jake’s never seemed to remember the incident that left our mom blind in one eye, so I doubt the same wildfire of anger, fear, and guilt blaze through him every time Mom has to go for her check-ups.

  “Same time as usual?” Jake asks.

  Mom confirms the time and gives both of us a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to bed.

  Jake stretches and twists. “I’m gonna crash at your place since I’ll just be back early in the morning.”

  “Yeah, no problem. That’s why you have a room, jackass.”

  “Sullivan!” my mother shouts from the other room.

  Jake sticks out his tongue and points at me like a deranged five-year-old and I roll my eyes.

  Some things don’t change all that much.

  CHAPTER SIX

  In general, I enjoy people-watching, so I expected to be entertained working at Sully’s place.

  And it’s definitely been entertaining. I mean, wow. Strike Back is a magnet for hot guys.

  Unfortunately, some have more muscles than manners.

  Sully’s quick to rectify that situation each time it comes up.

  Other than chasing off guys who stop to give me inappropriate uniform tips, Sully’s a man of few words. Which has been weird, because I’m used to him barking out instructions during class. But when he’s not teaching, he doesn’t say much beyond “Yes,” “No,” and “Thanks” in response to my questions. He might be short on words but he’s polite.

  The men I know from my job at the coffee shop love to talk about themselves, so I find Sully’s silence both relaxing and intriguing.

  His brother, Jake, is the exact opposite. Always talking. Always flirting.

  Always determined to annoy his big brother.

  While Jake’s fun to be around, he’s also exhausting and I’m relieved that most afternoons he leaves to work at the gym he owns with Wrath and one other guy.

  Jake’s been gone for a few hours and I’m about to take my break when the front door chimes. I glance up, smile in place, ready to help whoever it is.

  Apparently, today is leave Aubrey tongue-tied day. Two muscular guys around my age saunter inside. My gaze slides over the one on the left, who’s busy scanning the room. He has close-cropped red hair and the faintest hint of auburn scruff covering his chin. His friend has dark, curly hair and determination brewing in his brown eyes. Unlike the majority of the clients, they have a presence that commands attention. No goofing around from these two. They’re both serious and focused.