Page 38 of Too Hot

“Oh, goodness. Didn’t the smoke alarms go off?”

“They didn’t.”

“You must have been so scared.”

“I was, but I didn’t show it. I helped my sisters down the fire escape and got them away from the building, watching for my parents the whole time.” A chill swept over his skin even though he was in Brianna’s warm apartment.

That night was etched in his mind. The cold wind blowing, them shivering in a parking lot away from the building, the sirens, and the noise of the fire. The wood crackling and popping. He’d never forget that sound.

“They finally came out on the fire escape. We were on the fifth floor, so it wasn’t that far down. I held my sisters back when they wanted to run to them.”

“What took them so long?”

“They were grabbing important papers, check books, and such. I found out later that my parents kept it all in a single place.”

“Why did they do that?”

Rafe remembered asking his parents why. “They understood that if the fire reached our apartment, everything would be lost. They grabbed items that couldn’t be easily replaced.”

She nodded. “Go on.”

“We watched the firefighters fight the fire. Some people were trapped, but the men got them out.”

Brianna shivered, and there was a hint of fear in her eyes. He pulled her to him, wanting her to know everything turned out fine.

“No one died, thank goodness.”

“Did they find out how the fire started?”

“Another reason I took this on as a career. Someone deliberately set fire to the south stairwell. We were on the north side of the building, but there were a lot on the south side who couldn’t get out through the fire escape or the stairs, who required rescue.”

Another shiver hit her, and Rafe rubbed the back of her neck, grounding her.

“It shaped me into wanting to be a firefighter and an arson investigator.” Might as well get it all out there now.

“Arson investigator? You don’t just fight fires?” There was awe in her voice.

“Most of the time, I’m a firefighter, but when needed, I am an arson investigator. I have all my qualifications. There’s not a big call for one in Pleasant Valley, but there have been times when one is needed.”

“I’m sure it’s less dangerous.”

“There are still some dangers, but I like being a firefighter.”

Brianna tilted her head. “There’s something in your voice; I can’t put my finger on it. It’s almost like…a deep respect for your profession.”

He nodded. “Yes. You have to respect fire and learn how it works. It takes a lot to be a firefighter, and I respect the hell out of my colleagues.”

“No, thank you. That would not be for me.”

“Not everyone likes working with fire, and that’s okay.” When she yawned again, Rafe decided it was time to put an end to their evening. “I want you to think about our scene tomorrow night. I’m thinking some bondage and light spanking and flogging.”

She was silent for a moment. “Okay.”

Rafe stood, and she followed suit. “Let me get your food.” She rushed off to the kitchen. He didn’t want to push tonight, but at least he’d seen a bit more of Brianna’s aversion to fire. It seemed to run deep. She didn’t seem to mind him fighting fires, but she’d worry. He wished he could spare her that worry, but there was no way to do that. Maybe he’d talk with Logan and find out how Ellie dealt with him being a cop. Logan’s odds of being hurt on the job were probably about the same as his.

Brianna came back with a small bag and handed it to him.

“Thank you.” He pulled open her door. “Until tomorrow.” Rafe brushed his lips over hers, then stepped outside. “Lock up.”

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