Page 43 of Too Hot

“I’ll be okay,” she whispered, but would she?

“Why does fire play scare you so much?”

Brianna lifted her head to stare at Sierra. “I didn’t say it did.”

Sierra shook her head. “Your actions did. It’s okay if it does, but you need to talk with Rafe about those fears.”

“How can I? It’s his specialty, isn’t it? How can I tell him I’m afraid of something he loves to do?” Brianna wiped at her cheeks.

Sierra stood and grabbed a box of tissues and brought them over.

“You didn’t see his face when you ran. The man was gutted, full of concern. For you.”

Brianna took a couple of tissues. “I didn’t mean to hurt him.” That was the last thing she wanted, but how could she do anything different? There was no way she could be around fire play. Another shiver slid up her spine.

“Of course you didn’t.” Sierra patted her shoulder. “Brianna, he needs to understand.”

“I…” Brianna blew her nose. Sierra was right; she owed it to Rafe to tell him about her fear. She’d been doing so well until tonight. “Give me a few minutes and tell Rafe I’ll be back in the club.”

Sierra nodded, hugged Brianna one more time, and left, glancing back from the door with an encouraging smile. Brianna cleaned up her face and splashed some water on her cheeks. At least she wasn’t wearing mascara, or she’d look like a racoon. It was bad enough her eyes were bloodshot.

Not much she could do about that. Throwing the used tissues away and putting the tissue box back where it belonged, she stood tall as she walked from the bathroom into the club.

Rafe was waiting right inside the door. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “I’m sorry.”

Her heart melted. He was apologizing for something he didn’t even do. This man got beneath her defenses at every turn, and she instinctually knew he had her best interests at heart. She owed him an explanation. “Can we talk?”

Rafe nodded and led her to the quiet area. Before she could sit, he sat and pulled her into his lap. “I need to keep you close.”

His voice was soft, but his eyes held concern, and Brianna’s own needs went out the window. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” The words tumbled out of her mouth. “I’m scared, and I ran because of it.”

“Sweetheart.” He rubbed her back in a soothing manner. “I promise, you don’t have to do fire play. I know it’s a hard limit.”

“It’s more than that.” She swallowed. Rafe was being so kind, so gentle. “I’m afraid of fire.”

He blinked at her, and then his eyes widened. “I’m a firefighter.”

“Yes.” Her tummy tumbled over and over. “I understand your job and your need to do that job. I think I can be okay with that, as long as I don’t have to watch you doing your job.”

“But fire play?”

“I don’t think I can watch.” She twisted her fingers together in her lap. “I’m doing a crappy job of explaining this.”

“How about you tell me what scares you about fire?”

“Everything.” She gave a little laugh. “I have an electric stove because I can’t stand the thought of an open flame.”

He nodded.

“You told me the other night about how, after an apartment fire, you wanted to understand more about fire.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I had the opposite reaction.” Her breath hiccupped in her chest. Even now, she could feel the heat from the flames on her skin.

“Will you tell me?” He shifted, keeping her body close to his.

“Is this really the place?” They were in the club, after all.

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