Page 7 of Sizzling Desire

Or maybe I imagined that last part. Wishful thinking has never been my style, but with Gracie, all bets are off.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I ask myself the question I’ve been avoiding:What the hell happens now?

I’ve spent the last year pretending she doesn’t get to me. Acting like I don’t notice every time she walks into a room, like her laughter doesn’t twist something inside me, like our arguments aren’t the most alive I’ve felt in years. But last night? Last night proved what I’ve known all along. Grace Fletcher is burned into my skin, and there’s no pretending otherwise.

Still, she bolted. Left me standing there, the determined tone of her words heavy in the air.This never happened.Like hell it didn’t. I could try and spend the rest of my life trying to forget the way she felt, the way she looked at me, and it still wouldn’t be enough to erase her.

My phone sits on the nightstand, and I glance at the screen, my stomach sinking at the sight of her name. No missed calls. No messages. Just the same name sitting there in my contacts, mocking me. I pick it up, my thumb hovering over her number.

What would I even say?Hey, Gracie, just wanted to makesure you’re okay after that thing we’re both pretending didn’t happen.

Yeah, that’ll go over well.

I drop the phone back onto the bed, pacing the space of my bedroom like a caged animal. Gracie isn’t someone you confront without a plan. She’ll take whatever you throw at her and send it right back, sharper, faster, with a smile that makes you question everything. She’s exhausting, infuriating, maddening. and somehow, I’m addicted to her.

This isn’t just about last night. It’s about the way she challenges me every damn time we’re around each other. The way she makes me want to be a better man, even when I’m too stubborn to admit it.

Leaning against the edge of the sink, I close my eyes, replaying her words. Her laugh. The way her defenses cracked, just for a second, before she bolted out of the conference room.

There’s no going back to the way things were. Not after last night. I don’t know what happens next, but one thing is clear, Grace Fletcher isn’t just a one-night stand. She’s in my blood, and I’ll be damned if I let her pretend last night didn’t mean something.

Whatever this is, it’s not over. Not even close.

I pull into the fire station, the engine of my truck rumbling beneath me as I park. My head is still pounding from last night, but at least I’ve showered and thrown on my uniform. The routine helps get my mind offherfor a minute, though I know the second I walk inside, Hudson is going to give me hell. He’s always been able to read me, and after last night’s... incident with Gracie, it’s not like I’ll be able to keep a straight face.

I step out of the truck, slinging my duffel bag over my shoulder as I head toward the station doors. The morning is quiet, the kind of calm that doesn’t always last long around here. As I push through the doors and into the station, the familiar scent of coffee and metal hits me, and for a moment, I can almost relax. Almost.

Then I spot Hudson leaning against the counter in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand, a smirk already curling at the corners of his mouth when he sees me. Great. Here we go.

“Morning, Kane,” he drawls, his tone dripping with amusement. He takes a sip of coffee, his eyes never leaving me. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks,” I grunt, dropping my bag onto the floor. “Glad to see you’re starting the day off with your usual charm.”

He chuckles, setting his coffee mug down. “Rough night?”

I shoot him a look, trying to act nonchalant, but it’s no use. He’s not going to let this go. “Something like that.”

Hudson raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back against the counter. “Something like that, huh? Funny, I seem to remember a certain someone disappearing with Grace to the back room last night. Care to explain?”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Nothing to explain.”

“Right,” he says, drawing the word out like he doesn’t believe me for a second. “So, you two just had a nice chat, huh?”

I glare at him. “Drop it, man.”

But he just grins wider. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day when Grace would actually get to you. I mean, you two have been going at it for what feels like forever, but last night? There was definitely something different.”

I stiffen, trying to play it off, but the truth is, he’sright. Last nightwasdifferent, and the fact that Hudson noticed only makes it worse.

“Seriously, man,” he continues, pushing off the counter and stepping closer, “you’re telling me nothing happened? Because from where I was standing, it looked like you two were ready to tear each other apart.”

“Just drop it, okay?” I mutter, my jaw clenching.

Hudson chuckles, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.” He pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies me. “But you know, for what it’s worth? I don’t think Grace hates you as much as you think she does.”

I bark out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Trust me, she hates me now.”

Hudson shrugs, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Yeah, well, hate and something else look pretty similar sometimes. Trust me.”

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