Page 43 of Raging Inferno

“Well, they didn’t kill one another so, that’s gotta count for something. I told her to call me if she wants me to pick her up but otherwise, the plan is for her to spend the night there.”

“Good, I think it will work out,” I say softly. “Are you ready to meet my little guy?”

“Born ready,” he replies and I can picture the playful smile on his face as he says the words. “Kids love me.”

“I wonder why,” I tease. I don’t doubt for one second Jimmy is good with children. I’ve seen him with his daughter and though I haven’t met his oldest, he is always talking about her. He’s a great dad and good man. A great role model for my little boy.

“It’s my Bugs Bunny impression. It gets the kids every time.”

“It’s you,” I correct. “Just you.”

“Ah,” he starts. “I recall you saying that this morning too. You remember, don’t you? It was right after I fucked you in the shower.”

That’s another thing about Jimmy. As much of a gentleman as he is, he also loves his dirty talk. Confession? I love it too. In the two months, we’ve been sleeping together, I’ve learned to express what I like in the bedroom—something I was never quite comfortable doing. Dirty talk is at the top of the list.

“If you behave maybe we can reenact that scene.”

“As tempting as that is, it will have to wait until tomorrow. Frankie needs me to cover him tonight so after we take your little guy to the park I got to head to the firehouse.”

I’m still adjusting to the lifestyle of a fireman and finding my place next to a hero is trying at times but if he can brave ablaze, I can brave a smile and support him.

“Tomorrow then. You, me, the shower and that dirty mouth of yours.”

“It’s a date,” he agrees.

We exchange a few more words before disconnecting the call. Twenty minutes later, I pull into my driveway and find Jimmy waiting on my stoop. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he leans against the banister and gives me a low whistle as I climb the stairs. I playfully smack his arm and lean into him, pressing my lips firmly to his.

“Hi,” I murmur.

“Hi yourself,” he replies, wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulls me closer and deepens our kiss, distracting me so much that I don’t hear the car pull up or the door shut. No, it isn’t until my son is shouting for me that Jimmy and I are on my front porch kissing in front of Chris’ mother.

“Mommy!”

Pulling pack, I quickly turn my attention to my son who is running toward me. Opening my arms, I bend down and wrap them tightly around him before lifting my eyes to the woman who would’ve been my mother-in-law, Bea.

Only her eyes never find mine. Instead, they widen with shock and lock with Jimmy’s. A million explanations run through my mind as I straighten up and prepare myself for her questions. Remembering my son and knowing this isn’t a conversation for him to be listening in on, I decide to bring him in the house but, I don’t get the chance to.

“Jimmy?” Bea questions in disbelief. “Oh my God, it’s really you isn’t it?”

“Bea,” he acknowledges, stepping next to me. “It’s been a long time.”

Following the exchange, my eyes dart between them trying to understand how they could possibly know each other.

“You know one another?” I question, looking at Jimmy.

Diverting his eyes to his shoes, he runs his hand down his face and I know something is terribly wrong. It’s confirmed when he lifts his head and meets my questioning eyes with regret.

“Of course,” Bea says, climbing the stair. “This man saved Christopher’s life,” she reveals, throwing her arms around his neck. “He’s the fireman who rescued him from the elevator.”

The world isn’t supposed to implode twice in a single lifetime and yet it does. Unable to form a single sentence, I stare in complete and utter shock as Bea pulls away from Jimmy and turns to me.

“This is the man you were telling me about?” she asks, looking between us.

“Melissa,” Jimmy rasps, reaching for me.

Slapping his hand away from me, I take a step back.

“Don’t touch me,” I order. “Bea, would you please take Christopher in the house?”

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