Page 61 of Burn

It is huge. I’ve seen this building before. I’ve actually been in it a time or two for inspections, and I think a couple calls here and there. It’s a relatively quiet part of the city.

It’s a beautiful hotel. I’d never be able to afford to stay here, but it’s nice as hell.

Joe, the fire inspector from the fire marshal’s office, takes point and greets the front desk staff.

Jay and I hang back near the doors looking over the vast wall of windows, and the probie’s staring at a glass sculpture in the corner.

“Hey.” Jay nods to me. “When’s Olivia’s birthday party?”

He’s talking about Gavin’s daughter, and I don’t remember. I know they told me, but I usually rely on my mom sending me a text message the night before family functions. “I don’t remember.”

Jay chuckles, his hands in the pockets of his blue slacks. “Figures.” And then I notice he’s scratching his balls.

“Are you allergic to your boxers, man?”

“No.” He looks surprised by my question but answers anyway. “I shaved my balls. Now they itch.”

“Stop touching yourself.” I side-eye him but stare out the windows at the passing cars on the street and the bellman parking cars. “You’re in public.”

“Why is he itching himself?” Finn asks, intrigued, coming to stand beside us.

“He shaved his balls.”

“Hey, stop busting my balls. I thought maybe it might convince Brynn to give me head, but nope. Baby was sick all weekend.”

“Does it make it look bigger?” Finn asks. “I’ve always wondered but haven’t done it yet.”

“Shut up.” Jay shakes his head. “Why’d we get stuck with the probie today?”

“Cap’s pissed off at me over that football player. He apparently called the Chief about it and threatened to sue the department.”

Jay whistles but doesn’t say anything. I’ve been in hot water with the chief more times than I care to admit.

Joe calls out to us, motioning for us to come over to the front desk where a woman stands with a smile. “How can I help you, gentleman?”

“We’re here to perform your annual fire inspection. I spoke with Mr. Wellington this morning. He said Mrs. Wellington would be able to help us.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Joe with the Fire Marshal’s office.” He motions to the rest of us. “That’s Caleb, Jay, and Finn with the Seattle Fire Department.”

The woman behind the counter assesses the four of us, and you know, I gotta say she’s kind of bitchy and exactly who I’d expect to be working in a place like this. “I’ll letMs. Wellington know you’re here.”

She takes off around the corner behind the double doors to her right. My attention moves to the lobby of the hotel. It’s impressive. Reminds me of the hotels in Las Vegas.

“Are you Ms. Wellington?” Joe asks, the click of heels against tile drawing my attention over my shoulder.

I turn, and my heart drops to my goddamn knees. I can’t fucking believe it. It’s her. It the girl I haven’t been able to stop thinking about at the hotel.

“Oh, uh, yes. That’s me. I’m Mila Wellington.”

Seeing her now, my memory of her doesn’t do me justice. It’s the first chance I’ve gotten to see her in the morning light and get a good look at her.

Flashes of that night with her hit me all at once, and I hate these fucking pants. It’s going to be totally obvious if I get hard, so I shove my hands into my pockets to mask the semi I’m already sporting.

Her long brown hair is in loose curls draping over her shoulders, her lips, bright red, and those fucking eyes I couldn’t forget take my breath away. It’s her. It’s really her, and now that I’ve seen her, I can’t stop staring or form a word.

Jay elbows me. “Dude, you’re drooling.”

I clear my throat awkwardly. I haven’t had a reaction like this since I saw pair tits in real life for the first time when I was thirteen.

Mila stares back at me, gasping. “Caleb . . . um . . . I didn’t expect to see you here.”

---