Bad Boy's Kiss (Firemen in Love Book 2) (14 page)

“I'm sure you'll have it soon as you get out of here.”

“He lives upstairs. No cookouts at his place for me.”

He reached for his cup of water but found it empty. He was about to hit the call button for the nurse to help him, but I swatted his hand away.

“Don't be silly. Give me that.”

He watched me, curiosity written on his face, as I filled the cup at the bathroom sink. There was a bucket of ice conveniently placed on the counter, too. When I handed it back to him, he sipped and sighed with relief.

“I needed that. Whatever drugs they got me on is making my throat parched.” He gazed at me, shyly almost. “Thanks, Anna.”

“I think that's the first time you ever thanked me for anything. Still, we need to talk.”

He chuckled nervously. “No man wants to hear those words. Worse when I'm tied to a bed and can't run for my life. Not that I'd necessarily mind being tied to the bed in better circumstances, you understand.”

“It's about where you'll be staying after you leave here.”

“You're starting to scare me.”

I paced the room. My eyes burned and I just wanted to sleep, but I was sure Max felt far worse. Better just get this out of the way and let us both rest.

“There's only one house you can go to where you'll be comfortable.” I looked him in the eye. “Mine.”

He didn't respond at first, just swirled his ice cubes around and stared out the window.

“I have the biggest place, and mine is all on one floor. You could park your RV on the property – it would just get towed at Trey's apartment complex without anyone moving it for months. I've got two spare bedrooms, too.”

“You're seriously suggesting I move in with you?” He tensed. “I mean, sure, the sex was amazing, but don't you think we're moving kind of fast?”

I felt like throwing the water in his face. “I'm not asking you this because I want to shack up with you, idiot. I'm offering because you have no place else to go. By all means, if you have a better plan, do it.”

Truth be told, I wasn't really fond of the idea either. I did like my peace and quiet, and was unsure how having this loudmouth there would affect that. Well, I guess if I wanted to get married someday, this would be a good way to find out whether I could hack it.

At last, he tossed the pudding cup aside and looked up at me. “This is a big deal. You're making a sacrifice to have me in your place. And it's not like I'm able-bodied anymore. You heard the nurse. She said I'll need... care.”

“It's just for two months or so, and I won't be alone. I'm sure your brother would be glad to help out.” I picked up the dropped cup and threw it out for him. “He'll definitely be there for you. Just out there in the hall, he was telling me how guilty he felt for asking you down here.”

“Him, guilty? Nonsense.”

“He said you wouldn't be like this...” I gestured to his destroyed legs. “If he didn't push you to come visit.”

He scoffed. “Well, maybe so, but it's dumb to go blaming himself. He didn't start that fire.”

Another nurse came and let herself in. She smiled but gave me that look that said it was time to leave.

“It's getting a tad late, miss. I'm sorry to bother you, but Max needs his sleep.”

She shut the door so we could finish our goodbyes. Suddenly, I felt extra sick. I'd really just invited him to live with me. This was something I would never do for any other man I'd slept with – but then again, the sex wasn't the reason for my generosity.

But was it at least part of it? I could never forget how he made me feel so good, how he took my mind off my worries with a single kiss.

I'd have been lying if I denied it.

“You have a few days to think about it. I'll talk to Trey, see what he can do for us.”

I reached for the door, but didn't even get my hand on the knob before he replied.

“Okay. I'll do it.”

I paused. My heart beat like crazy. He looked into my eyes and then, at the same time, I thought I felt the baby kick.

Or maybe that was just gas from tonight's black bean tacos. Whatever.

“You'll do it?”

“I accept your offer. Like you said, it's only eight weeks, and I have no other choice, really.” He finally smiled again. “So I guess your place is my home sweet home until I heal up.”

And that was the second night – in the past three months – that my life had been forever changed.

Was this change going to be a good or bad one? Only time would tell.

Chapter 10 - Max

“How could you be so
stupid?
”

Rachael stood in the bathroom doorway, arms folded, watching with disapproval as Anna moved another bookshelf into position. It still wasn't quite the right spot for easily hauling myself onto the toilet.

Did I mention I'd never felt more humiliated in my life? A woman I'd been intimate with, helping me go to the bathroom. It was truly pathetic. She'd never look at me the same after this.

Rachael acted like I couldn't hear her, although I was sitting in the living room watching TV not far away. Anna's sister made it very plain that she'd committed some egregious mistake by inviting me into her home.

As for me? I wasn't sure what to feel yet. I'd only been here for two days, so I guess the fun was only getting started.

“Could you say that any louder, Ray? He can hear you.”

“I don't care. You both need to realize what a major disaster in the making this is.” She huffed and puffed like the Big Bad Wolf. “Do you have any idea what this is gonna do to the family's reputation? You're unmarried, and you moved the biggest playboy in town into your house. It looks scandalous.”

She forgot to mention the pregnant part. That was just the cherry on top, now wasn't it? Soon as her folks heard that, they'd both keel over from heart attacks, no doubt.

“Let people talk. Look at him, for Christ's sake.” She grunted and pushed the shelf back a bit. “He broke both legs putting out a fire that could've burned down the town. You don't let heroes like him go without help.”

“But why does it have to be you? Why can't he ask his own parents to take him in? Or surely he's got some friends in Waco.”

I tuned out their argument for a second and let myself feel fuzzy inside. Anna called me a hero, and I decided I rather liked that.

Yeah, I knew I was a badass. I got things done that nobody else wanted to do. When shit got real, it'd be me stepping up to the plate. That was why I worked my way up the ladder in my job so quick: because I had serious conviction to do it right the first time.

But when I heard that word come out of her mouth, it was different somehow. Didn't know what it meant, but I let myself enjoy it, if even for a few seconds.

Better to bask in my achievements than wallow in the misery that befell me, right?

“He said his friends can't do it. They live in small houses, or two-story apartments, or they have kids and he wouldn't want to impose.”

She scoffed. “What a polite gentleman he's being. Max is not the sort of man who minds imposing, if it means he gets his way.”

Why the hell did I ever screw that girl again? Back in high school, she'd been fun and flirty and looked cute in a dress. That was enough reason for me.

Now? I dunno. It just wasn't enough to keep my interest anymore. Odd, too, 'cause a few weeks ago all I needed was a short skirt and a nice pair of tits to get it up.

Currently, about the only thing making me hard was staring at Anna's ass while she worked on her vegetable garden. And, lucky me, she had a
very
sweet ass.

Anna finished her task in the bathroom and brushed past Rachael on her way to the kitchen. Something yummy-smelling sizzled on the stove, and she hurried to stir it before the food stuck to her iron pan.

“I'm making stir-fry for lunch. Are you staying to eat?”

Rachael declined. “I have to get back to work. Got a design due for our new ad, and Janelle is going to bite my head off if I don't do it asap.” She wrinkled her nose. “That's quite a lot of food. Don't tell me you're cooking lunch for
him.
”

My temper steadily flared hotter. This woman acted like I'd dumped her at the altar, and it was starting to piss me off.

“Of course I am. It'd be rude to cook for only myself.”

“So not only is he living in your house, you're his personal chef and maid to boot. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Maybe I'll fall off a cliff so you can take care of me too.”

I spun my chair around and wheeled into the kitchen at mach speed. She jumped back, as if she thought I might bulldoze over her.

“Hey, I didn't ask for this to happen. You think I enjoy being confined to a damn wheelchair, not able to walk or drive or even make it home?” I nodded at Anna, who looked pretty shocked at my outburst. “Believe me, I'm grateful for her help, but I'd just as soon go without if I could.”

Rachael stammered excuses for her shitty behavior while Anna rolled me back into the living room. She parked me in front of the TV and gave my shoulder a squeeze. Slowly, my out-of-control blood pressure began to fall.

Instead of apologizing, Rachael pulled her sister into the corner and whispered, albeit so loudly I could hear every word.

“Mom and dad are coming in two days. When they find out you've shacked up with the biggest man whore in town, can you imagine how mad they'll be?”

“Even if it's for a noble cause.”

“It just looks bad. The things you're doing, how far you're going for him, it's beyond being a good Samaritan.” She gestured to the food on the stove. “Most people donate change or volunteer at a soup kitchen when they're feeling charitable. They don't invite well-known playboys to
live
with them.”

Why was Anna standing there and putting up with this crap? I wished she had the balls to tell her sister to shut her mouth or get out of her house. I almost said exactly that, but decided Anna's wrath afterward wouldn't be worth it.

“I can hear you over there, I hope you realize. And how do you know I'm a playboy, huh? Maybe I changed.”

Rachael laughed. “Men like you just don't change that easily. I could tell, soon as you rolled into town, you were still the same cocky jerk you were the day you left.”

She'd pegged me exactly how I was, but I wasn't about to admit it in front of Anna. I liked the woman she'd become. Respected her. And wouldn't you know it, I wanted her to respect me back.

Maybe that branch hit me in the head harder than I thought.

“You're being awfully unfair to him.” Anna stepped up to bat for me. “You should give him a chance. And if mom and dad judge me because of what I've done, then so be it.”

“But this isn't just about you anymore. Dad's a public figure. What we do matters to him.” She lowered her voice and pointed to Anna's tummy. “To make matters worse, with the way you've gained weight lately, it looks like you have a baby in there. No offense.”

Her panicked gaze settled on me. I understood. Other people were starting to notice, and that was bad. Maybe her sister was thick headed, but what about her parents?

“I seriously can't believe you would go there, Ray.”

“Sorry! I'm just saying that it all adds up. You dated a married man who ditched you. Now, you look pregnant and you've got Max living with you. Don't you realize how badly this reflects on the family?”

Anna grumbled and spooned some stir fry into a dish for me. “If all you care about is your reputation, then I want nothing to do with it. Tell dad to disown me if he's so sickened by my 'bad behavior.'”

She thrust the hot bowl into my lap. I was so hungry, didn't even care it almost burned my crotch.

My stomach growled at the delicious concoction, a dish of bell peppers, snap peas, shaved carrots and other goodies picked from her own garden. Add to that a healthy helping of last night's leftover pork chops, and this was a real gourmet feast.

I devoured my food in front of the television while Anna and Rachael exchanged a few more barbs. Man, this was good. I ate decently at home – had to stay healthy if I wanted to keep in shape for work – but I'll admit I turned to frozen dinners and Burger King more often than I should.

Anna's cooking, on the other hand, made me feel cared for. It was an odd sensation, one I had never experienced and didn't know how to deal with.

At least it made coping with my injury a bit easier. I doubted I'd be taking it half as well without her here to help.

“I don't know what you'll tell them when they get here, but you'd better think of something quick.”

“I'll tell them the truth.” Anna held the door open for her. “If they don't like it, oh well.”

Rachael sighed, got in her car, and drove off. Anna shut the door with a frown on her pretty face. Wished she'd smile instead. She hadn't been doing much of that lately, and I rather missed it.

“You're looking at me funny,” she noted as she served herself a plate of food. “What's wrong; don't you like the meal?”

“You kidding?” I showed her the nearly empty bowl. “Your stir fry beats the pants off the salty crap at my local Chinese place. Maybe being stuck in a wheelchair ain't so bad if I get to eat like this everyday.”