Chapter One

 

“Sexy lady up ahead,” Dwayne Cole said, watching the curvy woman as she entered the fire department. He’d just come back from a call out, a small backyard fire that had gotten a little out of hand. His boss had given out a warning, and they’d been on their way after dealing with it.

Stepping up to Ben, he gave the guy a nudge.

“Do you know her?”

Ben laughed. “Know her? I went to high school with her. It’s Blair Curtis.”

“I’ve not seen her around here.” Dwayne was new to town. He’d only arrived two months ago, and for the most part kept to himself in his home set back from the road. He’d found the place at a steal, and he’d been working on renovating it. Living in the city for the past twenty years, he was more than ready to settle down. “Wait? Curtis?”

“You heard that, huh? Yep, she’s the chief’s daughter. I suggest if you value your life, you’ll stop panting after her, pronto.”

Dwayne gritted his teeth. His own rules stated that he shouldn’t touch his boss’s family, but this curvy chick was just too damn good to ignore. Her ass called to be spanked, and those tits, he wanted to suck on them and thrust his dick between that sweet valley. Just one look at her and the things he wanted to do to her were fucking sinful.

“Does she come around here often?” he asked.

“Sometimes. It’s the annual Christmas calendar event, and she’s always asked to come and get the guys to pose.”

“It’s summer.”

“I know, but we don’t look half as good naked while freezing our junk off as we do in the summer. It’s for a good cause as well. All money raised goes to the local hospital. We help with families that struggle.”

Dwayne watched as Blair turned. She held a clipboard and was already talking to Ralf and Smithy.

“Have you done it?”

“Yeah, a couple of times. Blair always oversees the shots and makes sure everything looks good.”

When Dwayne saw her heading toward them, he couldn’t help but stand a little taller as he watched her. The figure-hugging pencil skirt left nothing to the imagination as it molded to all of her curves, and it only served to enhance his need for her.

“Hey, Ben, do you think you could give the time this year? We’re hoping to raise double. I’ve set up several social media pages and stuff.”

“You know I can’t say no to kids. Blair, have you met our latest recruit, Dwayne Cole? He’d love to model for our little calendar.” Ben pointed his way.

Her green eyes fell on him, and he gave her a smile. “Dad’s told me a lot about you.” She held her hand out for him to take, and she had the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.

Pressing a kiss to her knuckles, he gave her a wink. “The pleasure is all mine.” The moment he did that, he saw her quickly change. The smile vanished, and she jerked a little.

“Okay, wow.” She pulled her hand back. “Yeah, that’s not going to work. This is serious.”

Ben chuckled. “I can see you’ve got everything handled.”

“Go out with me,” Dwayne said. He wanted her so damn bad.

“I don’t have a clue who you are.”

“So? This is a small town. Go out with me, give me a chance. I can promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“Not going to happen. I don’t date my dad’s firemen.” She pointed at the board. “Can I put your name down?”

“You don’t date any firemen?”

She tilted her head to the side, and the light cast from the window gave her blonde hair a golden hue. It was so glossy. He wanted to reach out and touch it.

“I don’t date men that work for my dad. I’ve got nothing against firemen, but seeing as I live in the same town as where my dad is boss, that means I won’t ever date a fireman.”

“I’m new in town. Maybe you can give me a little reprieve.”

She chuckled. “How many women have you asked out since you got to town?”

“You’re the first.”

She shook her head. “You’re lying.”

“Not lying. I don’t ask random women out, and that is a promise. I’ve made an exception for you.” He looked at the clipboard she held. “You can put my name down, and you don’t even have to date me.”

“What did you say your name was again?”

“You heard my name, baby.” He winked at her. “Let me know if you change your mind about that date.”

“I won’t.”

She turned on her heel and walked away.

He couldn’t help but admire the sway of her ass.

One day he’d have his hands on that ass, holding her close as he drove his cock deep inside her. He was a very, very patient man. When he wanted something he always knew what to do to get it.

He finished putting away his uniform and headed downstairs toward his car. Chief Curtis was standing in the doorway, talking with Blair.

“Dwayne, good man, I heard you signed up for the calendar,” he said.

“I certainly did, sir. I’m always happy to help someone in need.”

“And I hope my daughter didn’t bribe you into it.”

“Dad, you know I don’t do that.”

“I know, honey, you just pull on their heartstrings. You’ll be in good hands. Is this the first time you’ve met?”

“It is, sir,” he said. “I’ve not been in town long, and my place has needed some tender care.”

“That’s right. I’ve not been able to give you a good tour. Blair, honey, I know you’re excellent at these kinds of things. I don’t suppose you’d spend the afternoon showing Dwayne around? I know it’s a little late in coming, but it’s better late than never. I know people would love to see him.”

“I’m sure he already knows everyone.”

“I’ve not been in town. Just work and the calls that the department gets.” He couldn’t believe that her father was actually giving him the date he wanted.

****

After showing the new fireman around town, introducing him to as many people as possible while also being able to fill in any awkward silences, Blair finished off at the diner, where he could meet the most people. Being sure to sit near the front so everyone could interrupt, she was able to not be alone with the handsome man, and also see the town’s reaction to him.

Most of the single ladies and a few of the married ones went crazy over him. Sipping at her coffee, Blair smiled at their flirting and sat back. This was why she didn’t date. She’d seen firsthand by living with a brother how mean some men could be. Erik was always the love them and leave them kind. Growing up, she’d lost count of the number of women whose hearts he’d broken.

Whenever she had been on a date, she always made sure to keep things casual. The one guy she’d fallen for had left over a year ago because he couldn’t stand being a townie anymore. She didn’t get it, but then she didn’t see the lure of the big city either.

“You’ve done absolutely everything to avoid being alone with me,” Dwayne said.

“I was doing what my dad asked.”

“And in the process making sure that this is as little like a date as possible.”

“I’m not here to date you, Dwayne. I don’t even know you.”

“You’re not even going to try,” he said.

She didn’t like that spike of guilt that hit her from his words. She didn’t know this man, and he kind of scared her with his interest in her. The last thing she wanted was the risk of being hurt. “Look, you don’t know me.”

“I want to know you.” His gaze traveled from her face down her body, and she flushed.

No one had shown her any interest like that in a long time. At home it was just herself to help with her needs.

“You work for my dad.”

“I’ll never be telling your dad what we did on a date.”

She shook her head. “You know, it’s not going to happen.”

“It will,” Dwayne said with confidence.

Blair laughed. “No, it’s really not.”

“So, tell me about the photo shoot.”

“What would you like to know?” Talking about the calendar was always a pleasure for her, and since her mother had done it nearly twenty years ago, she’d taken over at her mother’s request.

“Where will it be held?”

“There will be several locations around town. I’ve already hired a local photographer that loves to be involved. She’s amazing.”

“So it won’t be in a studio?” he asked.

“No. We found that when it was in a studio it was A, less fun, and B, it didn’t really do anything for the images. There was no laughter, no fun. If people are allowed to be involved then it’s always a lot more fun, and you can really see that in an image.”

“You love it, don’t you?”

“I love being able to give to others who are less fortunate.” It was something her dad had always been sure to instill in both of his children. Erik may be a complete cad, but he also had morals. “It’s also a lot of fun. You’ll enjoy it.”

“And you’ll be there.”

“You’re not going to give up, are you?”

“Nope.”

“How can you be this determined when you’ve only just met me?”

“Because I’m a guy that knows what he wants. I’m not going to waste time. Someone else could woo you, and then where would I be?”

She sighed. “No one is going to woo me, Dwayne.”

“Is this because of your dad? Everyone is afraid of him.”

“No, not everyone, and I’ve had offers, but I’ve turned them down.”

“A bad breakup?”

“I’m not going to talk about this with you.”

“So it was a bad breakup.”

This just made her chuckle. “Eat your cheeseburger.” She sipped at her coffee, and he took a large bite, chewing it.

“You know not everyone is like that asshole you dated.”

“You don’t even know who I dated or why.”

“Then tell me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. He was a guy I thought I was going to marry and have lots of kids with, only he had bigger dreams. He’s now in the city, probably screwing millions of girls and having the time of his life.”

Dwayne wrinkled his nose. “You see, this is why I’m a good choice to date.”

“And why is that?”

“I’ve come from the city. I know what it’s like to be there. It’s not that great, as otherwise I’d still be there. Besides, it’s to my benefit this guy left you. Now you’re available for me to take out and enjoy.”

“I’m not some meal to enjoy,” she said.

“I know that, but I just want to warn you that you would enjoy it.”

Her body heated as his gaze once again traveled down it. She was aware of her curves, and instead of hiding them, she always wore clothes that she felt enhanced them. Before he left, her previous boyfriend had wanted her to go on a diet to lose weight. She’d told him to go fuck himself.

No man was going to change who she was, and if he didn’t like her, then she didn’t lose much.

Dwayne though; she had multiple warning signals going off inside her head to be careful. She didn’t want to get hurt.

As much as it was no great loss when her previous boyfriend left, it had still hurt. She’d still cried and eaten a ton of ice cream. No one had known that she’d been upset. Tucking some of her hair behind her ear, she finished off her coffee.

“It’s not going to happen.”

“I like a challenge, and I know you’ll like me.”

“Wow, your ego is something else.”

“Actually, my ego is just fine, but I know a woman I want to keep when I see her, and she’s sitting right in front of me.”

She tried not to chuckle. “Okay, mister corny, this concludes your trip around town. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She shook his hand, to which he placed a gentle kiss on her wrist.

“The pleasure will be all mine.”