There wasn’t time to savour the feeling of his lips against mine, nor was there time to commit his taste to memory. Even though fleeting, the kiss was searing, real, and everything I’d hoped it would be.
I pulled away first, his shoulder still in my grip, my lips searing from the connection. “Okay,” I said breathlessly, the one word sounding distant beneath the loud pounding of my heart. I would help for as long as it was safe and then head to mine. Craig was right when he said I wasn’t stupid, and honestly, my debating wasn’t a pissing contest. It was all about me protecting my parents’ home. End of story. “I’ll leave when it’s time, and then we’ll talk about this later.”
I glanced at his lips, tempted to press mine to them again, but I was not a horny teenager with no self-control. There was also the fact that the smoke was irritating my eyes and standing outside was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
But hell, that kiss.
I held back the shudder at the taste of him, despite how brief it was. Now was the time to focus.
The smile that lifted his lips was worth my acquiescence. I’d been on the receiving end of his smile many times over the years, but this smile was definitely different. I could get used to the softness in his gaze, the care so obviously directed my way.
“Thank you.” He shifted his arm that had made its way around my waist and took hold of my hand. “I promise we’ll talk about this later.” The sound of gravel had us both looking towards the interruption. Craig watched on with a smug grin.
“Come on. Dad needs you.” He rolled his eyes at, I assumed, the pair of us before heading back to the house.
“Not the best time for this, right?” I said.
Dan shrugged. “Maybe not, but I needed to say it.”
My heart tripped over itself. “I’m glad.” I pulled away, only hesitating a moment before I brushed my lips over his and stepped away fully. I couldn’t not. After battling my feelings, after reading this whole situation so wrong, I needed enough kisses to prove this was all real. “I’m heading to the house. Stay safe.”
“Will do,” he called after me, his voice gruff, as I focussed ahead rather than staring back at him. It wasn’t the time for tripping and falling on my arse.
“What’s next?” I said when I spotted Dad, my breathing as regular as I could make it.
The question in his stare was teamed with an amused smile. “So, you and Dan, huh.” He shook his head, and I focussed on the smudge on his face, trying to stop myself from shifting uncomfortably. “Your mum totally called that one. Me, I wasn’t so sure.”
Surprise fluttered awake. While Dad and I had a decent relationship, we didn’t really talk about my dating life.
With no idea how to respond, I settled on, “Um, okay?”
Smile still in place, Dad placed his hand on my shoulder. “We both know he’s a good guy.” I nodded, agreeing completely. “Now, let’s finish off out here.”
Ease settled into my limbs. It was the weirdest of days. Competing with the fear of the fire and the adrenalin pumping in my veins and making my head spin was the crazy new development with Dan. While I’d given up hoping it would happen at some point, it actually happening threatened to spin me out of control. It was not the time for that, especially as I helped Dad refuel the pumps to our dams to soak the ground.
Dripping with sweat and squinting into the distance just over an hour later, I swallowed hard. Light grey smoke no longer filled the valley. Instead, a cloying grey verging on black wafted up, rolling our way. My gaze shifted, following the plumes. There it was. The first flicker of orange.
We’d been expecting it. Dad had received a call not long ago, letting us know a team behind the fire headed our way. They were successfully dowsing the flames the crawling fire left in its wake, and while they were catching up with it, they’d come a little unstuck when they’d had to hang back to tackle the bushland.
Heat brushed my side, but this heat was welcome. “You okay?” Dan asked. Surprise had me glancing down when he took my hand in his, the move natural and as though he’d done it a hundred times before. His grasp was firm, comforting.
“Dad seems to think we’ve got this.”
“You don’t think we have?” Dan asked.
I shrugged, feeling a little guilty at my admission. “I trust him and know he has years of experience, but it’s right there.” I nudged my chin in the direction of the fire that already had inched closer. While it was still a fair distance away, the sight incited nothing but dread.
“The firies tackling it are doing a great job. If we keep watching the horizon, we’ll see them following. But this is where our hard work comes in. Your dad’s already spoken to his team; they’re helping Bruce and Janie.”
I nodded, relieved they were helping my parents’ neighbours prepare.
“Once they’ve secured the property, they’re going to start meeting the blaze from the south. We’ve got this.” He squeezed my hand. “Can you head to the shed and soak the roof?”
My eyes met his at his request. Logically I knew it was preventative stuff, but my gut tightened at just how close the fire was and that quite possibly, it could reach the shed, then the house, then—
“Hey.” Dan’s firm grip on my forearms wrenched me out of my panic. This was the reason why I wasn’t a firie. Pressure wasn’t new to me, but what my dad, my brother, Dan, and every other firefighter had to handle was unsurmountable for me to truly comprehend. I had no idea how Dan appeared so calm by my side. There was no panic in his eyes, no anxiously dipped brow, no sweat pouring down his temple.
“You’re incredible.” The words spilled out of me as I searched his eyes. My attention flicked to his mouth, and his lips quirked.
“I think you’re incredible too.” While sounding deeper than usual, his voice was alight with tenderness and just a smidge of humour.
With a quick roll of my eyes and a nudge against him, I finally smiled back. “Thank you.”
He nodded. I hoped it was in understanding that I was grateful for him helping me keep my sanity.
“I’ll head to the shed now.” I turned to leave, but he tugged at my arm. Question filled my focus as I looked back at him.
“Put the protective gear on before you start. It’s by the tap.”
“Whose is it?” My brow furrowed. I was all too aware of how little the rural firies got in terms of protective gear and equipment. To have a spare was never heard of. My eyes widened. “I’m not wearing your gear.” I had no idea if it was even here, but I was already shaking my head. There was no way Dan could be left vulnerable.
“It’s not mine.” He gave a single shake of his head. “It’s your dad’s ancient one. Probably stinks.” He winked at that and indicated for me to leave.
“Thanks for that, arsehole.” I grinned, turned, and jogged in the direction of the shed, ready to get suited up and then carry on with my task.