Page 34 of Living with Fire
Savanna nods before taking another sip of her coffee, that blissful smile on her face as she looks over at me. “That bed is heavenly. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so rested.”
The things I’m picturing doing to her would make her the opposite of rested.
“So, Savanna,” Jordan pipes up from across the counter and we both look to her. I can tell by the expression on my sister’s face that she’s going fishing, and I’m a little apprehensive that I might be in trouble. “Nate says you’re coming to work for us at the bar.”
Savanna perks right up, and when she speaks, excitement laces her words. “Yeah! It took some convincing on Nate’s part, but I’m honestly thrilled about it. It might sound weird, but I loved serving in college.”
Fuck.
“Oh really?” Jordan turns her eyes to me, a penetrating look in their blue depths.
Savanna ratted me out and doesn’t even realize it. I know I’m going to need to answer to the fact that I had to convince her to come work at the bar, but I’m saved by the vibration of my phone before anyone can utter another word.
It’s Tina, the fire investigator that I reached out to yesterday, returning my call about Savanna’s apartment. Tina and I came up together in the academy, but a few years in, she decided to switch directions with her career and go into investigations. She’s worked her way up high enough that if anyone I know is going to get me clearance into Savanna’s building, it’s her.
“This is about your apartment,” I tell Savanna who swings her entire body towards me, eyes wide as I swipe ‘answer’ on my phone. “Tina! How are you?”
We exchange pleasantries, doing a quick catch up, during which time Jordan packs her lunch into her bag, waves, and takes off to work. I’m relieved that for the time being I’m saved from her wrath. But I saw the look she gave me before she left, and I know this is just a reprieve until I see her next.
“You said something about the fire on Birch in your message,” Tina says, finally getting to the reason for our chat.
I glance at Savanna who has gone back to her coffee, but is definitely keeping tabs on the conversation, judging by the side eye I’m getting from her. “Yeah, was wondering if you had any idea when people would be let back in the building.”
“Oh jeez, Nate. That whole place is a disaster,” she says, and I can hear the frown in her voice. “I was out there yesterday to take a look, and it’s going to be a few weeks at least. The whole sprinkler system needs replacing.”
“Shit,” I mutter, watching Savanna deflate right in front of me. But I’m not giving up. I had a feeling this might be the case and I’m hoping Tina will do me a solid. I hold up a finger to tell Savanna not to lose all hope yet. “What are the chances you’ll let me in?”
There’s a pause before Tina asks, “For what?”
“A friend of mine lives there, and she’s got nothing with her. No purse, no phone, nothing. I was hoping you’d give me the okay and we could go in and get some of her things,” I say, watching as Savanna sits up, her hands coming together in a prayer fashion, almond eyes wide with optimism.
“Ah, Nate…”
“I know. It’s a big ask, but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. She didn’t have a chance to get anything when we pulled her out,” I say, my tone hedging on pleading.
“This is the woman you pulled out of the building?” she asks, sounding a little stunned.
“Yeah.”
“Oh, Nate. I didn’t realize… gosh, that must have been tough.”
I don’t correct Tina’s assumption that we were friends prior to the fire because I can tell I’ve struck a chord. While it might not be the most straightforward I’ve ever been, I’m going to take advantage.
There’s another long pause before she sucks in a deep breath, and I can hear it whoosh out of her on the other end of the line. “I’ll tell you what—I’ll let you go in there, but you gear up, and you take someone with you. Brody, Liam, one of the other guys, I don’t care.”
I give Savanna a thumbs up and grin when she pumps her fists in the air.
“But she doesn’t go in, Nate. I don’t want her anywhere near the inside of that building. If she isn’t okay with you getting her things, tough shit. Understood?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” I tell her.
At least I don’t think it will be. Savanna might not get everything she wants out of her apartment, but at the very least we can go in and get her purse and phone. If she’s comfortable enough, we’ll grab some of her other things.
Tina and I talk for another couple of minutes, and when we finally hang up, Savanna launches herself off her stool and into my arms, nearly knocking both of us onto the floor. It’s reminiscent of the night of the fire, though I was more prepared for it that night, and I wasn’t nearly as attracted to her as I am now.
“You are the best, Nate!” she says, hugging me fiercely, her body pressed as flush to mine as she can get, given that I’m still sitting and she’s now standing between my legs.
I squeeze her back, but the closeness has my cock thinking it’s time to come out and play as it gets harder by the second. I grab onto her hips to hold her back, so she doesn’t feel what she’s doing to me. I don’t need that complication right now, especially after the conversation Jordan and I had this morning.