Page 7 of Consumed By Fire
DYLAN
I shouldn't have made her uncomfortable. I feel like an idiot but this girl makes me lose my mind.
The training in the firehouse filled me with adrenaline that I wanted to get rid of, but I never imagined meeting her in the park. Though chasing her was fun. I was going to ask the guys for some information about her but then I thought better of it. I want to know her. I’ve never felt so attracted to anyone. This feeling intrigues me but scares me at the same time.
I look around a bit and see the open door to her office. I go in, and it's like entering Charlotte's world. The furniture follows the lines of the living room, modern but with a personal touch. On the walls are her degree, as well as various courses, licenses and photos, including many photos of her in Armstrong, of her travels. Her smile is contagious, as is her personality. Having her around puts everyone in a good mood.
I leave the office, as I don’t want her to get angry because I’ve invaded her privacy. Instead, I head to the library in the living room. She has an impressive collection of books, from classics to novels.
"Here I am!” she says, arriving in the living room. Even before I turn around and look at her, her perfume envelops me. It’s light, floral, and sweet. I turn around and gasp. She's wearing blue jeans and a white blouse that wraps around every curve of her breasts. Her hair is braided to one side, showing the beauty of her sweet face. She’s wearing light makeup but her gray eyes are magnetic and her lips are pink and luscious. God, how much I’d like to taste them. My eyes caress her body but after a few seconds, I come back down to earth. I don't want to give her the impression that I'm a maniac.
"Let's go, then,” I say, walking toward the door. I hold it open for her and walk toward her car.
As soon as we’re on the road, she drives fast. I notice that many people greet her while we’re stopped at lights. I think she’s very popular here. Everyone loves her and I can understand why.
"You have to turn here," I say and she smiles, shaking her head.
"They’re doing some work, and the street is one way. From here, we'll be there first,” she says, crossing Oak Street. In a few minutes, we arrived at my place.
We move toward the entrance as her cell phone rings. She looks at it, snorts, and silences it.
"I apologize in advance for the disaster you’ll see inside, but I'm still behind with the renovation," I mumble as I open the door. She enters, laughing.
"When I renovated Paradise, you couldn't see where to put your feet, so you're much more organized than I was,” she says, entering the living room and looking around. Having her here, in my house, makes me imagine so many things.
Someone rings the bell, waking me from my thoughts.
I go to open the door and see a man in his fifties. "I'm Leroy. Charlie sent me,” he says as I let him in.
"I'm sorry I bothered you early in the morning. I'm Dylan."
"No problem, I’d do anything for Charlie,” he says, leaving me speechless. Doing anything for one person is a statement with a certain value.
"Hey, Leroy, I heard you. I could take you at your word." Charlie looks out from the living room as we go to the kitchen.
"You know it," he says, checking the hose in the kitchen. "Hmm, I think I have everything I need in the car. Do you want me to fix it now?"
"Of course, Leroy. You’re the best," Charlotte answers in my place as she leans against the table. I signal to her that I’m going upstairs and she nods while continuing to chat.
Having the kitchen finally working will be great. The Chinese takeout is really good but I miss cooking.
I take a quick shower, get dressed, and go down to the kitchen as Leroy is leaving.
"Wait, how much do I owe you?" I ask.
He looks at Charlotte and then at me. "Nothing. She bribed me,” he says before leaving.
I see her drinking something from my favorite cup. "You were very kind, but you shouldn't have. The fact that you solved this problem took away a huge burden off me,” I tell her. She hands me a cup. "What is it?"
"Your coffee! And don't worry, it's a pleasure to help,” she says while I taste the coffee. I don't know how she managed to fix it. This woman has surprised me even more.
"I'm in debt to you. What can I do to repay you?" I ask her. She chokes on her coffee while staring at me.
"Hey, are you all right?" I ask, worried but holding back a laugh.
"I'm fine, and you don't owe me anything,” she says, going into the living room and taking the color swatch book. "Have you already chosen the colors of the walls, or do you want to use wallpaper?"
"I haven't decided yet, honestly," I reply, embarrassed, scratching my head.