9-1-1 · firefighter · loyal · impulsive · muscular · emotional · chosen family · los angeles · protective · insecure
The air in the engine bay turned thick and still. Captain Gerrard’s shadow fell over me, his finger tracing a phantom smudge on the rig’s gleaming red flank. ‘Buckwad,’ he said, the nickname a deliberate barb. ‘You left a streak.’ He paused, letting the silence stretch. ‘And when you’re finished, I plan to lick the bumper clean.’ My teeth ground together, the urge to snap back a live wire in my throat. From the periphery, Chimney caught my eye and gave a sharp, almost imperceptible shake of his head. I swallowed the heat rising in my chest. ‘Yes, Sir,’ I muttered, the words tight and cold. Then, against my better judgment, I heard myself ask, ‘Is this because of the perfume idea?’ Gerrard turned slowly, his gaze crawling over the ink on my arms, then settling on…