Bad Boy's Heart: A Firemen in Love Series Novella (6 page)

Before I could ask him what
that
meant, exactly, two familiar voices shouted my name from down the corridor.

“Yoo-hoo! Alicia, sweetheart! Over here.”

There was grandma, standing on a chair and flapping her arms like she was trying to take flight. Grandpa wobbled on his cane while recording us on video with his decrepit old camera.

“Well, don't they seem nice.” He reached for me. “Give me your hand.”

“W-what?”

“You're my wife from now until we leave here. If you want that inheritance, best make it look convincing.”

I let him scoop my small hand into his. An electric jolt of pleasure struck me when he weaved his rough fingers through mine.

He looked at me, and I at him. He'd felt it too.

“Oh, Ed. Don't they make a beautiful couple?”

Carter winked. My stomach did flips. I decided it was finally time to accept the truth:

If I made it through this week without tearing off his pants, it'd be a damn miracle.

Chapter 5 - Carter

Alicia's grandma, Susie, seemed to be quite a character. With her fluffy red hair, thick bifocals, and need for constant chatter, she didn't resemble her granddaughter in the least.

“We're so very sorry we couldn't make it to the wedding,” she said so quickly, each word blended into the next. “But you know that Ed only just got out of the hospital.”

“Bones break a lot easier when you're my age,” Ed grumbled, patting his arm in a cast. “That'll teach me to climb on the roof in a rainstorm again.”

The two of them squeezed Alicia in a tight hug, then turned their focus to me. Man, what if this didn't work? I was a pretty good liar, but these stakes were huge.

“So you must be our newest addition to the family.” Ed stuck out his hand. “It's very good to meet you, Andy.”

Alicia shot me a look of apology. “Uh, he actually prefers to go by his middle name. Carter.”

I thanked her for the quick save. If I had to be called by her ex's name for a week, I'd probably jump off a bridge.

“Is that so?” Susie frowned. “Well then, Carter. Your mother-in-law has told us many fabulous things about your cooking. I know you're here on honeymoon, but if you could perhaps whip us up a little something...”

“Damn it, woman, leave the boy alone,” Ed snapped. “He's on vacation. He didn't come to Florida to be your personal cook.”

“Oh, but Ellen's said his eclairs are to die for.”

I pulled Alicia aside while they walked on, still arguing, oblivious that we'd fallen behind.

“What's this about 'fabulous' cooking? The most advanced thing I do is throw burgers on the grill.”

She chuckled nervously. “Uh, yeah. Maybe I forgot to mention it. Andy happens to be a professional chef at a four-star French restaurant.”

I thought I might have a heart attack, and I hadn't even turned thirty yet.

“Are you kidding?” I stammered. “Allie, the only French food I can make is of the deep-fried potato variety – and I get mine frozen from the grocery store to boot.”

“I'm pretty sure fries aren't actually from France...”

“Oh, Alicia!
Carrrter!
” Susie whistled for us near the exit. “We've made lunch reservations, so hurry along. You wouldn't want to start your vacation on empty stomachs.”

They'd reserved a rental car – a top-of-the-line Audi, for God's sake. The thing cost two hundred a day, but hey, at least I wasn't paying for it.

I let Alicia drive, since I'd never been to Florida and she seemed to know the roads well. It was better that she took the wheel, because my head was spinning trying to figure out what sort of disaster I'd walked myself into.

“I get the feeling your grandparents know more about Andy than you told me they did.”

She nearly ran a red light to keep up with Susie, who drove like a teenager who'd just gotten her license.

“I have no idea what my mother told them. She never could keep her nose out of my business.”

“So what am I supposed to do now? They ask me a couple questions, I give some wrong answers, they'll know right away something's up.”

“You're a good actor. I have faith in you.”

At least the beauty of Sanibel managed to distract me from our problems. It was clearly a very expensive city, where the streets were lined with tall palms, expensive boutiques, and mansions far as I could see.

The turquoise sea was visible between the gaps in houses. Looking at it made me feel funny, almost like I'd come home.

“I've never seen the ocean in real life, you know.”

She turned to me with wide eyes. “What? How is that possible?”

“Unlike you, I don't have family who live on the coast. My parents weren't the sort to waste money on trips out of state. When I was little, though, I did beg 'em to drive me to Galveston. Never got to go.”

“I couldn't imagine growing up without the sea in my life. I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. I've got plenty of time to check it out now, thanks to you.” I took her hand, eager to feel her warmth again. “I've always wanted to try scuba diving, you know.”

She flinched when I touched her; clearly, she wasn't expecting it. It was a bold move, possibly a stupid one, but I couldn't help myself.

“I've never been. Andy refused, saying the thought of swimming in dirty water with fish grossed him out.” She gazed at the road. “But he doesn't matter anymore. I shouldn't be talking about him.”

“You spent three years of your life with the guy. He ruined your wedding day less than twenty-four hours ago. It's okay to talk.”

I was surprised when she squeezed my hand back. “Thanks, Carter. You're still as good a friend as you always were.”

But I didn't want to be just a friend. I wanted to undress her, to explore her body for hours and give her so much pleasure she couldn't stand it.

This was something I could not comprehend. Mostly, when I got a girl to come home with me, I didn't worry much about them – because I didn't plan on hanging around long after that.

Not so with Alicia. If she'd give me the chance, I promised I'd give her the best night of her life.

We soon arrived at the restaurant, some fancy cafe called Blue Bay. It was the sort of place where waiters wore tuxedos and poured water into wine goblets, which equaled way out of my budget for sure.

“We used to come here all the time when Alicia was a little girl,” Susie twittered. “She just
adored
the lobster macaroni and cheese. Remember, Ed, how she'd ask for bacon on top – and eat the entire thing all by herself?”

“She certainly had quite the appetite.”

“I'll just get a salad.” She hid behind her menu. “Who needs all that butter anyway?”

Like I said, an embarrassed Alicia was too cute to resist. I put my arm around her, and she let out a little yelp.

“Aw, c'mon, sweetie. We're on our honeymoon. Go ahead and live a little.”

She glared at me, but she couldn't hide the smile playing on her lips. The look in her eyes, though, said I was going to be in trouble later.

“Now I'm certain you've found a keeper.” Susie batted her eyelashes at me. “So when are you two going to start working on those grandchildren?”

Ed groaned and threw down his cloth napkin. “For the love of Pete, they only just got married yesterday. Give the kids a break.”

“You can't blame me for being eager, can you? I'd like to have at least one new baby in the family before I die.”

Maybe it was stupid to be sipping white wine on a weekday afternoon, but who was I to turn down free booze? Then again, me plus any alcohol in my bloodstream wasn't a smart combination where women were involved.

“You've been here a million times before, Allie. What would you suggest I order?”

I put my hand on her thigh. Guess I was getting a bit
too
into this “pretend husband” role, because she didn't seem terribly amused.

“Hmm, I don't know. Heard the foie gras was amazing.”

I stared blankly and waited for her to explain in English. She didn't bother, but did stick her tongue out at me when the others weren't looking.

There she went again, teasing me like she used to in twelfth grade.

Damn, how I'd missed it.

While we waited for the food, Susie regaled me with stories of Alicia's childhood. I didn't mind one bit; better to let her talk than have her ask me a bunch of prying questions I had no hope of answering.

Not only that, hearing about her as a little girl was entertainment in itself.

“She just loved the beach so much, she'd cry when her mother said it was time to leave,” Susie went on. “Alicia could spend hours collecting shells and making sandcastles.”

“Is that so? We'd better make some time for beach-combing between all those museum visits, then.”

I'd grown up in a pretty redneck family, so I thought I was doing well, acting like I was one of the upper class. Neither of them seemed suspicious. Maybe we could pull this off after all.

“Ah, I almost forgot.” Susie yanked her phone out of her bulging purse. “I'd just love some pictures of the happy couple. Ed bought me this gadget, and it actually takes real pictures! Can you believe it?”

“Later, okay?” Alicia protested. “I'm a mess after the plane ride, and –”

“But I think you look beautiful,” I said, and meant it. “What's a couple of pictures for the family photo album?”

She kicked my leg, but I knew she wouldn't stay mad for long. A well-placed compliment was enough to soften any woman's anger.

If only it was enough to get those pants off her, too.

“Aw, isn't he sweet, Ed? I can see why you picked him to marry.” Susie squinted as she tapped random buttons on the phone. “There we go. I've got it all set to automatically upload to this Facebook thing, whatever that means.”

Alicia continued trying to talk her out of it while I sat there frozen like a deer in headlights. If these pictures went up online, there would be plenty of questions. Our devious plan was sure to be uncovered soon after.

“Come now, put your arm around her. Let's see those smiles, kids.”

Smiling wasn't easy, but I sure did enjoy holding her close.

“Such a sweet picture,” Susie said with a sigh. “Now, how about a kiss?”

“A...
What!?
”

Alicia pulled away from me with a look of horror. Had to admit, it stung pretty bad.

“There's no need to be embarrassed, dear. You're in love, aren't you?”

We exchanged glances. Hers was shy and fearful. Mine, I was sure, betrayed my feelings easily.

I'd love to kiss her – but I couldn't, even if she'd let me. She'd just gotten dumped. She would need time to get over it before I even thought of making a move.

“L-love,” she stammered. “Yes. Of course we are. But, uh, we're not really into public displays of affection.”

“It's nice to see some modest young people for once,” Ed piped in. “I swear, everywhere you look these days, kids have their hands all over each other. It's a disgrace.”

“Just one,” Susie pleaded. “A quick peck, that's all.”

The batty old woman wasn't gonna let us go so easily. I reached for Alicia with a smile.

“Well, Allie? We can't disappoint your grandma, now can we?”

She gaped at me like I'd just slapped her. Then, for a half a second, she settled on my lips.

“I... I don't think...”

Her elbow bumped her water glass. It tumbled to the patio and shattered into a hundred shards. Icy liquid soaked my pants as the waiter hurried over with towels and unnecessary apologies.

“Oh, goodness, Alicia. Still as clumsy as ever, I see.” Susie put the phone away and dabbed the table with her napkin.

Alicia seemed relieved as she helped to clean up the mess. I, however, didn't feel quite the same way.

I longed for her kiss – and I didn't want only a peck, either.

No matter how wrong or inappropriate, what I wanted was to throw her down on the bed and rip off her clothes. To hear her moan my name as I tasted her.

But one wrong move could ruin my chances with her
and
our friendship. Gambling like that was stupid.

I already knew I was gonna risk it anyway.

Chapter 6 - Alicia

“So what's on the agenda?”

Carter was at the wheel. He'd never been to Sanibel and felt like taking a tour of the town. Right now, we were cruising down Reef Road. Quaint little shops and tourist traps lined either side of the street.

“Andy had every part of our day planned out.” I pulled up the list of activities and felt rather sick about it. “Art gallery at three. Music festival at four thirty. Sushi for dinner at seven.”

He scoffed. “Screw that. Who needs schedules on vacation?”

“He was like this all the time, really. Every minute of each date had to be accounted for. And he got very upset if we were late for anything.”