Spark & Blaze (A Guns & Hoses Novel) (18 page)

“We can call a cab if that’s what you want to do.”

The tone, the hesitation, and Evan’s voice told Brett that the man thought his suggestion for a cab had something to do with hiding who he was from their co-workers. That wasn’t the case at all. In fact, Brett wasn’t panicking
at all
about Flame, or if he was honest, anyone else at work knowing about his orientation. No, his suggestion was only one to prevent inconveniencing anyone.

“We can call Flame.” Brett smiled down at Evan.

Evan expected Brett’s response to be tense or at least nervously hesitant. It wasn’t either. “Okay, I’ll give him a call and we’ll go get my truck.”

“Sounds good.”

Less than two hours later Brett and Evan pulled up in front of Evan’s house. Brett’s car was long gone to the police impound. Hell, it was gone even before Flame and Tig showed up to give them a lift back to the parking garage in Ybor where they had left Evan’s truck. But right now, where his car was and what the cops were doing to it was the last thing on Brett’s mind. No, he couldn’t stop hearing Tig’s words of caution.

“Look, Evan, a stalker doesn’t mean you don’t live your life until they are caught. You just have to be aware of where you are and if anything makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”

“I’m not going to let some nut job make me a prisoner in my own home or make me afraid to go out. I can handle myself.”

“I’m not suggesting you can’t. Just don’t take unnecessary risks.”

“So what? I’m supposed to hide in my house until this fucker is caught? And when will that be, Tig? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month?”

Brett had seen Evan in many emotional states. Full-blown shell-shock, emotionally devastated, aggressively turned on, submissively pliant, and even angry. But never had he witnessed this level of pissed off fury that Evan directed at Tig before they reached the parking garage.

Brett never thought Evan was weak for the two breakdowns he had at work. He knew that anyone new to their profession could cave under the trauma Evan witnessed in back to back shifts. He also knew Evan was mentally strong because the man came back to work. Plenty of rookies had never returned to the job after even one traumatic shift, let alone two that were back to back.

No, his lover wasn’t weak emotionally or physically. Still, knowing that didn’t stop Brett from being concerned about Evan’s safety. He would do anything to keep Evan safe. Would do and will do.

“I can’t believe Tig expects me to cower in my fucking house!” Evan shouted and fumed the minute Brett shut Evan’s front door. “So, what? Some fucked up asshole who thinks I should be his now means I now need to be a prisoner in my own fucking house?”

Brett watched while Evan stormed through his living room into his kitchen. He threw his refrigerator door open so hard that Brett was surprised the stopper actually stopped it from flying off the hinges.

“That’s not what he said,” Brett dared to point out.

Evan glared around the refrigerator door. He removed two bottles of beer before slamming the damn thing shut so hard that the stuff inside rattled.

“Really? Well, that’s exactly what I fucking heard!” Evan thrust a bottle of beer at Brett and was glad the man took it because he couldn’t open his with both hands full.

Brett wasn’t sure if Evan’s behavior was because he was truly pissed off about his stalker situation or because he was actually afraid of the shit that was currently happening to him. Either way, Brett wanted to comfort his new man. He pulled Evan close and wrapped him in his arms.

“Baby, it’s okay,” Brett whispered against the top of Evan’s head while he held the stiff man in his arms. “Tig didn’t say you should hide it home. He only said you need to be careful when you’re out alone.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can.” Brett tightened his arms when he felt Evan try to pull away. He didn’t relax his hold until he felt Evan melt into him. “No one is saying you can’t.”

“That’s not what it feels like.”

Evan pulled back and looked up into Brett’s chocolate brown eyes. He didn’t see any sign that the man who held him so securely in his embrace thought that he was weak or needed to be taken care of.

Brett met his lover’s gaze and tried to convey everything he was feeling through his look. His desire to not only comfort, but protect Evan from anything that life might throw at the man because Brett wanted to, not because Evan needed him to, was strong. He didn’t have the words to express how he felt so he did the only thing he knew how to do that might convey the emotions that were starting to overwhelm him. He kissed the man he never wanted to release from his grasp.

If Evan had ever thought he had felt loved before from someone, he was wrong. So fucking wrong. The sentiment in Brett’s kiss when their lips met was almost like a physical thing. A physical thing that practically knocked Evan on his ass because it was so emotionally charged.

There wasn’t anything Brett could have said to make him feel better. However this kiss not only made him feel better, but told him so much more. Made him feel so much more as well, even if he knew he shouldn’t after only one night and a morning of incredible sex. When they finally broke to breathe again, Evan was almost dizzy.

“Let’s go shoot pool tonight,” Brett suggested even as they fought to catch their breath from their heated kiss.

Brett suggestion was so benign that Evan shouldn’t have felt so elated. The fact that his lover didn’t want to hide him away in some diluted concept of keeping him safe, made Evan’s heart soar.

“I’d like that.” Evan grinned up into Brett’s smiling face.

“Good.” Brett bent his head and gave Evan a quick peck on the lips. “You need to take me home to get my clothes.”

“I can do that.” Evan returned Brett smile.

“Shit,” Brett suddenly cursed.

“What?” Evan instantly became tense and concerned.

“My cue is in my car.”

Evan chuckled at the look of distress on Brett’s face. He knew how much it meant to have his own cue if he was playing, but he still couldn’t stop his burst of laughter.

“I’ll share mine,” Evan offered.

“You think your stick is good enough?” Brett smirked.

“Oh, I am sure it is,” Evan replied in a teasing tone and shot Brett a sexy wink.

They ended up calling Tig and Flame to invite them out to Guns & Hoses. So, when their friends walked in the bar followed by Brostowski, Austin, Simon, and Wolf, they weren’t surprised. What was surprising was that Wolf didn’t head off to take a seat at the bar like he normally did. No, instead he took a seat at the table with the rest of the guys.

“So Brett, you owe us a game of doubles,” Flame said after they were all seated at the table with drinks in front of them.

“Sure do.” Brett grinned and stood.

“You’re my partner, though,” Flame reminded. “Just because you two are together now...” Flame waved from Brett to Evan and back before finishing. “Doesn’t mean we’re letting you two team up. Especially, if Evan is as good as Austie says.”

“I’m okay with that.” Brett returned Flame’s grin. “I’m sure that even though he’s good with a stick, I’m better.”

“Oh snap. Stick competition.” Simon laughed.

Brostowski shook his head, Austin laughed, Tig and Flame chuckled, Brett blushed, and Wolf barely cracked a smile. Evan just grinned at them all.

“Let’s do it then.” Austin stood.

The four men moved to the pool table and flipped for the break. The teams were evenly matched to the point where Brett and Evan were blatantly flirting in an attempt to distract one another.

It was clear to Evan that the guys were trying to hide their surprise at the change in Brett’s behavior and personality. Even Evan could see the difference in Brett. The man was a lot more relaxed and it was a good look for him.

“Gotta piss,” Evan announced after their fourth game. “Be right back.”

Brett followed Flame and Austin back to the table where the rest of the guys were hanging out. Simon was in the middle of telling a story about a night when he worked at Shadows. Everyone laughed when he was finished and from Simon’s description of the club, Brett wished he had checked it out before it went up in flames.

Brett realized that Evan should have been finished in the bathroom by now. He hadn’t gotten the impression that Evan had expected him to follow, but since he had been gone for so long, maybe that was the case.

“I think the rookie fell in.” Brett grinned while he stood. “Gonna check on him.”

“Uh huh. Check on him,” Austin snickered and Brett didn’t bother to reply before he headed toward the men’s room.

“Rookie?” Brett said when he pushed the men’s room door open.

Evan wasn’t at the urinal and the stall door was open just enough that Brett could see that his new boyfriend wasn’t inside.

“What the fuck?” Brett uttered at the same time as a jolt of fear punched him in the chest. “Evan!” Brett yelled and turned around.

He could clearly see down the hall that his friends were all still seated at their table and every one of their heads turned to look at him when he called out for the rookie. Brett ignored them and turned to look down the hall in the other direction.

Three closed doors lined the hall. One was obviously the woman’s restroom, another was labeled office, and Brett assumed the last led into a storage room. Those he ignored and instead zeroed in on the red exit sign above the back door of the bar. He was moving before he even realized it. He barreled through the back door so hard and fast that the door bounced off the rear wall of the bar.

“Evan!”

Frantically, he scanned the back parking lot and finally spotted Evan by the dumpster. He was so focused on Evan that he paid no mind to the guy who was running away before the guy climbed into a car and hauled ass out of the parking lot.

Evan looked up from where he was bent over bracing himself on his knees. Brett running toward him filled his vision. He barely had time to stand upright before Brett crashed into him and crushed him into his broad, hard chest. Brett squeezed him hard enough that he could barely breathe, but somehow he still managed to speak.

“Brett, loosen up. I’m okay.”

Brett heard Evan’s words and didn’t believe a single one even when he pulled back to look down at his boyfriend.

Chapter Sixteen

“
Wha
t
happened?” Brett looked down into Evan’s beautiful gray eyes.

Before Evan could speak, Brett pulled back and looked him over from head to toe. Evan could only imagine what Brett was seeing. He could feel his lip swelling from where it was split and his knuckles were aching and starting to swell as well from the blows he landed on the asshole.

His T-shirt was stretched all the fuck out of shape from the scuffle and he could feel his left knee burning from where he landed on it and the gravel scraped it all to hell through his jeans.

“I was followed into the bathroom,” Evan began and realized he was surrounded by their friends.

Tig was already on the phone and Evan was sure he was calling this whole cluster fuck in so some cops could show up and take his statement. He waited until Tig finished his call because he really didn’t want to explain what went down more than twice. When Tig joined the circle a men, most of which who were taller than he, Evan continued.

“I was just finishing up, washing my hands when the guy who’d come in turned away from the urinal. I doubt he even pissed. If he did, I didn’t hear it, but it’s not like we pay much attention to that shit.”

Evan began to raise his hand to his lip because it felt like a drop of blood was being tempted by gravity to run down his chin.

“Baby,” Brett whispered and beat Evan’s hand to his boyfriend’s lip.

Evan felt the gentle caress of Brett’s thumb run smoothly under his lower lip. He also felt the moisture his lover smeared there.

“What happened next?” Tig asked in a very professional ‘cop’ voice.

Evan’s gaze shot to Tig. When he met the green eyed gaze of Flame’s boyfriend, he didn’t see anything, but anger and determination to catch the fucker who dared to attack him.

“I glanced up into the mirror and thought I recognized the guy, but wasn’t sure so I didn’t say anything. I turned to leave and that’s when the asshole caught me off guard. He stepped up behind me and wrapped his arm around my throat. That grip wasn’t what stopped me from kicking his ass right then and there, though.”

Evan looked back up into Brett’s mocha eyes. He was relieved that he didn’t see pity or any sign that the man thought he was weak.

“I grabbed his arm around my neck with both hands and was about to try and break his hold when I felt something pointy dig into my left kidney. I figured it was a knife so when I asked him what he wanted, all he said was “you and for you to come with me quietly.” That’s when I knew for sure that the fucker behind me was the asshole who’d sent the screwed up texts and destroyed Brett’s car. So, I let him lead me out the back because I knew at some point the knife he pressed into my back would have to be moved if he was going to force me into a car.”

“Jesus Christ! He could have stabbed that knife into you! If he missed the kidney or went too deep, it could’ve punctured your liver!”

“Brett.” Brett felt Flame’s hand on his arm. “That didn’t happen, thankfully, so let the rookie finish.”

Evan watched Brett take several deep breaths and didn’t speak again until his lover gave him a slight nod.

“Well, he released my neck and that was his fucking mistake after we got out of here and he was telling me which car was his that I was just supposed to go to and get in. I could still feel his knife on my back so I decided that playing into his delusion was the best chance I had at not getting stabbed.” Evan paused and had to take a few deep breaths of his own to settle his racing heart.

“I asked him if he was the one behind the text messages and he said he was. I told him how excited they made me and how I was so happy he finally found me. He didn’t believe me a first and made a point of saying so by throwing Brett in my face.”

Evan needed to take a few more deep breaths and before he continued, met Brett’s concerned, pissed off laced gaze.

“I told him you are nothing and that I knew he was the one the minute I saw his desire to possess me painted on the hood of your car.”

Evan looked away from Brett and would have stared at his feet if Brett didn’t have their waists press so close together.

“It’s okay, babe.” Brett tilted Evan’s head back up by applying gentle pressure under his chin.

Evan nodded, took another breath, and cleared his throat.

“He released the pressure on my back and I begged him,” Evan practically gagged on the word. “For him to just hold me, kiss me, and make me his. It worked because he roughly spun me around and pulled me close. That’s when I realized what I thought was a knife wasn’t more than a fucking pen. A God damn ballpoint fucking pen!”

Evan could hear the anger in his voice just as clearly as he could feel it running through him almost as intensely as it had when he realized the asshole wasn’t a real threat.

“And then?” Tig prompted and his voice made Evan remember that Brett wasn’t his only audience. Tig’s professional tone also broke through the haze of anger Evan was reliving.

“He grabbed my hips and I tried to take the fucker down by kneeing the shit out of his family jewels, but he was shifted to the side. After that it was a throw down. I remember him popping me in the mouth as we went down, and I know I got a few good rib shots in. But, I’m pretty sure it was the fist to his eye and Brett’s yell that made him get the fuck off me.”

“Shit.” Brett pulled Evan closer.

He ignored Evan’s body tensing up. Brett knew it had nothing to do with being touched or held. No, his boyfriend was tensing because Brett was sure Evan thought that he thought Evan was weak. Shit, that was the furthest thing from Brett’s mine.

“Glad you fucked up that psycho shithead’s face.”

Evan relaxed in Brett’s embrace at hearing his man’s words. The arms around him were comforting, but it was Brett’s words that reassured how his lover viewed him as a man.

Flashing lights reflecting off the back walls of Guns & Hoses caused Evan to lift his head away from Brett’s solid chest. He had no idea when he had buried his face into Brett’s muscular pecs, but that didn’t matter. Right now, he had to pull away and deal with the cops who arrived to take his statement about the assault. Hell, not only the assault, but the attempted kidnapping.

Almost three hours later, everyone but Flame and Tig were gone. Evan was exhausted. All four men had to work early the next morning and Evan was sure he wasn’t the only one who wanted to climb into bed and pass out for five hours before the job called.

They were just rounding the corner of Guns & Hoses to get to their cars in the front parking lot when a loud ding sounded from the ass of Evan’s pants. They all stopped as one and looked at Evan.

“Shit,” Evan cursed because he knew the text would be from the crazy fucker that he had traded blows with earlier.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that he was wearing hospital scrubs because the CSI’s took his fucking clothes, now he had to deal with this bullshit. Still, he pulled his cell from the lone back pocket of the scrub pants. He didn’t even spare a glance at the others before opening the text from yet another unknown number.

I burn for you and thought you felt the same fire that consumes me. I failed to show you the depth of emotion that you ignite in my heart. So, I will show you how high my heart’s fires burn the only way you will understand.

“What the hell?” Brett asked after reading the text over Evan’s shoulder. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Tig took the phone from Evan’s hand while Evan tried to figure out what the hell the asshole was talking about. Not only talking about, but obviously planning.

“He knows you’re a firefighter,” Flame started and Tig interrupted.

“He’s going to give you a fire.”

“What?” Evan couldn’t stop the shock from leaking into his question.

“That’s actually what it sounds like,” Brett agreed and tried to shake off the goosebumps that suddenly crawled all over his skin.

“Just take me home,” Evan muttered after he took his phone back from Tig. He couldn’t take any more stalker bullshit tonight. All he wanted to do was climb into bed and feel Brett wrapped snugly around him.

“We’ll follow you home,” Tig informed them.

“You really think that’s necessary?” Brett asked before Evan could voice any objection.

“No, but we’ll do it just the same,” Tig replied with a grin.

“Yeah, and the sooner you assholes are home, the sooner I can get laid,” Flame added in what was an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

Flame’s attempt was appreciated, but failed. Still, no one argued with him before they climbed into their cars and headed toward Evan’s place.

They saw the glow before they even reached Evan’s Street. The thought that the fire he could see reflecting against the dark sky had nothing to do with Evan, briefly fluttered across Brett’s mind. However, he knew it was just a lie that he wanted to believe. So, when they turned onto his boyfriend’s street and saw the fire trucks blocking the road a few houses up from Evan’s, Brett wasn’t overly surprised.

“Oh God.”

For once, Brett wasn’t elated to hear those two words escape his lover’s lips. He also had no immediate reply while he watched his new boyfriend pale.

“Pull over, babe,” Brett ordered when Evan’s white knuckled grip on the steering wheel wasn’t enough to prevent his body from starting to shake.

Somehow, Evan was able to do what Brett told him. He didn’t know how he put his truck in park because his eyes were focused on his house. His house that was shimmering in red, yellow, and orange flames just beyond the flashing emergency lights of the fire trucks. The trucks weren’t from their station and the firefighters who were running to and fro were more than likely no one Evan knew. Still, whether he knew them or not they would try their best to save his house from the fiery beast.

A knock on his window startled him and it wasn’t until he was pushing down the button to lower the window that Evan realized his other hand had a death grip on Brett’s.

“Hey,” Flame said once Evan lowered the truck window. “Why don’t you go to Brett’s. I’ll let the captain know you won’t be in tomorrow. Tig’s already talking to the cops and the captain on the scene.”

It took a moment for Flame’s words to sink in, but once they did, Evan was pissed. “I’ll stay with Brett, but I sure as fuck am not letting this crazy as fuck asshole screw with my job!”

“Babe,” Brett tried to interrupt, but Evan wouldn’t have it.

“No.” Evan pulled his hand out of Brett’s. “This psycho mother fucker has fucked with my life enough! He tried to make me go with him earlier and now the God damn son of a bitch torched my fucking house!” Evan had to stop to catch his breath. “I sure as hell am not going to let him screw up my God damn career because of the shit!” Evan slammed his palms onto his steering wheel in anger and frustration.

“The captain will understand if you…”

“I don’t give a flying fuck if he’ll understand! Don’t you fucking get it, Flame? I need…” Evan interrupted Flame, but Brett cut him off before his boyfriend could finish taking out his frustration on their friend.

“Let’s go to my place.” Brett squeezed the back of Evan’s neck and kept doing so until his lover finally relaxed and looked at him. “C’mon.” Brett tried to smile reassuringly. “Let them handle this and take me home. I want you to stay with me until we head into work in the morning.”

Evan huffed, shot Flame an angry look, and put his truck into drive before he glared at his lover. “Fine. We’ll go to your place.”

Brett didn’t have to give Evan directions back to his house. His boyfriend remembered where he lived just fine even though he had only been there once. They didn’t talk until Brett closed his house door behind them.

“We need a hot shower then bed.” Brett stepped close enough to touch Evan. He did, too, but it was only to turn the man and push him down the hall toward the bathroom. Evan didn’t resist and Brett was glad. “We’ve got to be up in a few hours for our shift.”

Brett treating him as if nothing fucked up had happen once tonight, shit, twice, not only made Evan relax, but it made him horny as hell. He didn’t fight Brett’s hands that undressed him after he started the shower. However, he did fight Brett’s intention to let him shower alone.

Brett paused when Evan grabbed his bicep tightly. He would have had to been blind not to see his boyfriend’s erection when he undressed the man, but Brett racked up the hard-on to stress. Apparently, that wasn’t the case.

“Baby?” Brett stepped back into Evan’s naked, personal space while the bathroom filled with steam.

Evan didn’t bother with words. He just dropped to his knees and opened Brett’s jeans. He had no idea if his lover was already hard or if his actions stirred Brett’s arousal. It didn’t matter either way when he pulled Brett’s hard cock from the confining denim. The hesitation he had felt the first time he took Brett into his hand was nowhere to be found.

Brett gasped at the first touch of Evan’s hand on his cock. He moaned unabashedly when he felt the hot, moist heat of Evan’s mouth surround him. His hands moved to Evan’s head and he resisted fisting the light blonde locks at his fingertips just as he resisted thrusting his hips to feel Evan’s throat embrace throbbing prick.