Keep Away From The Heat (A Warning Labels Novel) Page 5

  He parked in front of the command center with no memory of how he got there. The lock clicked green as he slid his key card through it and descended the stairs. He’d expected darkness and peace, but the blazing florescent lights blinded him as urgent weather reports made his head pound. “Shit.”

  Cassie laid her phone on her desk and turned in her chair. “Hi gorg—whoa, what happened to your face?”

  My face? He pressed a palm over the sting. “Um…a tree branch slapped me.” He sat at the desk next to her, cursing himself for lying, yet knowing he couldn’t tell her the real story. They’d never been that close.

  She rolled her chair toward him. “Ouch, that must’ve hurt.”

  “Yeah, it did.” Especially when he recalled what he’d been doing when it happened. How could he have been so stupid? Sure, revenge fucking Simone felt great. He’d needed it for a long time now, but he’d never expected to see her again. They’d been reunited for less than an hour before they started ripping each other’s clothes off. His cock stiffened and he grunted.

  “Rough night?” The weather report had ended so Cassie turned down the volume on the TV.

  “Something like that.” Rough sex, to be exact. Damn it, why did I do that? He groaned and rubbed his throbbing temples.

  She reached over and stroked his arm. “Something wrong?”

  The concern in her eyes touched him, weakening his defenses. “I didn’t get hit by a tree branch. Simone did it.”

  Cassie withdrew her hand. “Oh my God, why?”

  “We had…a talk.” Although most of their conversation escaped him at the moment. “I might’ve said some things that pissed her off.”

  “Seems like that’s easy to do.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Yeah, it is. It’s like foreplay for her.” And me. “She gets mad and then we get naked.” Or naked enough to fuck the devil out of each other. They’d never really taken off all their clothes.

  Her mouth fell open, gasping for words. “You slept with her?”

  He hadn’t meant to let that slip. “Uh, yeah, I think so.”

  Cassie’s face flushed and she pressed her hand over her heart. She seemed to be struggling to breathe. Her heaving chest settled and she blinked a few times before she spoke. “She’s your boss now.”

  Well shit. “I know.” He got the distinct feeling Cassie was holding something back.

  “Are you getting back together with her?”

  There it is. He’d stopped thinking about the possibility years ago, but even with Simone here, he hadn’t considered it until now.

  “No.” That thought had never entered his mind, especially when it should’ve. “We broke up the night before I went to college, and I left her without saying goodbye. This was closure.”

  “Ah yes, the infamous closure.”

  Not at all. Screwing Simone again had dug up the rotting corpse he’d once called a heart, and he had no intention of dealing with that worm fodder again. “We talked afterward, and we’re going to keep things professional. That’s what we both want.” But saying it out loud lacked the impact he’d hoped for.

  Cassie’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “We have a long history.” Fighting, making up, fighting hard, making up harder. Break up for good. “I don’t want to go through that again.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No.” Especially not with a woman.

  “You’ve got to let someone in.”

  God, he wanted to. Wanted to share so many things: his poetry, his fears, his longing to love someone again. He and Cassie could’ve talked about all that. So why didn’t they? “I can’t.”

  “Is she the reason you’ve never had a committed relationship?”

  “What?” He scratched his head. They’d never talked about his past. “How did you know…?”

  “I’m not an idiot. When I asked for more, you didn’t panic and bail out like an amateur commitment-phobe. You kept your cool and left me like a guy who’s made breaking up a way of life.”

  He couldn’t deny it. There’d been no tears and no flipping out when he broke things off with Cassie. She’d taken it well. Too well. “You know we’re done, right?”

  “You and me or you and Simone?”

  Me and Simone? Together again? The thought ripped a shudder through his damaged heart. And he and Cassie were never meant to last. “Both. All. There’s no me and anyone.”

  “That’s not what I see.” She reached out and stroked his gashed cheek. “Obviously you two have something left to fight about.”

  He flinched from her touch.

  “And I think there’s hope for us.”

  Dash’s chair rolled backward and slammed into the desk as his feet hit the floor. “No. We’re done. I told you that.”

  “Then why are you here tonight?”

  He stood and paced. He practically lived at the command center. Everyone knew that. He’d claimed a permanent bed in the bunkroom, stashed some of his stuff in the nightstand. His truck knew the way without his guidance. “Habit. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “So you say.”

  “That’s what I say, and that’s what you need to believe.” Jesus, what are these women doing to me? His need for peace overwhelmed his fear of being alone. “I’m going home.” He stomped up the stairs.

  “See you in the morning,” Cassie called after him.

  Dread twisted his gut as Dash shoved the door open, cursing his demented dick and his cold heart. He’d slept with his coworker and his boss. Who’s next? Heather? Marissa? He jumped in his truck and peeled out of the parking lot, shouting at no one in particular. “Bring on the awkward! I can take it.”

  CHAPTER 5

  “Superintendent’s real name is Daschle?” Flynn walked into the command center early the next morning and dropped into a chair next to Simone. She’d been playing with her new equipment, getting familiar with its capabilities and limitations.

  She smiled at her new assistant. Too bad the young man worked for her. He’d have been a fun date. She hadn’t had time to check out the men in this town, but she suspected her options were limited. “Yes, but don’t ever call him that unless you want his immediate attention. Then be prepared to suffer the consequences.” Though she doubted Dash would kiss Flynn senseless. “In high school, we called him Mad Dash. He liked that.”

  Flynn cracked a smile. “How’d he get that nickname?”

  “My cousin, Micah, gave it to him during a football game. The other team’s defense rushed before we snapped the ball, should’ve been called offsides, but the refs missed it. Dash hurled the ball down the field, overshot the intended receiver by a mile. Fortunately Micah caught up to it and hauled in the touchdown. Then Dash gave the refs hell for missing the penalty.”

  “So, mad for his temper and his risk-taking. It fits him.” The fanboy assistant beamed. “How long have you two known each other?”

  “Forever.” She jumped as high-pitched feedback screeched from the radio. “I fell down the stairs the first time I saw him.”

  Flynn laughed. “Sorry. What?”

  “He thinks I was staring at him, captivated by his dashing good looks.”

  “Ha! Dashing. I love it.”

  Finally someone got her joke. “But in seventh grade, boys were icky.”

  “Girls had cooties.”

  “Exactly. So I let him think what he wanted. I never told him the real reason I tripped.”

  “But you’ll tell me?”

  Simone’s smile faded as Cassandra Storm blew into the room. “Have you checked the radar this morning?”

  “No, was I supposed to?”

  The words ‘fucking slut’ caught Simone’s ears as Cassie grumbled something under her breath and turned on the monitor.

  Flynn elbowed Simone. “What happened?”

  “Dash must’ve told Cassie about—” She stopped in mid-sentence and scowled at Flynn. “Our personal lives are to be kept private.” There, that’s profe
ssional. She stood and strode over to the weather workstation, prepared to smack the professional into Cassie if she had to.

  “Oh, come on.” Flynn followed her. “What made you ‘fall’ for Dash all those years ago?”

  A streak of satisfaction rolled through Simone’s limbs as the pencil Cassie had been holding snapped in her fingers. When she’d first spotted Dash, his brother Wyatt had been standing behind him, holding up two fingers to give him rabbit ears. Other kids joined in, and soon Dash had more ears than a herd of bouncing bunnies. He’d never noticed and she never told him. Her eyes had squeezed shut as she laughed, missed a step, and tumbled down the stairs.

  She ignored her pesky assistant. “Has the storm moved at all?”

  Cassie studied the radar motion and the satellite imagery. “It’s wobbling around, but it hasn’t taken a specific direction. It’s gained strength, though. Sustained winds are at seventy-five miles per hour.”

  “So that means it’s a hurricane.” Simone had spent the morning watching The Weather Channel. They’d named the storm Hurricane Opal and given it a decent amount of coverage, but none of their forecasters saw any cause for alarm.

  “Category one, yes.”

  Simone stood behind Cassie and paced. “But it’s not moving.”

  “No.” Cassie frowned and looked at the projected path maps.

  “And it could go any direction.” Simone stopped directly behind her.

  Cassie spun in her chair. “Yes, but I think—”

  “Including south, the track most hurricanes in this region follow.”

  “Most likely.”

  “The National Weather Service’s computer models show it going south.”

  Cassie stood, facing her boss. “But there are models that show it moving north.”

  Simone refused to back off. “Just one.”

  “And I think it’s right.” Cassie crossed her arms. “El Niño and other systems in the area are going to push it our way.”

  “We’re inland.”

  “Hurricanes can spin off tornados and cause inland flooding from the heavy rain. We need to issue a watch.”

  Simone shook her head.

  Cassie glanced around her shoulder. “Dash, what do you think?”

  Simone turned and caught him staring at them, looking as if he’d rather be roasting cocktail weenies in hell than playing referee between his boss and his supposed ex. How long has he been listening?

  ***

  Dash’s hair stood on end as the sparks between the two women electrified the entire room. They glared at him, each waiting for him to come to her defense. Fortunately, he’d been listening long enough to make an informed statement supporting one position. He let his muscles relax, preparing to duck and run when the other one unleashed her fury. “The odds of that storm coming up here are longer than Wyatt’s record setting field goal.” A record that still stood in the state. “Simone’s right, Cassie. We don’t need to worry about this thing.”

  Cassie snarled. “Is this your idea of keeping it professional?”

  “Yes, it is. I have no reason to side with Simone.” Other than keeping my head attached. “You’ve seen all the models. We both know they’re right.”

  Cassie moved close to Dash and pleaded with him. “But I have a bad feeling about this storm.”

  Simone laughed. “We can’t issue a watch based on your feelings.”

  Cassie whirled and glared at her rival. “Since when do you care about my feelings?”

  “I don’t.” Simone planted her feet. “This job is based on reason and logic, not catty emotions and unprofessional behavior.”

  Flynn moved closer to Dash. “Girl fight. My money’s on Simone.”

  Mine too. He let the two women have it out, prepared to defend either if the need arose. But Cassie did a good job holding her own, and of course, Simone reveled in the conflict. The need in his pants started rising.

  “I’m unprofessional?” Cassie marched in her boss’s face. “Do you always sleep with the men under you or the just ones in relationships? Who’s next? Flynn? No, he’s single. The police chief? He’s married. Perfect for you.”

  “I’m not in a relationship.” Dash uttered the words as Simone shot a pointed glare at him.

  She turned her fury on the forecaster. “What happened between Dash and me is none of your business. I’ll date whoever I want, even Flynn.”

  “I’m good with that.” Flynn leaned close to Dash and whispered, “The new boss is hot when she’s pissed.”

  No one had to tell him that. “She’s way out of your league, man.”

  “I suppose she’s in your ballpark?”

  Dash tried to hold back a smile, thinking of all the times he’d scored with her—including last night—when she’d been as pissed off hot as he’d ever seen her. “Home run.”

  “There’s no policy against relationships with employees.” Simone had done her homework. “Which is lucky for you because you’d be in clear violation of it.”

  “You’re lucky Dash hasn’t filed a sexual harassment claim against you. He’s your subordinate.” Cassie shot her venom in his direction. “Why haven’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I wasn’t harassed.”

  Simone smirked and Cassie snarled.

  Electronic tones cut through the air, signaling a severe weather alert. Cassie turned to her monitor and read information out loud as the words scrolled across her screen. “The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Watch effective until twelve a.m. Thursday from the California-Mexico border to…come on…Norman’s Reef. Damn it.”

  Simone looked at the map over Cassie’s shoulder. “That’s a hundred miles south of here.”

  “The path could change.”

  “Highly unlikely. Now, let’s all put our personal issues and this not-a-threat storm behind us and focus on something relevant to Belladonna’s Peak.”

  Cassie planted herself at the radar desk. “I’m going to keep watching it.”

  Anger practically rippled across Simone’s face. “Ms. Storm, you will obey my orders or find another—hey!”

  Dash grabbed Simone by the arm and dragged her across the room, kicking and sputtering. “I’d advise you not to make enemies of your team.”

  She jerked free, flinging a wild gesture. “It doesn’t matter who’s watching the radar. Every one of these people can be replaced.” Her lips mashed together in apparent rage, but she blinked and her eyes turned shiny. That’s her tell. Her sure sign of weakness. She’d put on a terrifying show for her staff, but she’d never been able to hide her fears from him.

  He lowered his voice. “What are you afraid of?”

  “Not a damn thing.” Her eyes hardened.

  “Come on.” He slid closer, fully aware of Cassie’s fiery glare and Flynn’s fascinated gape on his back, but Simone needed him. “This is me you’re talking to.”

  She raised her chin, staring down her nose at him, but her protection fell apart under his relentless blitz. “What if I’m wrong?” The admission came out in a harsh whisper.

  “About the storm?”

  She nodded.

  “Then it’ll rain.” He curled his fingers around hers, a subtle move no one else could see. “We can handle it.”

  “Yes. I can.” She stiffened and withdrew.

  He sighed and shook his head. “You haven’t changed either.”

  “Is there some reason I should?” She jammed her hand on her hip, clearly prepared to keep up the fight.

  They’d had this argument before, and he’d gotten tired of it. “You’re only as good as the people who support you.”

  Simone snarled and lowered her voice, making the battle personal. “I’m good in spite of people who never supported me. I don’t need to count on anyone who might let me down.”

  He dared to reach for her, stroking her arm from her shoulder to her elbow. “Have I ever let you down?”

  Her body tensed and she pulled away from his touch. “Just once.”
>
  What? When? He’d kept his vow to support everything she did, give her everything she needed. He rifled through his memory for some clue but came up empty. “Then give them a chance. I’ll take the flack if they fail you.”

  She frowned, searching his eyes. “Why are you so loyal to these people? They’re not family. You have no connection to any of them…except for Miss Stormy Bitch.”

  “Who’s catty now?”

  “Answer my question.”

  Why these people? He’d always thought of the EMS staff as part of his team. Cassie, because she provided vital information, and even that overeager, hotshot wannabe, Flynn served a purpose. “Being related to someone doesn’t make them loyal to you. You know that. I hand-picked my hotshot crew. Our lives depend on each other, so I needed the best. Flynn and Cassie are our support. We can’t function without them. Sure, they could be replaced, but it takes time to build the level of trust we have.”

  “All right.” Her face softened and her battle stance relaxed. “If you trust these people, I will too. But that doesn’t mean I have to like them. Especially her.” She narrowed her eyes at the forecaster glaring at them.

  “I get that. Flynn annoys the hell out of me, but he does his job well.” When he wasn’t following Dash and his men around like a puppy, offering to do anything for them if he could be part of the crew. Why does that bug me so much? AJ and Jordy took turns using the young man as their personal errand boy in exchange for exaggerated tales about their firefighting exploits, but Dash wanted no part of their games.

  Simone smiled as her assistant picked up the phone. “Flynn’s a cutie. I’d do him.”

  What the hell? “That pansy ass…! You’d seriously…? I can’t even imagine.”