Bad Boy's Kiss (Firemen in Love Book 2) Read online

  “Actually, I'm glad you brought that up. Whichever restroom you decide to use, you'll need to install a transfer bar or plate to help yourself onto the toilet. If you cannot do that, your wife or another caretaker will need to help you.”

  Max turned red. He was obviously so ashamed that he couldn't even look at me. Myself, well... I was starting to regret telling that nurse we were married now.

  “Fortunately, since you're male, urination will be easier.” She held up a plastic tube. “But if you don't like the direct approach, I can insert a catheter and show you both how to manage it.”

  “No!”

  The two of us shouted it at the same time, then exchanged horrified glances. I was about as willing to see that thing stuck that thing up there, I imagined, as he was willing to take it. Even I really were his wife, it gave me the creeps.

  “Nurse, this is completely unacceptable. There has to be some other way, right? Surgery, maybe. Whatever it is, try it. I'd rather go under the knife than be without my legs for months.”

  She smiled her sympathy. “I truly am sorry, but no, there's not. Your bones need time to heal, as does the rest of your body given what you just went through. You lucked out that the injury wasn't worse, then recovery would have taken even longer.”

  Max was out of arguments and lacked any strength to make witty remarks, even of the bitterly sarcastic variety. The nurse began humming again as she scooped up the things he'd knocked on the floor.

  “You'll be in the hospital for a few more days while we monitor you, then you're free to go home.” She nodded at me. “That will give you time to adjust some things in your house for him.”

  And that was the end of that. She gathered her charts and headed for the door. On the way out, she turned to Max and looked him in the eye.

  “This will be a challenging time for you both. But you do have each other, and love can make even the bleakest moments bearable.”

  With that, she was gone. Max sat in stunned quiet for a long while, then threw his head back on the pillow and laughed.

  “Love? Is that woman serious? I don't even know what love is.” He gazed at me. “What the hell am I supposed to do?”

  That wasn't a rhetorical question, and I didn't have an answer.

  “I can't stay here. I just can't. I'll lose my damn mind, Anna. Not to mention my job. Desk work? I'd rather throw myself in front of a bus.”

  I softly touched his arm. “Don't say that. This is only temporary, right? Then you'll be all healed up and good as new. Free to leave for home.”

  Although if I was honest, I didn't really want him to go. If anything, at least he served as a welcome distraction from the pain of being abandoned with a baby.

  I didn't want to let go of him, either, so I stroked his hand and wove our fingers together as we thought of what to do.

  Wait... We? We'd had sex once. Had he not broken his legs, he would have bailed on me, like he did with every other woman.

  I wasn't his wife, not even his girlfriend. I owed him no help, nothing. Could just walk away and leave him to deal with his problems.

  But deep down, I knew that wasn't the right thing to do.

  He flinched when I touched him, almost as if he wasn't used to such intimacy. Then, he stared at his crotch with wide eyes and let out a surprised laugh.

  “At least the equipment still works down there. If my dick broke, I really would jump in front of a bus.”

  I let go of him. “I'm glad that concussion hasn't changed your sparkling personality one bit.”

  On the TV, the host of Family Feud bounced around the stage with some people who'd just won twenty thousand dollars. It was too much joy for either of us right now, so I turned it off.

  As the television went black, the solution came to me. It should have been obvious from the get go, actually. Obvious it certainly was, but also completely insane.

  Max would not like it.

  “The food here is atrocious. I can't believe I have to spend three more days in this hell hole.” He picked at the pudding cup on his table. “Trey and I were going to have a steak dinner tonight, too.”

  “I'm sure you'll have it soon as you get out of here.”

  “He lives upstairs. No cookouts at his place for me.”

  He reached for his cup of water but found it empty. He was about to hit the call button for the nurse to help him, but I swatted his hand away.

  “Don't be silly. Give me that.”

  He watched me, curiosity written on his face, as I filled the cup at the bathroom sink. There was a bucket of ice conveniently placed on the counter, too. When I handed it back to him, he sipped and sighed with relief.

  “I needed that. Whatever drugs they got me on is making my throat parched.” He gazed at me, shyly almost. “Thanks, Anna.”

  “I think that's the first time you ever thanked me for anything. Still, we need to talk.”

  He chuckled nervously. “No man wants to hear those words. Worse when I'm tied to a bed and can't run for my life. Not that I'd necessarily mind being tied to the bed in better circumstances, you understand.”

  “It's about where you'll be staying after you leave here.”

  “You're starting to scare me.”

  I paced the room. My eyes burned and I just wanted to sleep, but I was sure Max felt far worse. Better just get this out of the way and let us both rest.

  “There's only one house you can go to where you'll be comfortable.” I looked him in the eye. “Mine.”

  He didn't respond at first, just swirled his ice cubes around and stared out the window.

  “I have the biggest place, and mine is all on one floor. You could park your RV on the property – it would just get towed at Trey's apartment complex without anyone moving it for months. I've got two spare bedrooms, too.”

  “You're seriously suggesting I move in with you?” He tensed. “I mean, sure, the sex was amazing, but don't you think we're moving kind of fast?”

  I felt like throwing the water in his face. “I'm not asking you this because I want to shack up with you, idiot. I'm offering because you have no place else to go. By all means, if you have a better plan, do it.”

  Truth be told, I wasn't really fond of the idea either. I did like my peace and quiet, and was unsure how having this loudmouth there would affect that. Well, I guess if I wanted to get married someday, this would be a good way to find out whether I could hack it.

  At last, he tossed the pudding cup aside and looked up at me. “This is a big deal. You're making a sacrifice to have me in your place. And it's not like I'm able-bodied anymore. You heard the nurse. She said I'll need... care.”

  “It's just for two months or so, and I won't be alone. I'm sure your brother would be glad to help out.” I picked up the dropped cup and threw it out for him. “He'll definitely be there for you. Just out there in the hall, he was telling me how guilty he felt for asking you down here.”

  “Him, guilty? Nonsense.”

  “He said you wouldn't be like this...” I gestured to his destroyed legs. “If he didn't push you to come visit.”

  He scoffed. “Well, maybe so, but it's dumb to go blaming himself. He didn't start that fire.”

  Another nurse came and let herself in. She smiled but gave me that look that said it was time to leave.

  “It's getting a tad late, miss. I'm sorry to bother you, but Max needs his sleep.”

  She shut the door so we could finish our goodbyes. Suddenly, I felt extra sick. I'd really just invited him to live with me. This was something I would never do for any other man I'd slept with – but then again, the sex wasn't the reason for my generosity.

  But was it at least part of it? I could never forget how he made me feel so good, how he took my mind off my worries with a single kiss.

  I'd have been lying if I denied it.

  “You have a few days to think about it. I'll talk to Trey, see what he can do for us.”

  I reached for the door, but didn't even get my hand on t
he knob before he replied.

  “Okay. I'll do it.”

  I paused. My heart beat like crazy. He looked into my eyes and then, at the same time, I thought I felt the baby kick.

  Or maybe that was just gas from tonight's black bean tacos. Whatever.

  “You'll do it?”

  “I accept your offer. Like you said, it's only eight weeks, and I have no other choice, really.” He finally smiled again. “So I guess your place is my home sweet home until I heal up.”

  And that was the second night – in the past three months – that my life had been forever changed.

  Was this change going to be a good or bad one? Only time would tell.

  Chapter 10 - Max

  “How could you be so stupid?”

  Rachael stood in the bathroom doorway, arms folded, watching with disapproval as Anna moved another bookshelf into position. It still wasn't quite the right spot for easily hauling myself onto the toilet.

  Did I mention I'd never felt more humiliated in my life? A woman I'd been intimate with, helping me go to the bathroom. It was truly pathetic. She'd never look at me the same after this.

  Rachael acted like I couldn't hear her, although I was sitting in the living room watching TV not far away. Anna's sister made it very plain that she'd committed some egregious mistake by inviting me into her home.

  As for me? I wasn't sure what to feel yet. I'd only been here for two days, so I guess the fun was only getting started.

  “Could you say that any louder, Ray? He can hear you.”

  “I don't care. You both need to realize what a major disaster in the making this is.” She huffed and puffed like the Big Bad Wolf. “Do you have any idea what this is gonna do to the family's reputation? You're unmarried, and you moved the biggest playboy in town into your house. It looks scandalous.”

  She forgot to mention the pregnant part. That was just the cherry on top, now wasn't it? Soon as her folks heard that, they'd both keel over from heart attacks, no doubt.

  “Let people talk. Look at him, for Christ's sake.” She grunted and pushed the shelf back a bit. “He broke both legs putting out a fire that could've burned down the town. You don't let heroes like him go without help.”

  “But why does it have to be you? Why can't he ask his own parents to take him in? Or surely he's got some friends in Waco.”

  I tuned out their argument for a second and let myself feel fuzzy inside. Anna called me a hero, and I decided I rather liked that.

  Yeah, I knew I was a badass. I got things done that nobody else wanted to do. When shit got real, it'd be me stepping up to the plate. That was why I worked my way up the ladder in my job so quick: because I had serious conviction to do it right the first time.

  But when I heard that word come out of her mouth, it was different somehow. Didn't know what it meant, but I let myself enjoy it, if even for a few seconds.

  Better to bask in my achievements than wallow in the misery that befell me, right?

  “He said his friends can't do it. They live in small houses, or two-story apartments, or they have kids and he wouldn't want to impose.”

  She scoffed. “What a polite gentleman he's being. Max is not the sort of man who minds imposing, if it means he gets his way.”

  Why the hell did I ever screw that girl again? Back in high school, she'd been fun and flirty and looked cute in a dress. That was enough reason for me.

  Now? I dunno. It just wasn't enough to keep my interest anymore. Odd, too, 'cause a few weeks ago all I needed was a short skirt and a nice pair of tits to get it up.

  Currently, about the only thing making me hard was staring at Anna's ass while she worked on her vegetable garden. And, lucky me, she had a very sweet ass.

  Anna finished her task in the bathroom and brushed past Rachael on her way to the kitchen. Something yummy-smelling sizzled on the stove, and she hurried to stir it before the food stuck to her iron pan.

  “I'm making stir-fry for lunch. Are you staying to eat?”

  Rachael declined. “I have to get back to work. Got a design due for our new ad, and Janelle is going to bite my head off if I don't do it asap.” She wrinkled her nose. “That's quite a lot of food. Don't tell me you're cooking lunch for him.”

  My temper steadily flared hotter. This woman acted like I'd dumped her at the altar, and it was starting to piss me off.

  “Of course I am. It'd be rude to cook for only myself.”

  “So not only is he living in your house, you're his personal chef and maid to boot. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Maybe I'll fall off a cliff so you can take care of me too.”

  I spun my chair around and wheeled into the kitchen at mach speed. She jumped back, as if she thought I might bulldoze over her.

  “Hey, I didn't ask for this to happen. You think I enjoy being confined to a damn wheelchair, not able to walk or drive or even make it home?” I nodded at Anna, who looked pretty shocked at my outburst. “Believe me, I'm grateful for her help, but I'd just as soon go without if I could.”

  Rachael stammered excuses for her shitty behavior while Anna rolled me back into the living room. She parked me in front of the TV and gave my shoulder a squeeze. Slowly, my out-of-control blood pressure began to fall.

  Instead of apologizing, Rachael pulled her sister into the corner and whispered, albeit so loudly I could hear every word.

  “Mom and dad are coming in two days. When they find out you've shacked up with the biggest man whore in town, can you imagine how mad they'll be?”

  “Even if it's for a noble cause.”

  “It just looks bad. The things you're doing, how far you're going for him, it's beyond being a good Samaritan.” She gestured to the food on the stove. “Most people donate change or volunteer at a soup kitchen when they're feeling charitable. They don't invite well-known playboys to live with them.”

  Why was Anna standing there and putting up with this crap? I wished she had the balls to tell her sister to shut her mouth or get out of her house. I almost said exactly that, but decided Anna's wrath afterward wouldn't be worth it.

  “I can hear you over there, I hope you realize. And how do you know I'm a playboy, huh? Maybe I changed.”

  Rachael laughed. “Men like you just don't change that easily. I could tell, soon as you rolled into town, you were still the same cocky jerk you were the day you left.”

  She'd pegged me exactly how I was, but I wasn't about to admit it in front of Anna. I liked the woman she'd become. Respected her. And wouldn't you know it, I wanted her to respect me back.

  Maybe that branch hit me in the head harder than I thought.

  “You're being awfully unfair to him.” Anna stepped up to bat for me. “You should give him a chance. And if mom and dad judge me because of what I've done, then so be it.”

  “But this isn't just about you anymore. Dad's a public figure. What we do matters to him.” She lowered her voice and pointed to Anna's tummy. “To make matters worse, with the way you've gained weight lately, it looks like you have a baby in there. No offense.”

  Her panicked gaze settled on me. I understood. Other people were starting to notice, and that was bad. Maybe her sister was thick headed, but what about her parents?

  “I seriously can't believe you would go there, Ray.”

  “Sorry! I'm just saying that it all adds up. You dated a married man who ditched you. Now, you look pregnant and you've got Max living with you. Don't you realize how badly this reflects on the family?”

  Anna grumbled and spooned some stir fry into a dish for me. “If all you care about is your reputation, then I want nothing to do with it. Tell dad to disown me if he's so sickened by my 'bad behavior.'”

  She thrust the hot bowl into my lap. I was so hungry, didn't even care it almost burned my crotch.

  My stomach growled at the delicious concoction, a dish of bell peppers, snap peas, shaved carrots and other goodies picked from her own garden. Add to that a healthy helping of last night's leftover pork chops, and this
was a real gourmet feast.

  I devoured my food in front of the television while Anna and Rachael exchanged a few more barbs. Man, this was good. I ate decently at home – had to stay healthy if I wanted to keep in shape for work – but I'll admit I turned to frozen dinners and Burger King more often than I should.

  Anna's cooking, on the other hand, made me feel cared for. It was an odd sensation, one I had never experienced and didn't know how to deal with.

  At least it made coping with my injury a bit easier. I doubted I'd be taking it half as well without her here to help.

  “I don't know what you'll tell them when they get here, but you'd better think of something quick.”

  “I'll tell them the truth.” Anna held the door open for her. “If they don't like it, oh well.”

  Rachael sighed, got in her car, and drove off. Anna shut the door with a frown on her pretty face. Wished she'd smile instead. She hadn't been doing much of that lately, and I rather missed it.

  “You're looking at me funny,” she noted as she served herself a plate of food. “What's wrong; don't you like the meal?”

  “You kidding?” I showed her the nearly empty bowl. “Your stir fry beats the pants off the salty crap at my local Chinese place. Maybe being stuck in a wheelchair ain't so bad if I get to eat like this everyday.”

  She beamed. “I'm glad you like it. I probably should have asked you earlier, but you don't have any dietary restrictions, do you?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “That's good. I used to cook for Rich when he came to visit.” She stabbed a carrot with her fork. “It wasn't easy. He'd only eat expensive organic food and had the pickiest tastes. He liked the sauce on the side of his pasta so he could mix it in himself. And I had to serve him on portioned plates, 'cause he'd get pissy if his veggies touched the meat.”

  “Sounds like a royal pain in the ass.”

  She chuckled. “I suppose he was pretty neurotic. But you know how it goes – when you think you love someone, you'll put up with a lot of crap.”

  “Yeah. You put up with it and then he went home to his wife.” I was suddenly really angry for her. “You're a sweet girl, Anna. You shouldn't have dealt with any of it. Not from him. Not from nobody.”