Stoking the Embers (New Adult Romantic Suspense): The Complete Series (15 page)

“But Steph, there’s no one I want but you. I love you and want to be with your forever. Why would you reject me this way?”

Professor Donovan stares at me, her mouth hanging open, as do half of the guests around the jam-packed tourist hole. I can’t blame them. Jerome looks like a normal guy, actually better than normal. He looks handsome in his suit, his shoes perfectly shined. His hair is expensively barbered and the ring he is holding is HUGE.

But… they’re only seeing the outside, not the psychopath lying just beneath the surface. I know. I didn’t see the psychopath in him either.

“Jerome, I don’t want to make a scene.” I lean in, lowering my voice. “Please, just take it back. You need to go.”

I could wish for subtle, dream of it even, but Jerome doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Instead of honoring my request, he stands and addresses the audience around us.

“How many of you beautiful ladies wouldn’t find this romantic?” He turns in a circle, waiting to ensure he has everyone’s attention. “I’m trying to give the woman of my dreams a three carat flawless diamond. This was supposed to be perfect, but no. Rejected. After three years she rejects me.” He turns to me and a… holy hell… a tear drips from his eye. “You’re right about one thing, my love. It is time for me to go.”

With a dramatic flourish, he turns on his heel and marches away, leaving me sitting there, stunned and shell-shocked, the target of verbal daggers and caustic looks. I look across the table at Professor Donovan who looks as stunned as I do. She reaches across the table and grasps my hand.

“I’m so sorry, Stephanie. Are you okay?”

“Did that really just happen?” I look around and see people leaning in, whispering to each other.

“It sure did, the strangest two minutes of my life.”

I nod, looking at her, my mouth hanging open. I take a sip of my tea before agreeing, “Mine too.”

Pulling out of the parking lot of Planet Hollywood, I check my rearview mirror to see if I’m being followed. I don’t see a red BMW convertible anywhere. I also look for his old Camry and don’t see it either.

I’d stayed longer than I should have with Professor Donovan. I ended up telling her the long, drawn out story about my ex. She kept patting my hand, making little noises of sympathy and giving me wonderful advice on how to handle further altercations.

Now, I was officially late in meeting Ken. I pull out my cell phone to call while I sit in traffic, but I have no service. Strange. I power down the phone and restart it, still nothing. I toss it on the passenger seat. As crazy as my day has been, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to learn that every satellite in the universe has burst into flames.

Chapter 14—Ken

The pitch-black clouds rising from the southwest over the River Mountains portend the break from the stifling heat—probably around two o’clock, the middle of the picnic. Terrific, I know what that means. The storm will be followed by unbearable humidity, a rarity in the desert.

Why in the hell does the captain insist on late-afternoon for the Battalion picnic? Even as I ask the question, I already know the answer. No nights or weekends, because those are our busiest times. Of course, in Vegas, nothing is predictable.

My navy blue LVFD t-shirt looks black and feels about two pounds heavier than it did this morning as sweat makes it cling uncomfortably. Okay, I can understand late afternoon, but why August? Not that many other months are much better. September is school time and then the slow descent into winter and the cold months. No, I guess August is as good a time as any.

The air-conditioning of the truck has that blast furnace effect as I pull out of the station, burning my fingers on the steering wheel. It should be lukewarm by the time I pull into the SaveAll to do my one appointed duty for the day. One nice thing about being the bachelor of the station, they don’t expect much. A quick trip to the store is my only errand.

“Hi Ken, how can I help you today?” It’s the manager, Diane. Ever since the milk incident, she’s been unusually helpful each time I come in.

“Company picnic. Need to pick up some potato salad. I got it, thanks anyway.”

Instead of taking the hint, the blonde woman follows me to deli, where I toss several buckets of it in my buggy. “Is that all you’re planning to take? I’ve got some beer the distributor left for samples and we can’t sell it. Why don’t you take it for the boys… and girl?” She winks at me. “My contribution to our local heroes.”

Even while I’m still pondering the wink, I thank her. “Beer would be great.”

As I follow her to the stock area, she looks back and asks, “How’s Stephanie, by the way.”

Shit.

“I’m sure she’s fine, why are you asking me?”

She gives me a little grin, “I’ve heard the rumors. Seems you two didn’t cry over spilled milk after all. Maybe bonded instead?”

“Look Diane, we’re just good friends. She’s thinking of becoming a paramedic. I thought it’d be good for her to get some practical experience. She’s doing great. Much better than I did when I was starting out. She’s a natural.” I notice the frown on her face. “Oh, sorry, I don’t mean to take an employee from your clutches, but you had to know she wasn’t going to make this a career?”

Opening the gray double push doors to the cooler, Diane motions me inside and points to four cases of beer. “Sorry they’re not all the same, but the price is right.”

“Yep, the price is perfect. Thanks again.”

I start to load the beer, but the older woman puts a hand on my arm, stopping me. “Ken, be good to her, she’s a good girl.”

Ha, if she only knew. I have a flashback of Stephanie in handcuffs, me holding a vibrator between her legs two nights ago. Snapping out of it, I agree, “Yes, she’s a very good girl.” If everyone knew the kinky stuff Stephanie and I had done together over the past two weeks… whew… I needed to stop thinking about that.

Back at the truck, I unload the potato salad and beer and climb behind the wheel. I realize I’m missing something. I really wish Steph was in the seat next to me, telling me about her day. I’d run a hand up the insides of her thighs, listen to her get all breathless. Higher, a casual stroke near her clit, her lifting her hips to give me better access. She’d lean into me, kiss my neck, maybe unzip my pants…

The blast of a car horn behind me lets me know the light’s been green a few seconds too long. Damn, I’ve got a hard-on, again, and I don’t need the boys seeing that, so I turn on talk radio—surefire way to calm down any erection.

The traffic is backed up on Warm Springs with a broken down landscape truck in the middle of the intersection. I notice Bill, my cop friend, directing traffic. I honk as I pass on the right, and he flips me off. Just wait until the next Fire vs. Police football game, I
will
take the penalty.

Pulling into Sunset Park, I notice very few cars, and only one bouncer house full of kids. The ominous clouds must’ve scared people away. I can’t really blame them. It hardly ever rains in Vegas, but when it does, it pours. Especially in late summer, our official monsoon season. Again, I shake my head… why August for the picnic?

We always get the good spot by the lake, all roped off and with the barbeque grates cleaned. One advantage of being city workers, I guess.

“Octavio, get your ass over here and help me with the stuff that matters.” Jeff heads over as well. They carry the cases two at a time so I start to unload the ice and feel the first drops of rain. At least one of the other guys brought some 10x10 canopies to cover the picnic table with the food.

Popping the cap off a beer, Captain Frank comes over and takes a seat next to me on the bench. In his typical, rapid fire way, he asks, “Tell me Ken, are you sleeping with Stephanie?”

I nearly choke. “What? What kind of question is that?” I stumble to find the words. How the hell does he know? The ladies at the grocery store and now this?

“It isn’t that important, but some of the guys are talking shit. They think you have ‘ulterior’ motives about getting her into the paramedic program. We don’t have a fraternization policy in any case, but I just figured I’d ask. Prevent some drama. You know these guys can be like old ladies when they sense a scandal.”

I pull a big drag off my bottle to give me time to think. “Captain, you know I’m not the boyfriend type. We hang out, we’re friends. Besides, she’s too busy for anything serious. With school and work and all.”

I hope my wordplay placates the captain for now. I hate to lie, but I don’t want her to get kicked out of the training. Or have anyone thinking she’s a slut.

He stands up and slaps me on the back. “Okay, I just want to make sure your dick won’t affect your judgment on a call.” Without giving me time to reply, he walks away.

The rain has stopped for the moment. Another Las Vegas tease, but I suspect it’s just waiting until the party is in full swing. Ed walks over with an extra bottle of beer. “Ken, you need another?” He fills the seat the captain just vacated.

Thank god I’m off duty. I chug the last warm bit from my current bottle. “Sure, as long as it’s cold.”

“Like ice.”

Smiling my thanks, I wait for him to pop the top with the Newcastle opener on his keychain. Leaning back, Ed takes a long sip before asking, “What’s the deal with Stephanie?”

Again? I grind my teeth before saying, “Not you too.”

“Well, yeah man. She’s coming today, right? How many trainees do that? Besides, anyone with two eyes can see the way you look at each other. It’s really no big deal; we’re just curious. Have you done the deed or what?”

I push him lightly on his shoulders. “Come on, man, leave it alone. She’s a good person, doesn’t deserve to be thought about like that. She’s serious, almost done with school, still trying to figure everything out.” Change the subject. Change the subject. “What do you think about her being a paramedic?”

Ed smiles at me, he knows what I’m doing. “She has the talent. I saw that after the first accident; how she handled the pregnant woman and her son. She’d make a great paramedic; a great girlfriend too.”

I bounce off the bench and stand to face him. “Come on man, I’m not going to get trapped like you. I’ve got at least ten more years of casual hookups before I think of getting serious. Stephanie will be married by then, to a doctor no doubt. Probably have couple of kids and a mini-van.”

Ed laughs and points at me. “Me thinks the man protests too much.” He pats the seat beside him. “Come on, sit down. We’re all just curious. Besides, if you were tapping that, I’d be giving you a high five. I was kind of joking when I asked, but now I see this probably hit a nerve. Did she turn you down or did you turn her down… face down?”

Shit, is it that obvious? I thought we were on the DL at the station, but apparently our secret is not very secret. Seems like all of Las Vegas knows. Is Stephanie talking about it?

“I tell ya what,” I say. “Since everyone is trying to play matchmaker, I’ll ask her out. How about a dinner date at your place? You know how I love Rose’s cooking.”

“Sure man, we’d love to have you guys on your, air-quote, ‘first date’.

I laugh. “You know you don’t have to say ‘air-quote’, right? You just do the finger thing.”

About then, the smell of spiced meat and those big bulb onions drifts our way. Time to head back to the canopies and the crowd that has quickly gathered. I glance at my watch and wonder where Steph is. It’s not like her to be late.

I pull out my phone and text.

“U close?”

Octavio hands me a beef empanada from the table, his wife’s specialty, and I’m glad I got one before they were all devoured. So much food, but the good stuff is always gone in minutes it seems. I notice the deviled eggs the captain’s wife made have almost vanished. I need to grab one of those along with Jeff’s chili.

I look at my phone. Still no answer from Steph and I start to get a little bit worried. We haven’t gotten any calls for wrecks this side of town, so that makes me feel a little better.

Just as I predicted, the rain starts coming down again and the wind picks up speed. A tablecloth lifts off a table and a tray half full of empanadas hit the ground. If not for the quick action of the people standing around, the entire tablecloth and everything else would have blown away.

A storm’s a’brewin’.

I can almost hear mom’s voice saying those words. A storm is brewing, but not just the weather. Something’s wrong, I can feel it.

I head toward the truck. This time I’ll call Steph, but I need to get away from this crowd and in the dry. The drops are getting bigger and a few sting my face as I walk through the half-dead grass to the parking lot.

I reach the pavement, and step over a large crack—
step on a crack, break your momma’s back
. They pave every year, but the extreme temps here seem to eat pavement. If it wasn’t for Casinos, I doubt anyone sane would live here. Well, that and air conditioning.

Just as I reach my truck, Steph’s car pulls into the lot. I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. My chest loosens several notches.

She sees me and waves, pulling into a space beside me. I open her door and I have to resist leaning down to give her a kiss.