“But what?” The dryness in my throat gets so intense that I barely manage to get the question out.

“Slow, Jess. We go slow.”

There’s no slowing down what I feel. I keep trying to remind myself of my plans, but I’m standing in this room, surrounded by everything that made me happy, and I can’t breathe.

Grayson kisses me reverently. The emotions that were boiling from arguing are gone as his tongue strokes mine. The kiss is warm, and I want for him to lay me down and love me until I can’t think anymore.

My lips press against his throat, and when I reach his ear, I let him know exactly what I want. “If Amelia wouldn’t be waking up, I would beg you to take me again . . .”

Grayson’s hands slide down my sides, a low groan emanating from his chest. “I see bribing my sister for another night of babysitting in my future.”

“Yeah? And what would you do if we were alone?”

He leans down, his mouth grazing my ear as he speaks. “I will strip you down, kiss every single inch of you, and make you scream until you have no voice left. And then, then I plan to do it again.”

God help me, I may not have the strength to leave.

Chapter 24

Grayson

I wake up to the tones going out on the radio.

Shit.

I rub my eyes and get up, grabbing for my clothes I keep ready for this very reason. It’s one in the morning, and the tones are just ending.

“Attention all Willow Creek Fire, we have multiple reports of an explosion and visible fire at the old railroad building. All units respond.”

This means it’s not just some bullshit call. I need to be there. Normally, I would call Stella and either bring Melia there or ask her to come here, but she went to visit Alex. After the last time I saw my parents, that’s not an option.

My phone rings, and it’s Jack. “Hey,” I say, slipping my pants on.

“Hey. You going?”

“Yeah, I need to find someone to watch Amelia.”

“Shit, Stella is away.”

“How did you know that?” I ask.

“She mentioned it. What about Jess?”

The radio cues up, and this time it’s Chief’s voice.

“All units, be advised, I’m on scene. We have multiple homes burning, and I’ve advised dispatch to call for other towns to assist.”

This is bad, and as the truck’s captain, I can’t bear the thought of not being there for my guys.

“I’ll call her.” I disconnect with Jack, and Jess answers on the first ring.

“Grayson? Is everything okay?”

“There’s a fire, and I need to respond. I hate to ask this, but can you watch Amelia?”

I hear rustling behind her. “Of course. I wasn’t sleeping anyway. Do you want to bring her here?”