Hearts on Fire 1: Serefina(7)
“Thanks. I’m fine, really.”
He looked at her ankle. “But you’re still bleeding.”
“It’s not the first time, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. Thanks again.” She started to walk away, thinking that she would head down to the water, take off her socks and shoes, and let the saltwater run over the cut and wash away the blood.
“They have a running track, you know. It’s a lot safer.”
She thought he sounded full of attitude. She glanced over her shoulder, and he followed her.
“Listen, I grew up around here. I ran this same route for years before there was a track. Thanks for the advice.”
She knew she sounded snappy, but what the heck? It was like the man was reprimanding her. He did look older with dirty-blond hair, big blue eyes, and lines etched in his forehead. He had to be about thirty, and he had tattoos on his arms. Was that a Marine Corps tattoo?
Her ankle was stinging as she looked at how far of a walk it was from where she stood to the water’s edge.
She trudged onward.
“You’re going to wash it off by the water?”
“That’s the plan,” she said over her shoulder. He continued to walk with her and she looked down seeing more blood drip from her ankle. As the sand hit the cut it burned.
“Let me help you. I know first aid. I think clean water would be best.”
She looked up toward the top of the beach from there she would still have to walk to the nearest water fountain or washing station set up to clean off feet before exiting the boardwalk.
“This stinks. I was really enjoying my run.” She debated what to do.
“Allow me. You can’t keep getting more and more sand in that cut.”
He scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing at all, and she gasped, grabbing onto pure steel.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to carry you up to the top. There’s a water station there where you can wash off this cut instead of getting more dirt and sand into it. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
“Well, I don’t even know you. I don’t appreciate you just scooping me up and carrying me.”
“Sorry. It’s force of habit. I know first aid and I’m used to carrying things long distances including up several staircases, although I can hardly even feel you in my arms you’re so petite.”
She stared at his tattoos, the bulging muscles, the smell of soap and sweat. The man was definitely good looking and her body reacted. Then her mind kicked in with guilty thoughts. I can’t be attracted to him. What about Matt? So easily I can forget about him?
“So you said you’re from around here, where do you live?”
“Not far from here, how about you?”
“Not far from here either.”
They were both holding back information. Well it was better that way. After he got her to the top of the beach, she would never see him again.
“I’ve never seen you running this route before? First time?”
“Running?” she replied.
“Hell no, honey, I can tell that you run. You’ve got great legs.”
“Maybe you should put me down?” she asked, feeling a bit more uncomfortable yet still highly giddy at the fact that he noticed her toned legs. She kept in great shape and worked out with Matt a lot. She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat.
He tightened his hold. “Can’t do that, miss. I’d hate to think that you could make that cut worse. Remember, I’m a professional.”
The stairs to the boardwalk and the water station were in closing distance to where they were.
“Professional what?” she asked, and he chuckled, climbing the steps with ease and bringing her to the water station. He set her down gently on the small bench. She began to untie her sneaker, and cringed at the blood-soaked sock.
“I’m a firefighter.”
She stopped what she was doing. Her eyes widened and she had to turn away. What were the chances that the first guy she bumped into who flirted with her wound up being a firefighter?
She stood up and he held her elbow. She jerked it away. “I’m fine. You can go now.” She turned on the small faucet and let the water clean away the sand and blood. She cringed from the stinging, and as the water washed away the blood, it continued to bleed more.
“You need a bandage.”
“Well, I don’t exactly have a first aid kit on me. I’ll deal with it until I get back home.” She turned off the water.
“My truck is right over there. I have a first aid kit.” He pointed toward the lone blue pickup truck.
“That’s okay. I’ve wasted enough of your time.” She walked toward the bench to put her shoes back on minus the socks.
“Let me at least get you a Band-Aid so you don’t ruin those sneakers,” he stated, and she agreed. Truth was, she didn’t want to ruin the new running sneakers.
He went to reach for her to carry her again.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It would be my pleasure. Plus the more you walk, the more it’s going to bleed.” He had a point and she allowed him to carry her to his truck.
* * * *
Ice carried the gorgeous brunette to his truck with ease and a pounding heart. He couldn’t believe his luck. Just jogging down the beach trying to stay in shape and she appeared behind the sand dunes, fell, and cut her ankle. She was gorgeous with big green eyes, a sweet smile, and damn, so petite yet curvy. He felt nervous and unsure but there was no denying the instant attraction to her. But he had the feeling that she didn’t like firefighters. Usually when he told a woman he was a firefighter, she got all shy and flirty. This woman seemed ticked off and unimpressed. He wondered why as he used one hand to open the backseat of the truck and place her in it.
“This is nice.”
“Thank you.” He smiled before opening up the front door and reaching across the seat. He pulled out the first aid kit and grabbed what he needed.
He walked back over and stared down at the voluptuous beauty watching him.
“So what’s your name?” he asked.
She hesitated but then said, “Breanna.”
“Nice to meet you, Breanna. My name is Ivan, but my friends call me Ice.”
“Nice to meet you. Again, thank you for the help.” He applied the ointment after cleaning the wound with antiseptic, and then placed a Band-Aid over the cut.
“There you go. That ought to do fine. I can give you a ride home if you need one.”
“Oh no, that’s okay. You’ve done enough.” She tried to get down from the backseat. He immediately lifted her up and out of the truck, but let her body slowly press against his chest as he lowered her.
“Maybe I’ll see you again.”
She just gave a small smile. “Thanks. Have a nice day.” She waved and then he watched her climb the steps and head back down the boardwalk on foot. He was tempted to ask her for her number, or try to find out where she lived, and maybe a last name but then his cell phone began ringing. He glanced at the clock.
“Fuck. Ace is going to rub this in big-time. I’m going to be late for work.” He closed the door, then hopped into the front seat, closed up the first aid kit, and started the ignition.
After one more glance toward the boardwalk, there was no sign of the beautiful young woman. Ice headed home to shower.
* * * *
Ace was wondering where the hell Ice was. This was getting crazy, him disappearing in the early morning hours or late at night. What was going on with him?
“He’s still not here?” Bull asked, throwing his backpack into Ace’s truck.
“No. We have to go. Maybe he’s at the firehouse already?” Ace said, and just then they heard his truck pulling up the long sandy road. Their house was big and at the end of a vacant cul-de-sac off the end of the pier and boardwalk. It was private and had been in the family for generations.
“Where the hell have you been? You’re going to be late.
“Sorry. I lost track of time. I’ll meet you there,” Ice stated as he jumped out of the truck and ran toward the stairs.
“What’s going on with you? You disappear every morning or go out late at night without a word to anyone of where you were. What’s up with that?”
Ice stopped and stared at Ace. “You’re not my fucking father, Ace. I can do whatever the fuck I want. I’ll get to work. Don’t worry.”
“You better, and this conversation isn’t over.”
“Right, Dad,” he snapped back and then headed into the house, slamming the door behind him.
Ace banged his hand on the opened doorframe. “I don’t get him. What the fuck is he up to?”
Bear got into the truck and Ace followed.
“Maybe he just needs time on his own.”
“Time on his own for what?”
“Listen, Ace, you know I love you. You’re my brother and my best friend, but your need for all this control, and watching over us at every second of the day is becoming annoying. You need to back off.”
“Back off? Why, because I care? Because I don’t want something to happen to my brothers?”
“You weren’t the only one who lost Marco. We lost him, too.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Just lay off with the overprotective guardian shit. We’re grown men. We can take care of ourselves. You keep this up, and you’re going to tear us further apart.”