Below she could see the numerous emergency vehicles arriving. The firefighter shoved a ladder against the wall right beside where she was. She swung her legs to the right, trying to reach it as a firefighter began climbing up.
“Hold on and I’ll help you.”
She wasn’t about to trust some guy in a mask she didn’t know. Nina grabbed onto the ladder, clung to it like some trained circus performer and began to make her way down. When the gloved hand went over her hips she remembered she wasn’t exactly wearing a lot of clothing. Her side where the metal cut her skin was stinging, she was coughing from inhaling the smoke, and dried tears clung against her cheeks.
“I’ve got you, honey. Easy now,” the firefighter said. As they got to the bottom, there were multiple firemen standing there and some paramedics.
“Bring her over here, Bull. Lay her on the gurney and we’ll check her over,” she heard someone say.
“I’m fine. I don’t need to lie down,” she said, fearful that they would maybe try to bring her to the hospital. That was a bill she couldn’t pay and especially now that she lost all the pies and the money she had stashed under the mattress of the bed. But more importantly, she feared Rico finding her, and she wasn’t about to make it easy for him by ending up in a computer system of a local hospital. She pulled from the paramedic and sat on the edge of the fire truck. She looked up toward the building lost in thought, her heart aching again at the sudden loss just when things were looking up.
“Sweetie, we need to check you out.” The soothing voice and gentle touch drew back her attention to the present. As she turned to look at who was talking to her, her heart racing, her chest tight and about to release a deep cry, she locked gazes with a god. The man was absolutely gorgeous with big blue eyes, large muscles, and a sweet smile. He was a paramedic, dressed in navy blue, which made his tan complexion stand out even more. His blue eyes were so bold. She swallowed hard.
“Hey, are you okay?”
She nodded her head as she crossed her legs and then remembered her attire. No bra and skimpy shorts. Not good.
She crossed her arms, the pain to her side instant as she cringed and gasped. He scrunched his eyebrows together and reached for her tank top.
“You’re hurt, I can see the blood seeping through your tank top. Let me check it out.”
She shook her head.
“You need to let the paramedic look you over,” a deep voice stated firmly. She looked up at a very big firefighter with black soot on his cheek. He was attractive, too. In fact, a quick glance around her and she could say with certainty that these were some of the most attractive firefighters she had ever laid eyes on. They reminded her of the men she saw at Sullivan’s. Maybe all firefighters and paramedics hung out there.
“I think she’s in shock,” one said.
“No, she’s just shaken up a bit,” another added.
“I’m fine.” She looked down at her shirt as the paramedic began to pull it up. She prayed that he didn’t ask her about the red marks on her forearms from Rico.
“Son of a bitch. You need to go to the hospital,” he told her.
She read his nametag. Landers. That was his last name. “No. I don’t need a hospital. I’m fine.”
He placed his hand on her thigh, and despite the rubber gloves he wore, she still felt a surge of attraction filter into her skin. He held her gaze firmly as if he felt it, too, and then he pulled away quickly. Maybe she imagined it? Maybe it was her weak, insecure mind trying to find safety and security in another male figure? That was stupid, and she couldn’t go backward in life and repeat her mistakes. No. She was on her own and no other person, especially a man, was the key to being free and making it in life.
“You are not fine. You may need stitches.”
“Stitches? Oh God, how much will that cost?” she asked.
His eyes darkened. “You don’t need to worry about that. Let me check it out and see how bad it is.”
She nodded an okay and prayed she didn’t need stitches. She had nothing. She was homeless and the opportunity to bake and sell her homemade pies was lost.
She covered her face with her hands and leaned back, crossed her legs, and tilted to the side so he could provide first aid. It seemed to her that life sucked and then you die. Maybe it was time to just give in and die already?
* * * *
Johnny Landers was in awe of the gorgeous woman before him. He had never seen her before, and she appeared young, yet mature. She had the most amazing mocha-colored eyes with a hint of glowing color around the edges that made them stand out. Throw in her olive complexion and sexy figure, and yeah, she was a goddess. He swallowed hard as he glanced around, noticing the other firefighters from Engine 20 gathering around. Their chief got them to move away and then raised his eyebrows at Johnny as he glanced at the woman.
“What’s your name, honey?” the chief asked her. She opened her eyes and even Chief Sanchez seemed affected.
“Nina,” she whispered and then coughed.
“Grab Nina a bottle of water, Caldwell,” he ordered to one of his men.
Johnny didn’t know why, but he felt sort of strange. It was like he found the woman attractive, he wanted to ask who she was, how long she lived here, if she was single or not, but there was an edge of something. Perhaps just his professional side telling him to heed caution, and of course his past experience with Tara. That bitch really screwed him up and he didn’t even sleep with her.
The last thing he needed was some sexual harassment charge against him. The woman was a knockout, though, and he needed to grab a hold of himself and concentrate on providing first aid. It was so odd, but he felt the need to protect as he took in the sight of some older red marks on her forearms. When he raised her tank top up to look at her wound, he noticed traces of similar lines heading toward her lower back.
“Nina, it’s not too deep. I can clean it out and bandage it up but you may need a tetanus shot. That fire escape is old.”
She shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine. Thank you,” she said softly, holding his gaze. He brushed his thumb lightly against her skin below the cut and he didn’t even realize he was doing it until her eyes widened and her cheeks blushed.
Someone cleared their throat, and when Johnny looked to the right, Chief Sanchez and Chief Martelli were there smiling with their arms crossed in front of their chests.
Mercury handed him a bandage and offered to apply the ointment as he winked at Johnny. It made him feel jealous, which was so bizarre. As he tried to process his thoughts, they heard an explosion and everyone ducked for cover. Johnny pressed his body over Nina’s, covering her like a makeshift body of armor. He braced his hands over the back of the fire truck and wedged between her legs, pressing firmly against her body.
“Stay down,” he whispered. He could smell her shampoo mixed with smoke. His chin hit her skin on her shoulder and he was so aroused by it. This never happened to him before. Johnny helped to save plenty of beautiful women as a paramedic with Engine 19, but none affected him like Nina.
The chaos of orders being yelled out and firefighters running around grabbing more hose surrounded them.
He confirmed that there were no other injuries and that it was the Dumpster that exploded. Thank goodness no one was nearby, not even the firemen.
He pulled back and Nina’s face was covered by abundant chocolate locks of hair. He pressed them away from her face and held her gaze.
“Are you okay, miss?” he asked.
“What was that?”
“Are you two okay?” He heard the voice and recognized it immediately. His brother Trent, the arson investigator for the county, approached.
He saw his brother’s eyes lock onto Nina’s, and Johnny was immediately thrilled to see the interest.
“We’re good,” Johnny said and eased away from Nina.
“What did you say that was?” she asked again.
“The Dumpster blew up. No one was hurt though,” he told her.
“Hey, I saw you today on the boardwalk, right?” Trent asked, and Johnny looked at Trent then back at Nina. His heart picked up its beat. What were the chances of them both meeting the same woman at different times but the same day?
“I think so,” she said and then turned away. Her response either was a sure indication she was blowing them off or she was shy.
“This whole thing stinks. I got Buddy and Jake on their way here now. Once the fire is out, and we know it’s safe, hopefully we’ll find out who’s responsible for this,” Trent informed Johnny, his gaze lingering back to Nina.
“Someone caused this fire on purpose?” she asked, sounding as outraged as Trent.
“It seems that way. No need for you to worry, unless you happen to see someone sneaking around here earlier today,” Trent said, sounding sarcastic.
“There was some kid, a teenager with a box, by the Dumpster,” she replied and then paused, looking around her and then sliding off the truck.
“You saw someone?” Trent asked her very seriously.
* * * *
Nina panicked. These men were so attractive, authoritative, and good looking she lost her ability to think. Shit! Why did I say that I saw someone? Now they’ll ask more questions. Now they’ll want my name, my information, and they’ll enter it into their computers and Rico will find me.