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Beth needed to regain control of the conversation, and fast. “What about you? What do you like to do when you’re not here or out fighting fires?”
“Anything outdoors—hiking, camping, that sort of thing. Have you ever been camping?” he asked.
“Not since I was ten. That’s when I started realizing the importance of dry clothes and a warm bed.” Beth cringed again. Why did she keep putting her foot in her mouth?
Drew grinned. “The last part is only an issue if you’re sleeping alone.”
“Well, seeing as how that would be the case, I don’t see where it matters.” Her words came out sharper than they should have.
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” He was frowning, and Beth hated to admit how much she wanted to see him smiling again.
She sighed. “Drew, we can’t be anything more than friends.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” she countered.
“Yes.”
Beth raised her eyebrows, broadcasting her doubt.
He met her gaze. “I’m not going to lie.”
“That’s good, because I detest liars.”
Drew nodded. “Would I like to take you out on a date? Yes. But if friendship is all you’re offering, then I’ll take it.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of his statement. Was he telling the truth, or was it only a ploy to get her to let her guard down? “Why?”
“Why what?”
Was he intentionally being dense? “Why would you be okay with friendship? And why are you wasting your time sitting here with me when you could be off finding yourself a Domme?”
He shrugged. “I enjoy talking to you.”
Beth was expecting him to elaborate, but he didn’t. “Are you not interested in finding a mistress? If you sit here all night talking to me, that isn’t likely to happen.”
Drew smirked. “I’ll take my chances.”
She looked him over, head to toe. “Are you sure you’re a sub?”
“Pretty sure, yeah. Why?”
Beth was trying to figure out a nice way to say it, but decided to throw caution to the wind. There was no reason to hold back. She was who she was, and if he didn’t like it, he could take himself somewhere else. “Because you’re awfully cocky for a submissive.”
He laughed. “That’s probably the firefighter in me. We tend to be a rather cocky bunch.”
If what he said were true, whomever his mistress ended up being would have her hands full. Too bad it wouldn’t be her. “How did you decide to become a firefighter?”
His smile grew wider. “I used to go camping with my dad when I was younger. By the time I was eight, I was begging him to let me build the fire. I’d take my time, making sure it was just right, and then once I had it perfect I’d sit there and watch it burn until my dad would tell me it was time to turn in. Dad said I was so fascinated with fire I’d either grow up to be a firefighter or an arsonist.”
“I’m betting he’s happy you chose firefighter.”
“Yeah.” Drew chuckled. “So what about you? What made you want to own a café?”
She began to relax. This was the kind of stuff friends talked about. This was safe. “That’s a long story.”
He shifted his weight, which brought their legs closer together. “I’ve got time.”
