Page 10 of Changed By Firefighter Daddy

CHAPTER SEVEN

Clary

The next couple of days with him were heavenly. We were at sea, so we lounged by the pool, took dancing lessons, went to a movie on the big screen, and just generally hung out. It was like we were actually dating.

We’d decided to have a quiet dinner at one of the restaurants on the ship, then head to my room and watch a movie. Tonight the ship turned around and made its way back home.

I tried not to worry about the future, but it kept lingering in the back of my mind. What was going to happen to us when we got back to the mainland?

I knew I’d seen him in Vegas, but that didn’t mean that was where he lived. I didn’t even know where he was from.

I turned as he returned from the bar with drinks and some menus.

“You looked pretty thoughtful there for a minute,” he observed.

I rolled my eyes at him, but then looked at him seriously.

“Where are you from?” I asked him rather bluntly.

He gazed at me for a second, like he realized where this was going and that we weren’t going to like it.

“Originally, Vegas.”

The way he paused, I knew there was more to it.

“Where do you live now?” I asked.

“I moved to a small town in Alaska to get away from everything, well, after, you know. I’m a local firefighter and town cop there.”

My jaw dropped. I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting, but Alaska hadn’t been the answer. It wasn’t the farthest away place, but it was by no means an easy road trip.

“I’m not sure how to talk about this,” I started, then paused to sip my drink.

“I’m coming to care for you a lot, quickly,” I confessed. “Maybe we should start to keep our distance so the end of this trip isn’t so devastating.”

I tossed the whole drink back, making my throat burn and my eyes water.

He looked at me stoically, then leaned back in his chair.

“Is that what you really want?”

“Of course not,” I responded, somewhat angrily.

“Then let’s just keep doing what we both want and enjoying ourselves with each other.”

He leaned forward and took my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing the top of it. Little butterflies took flight in my gut.

“I care for you, too, and there’s already no way I’m going to be able to just leave after this cruise is over and forget about you. I’m going to be calling and texting and annoying you on a regular basis if we can’t find a way to see each other.”

His words made the butterflies flap harder.

“Well, I suppose we could figure something out. Trips and visits. There’s modern technology and all,” I started to feel more optimistic. I leaned forward and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“How connected are you to Vegas?” he asked me suddenly.

“Well, I’ve been there awhile now, and have quite a few friends,” I answered slowly, not really sure where he was going with that question.

“Would they want to come visit you if you lived in, say, Alaska, with a handsome hero?”