Page 9 of Unpredictable Flames

“Shit!” Jake jumped off the bed, then gazed at his sweaty body and groaned in frustration.

“Gonna have to take another shower?” I smirked. “Need my help?”

He glanced at me, and something dark flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. “I'll see you when I get back.”

He rushed into the bathroom, leaving me exhausted and satisfied.

CHAPTER FIVE - BURNING SECRETS

I rushed out of my bathroom, hoping to see Lily’s beautiful self sprawled on my bed, but as I stepped into my bedroom, all I saw were my ruffled sheets and a subtle reminder of what had just happened between us.

Suddenly, it felt like my whole world came crashing down as I realized what I had just done. Oh fuck, Cole is going to absolutely murder me.

I knew I had a reputation as a playboy and couldn’t afford to expose myself as someone with actual feelings, but Lily made me feel different. I hadn’t spent much time with her, but for some reason, I felt like we both had a beautiful connection.

I quickly got dressed and rushed out of the house and into my car. I pulled out of the driveway, glancing at the window to catch Lily's wave. Her smile lingered in my mind as I drove towards the fire department building, ready for another day of duty.

As I arrived at the fire station, Chief Ross called me into his office.

“You wanted to see me, Chief?” I asked, as I entered his office and shut the door behind me.

Inside, Chief Ross called me into his office. “Yes, I did, Jake. You didn’t show up for work yesterday and you're late today. What's going on?” he questioned, a stern expression on his face.

The memory of Lily, tangled sheets and tousled hair, flooded my mind, causing me to clench my eyes shut and shake my head in an attempt to dispel the distracting images.

“Sorry, Chief. I took my day off yesterday, and I had to help Lily with some complications,” I replied, trying to focus on the conversation.

Ross sighed, probably recalling that Lily was staying at my place. “How's she doing? Other than the incident, I mean,” he inquired, concern evident in his tone.

“She's okay,” I assured him. “Just a little shaken up, but she's holding on.”

With a nod, Ross dismissed me, and I spent the day doing what I usually did when there wasn’t a huge fire emergency—responding to calls, conducting drills, and ensuring everything was in order. The day passed in a blur, and soon, it was time to clock out, handing over the reins to the night shift.

As I drove home, my anticipation grew with every mile. Thoughts of returning home to Lily slowly consumed my mind, igniting a fire of longing and desire within me. The pull was undeniable.

Arriving at the familiar sight of my house, I parked my car in the driveway and made my way up the stairs into the house. The aroma of a delicious meal hit me, erasing the day's stress. Lily had prepared something incredible, and the enticing smell welcomed me home. The day's chaos melted away, replaced by a strange but welcomed warmth.

I walked into the kitchen and found Lily there. “Hey, you're home,” she smiled, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

The thought of grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in for a kiss filled my mind, but I couldn’t act on my impulses. It was one thing to think about these things but another to actually do them.

“Lily. I don’t think you should be stressing yourself so much,” I said to her, afraid that she was going out of her way just to thank me for saving her life.

“It’s just cooking, Jake. I think I can handle this much.” She smiled, carrying the plates into the dining room.

I stared in awe at the beautiful candle-lit setting of the dining room. I chuckled in disbelief, turning to her as she set down the covered plates.

“What’s all this?” I asked, pulling out a chair and taking my seat.

“This is our dinner.” She smiled, taking the covers off the dishes.

Layers of tender lasagna noodles were nestled between rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, savory Italian sausage, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. Garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, the lasagna filled the air with its irresistible aroma, promising a delicious and satisfying meal.

“Fuck, I could get used to this,” I chuckled, taking a seat at the table.

“It’s the least I could do,” Lily beamed, taking the seat opposite me. “I hope you like it.”

“Oh, I have a feeling I definitely will,” I said, grabbing my fork and digging into the lasagna Lily had made. I noticed her smile brighten as she also joined in.

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