Page 4 of Flames of Desire

“Nothing yet,” I said, my voice firm. “But I want to make things right. I need your help.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, man. What’s wrong with Lily?” Colton’s voice rose in anger.

“I told you Colt, nothing bad happened. I just want to help out her new store.”

“Oh that.” Colt paused, then let out a resigned sigh. “Alright. What do you need?”

I grinned to myself. Now, it was time to put my little plan into action.

After we were done talking and I hung up, I felt a strange feeling of hope and anxiety. Tomorrow was another day, another chance. And this time, I wasn’t going to screw it up.

The next day, I called the chief of the fire station where I served. “Hey, Chief, it’s Alex.”

“What’s going on? Everything alright, Sinclair?” His gruff voice came from the other end of the line.

“I’m good, Chief. Just need to take some time off. Got some personal stuff to handle.”

There was a pause, then a sigh. “Alright, but you know we’re short-staffed with the holidays coming up. We need you here.”

“I know. I’ll make it up when I get back, promise.”

“Fine. Take care of what you need to. We'll manage.” He sighed.

“I will. Thanks, Chief.”

I hung up and got into my car, driving toward the cabin I had reserved for our rendezvous. The snow had become really heavy by the time I arrived, and I had to wade through it to get to the porch of the cabin. The cold bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My mind was focused on one thing: Lily.

Once inside, I began to warm up the cabin, gathering some logs for the fireplace. As I prodded the fire, I heard the sound of a car outside. I turned toward the sound with a small grin on my face—she was here.

It didn’t take a minute before the sound of a knock on the front door echoed through the cabin. I made my way to the door, opening it to reveal Lily Wyatt as the Uber drove away behind her. There was an obvious look of confusion on her face as she noticed who it was.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” she snapped, not even bothering to be nice.

I smirked. “Is that how you should be talking to the manager of Mr. Richard Ginsberg?”

Her mouth widened in surprise. “How did you—”

Before she could finish, I simply chuckled and opened the door even wider. “Better come inside before you catch a cold.”

She hesitated for a moment, then walked inside. I offered to take her coat, but she shook her head. “I can handle it,” she said.

She took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door. The cold had flushed her cheeks, and her hair was slightly damp from the snow.

“Where’s Mr. Ginsberg?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

“He’ll be with us shortly. Please, make yourself comfortable.” I told her.

She nodded, not answering, and made her way to the living room. I watched her walk away, the sway of her hips, the way her hair bounced with each step. The fact that she wasn’t paying any attention to me somehow only made me want her more. It was then I understood that I had to have her. I needed to.

Lily looked around the cabin, taking in the rustic charm and the crackling fire. I watched her from the doorway, her presence filling the room with unexpected warmth. She took a seat on the edge of the sofa, her eyes scanning the room. “This place is… nice,” she said, though her tone was guarded.

“Glad you like it,” I replied, moving to stoke the fire. “Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

I could see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to figure out my angle. I leaned against the mantle, crossing my arms. “You seem tense, Lily. Relax. I’m not here to make you uncomfortable.”

She gave me a skeptical look. “Then why are you here, Alex? What’s your game?”

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