Page 8 of Burn It Down

The deal between our fathers was struck up on the golf course years ago. My father needed wealthy clients and her father needed to secure funding for his campaigns.

If I was attracted to women, Cora would be a solid choice. Cora’s been bred for high society and honestly, it’s a good look on her. She has a big heart and enjoys philanthropic work. She excels at spending her father’s money and making himlook good, but she’s also an entrepreneur and her company is growing rapidly.

I carry a lot of guilt knowing I’ll never love her the way she deserves, but I try to make up for it however, and whenever, I can.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to hear that reaction,” I tell her honestly. Cora’s mom is a piece of work and more often than not, Coraline and I bond over our parents’ many shortcomings. “Before I forget,” I tell her, “I’m on call at the fire station this weekend, so after dinner, I’ll have to head over.”

“I worry so much when you’re there, but I admire that you do it. I just wish you didn’t keep it a secret so others would know how selfless you are.”

A pang of guilt nestles its way behind my sternum and settles there, causing me to sigh.

“We both know my father would shut that down immediately and just find another way to trap me in the ivory tower of Ellington Wealth Management.”

I joined the volunteer fire department three years ago. The requirements are pretty minimal because we have a kick-ass squadron of full-time firefighters,but it gives me the thrill I crave after spending all day in the corporate world of number crunching.

I enjoy my day job, I really do. Hell, if I didn’t, I would’ve saidfuck itto my whole life like my brother did. But I like the challenge of trying to beat the system. I like the puzzle, the analysis, the dollar signs, the satisfaction on my client’s faces, and if I’m being brutally honest, I enjoy the pride on my father’s face when I outperform his expectations. But I also have a need to be wild and free and I seek that thrill by running into burning buildings and waiting on edge to hear those sirens go off. It’s the one piece of myself I’ve been able to hold onto.

I met my three best friends at the fire station. Hudson, Phoenix, and Knox help me feel normal. Although they don’t know I’m gay, I doubt they’d give a shit if they found out. They don’t give care about my money and they fuck with me just like they do with each other, which means more to be than they’ll probably ever know.

“I know. I love your rebellious side,” Cora teases. “Just make sure you hide it under your suit and tie in front of daddy.” She giggles like only an innocent debutant lamb can.

She thinks me secretly volunteering with the fire department is my rebellious side…I shudder at what she’d think about the deepest desires in my heart for the man with the tattoos and ice-blue eyes.

Cora is all smiles after dinner when she wraps herself around my arm and laces our fingers as we wait for the valets to retrieve our cars.

“I wish you didn’t have to go into the fire station tonight,” she says, gripping me tighter. I kiss her head, but stay quiet, unsure how to respond, when she continues. “I bought something I was hoping to show you.”

I look down at her and to my utter shock, she’s discreetly pulling the neckline of her dress aside, revealing a dark, lacey piece of lingerie underneath.

My eyes go wide with surprise and I’m thankful she interprets the shock as lust. The move is so out of character for my conservative girlfriend.

“I thought you might like it,” she whispers as my headlights draw toward us. When the valet tosses me my keys and Cora’s car is pulled in behind mine, she kisses my cheek. “You can see the rest soon. Be safe tonight.”

Cora’s growing interest in our sex life — as well as her recent insistence in discussing marriage, kids, and the future — isn’t good for me. Already on a prescription for Viagra — after lying tomy physician and telling him the stress of my job is really killing my libido — I’ve still been struggling to manage the couple of times a month our schedules actually align and allow us to make it happen.

I kiss Cora’s cheek one more time and get her tucked into her Audi before climbing into my own car.

I’ve never been as relieved to head to the fire station as I am right now. Getting out of having sex with your partner shouldn’t feel like dodging a bullet.

Chapter 4

Dylan

I’ve had six collective hours of sleep in the last three days. I’m seeing double and feeling nauseated, but I text Jake to let him know the Maserati’s finally done. I got it done in four days, but I ended up having to wait an extra week for the parts so I’m a little late on delivery. Hence the reason for the major lack of sleep. Even still, a three-week turn-around is faster than the dealership would’ve had it done.

And I know everything’s been done correctly.

Once the message is sent, I lie down in the breakroom. I figure he won’t be by until after work, so I have time for a quick power nap. But when I wake up thirty-minutes later with him standing over me, I damn near kick him in the balls.

“What the fuck?” I jump off the couch.

He holds up his hands. “Sorry. Sorry. I tried knocking. No one’s at the front.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder. “You said come by any time.”

“Right. Sorry. I just thought it would’ve been later.”

I scrub my hand down my face and lead him back into the main office. It’s a little after noon and Cassie took Dad out to lunch.

I’m getting ready to walk behind the counter to cash Jake out when suddenly, he throws me to the floor.

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