Page 12 of Arsonist's Match
“Sure.”
Flash heard the elevator ding and knew she only had a minute left on the call before her sexy sweetheart turned into Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bouvier, the all-business ice bitch who could slay any adversary with a glance. A tingle sped up her spine just picturing the smoking hot agent in her official skirt and blouse, poised on her heels, wearing authority like a light scarf around her neck.
“I can’t wait to see you,” Flash rushed to say. “Don’t forget to bring Snuffles, and I’ve got you a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Athena’s tone sounded wary.
“Go catch some bad guys,” Flash laughed. “Tonight, I’m going to kiss you all over and lead you into wild abandon intended to rock your world, so tuck that promise into your kettle and let it simmer all day.”
“You minx!” Athena accused. “How am I supposed to concentrate now? By the way, your dog is as sneaky as you. I think you’ve both taken courses in attracting affection. See you tonight.”
With a sunny spring in her step, Flash boarded the plane for a day full of travel that would have only taken three hours had it been a direct flight. Oh, well, Cal Fire paid for it, so she couldn’t complain.
Flash arrived at the big house first, still awed by its elegance and grandeur. A huge live oak and pristine fountain encircled with flowering plants stood watch over the retreat behind its wrought-iron gates. Although Athena insisted it wasn’t a mansion, every storybook detail of her secret property proclaimed otherwise. Flash felt honored that her fabulous girlfriend had invited her to share such a place, especially since she’d never brought another woman here. She had been the one to break in that indulgent, king-sized bed upstairs, to bring Athena to climax in the enormous spa shower, to play hide, seek, and devour all over the expansive house. The memories alone set Flash’s skin humming.
She dragged her luggage into the downstairs guestroom—no way she’d spend time there, but it beat hauling it upstairs. Then it was off for a quick shower and change into a cool halter top and gym shorts she hoped Athena would find inviting. Even though she was starving, since airplanes didn’t feed you anymore, Flash didn’t presume to order dinner in case Athena picked something up on her way.
Her hair still damp, Flash set the bottle of California wine she’d tucked into her suitcase and the gift she’d picked up from a souvenir shop on the den table. She tried relaxing in the recliner, but ended up pacing impatiently, hoping an urgent matter hadn’t detained her special agent.
The door from the garage opened, and the noise of tiny, stampeding feet tumbled down the short hallway and around the corner, accompanied by frantic panting.
“Arf, arf!” Snuffles raced around Flash’s feet before jumping up, pawing at her legs, consumed by joy at having her mama back.
“There’s my baby!” Flash scooped her up, immediately assaulted by puppy kisses and a wiggling ball of excitement. “Mommy’s home! Yes, I missed you too.”
At the tap of heels, Flash moved Snuffles to a shoulder to gain an unobstructed view of feminine perfection sashaying into view. “And Ireallymissed you!” Setting the dog on the floor, Flash enveloped Athena in a powerful embrace, sinking into her with a sigh, reveling in the smell, feel, and realness of her. Holding Athena was better than fresh bread, a beach day, or even chocolate.
Athena’s arms wrapped tightly around her, and, for an instant, Flash simply breathed, aware of their heartbeats and the week they’d spent apart. Sensing the coveted aura of being cherished, this felt like home.
“I’m glad you’re home and in one piece,” Athena murmured with a relieved sigh.
Hearing Athena say “home” filled Flash with a giddy sensation. Holding the incomparable goddess made her forget why she’d volunteered to sprint off to California in the first place.
Athena brushed a kiss to Flash’s cheek, releasing a wave of desire through the firefighter. It had been an intense week of heavy labor and a few close calls, leaving a residual adrenaline effect unabated in her blood. Dinner might have to wait.
Pulling back an inch, Flash caught a hand behind Athena’s neck, guiding their mouths together with a searing heat that almost matched the level of the wildfire. She wanted to fling Athena onto the couch, strip her bare, and satisfy them both right there. But would that be too pedestrian for Athena?I don’t want to come across as a ravenous creature who only wants to be with her for sex.
Reining in her hungry impulses, Flash eased herself out of a tantalizing, tongue-tangled kiss. “I brought you a little something that I hope you’ll like.”She reluctantly let go of the intoxicating woman who consumed her thoughts and dreams, inching backward to the coffee table.
“You didn’t need to bring me anything,” Athena protested. “Having you back is enough.”
“Yeah, well, it isn’t much.” Flash shrugged and picked up the bottle of wine, extending it to Athena. “This comes from a California winery owned and operated by a woman, which I thought you’d appreciate, and it came highly recommended. It’s a Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay blend, and I remembered you prefer white.”
Athena read the label. “Lady of The Sunshine, 2020 Chevey, Edna Valley. I’m sure it’s fabulous. We can try it tonight, if you like.”
Flash beamed at Athena’s genuine smile, joy bubbling up inside her. “And this.” She picked up a white paper bag from the gift shop, concealing her second present. “I thought about getting you something intimate and personal, but maybe it’s too soon for that. Plus, I wanted something you could hang at work, so you’d think about me, since that’s where you spend most of your time.”
Athena set down the wine bottle just in time for Flash to shove the bag at her. Every nerve tingled as Flash worried, wondered, and hoped she would like it.
Quirking a brow, Athena licked her lips and shot Flash an intense gaze from her mesmerizing hazel eyes. Hues of green and gold lit them this evening as curiosity blossomed across her flawless face. Reaching a delicate hand into the bag, she pulled out a rectangular wall plaque.
“It’s authentic redwood, from the Redwood Forest,” Flash hurriedly explained. “A local artist fire-etched the decorative swirly things and the words, then polished it to be all shiny.”
“Keep calm and carry on,” Athena read, and a smile broadened across her mouth. “Excellent advice for almost any situation. I’ll be proud to hang it in my office, but don’t you know? Even without an inspirational plaque, I think about you all the time.”
Flash’s heart fluttered at Athena’s assurance. “I think about you all the time too,” she blurted out. “And I’ve been thinking that I want to take you on a proper date.”
Athena’s eyes shone as she ran her fingers over the polished redwood.
