“I'm pretty sure it is.”
“Then yes. I’ll be there.” She nodded and clasped one hand around her other wrist, still looking up at him, studying him. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
She smiled lightly, but he could tell she wasn't satisfied with his answer. Sky wanted more of him. He had always known she did. It was agonizing, simply because in different circumstances, he would have wanted the same thing too. It pained him that he couldn't tell her the real reason he needed to keep his distance.
Her eyes darted around his shoulder, checking out the parking lot behind them. It's been a while since we've been alone like this.”
“Yeah, it has.”
“What have you been up to?”
“The usual.”
“Hanging with the guys and putting out fires?”
“Yes.”
“I've been busy too. You know, helping Joleen and all…and it's been busy here at work.”
Was she nervous? Brock cleared his throat. God, his hands itched to touch her. His fingers wanted to wind their way around her waist and pull her close. Could he do it? Did he even dare? He was sure Sky wanted it, but would it really be the decent thing to do considering he had so little to offer her?
She took a half step forward, her eyes locked on his lips. Pushing up on her tip toes, she held on to his shoulder and kissed him. Her lips were warm and satiny soft as they brushed lightly across his, sending a tingle down his back before she pulled away. He had to have more of her. Relenting finally, he set his hands on her hips and pressed her against him.
The second kiss was hungry. Brock growled into her mouth, and Sky responded with a breathy sigh. Visions of their last time together filled his mind. They had gone back to her place. It was dark in her bedroom and he hadn't been able to see much, but he remembered her touch, the taste of her skin, her small frame on top of him, her lust-filled sighs of pleasure.
He'd tried to keep those memories at bay, but it was useless. Every time he saw her they would inevitably come up.
Sky pressed up more tightly against him, arching her back until all he could think about was ducking down to nibble on her breasts, then tearing the black work shirt on her torso right off her body. Her arms looped around his neck, pulling him closer still as she deepened into their kiss.
Who was he kidding?
Brock loved Sky.
He knew he did. Yet life wasn't simple. If only she knew the truth. Would she accept him or run away screaming? The latter was more likely to be the case. If his true nature was revealed to her and she balked at it, there was the distinct and real possibility she would tell others. That would expose not only Brock but his entire group. Being their alpha, he couldn't do that. It was his job to keep them all safe.
Forget about it. Keep it simple.
Brock pushed the annoying thoughts away and ran his tongue across her teeth. All he wanted was a few minutes to not think about all of the responsibilities and complications.
His phone began to ring again, reminding him they were standing at the front door of the bar.
Sky's workplace.
He could almost forgot where they were. Almost, but not quite. Sky pulled away first, stepping back quickly. Her hand raised to touch her lips, now raw and pink and so damn tempting from that kiss that could have led to a whole lot more.
“You should answer that.”
“I should.” Brock’s bear was reluctant to leave Sky’s side. This part was not easy. Not that his bear understood. In the animal world such a thing was easy. The male animal found a female to make its mate and claimed it. End of story. Hell, maybe for some people it was just as easy in the human world. For Brock, it wasn’t that simple. He existed somewhere between the two worlds, like the pendant on Sky's necklace, he was half bear and half man. He would never be completely at ease in either domain. Nothing could be done about it, and Brock’s human side compelled him to keep things simple by keeping his distance from Sky.
“It could be your mom again.”
He already knew it wasn't. Brock carried two phones with him at all times. One was his personal phone and one was for work, equipped with a two-way radio for the battalion chief to reach him when they were off. He always made sure they were both charged and ready to go. The work phone had a different ring tone than his personal cell, and every time it went off his chest would tighten.
He pulled out the ringing phone and flipped it open. “Chief?”
“Moore,” rumbled the fire chief's serious voice. “I know you’re not on schedule, but how soon can you and your men get down to meet us?”
Brock wished they could have forgotten together for a minute longer. Or a few hours. His body longed for her, and for a brief moment, even news of the explosion remained on the periphery of his awareness. Sky's kiss had awakened the part of himself he usually worked hard to keep in check. His bear groaned, hungry to be with this woman he cared for deeply, but duty called.